The entertainment news report continued:
"Wu Qianxi is also the young miss of the Wu family who are long-time friends with the Long family. The Longs and the Wus have several business collaborations over the years. Many expected that the connection between the two families would deepen with the marriage of Long Hui and Wu Qianxi but they suddenly broke up. And now we recently learned from Long Hui himself that he fathered a child with another woman—"
The TV suddenly turned off.
"Don't watch that anymore," Long Hui's cold voice said. He held the TV remote control in his hand. He looked furious by the news report.
Jiang Ying Yue also felt upset because the news report made it sound like she was the reason why Long Hui and Wu Qianxi's relationship ended. The two already separated when Jiang Ying Yue and Long Hui began their affair.
"Do you still have feelings for Wu Qianxi?" she asked him.
He scowled. "No."
"But you were engaged to her before…"
"No, we weren't. I never proposed to her. It was more of a verbal agreement of marriage between our families when we were children. It's not an engagement because we didn't agree to it. Yes, we became lovers but it didn't work out." Long Hui tossed the remote to the couch and sat beside her. He grabbed her hand and held it tightly. "She's just someone from my past. You're the one I love now and the one I'll continue to love in the future. Don't think about her anymore."
"What if your father wants you to marry her?"
"What about the elders? I'm sure they prefer for you to marry Wu Qianxi more than me…" Her voice trembled a little.
He pulled her into his arms and embraced her. "The elders don't rule the Longs. It's my father who's the head of the family. He already loves and dotes on our son. I'm sure he'll accept you."
Although a great sense of insecurity pervaded her, Jiang Ying Yue still nodded. She hugged him back, not realizing that she was squeezing him hard. He didn't mind, though. He loved her physical strength.
"Ying Yue, why don't you come and attend Father's birthday party with me this coming weekend?" he asked.
"No!" Her answer was quick. She didn't even think about it. Anxiety filled her eyes.
"Please, my sweet Ying Yue. I know that you'll feel uncomfortable there but can you do this for me? For our family? I want to introduce you to everyone and let them know that I'm serious in staying with you and our son."
She felt torn, so she didn't answer right away.
"Little Sister Xiulan will also be attending," he added as additional persuasion.
"Is she?"
He grabbed his phone and called Iris. When she answered his call, he didn't even greet her. He immediately asked, "Little Sister, you're attending Father's birthday party this weekend, right?"
"No."
"What?" Long Hui was surprised.
Jiang Ying Yue's expression cleared up. It was obvious that she already decided not to go like Iris.
"I already called Father and informed him that I'm not attending the party. I'll just send him a gift via delivery and visit him in person the next day," Iris told him.
He saw Jiang Ying Yue's decision on her expression and panicked a little. "Come on, little sister. Attend the party. It's our Father's birthday."
"Father says it's okay if I don't want to go."
He took a deep breath and decided to just tell his sister the reason why he wanted her to attend. "I want to bring Ying Yue and formally introduce her to Father and to everyone. She won't go if you're not going. Can you change your mind and accompany her?"
Silence.
"Fine," Iris finally said.
He exhaled a big sigh of relief. "Thanks, little sister. I owe you one."
"I'm not doing it for you. I'm doing it for my friend."
Her answer made him chuckle. He didn't mind it at all. In fact, he was happy that the two got along with each other and were even friends.
After speaking a bit more, the call ended.
"She says she's coming," Long Hui told Jiang Ying Yue.
Although she still felt unwilling, she agreed to attend the upcoming birthday party, as long as Iris went with them. He could sense her unwillingness, so he tried his best to reassure her.
"Trust in me, my sweet Ying Yue. With or without Little Sister Xiulan, I'll protect you. My priority now is you and our son."
"Okay."
###
Gold Heights Condominium, Iris' penthouse unit.
Night of Long Tengfei's birthday party.
Long Hui and Jin Liwei were watching a football tournament on TV in the living area. Long Hui was in a formal tuxedo suit with a dark red tie, while Jin Liwei was in casual clothing.
Little Jun was also there running around chasing Popcorn. His nanny followed him, making sure that he wouldn't get hurt. As for Ice Cream, she was sleeping on Jin Liwei's lap, enjoying her daddy's gentle strokes. She lost a lot of weight but still looked fat compared to her slim brother, Popcorn.
All of them would be sleeping in the penthouse tonight.
"Mommi! Mama!" Little Jun's excited voice interrupted them.
The two men turned their heads at the same time. Their breaths also caught in their throats at the same time.
Jiang Ying Yue wore a traditional red qipao. The skirt hung just below her knees. The toned muscles of her arms and calves stood out the most. She looked strong and tough.
As for Iris, she wore a modern qipao-inspired dress. Its colour was more magenta than red. The upper part of the dress looked like a traditional qipao but the lower part was a floor-length flowy skirt. It was elegant yet also sexy at the same time with its thigh-high slit. The slit was unnoticeable at first, but when she walked, her smooth leg would pop out of the dress.
Jin Liwei gently transferred Ice Cream from his lap to the couch. Then he stood up and walked to his baby girl. He grabbed her waist, pulled her to his body and kissed her in front of everyone.
Seeing them, Long Hui also stood up and walked to Jiang Ying Yue, intending to kiss her too. However, he was too late. Another guy reached her faster than him.
"Mommi, kiss!" Little Jun demanded his mother.