C18 Chapter 18 – Go in and Try

The pair descended the stairs together.

With a smile, Wang Yulan said, "Xueqi's awake. Come join us for breakfast."

"Okay." Tang Xueqi nodded slightly before heading to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash up.

Wang Yulan shot a glance at Luo Yun. "You can find breakfast elsewhere. You're not included."

"…"

Luo Yun couldn't believe someone would make such a fuss over a meal.

But he wasn't one to take offense.

Nothing Wang Yulan did could surprise him anymore.

Once he finished freshening up, Luo Yun stepped out.

Tang Xueqi paused, then spoke up, "Mom, please don't do this."

"He had it coming!"

...

After wandering around town, Luo Yun didn't return until after having his evening meal.

Upon his arrival, an irate Wang Yulan confronted him, saying, "There, you've done it again."

Luo Yun was taken aback.

Wang Yulan tossed her phone at him. "Answer it yourself!"

"Who is it?"

Luo Yun caught the phone, puzzled.

Immediately, Tang Loong's voice came through, "Have you left yet? Do you know where the banquet is, or do you need directions?"

Before Luo Yun could respond, Wang Yulan grabbed the phone back. "Enough, enough, stop nagging."

She quickly ended the call.

"Always causing a scene!" Wang Yulan fumed, preparing to head out.

Without an invitation, how could she attend?

She planned to make up an excuse for not making it to the banquet.

It would be less humiliating.

Luo Yun suggested, "Today's the banquet for Lord Worm. Since it's been mentioned, why don't we just go?"

"Hmm?" Wang Yulan frowned at Luo Yun. "You think we haven't embarrassed ourselves enough and still want to show up?"

"Why not find out by going?" Luo Yun replied calmly.

At that moment, Tang Xueqi emerged. "Mom, what's the matter?"

"It's this whole business with Lord Worm's invitation. He insists on going even without one," Wang Yulan said, clearly annoyed.

Tang Xueqi furrowed her brow. "Luo Yun, are you serious?"

"Let's go."

Luo Yun had already stepped out the door, leaving Tang Xueqi momentarily stunned before she quickly caught up to him.

Wang Yulan was equally taken aback. "Hey, daughter, are you really going through with this?"

"We can't just let him go by himself, can we?"

...

Luxury cars lined the entrance of the Jade Sea Blue Sky Restaurant, a testament to the opulence within.

Men in sharp suits and women in glamorous gowns flowed in and out, each dressed to the nines.

"Take it easy," Tang Xueqi said, tugging at Luo Yun with a hint of resignation. "Maybe we should just head back?"

She was subtly trying to dissuade Luo Yun from his intention to enter the hotel.

But before Luo Yun could respond, Tang Loong's voice cut through the air.

"Wow, you actually showed up?"

Looking up, they saw Tang Loong, dressed to impress and managing to mask his frail aura.

His surprise was evident. "Yulan, I didn't think you'd make it. I figured you'd come up with some excuse. But here you are, for real!"

Wang Yulan blushed at his words; she had indeed harbored such thoughts.

With a strained smile, Wang Yulan replied, "How... How could we not? Here we are, after all."

"Ha! Since you've come, shall we head inside?" Tang Loong laughed heartily and strutted toward the entrance.

He glanced back to see the others hesitating and called out, "What are you waiting for? Come on, let's all go in together."

"Right, right, we're coming," Wang Yulan said, hastening after him.

Tang Loong shook his head with an amused smirk and didn't wait up, entering the restaurant on his own.

At that moment, Wang Yulan couldn't contain her frustration. "Great, now we're here without an invitation. How are we supposed to get in? If we get thrown out, that'll be quite the spectacle."

She gave Luo Yun a frosty look.

Undeterred, Luo Yun made his way inside.

Wang Yulan snapped, "Luo Yun, what are you doing? There's still time to turn back. It's not too late to avoid embarrassment. Don't just barge in there. Let's go back!"

Her words were laced with vexation.

Tang Xueqi grabbed Luo Yun's arm, urging him to drop the act. "Enough already, let's just head back."

"Why can't we go in?" Luo Yun questioned with a frown.

He was baffled. They were already here; why not just try to enter and see what happens?

To Wang Yulan and Tang Xueqi, however, it wasn't a matter of simply trying. The real concern was the embarrassment of being turned away at the door.

Exasperated, Wang Yulan exclaimed, "I'm at my wit's end with you. How did I end up with such a blockhead? I'm done with this—I'm going back."

Tang Xueqi's frown deepened, her patience wearing thin. "Luo Yun, we're leaving."

She started to lead him toward the car, but just then, Tang Loong reappeared. "Hey, Yulan, where are you off to?"

Caught off guard, Wang Yulan hastily replied with a forced smile, "Oh, I left something in the car. Just going to grab it. You go ahead, Uncle Loong. We'll be right in."

"No need for formalities, we're all family here. I'll join you," Tang Loong said with a sly chuckle, putting Wang Yulan in an awkward spot.

Now what? She shot Tang Xueqi a look of resignation, silently conceding it was time to come clean.

But the thought of such a humiliating revelation was too much for her.

Tang Xueqi, with no other options, began, "Uncle Loong, the truth is..."

"Let's go!" Luo Yun cut her off abruptly.

Tang Loong laughed heartily. He had been watching the whole time and had already figured out they lacked an invitation.

With Luo Yun's prompt, Tang Loong taunted, "Alright, let's all go in and witness Director Tang's grandeur."

Luo Yun offered a faint smile and moved to enter when he felt Tang Xueqi's grip on his hand. He turned to her, puzzled.

Tang Xueqi, her expression stern, asked, "Aren't you tired of this charade?"

"Who's putting on a charade? Let's just go inside," Luo Yun retorted, pulling her along with him.

Tang Loong, eyebrow cocked, teased, "Xueqi, you seem out of sorts. You're not looking your best. What's wrong?"

Tang Xueqi pressed her lips together, remaining silent.

Wang Yulan, trailing behind, caught sight of them heading inside and hurried over, her face a picture of astonishment. In a hushed tone, she asked, "What's going on? Why aren't we heading back, but instead walking further in?"

"He insists on going in. What else can I do?" Tang Xueqi responded with a sense of resignation.

Wang Yulan shot a disapproving look and snapped, "Why bother with that idiot? Just let him go make a fool of himself alone."

"Yulan, what are you discussing?"

The voice of Tang Loong reached them, prompting Wang Yulan to swiftly switch to a beaming smile. "Oh, we were just chatting about heading inside. You know, worrying about things like accidentally wearing the same outfit. But that's hardly something you'd be interested in, right?"

"Oh! Got it!" Tang Loong nodded, as if he had just understood.

Now, they really had no choice but to enter. The entire group made their way directly into the restaurant.

Tang Xueqi let out a weary sigh. She had no more words for Luo Yun, too tired to bother.

And Wang Yulan, she was just as concerned about keeping up appearances.

Let it go, let it go...

She took a moment to collect herself, bracing for whatever was to come.

As they made their entrance, they were greeted by someone from the hotel – a middle-aged man whose skin gleamed with a polished sheen.