"How stunning!"
"Iris Long looks even more beautiful in person than on TV."
"Look at that dress! Oh, that hidden slit is just ingenious! I need to ask her later who designed it."
Iris walked in together with Long Hui and Jiang Ying Yue. The ease and confidence of her movements looked graceful and elegant. With her extraordinary beauty and statement dress, it was no wonder that she caught everyone's attention as soon as she arrived.
As the heir of the Long family, Long Hui was used to being the centre of attention in events like this. However, this was the first time that he experienced literally everyone looking at him with so much interest. Well, technically, it was his sister they were looking at, but he could still feel their eyes on him just because he was together with his sister.
Jiang Ying Yue's already straight back became even straighter and her expression reverted to her neutral, emotionless bodyguard expression. She could feel the curious and judging eyes of the people around her. It was an extremely uncomfortable feeling. She wanted to go home to his son, but steeled herself to stay for Long Hui.
'Calm down. Xiulan is here,' she told herself.
The three passed through the whispering crowd, headed to Long Tengfei so that they could greet him a happy birthday.
"Who's that woman beside Young Master Long Hui?"
"Wow. Look at that body. You don't see muscled women like that often."
"Hmm. She looks familiar. I think I've seen her before… Oh! I know! She's Iris Long's bodyguard! You can see photos of her with Iris on the internet taken by fans and paparazzi. So is she here to accompany Iris as a bodyguard?"
"Wait a minute. Did you forget Iris Long's speech during the music awards? She mentioned that her bodyguard is the mother of her godson. And we now know that her godson is also her nephew, Young Master Long Hui's illegitimate son. So that woman must be his mistress!"
"What? Is that true? He brought his mistress to a formal event like this? How audacious!"
"If I were a member of the Long family, I would feel extremely ashamed that our heir brought his mistress who's a mere bodyguard and even presents her to everyone as if he plans on making her into the next madam. Now we know the reason why Long Hui and Wu Qianxi broke up. A third party destroyed such a perfect pairing."
Jiang Ying Yue's steps faltered when she caught some of the things they were saying about her. She almost bolted out of the place. Long Hui clasped their hands together. He squeezed her hand, trying to reassure her. The murmurings became louder when they saw the two holding hands in front of everyone.
With her great ears, Iris heard almost all of their words. Her eyes turned cold. However, she had developed enough affection for Long Tengfei to not ruin his birthday party by creating a scene. So she flipped her hair and gave everyone a bright smile. Her smile bedazzled all of the people, effectively diverting their attention from Jiang Ying Yue back to her.
Finally, they reached Long Tengfei and the others.
"Happy Birthday, Father," Iris and Long Hui greeted him.
Long Tengfei nodded, pleased that all of his children were present for his birthday. He was especially delighted that his youngest daughter still came, even though she already informed him that she wouldn't be attending. Despite his joyful feelings, his expression remained cold and strict.
Jiang Ying Yue bowed her head in respect. "It's an honour to meet you, Sir Long. Please accept my birthday wishes. Happy birthday, sir!"
"Hmm." Long Tengfei nodded. "I believe we've met before."
"Y-yes, sir," she replied in an awkward manner.
Indeed, they had met before. She was Long Hui's former bodyguard. She would follow him around as part of her duty, so it was inevitable that she encountered Long Tengfei who was Long Hui's father.
"Well, do enjoy yourself tonight," Long Tengfei told her.
"Thank you, sir."
Long Tengfei turned to Iris. "So your fiancé didn't come."
"He's at home taking care of the kids—I mean the cats…and Little Jun, too," she replied.
His mouth twitched, trying to imagine Jin Liwei babysitting two cats and a toddler but couldn't. The President-CEO of Jin Corporation, the number 1 company in the country, acting like a househusband? It was too unbelievable that his brain couldn't imagine it.
"Even though my fiancé couldn't attend tonight, he sends his birthday greetings to you, Father," Iris added.
"Tell him my thanks and send my regards to him," he replied.
"Yes, Father. I'll tell him."
He nodded. Then he told the three, "Go greet the elders quickly and then return here. I want you beside me to greet the rest of the guests."
The three obeyed. Jiang Ying Yue paled. Beads of cold sweat formed on her temples.
"Are you alright?" Long Hui asked her in a whisper.
"Are you stupid? Of course she's not alright. Look at her. Does she look okay to you?" Iris told him in a matter of fact tone.
"I…I'm alright. I'll be alright," Jiang Ying Yue told them.
"Sorry, Ying Yue. Please bear with it for tonight. Just ignore them. Focus on us, our son, our family. Okay?"
The three headed to the elders and greeted them. Long Jufang and Long Meng looked disapprovingly at them, especially at Jiang Ying Yue.
"Since your father appears to have accepted your bodyguard mistress as his guest tonight, I will not contradict his decision," Long Jufang told Long Hui. "However, I hope you realize that your actions are very disgraceful and shameful. Bringing this woman and parading her in front of our important guests? As the heir of our Long family, you are turning all of us into a joke!"
Jiang Ying Yue paled even more. She avoided looking directly at the elders. Her neutral expression cracked. She even looked like she was going to faint.