Chapter 921
That kind of delicacy seeped into her bones, without a trace of pretense or intentionality.
So in Ling Qingan’s life, the word “compromise” never existed; if she liked something, she liked it, and if she didn’t, she didn’t, all depending on her mood and willingness.
Spontaneous yet carefree!
How much of this was owed to Wen Jichen?
And now, that special preference and exception belonging to Ling Qingan no longer belongs to her!
She glanced at the two people diagonally in front, and then looked at the person beside her.
From the moment Ye Zhichen saw Yin Xiner, she felt an eerie illusion that Yin Xiner was just like Ling Qingan.
Obviously, they didn’t look alike at all.
Now, comparing the two together, there was a sudden epiphany.
Their appearances and dressing styles indeed held no resemblance.
But Yin Xiner’s words and actions, even the subtle expressions in her brows, eerily resembled Ling Qingan.
Especially that kind of capriciousness, carefree, arrogant, and doing things her own way.
But between the two, there was the difference between the genuine and the imitation.
Compared to Ling Qingan’s innate arrogance, everything about Yin Xiner was just a deliberate display.
Noticing a gaze falling on her, Ling Qingan turned her head to meet Ye Zhichen’s eyes.
She curved her lips into a smile, then her beautiful eyes dropped to her still-flat belly.
“I heard you’re pregnant p>
Ye Zhichen was slightly stunned, nodded, “Mm p>
“Congratulations p>
“Thank you p>
She smiled faintly, her gaze looking into the distance, her voice somewhat distant.
“Love yourself and the child well; nothing else matters p>
Ye Zhichen’s brows moved slightly, somewhat surprised that the carefree Ling Qingan would say such words.
She looked up at her, seeing her lips slightly curved up in a smile, seemingly carefree, yet she sensed a hint of sadness beneath it.
She nodded, nothing else matters p>
This might be the most genuine advice Ling Qingan could give her.
Modern engagement parties are simple, but among the wealthy, the engagement ceremony is complex.
As they approached the hotel, they saw the couple standing at the entrance to welcome guests.
Miss Ning was in her engagement dress, standing elegantly by Li Xu’s side, her appearance beautiful, indeed a perfect match with Li Xu.
Not seeing Li Sheng, Su Ran frowned slightly.
After entering the hotel, shortly after, the engagement ceremony officially began.
Exchanging gifts, greeting elders, speeches by the elders, and then the ring ceremony.
Su Ran and Fu Qiyuan sat in the front row, and during this time, Li Sheng was nowhere to be seen. Watching the couple on stage, after the official ring exchange, they were now officially engaged.
After the host’s congratulatory words were uttered, it was time for the ring ceremony, and everyone looked to the stage, awaiting this important moment.
At this time, at the end of the stage, a girl in a blue-grey dress, holding a ring box, slowly walked towards the couple on stage.
Su Ran pressed her lips together, her gaze falling on the girl; Li Xu’s face darkened slightly as he watched the girl walk towards him, his eyes turning a bit cold.
This path was short, yet in Li Sheng’s heart, it felt very long.
Finally, she stood in front of the couple.
Her delicate face wore light makeup for this joyous day, making her features more beautiful.
Under the lighting, she appeared even more radiant and delicate.
She slowly curved her lips into a smile, her face displaying a genuine blessing.
“Brother, happy engagement to you. May you and sister-in-law love each other without doubt, and never part till old age p>
Li Xu stared at her, a cold light glinting in his deep eyes, the air around them inexplicably colder.
Miss Ning’s cheeks flushed slightly; she glanced at Li Xu beside her and said:
“Thank you, Sheng Sheng p>
The guests below the stage were a bit surprised to see Miss Li personally delivering the ring.
All admired the good relationship between the Li siblings, with the brother engaged, the sister delivering the ring, even if a bit unorthodox, it highlighted the sibling bond.
After the host’s congratulatory words, the ring ceremony followed.
Li Sheng smiled, “Brother, quickly put the ring on sister-in-law p>
Li Xu’s eyes turned cold again, looking quietly at her, and after a moment, his long fingers slowly reached out to take the lady’s ring from the box and placed it on Miss Ning’s finger.
Miss Ning also took the other gentleman’s ring and placed it on Li Xu’s finger.
The ceremony was complete.
Having completed everything, Li Sheng turned around. At that moment, Su Ran saw a tear slip from the corner of her eye, then she quickly lowered her head.
And that tear, with her movement, fell to the ground.
Su Ran felt a mix of emotions.
Their paths had diverged, and it was final.
Along with the delivery of the rings, Li Sheng’s heart closed as well.
And that tear was the final farewell.
To this love that ended without ever beginning.
Next came the toasts, and then the banquet began.
Fu Qiyuan’s group was assigned to a private room, and just as Su Ran was about to be whisked away by Ye Zhichen, Fu Qiyuan pulled her into his arms, finding a place furthest from Ye Zhichen, warning her with a gaze.
Ye Zhichen couldn’t help but twitch her lips, glaring back fiercely, eventually sitting beside Chi Mu.
Ling Qingan sat next to Su Ran, while Wen Jichen and Yin Xiner coincidentally sat across from them.
Faced with the two, she didn’t even lift her eyelids, lounging idly in the chair, playing with her phone.
Wen Jichen’s deep, inscrutable eyes quietly assessed the woman across from him, so out of place.
Her bright autumn eyes reflected the colors from her phone screen, lightly made up, flawless, the room’s bright lighting bathing her forehead in a shimmering glow.
Her slender fingers occasionally slid across her phone, her eyes drowsy and casual, the enthusiastic atmosphere in the room seemingly unrelated to her, she was isolated from the world, immersed in her own realm.
Her gaze shifted to the glass beside her, picked it up, and her lips touched the rim, taking a gentle sip before setting it down again, the rim stained with the color from her lips.
Wen Jichen’s eyes gradually darkened, picking up his water glass and swallowing its contents in one go.
When the dishes were served, she finally set down her phone, and the group began to eat, though many were more focused on drinking and chatting.
Ling Qingan paid no mind, remaining immersed in her world, neither joining in the conversation nor participating in the drinking, simply holding her chopsticks, eating in her place.
Her out-of-place demeanor inevitably made her seem difficult to approach, or perhaps too pretentious.
But this was Ling Qingan, never one to wrong herself or to willingly compromise for anyone, the things she did not like, no one could force her.
Pretentious?
Yes! She was indeed pretentious, this she never denied!