Chapter 14: Stunning Debut

At this time, melodious music suddenly began to ring throughout the noisy banquet hall and the lights momentarily went out. Just when the crowd was wondering what was going on, a beam of light illuminated the siblings standing on the spiral stairs.

Almost all eyes fell on them.

Just then, Tang Xi suddenly heard the voice of the system prompt in her mind…

[System: My dear queen, are you satisfied with the surprise I prepared for you?]

Tang Xi raised her eyebrows. ‘Not bad.’

[System: Your Majesty, I’m glad you like it.]

‘Can you read my mind?’

[System: Your Majesty, don’t forget that we are bound now.]

‘OK, 008, you’re great!’

[System: Thanks for your praise. Now it’s show time!]

Tang Xi smiled. ‘Keep your eyes wide open.’

Holding onto Xiao Yao’s arm, she looked below her like a queen gazing down at her people, so noble and lofty. Standing closest to her, Xiao Yao had been intending on supporting her lest she got a fall, but when he turned around and saw her charming smile and starry eyes, he couldn’t help but hold his breath.

He suddenly felt as if she might disappear if he exhaled just once more.

Tang Xi knew what Xiao Yao was thinking because she was aware of her own charm. Somebody had once told her, “Your smile eclipses the entire world.”

If she were to smile with Xiao Rou’s face, she would not get the effect she wanted; however, with the perfect makeup gifted by 008, she was a belle right now. When she smiled, everyone would be attracted by her.

Tang Xi smiled and whispered to Xiao Yao, “Brother, let’s go.”

Staring at Tang Xi who was almost shining, Xiao Jinning, who was standing in the center of the hall, clenched her fists so tight her nails went deep into her palms, but she seemed not to feel any pain.

Liu Chengyu, who was standing beside her, was completely stunned by Tang Xi’s beauty. ‘Who is this girl?’

Watching the girl gracefully walking downstairs like a princess, Lin Ru mood was horrible.

At this time, the lights in the hall suddenly went on and a beam of light illuminated the stage. Xiao Hongli was standing on the stage, and he looked at the siblings walking down the stairs as he said, “Thank you for coming to my father’s welcome banquet. Tonight we have good news to share with you—I have finally found my daughter, Xiao Rou, and she will be returning to our family tonight. Let’s wish her a bright future.”

“So this is Mr. Xiao’s daughter. She is really beautiful.”

“My god, the moment she came down, I was almost stunned. She is gorgeous.”

“She looks so graceful, just like a real princess.”

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“And the three sons of Mr. Xiao are also handsome. Oh, I felt my heart skip a beat when I looked at them.”

While the people were talking, Tang Xi and the Xiao brothers had arrived in the hall. The crowd parted on both sides to make way for them. Tang Xi nodded to them in greeting, and walked towards Xiao Hongli and Yang Jingxian step by step.

The Xiao brothers escorted Tang Xi to the stage and stopped. Xiao Hongli took a step forward and reached out his hand to Tang Xi, who gathered up her dress with one hand and gave the other to Xiao Hongli. He took her hand and led her to the stage.

Xiao Hongli led Tang Xi before the microphone and stepped aside. Tang Xi took a look at Xiao Hongli, who thought she got stage fright and so encouraged her in a low voice, “Be brave, Rourou.” Tang Xi gently nodded and gave him a reassuring look in response, then she walked up to the microphone, bowed to the crowd with the most standard etiquette and said, “Good evening, everyone. I’m Xiao Rou. Thank you all for coming.”

Her voice was sweet and melodious, like trickling water, and put the crowd in a serene mood in this hot summer night.

Thunderous applause broke out.

Tang Xi waited until the applause stopped, and said with a smile, “Thank you for your presence, and your applause. Have a great time.”

Staring at Tang Xi on the stage, Xiao Jinning wished that she would fall off and die instantly, but Tang Xi still stood there being the focus of everyone’s attention!

No, it shouldn’t be like this!

She should be the focus of attention! She should be the only heroine tonight! She!

Xiao Rou was nothing but a country bumpkin from the mountains. In the face of these people, she should be too timid to stand on stage and be laughed at by everyone, but shouldn’t be like this—behaving naturally and at ease like a duck to water and gaining universal popularity!

She was the most popular princess!

“Is she your cousin?” Liu Chengyu’s voice broke Xiao Jinning’s reverie.

Xiao Jinning turned around only to see that Liu Chengyu’s eyes were fixed on Xiao Rou. She secretly gnashed her teeth and hated Xiao Rou even more, but she still smiled at Liu Chengyu and gently nodded, saying, “Yes, she is the long-lost daughter of my second uncle.”

Liu Chengyu nodded and replied, “I see.”

Xiao Jinning smiled and nodded again. “Yeah, Rourou suffered a lot all these years. Now she’s finally come back to our family. It really hasn’t been easy for her.”

Taking a look at Xiao Jinning, Liu Chengyu was beguiled into thinking that she was truly concerned about Xiao Rou. He patted Xiao Jinning on the shoulder with a smile and said to her tenderly, “You are just too soft-hearted. No one’s life is easy. After suffering comes happiness. She has become a popular princess and her sufferings have borne fruit.”

“Brother Chengyu, don’t say that. After all, Rourou’s past life was miserable.” She then smiled as she continued, “But as you said, she’ll suffer no longer.”

Liu Chengyu put his arm around her waist, gently touched the tip of her nose with a finger and said lovingly, “You are always so sweet.”

Xiao Jinning was relieved to see Liu Chengyu still speak to her affectionately. She turned her eyes to Tang Xi. “Xiao Rou, even though you are in the limelight, so what? The man who is supposed to belong to you loves me, belongs to me, and you’ll never be able to take him away from me!”

However, Xiao Rou on the stage didn’t even look at her.

Although Tang Xi didn’t like to socialize with people, she had a way of responding to compliments, which was to stare at the bridge of the other party’s nose and smile sweetly from time to time.

Right now, she was staring at the bridge of somebody’s nose.

Many people came over to ask Tang Xi out for dinner, but Yang Jingxian politely refused them for her.

As it was Yang Jingxian refusing them, they dared not be angry. With Xiao Hongli’s current status, if he didn’t care about the shares of the company, he didn’t have to socialize with them.