Seventeen Again: The Sweet Life with My Family - Chapter 107
Chapter 107: Invitation
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Observing the situation unfold, Wei Lai disregarded the warning in Li Bing’s eyes and stepped forward to intercept Wen Nian. “Hold on, you can’t enter without an invitation,” he declared.
Wen Nian regarded Wei Lai with a perplexed expression. “Who said I don’t have an invitation? The staff members have already accepted it,” she replied.
The staff members comprehended the situation and, in order to preempt any potential anger from Wei Lai towards them later, they decided to retain Wen Nian’s invitation.
Wen Nian was well aware of the tricks often employed in upper-class society. Without hesitation, she swiftly turned around and made her way to the designated area where the invitations were placed. She picked up the topmost one, opened it, and held it in her hand. Then, she directed a smile at Wei Lai. “Miss Wei, now that I’ve presented it to you, are you implying that this is a counterfeit?”
Laughter erupted from the crowd as someone found the situation amusing. The notion of counterfeit invitations seemed absurd, as such practices were typically associated with high-profile, significant events. Those invitations featured elaborate anti-counterfeiting measures, including special logos and expensive printing materials. In contrast, for a relatively modest birthday celebration like this one, the production cost of the invitations was likely minimal, at most a few yuan.
Wei Lai could clearly perceive the sarcasm in Wen Nian’s words. He hastily snatched the invitation from her hands and noticed a small, private seal on the upper left corner, indicating his grandfather’s invitation. Wearing an innocent expression, he gritted his teeth and spoke in a low voice, “You deliberately wanted to humiliate me, didn’t you?! If you had an invitation from my grandfather, why didn’t you mention it earlier?”
Wen Nian’s expression became enlightened as she responded, “Ah, so you were referring to me earlier? You didn’t mention my name specifically. Secondly, the situation you described, where you claimed to not have an invitation, doesn’t apply to me. Frankly, I’m quite perplexed by what you’re talking about.”
Li Bing’s expression turned slightly unpleasant as she glanced at the onlooking guests. She forced a smile and said, “Wei Lai, you’re a year older and should be more mature. Why do you still enjoy teasing Wen Nian like this? Wen Nian, you’re being excessive. Why do you feel the need to provoke her?”
Li Bing directly downplayed the situation, likening it to a childish squabble between two youngsters. The experienced individuals present, well-versed in the ways of the business world, saw through the charade but chose to play along, feigning ignorance.
“Kids these days really know how to play.”
Li Bing let out a nervous laugh and commented, “You nearly gave me a fright. I thought I had unknowingly let in a stranger.”
Li Bing gathered a group of affluent ladies and engaged in cheerful conversation as they strolled towards the glass greenhouse she was tending to. Just before she departed, she cast a stern, cautionary gaze at Wei Lai.
Feeling embarrassed, Wei Lai shot a furtive glare at Wen Nian before leaving with Jiang Ning.
Left alone at the door, Wen Nian felt completely at ease. Despite not donning any renowned brands, she exuded a sense of comfort. She remained unaffected by the fact that she didn’t fit into this social class. Her natural and relaxed demeanor drew the attention of a small group of people.
Wei Chen observed the entire scene from the second floor, his eyes fixed on Wen Nian’s every move. A mischievous smile played across his face, indicating that he found her actions intriguing.
Wen Nian sat at the corner table on the first floor, unnoticed by the others. Realizing that she had slipped out of everyone’s attention, she made her way to the door to retrieve her belongings. Quietly, she exited through the side door and crossed the small garden, heading straight towards a standalone two-story building located at the back.
In her previous life, Wen Nian was aware that Wei Ming resided here, but she had never set foot in this place before.
Among the entire building, only the small room on the left side of the first floor was illuminated, presenting a stark contrast to the bustling activity in the front and exuding an air of desolation.
Wen Nian rapped on the closed door, but received no answer. Undeterred, she knocked forcefully once more and called out in a loud voice, “Uncle Wei!”
After a brief period of waiting, just as Wen Nian was preparing to knock on the door again, it swung open unexpectedly.
A gaunt face emerged from the darkness, its eyes as lifeless as those of a deceased person. The sight startled Wen Nian to the point that her heart seemed to momentarily cease its beating.
Wen Nian steadied herself, taking two deep breaths to regain her composure. The pungent scent of alcohol wafted through her nostrils, originating from the person before her. Suppressing her unease, she cautiously spoke up, “Uncle Wei? My name is Wen Nian, and I am Wen Xing’s daughter.”
When Wei Ming heard Wen Xing’s name, a flicker of recognition passed through his eyes. After a moment’s pause, he inquired, “Why have you come looking for me?”
Had it not been for the lingering scent of alcohol, Wen Nian might not have detected that Wei Ming had been drinking. As he spoke, she discerned a slight slurring in his voice, a subtle indication of his intoxicated state.
Wen Nian found it even more peculiar that Wei Ming, being a vegetarian and a follower of Buddhism, would also be a drinker. The apparent contradiction between his lifestyle choices left her puzzled.
Wen Nian pushed aside her doubts and managed a smile. “Uncle Wei, I’m here to attend Wei Lai’s birthday party today. When my father learned of my visit to the old residence, he specifically mentioned you and asked me to come and see you.”
Wei Ming cast a brief glance at Wen Nian, then proceeded to open the door. He turned around to switch on the lights, illuminating the surroundings.
It was only at that moment that Wen Nian could clearly see the layout of the hall. Adorning the living room were several portraits of a woman. Based on her intuition, Wen Nian deduced that the woman depicted in the portraits must be Wei Xiao’s mother..
