The black marbled floors gleamed like mirrors, and the opulent crystal chandeliers and cool-toned decor all echoed the personality of the owner.
At this time, the three of Quan Yimo were sitting side by side on the couch in the bright living room, their gaze uniformly focused on the man seated across from them.
"Third brother, you didn't visit the Main Mansion first when you got back, grandfather misses you," Quan Mingxuan looked at the silent man across from him, feeling somewhat vexed.
The task that their grandfather assigned to them was indeed tricky!
The man sitting on the sofa across the room had sharp and deep facial features. At the moment, he was bathed in the radiance of the crystal chandelier, adding a touch of alluring charm to his handsome face. His legs were crossed, every move radiating dizzying elegance and dignity. This was the third eldest grandson of the Quan Family - a man whom everyone in Beijing addressed with respect. It was Quan Jingwu!
Although she had grown up in the Main Mansion with Jingwu, Quan Yifei still felt a certain unease and fear around her third brother. She was most afraid not of the Quan patriarch or her own parents, but of this icy brother in front of her.
Quan Jingwu lifted his gaze, glanced at the three across from him, and slowly said, "I'll go back later."
He knew his grandfather's temperament all too well. If he came home today without visiting the Main Mansion, he was sure that his relentless old man would pack up and move into his place without hesitation. This, he had absolutely no doubt about.
Quan Yimo's three siblings finally relaxed once their task was accomplished. Quan Yifei then smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Third brother, I want to ask you something."
"Hmm?" replied Quan Jingwu, his tone neither heavy nor light.
"Third brother, did a beautiful girl who doesn't seem real recently move into Shijin Haoting?" Quan Yifei's eyes lit up at the thought of Jian Qing.
Quan Jingwu glanced at her sideways and uttered three words, "I don't know."
Quan Yimo and Quan Mingxuan were already expecting his response and thus didn't show disappointment. After all, their third brother's notorious indifference to women was well-known. They had never seen any woman besides their family members get close to him.
Undeterred, Quan Yifei persisted, "Third brother, are you sure you don't remember? She's impressive and very pretty."
As she spoke, she added inwardly that the girl's beauty was more than just pretty – it could even rival that of their handsome third brother.
Quan Jingwu remained impassive, "I don't remember!"
Seeing Quan Yifei's stubbornness, Quan Mingxuan nudged her sleeve, signaling her to stop. He then turned his gaze towards Jingwu, "We've received the invitation to Old Master An's birthday celebration. Will you be attending this time?"
Although they didn't have much connection with the An Family, their grandfather shared a certain rapport with Old Master An. They would have to attend due to this relationship, the necessity of maintaining appearances overriding their preferences. However, if their third brother didn't want to attend, they knew no one could force him. Their question was more out of casual curiosity.
After a few seconds of silence, Quan Jingwu's thin lips curved slightly, "Yes."
Quan Yimo and the other two were stunned. Quan Yifei's lips parted in surprise. Had the sun come up from the west today? Had their third brother taken the wrong medication?
Wasn't he the one who disliked attending these banquets the most?
"Jingwu, did something shock you?" Quan Yimo asked, still finding it difficult to believe it.
Quan Jingwu's cold eyebrows furrowed slightly as he replied indifferently, "Attend one banquet, avoid staying at the Main Mansion."
Upon hearing the underlying reason from Quan Jingwu, the siblings laughed understandingly. It seems it was a trade-off proposed by their mischievous old grandfather. He knew Jingwu didn't like dwelling in the Main Mansion, so using this banquets as bait seemed like a matchmaking opportunity.
In all honesty, they also somewhat disliked staying at the Main Mansion. Their grandfather's chess skills were poor. He not only played and then regretted his moves, but also liked to force them to play chess with him, which was too agonizing.
They had not stayed at Shijin Haoting for long before the incessant phone calls from their unsuspecting old grandfather bombarded them, prompting the three to hurriedly rush Quan Jingwu back to the Main Mansion.
...
The night was slowly falling as twilight was dawning.
Old Master An's grand 94th birthday was celebratory. Everyone talked about how respected old Master An was in Beijing. Those who had received invitations early were all in attendance.
The birthday banquet wasn't held in a hotel but in the An Family's old mansion. Aside from Old Master An and his son's family, the rest of the An family moved out of the old mansion after they came of age or married. Only during holidays or special occasions would all of the An family members gather at the old mansion for a few days. It had become a sort of tradition, so on normal days, the An family's old mansion was relatively quiet.
The An Family's old mansion was located in the suburbs and covered a vast territory. Unlike the usual quietness, today the old mansion was particularly lively. Luxury cars were parked one after another in the An Family's parking lot. The opulence of these cars was dazzling, almost giving the impression of being in a car dealership.
Currently, in the grand Banquet Hall, enormous crystal chandeliers hung harmoniously in the air. The colourful, dazzling light danced, making one feel slightly dizzy.
The guests clustered in small groups, engaging in convivial exchanges. Men were speaking about business deals or recent significant events in Beijing, while women compared their respective appearances and outfits.
Drinks clinked, men engaged in profound conversation, and women shared gentle jokes. This was the blend of high society that made one breathless yet sublimely immersed.
Everyone held their wine glasses, conversing jovially with those around them. Despite their attempts to be discreet, their glances towards the elevator betrayed their underlying intentions. In Beijing, there was no one who did not know of Old Master An. It could be said that An Zhonghui, the head of the An family, wasn't really in charge. The person holding sway was Old Master An, an influential figure who commanded respect without exerting anger.
Those in attendance were all too aware of Old Master An's influence. They spared no effort in selecting befitting birthday gifts, waiting for the chance to present themselves in front of him. Ideally, they hoped to build some connections. After all, attaching themselves to the An family tree, a giant of Beijing, was a completely beneficial move.