Negative feelings simmered within Iris. However, she didn't notice that they weren't completely hers. She only knew that she felt indignant for her friend, Jiang Ying Yue. Unbeknownst to her, something began stirring inside her. It was affecting her own emotions in an inconspicuous and subtle manner. It made her loathe the elders and the other members of the Long family, despite not meeting them personally after waking up as Iris Long.
Huge drops of sweat began dripping from Jiang Ying Yue's face. Her skin felt cold to the touch. It was not noticeable but her hands were trembling.
"Elders, please excuse us. Father says we need to return quickly to his side and join him in greeting the rest of the guests," Iris interrupted in a cold, emotionless voice. Then she grabbed Jiang Ying Yue's hand and pulled her away, not waiting for the elders' permission to let them go.
Long Hui was only momentarily surprised by her brusque action before running after them.
"How disrespectful! I was feeling optimistic that Xiulan has finally changed for the better, but look at her! Still the same rude, willful and spoiled brat!" Long Jufang complained.
He hadn't finished scolding Long Hui yet. He also planned on warning his bodyguard mistress away and on lecturing Iris afterwards. He was very displeased that Iris dragged them away before he could finish everything he had to say.
"Young Master Hui started defying us around the time he grew closer to Young Miss Xiulan," Long Meng commented. "I think that Young Miss Xiulan is the bad influence to Young Master Hui. She has corrupted him with her bad behaviour. What's even more disgraceful is she's reportedly friends with that bodyguard! It's no wonder that Young Master Hui has become so rebellious because he has been hanging out with bad company."
The elders continued to grumble about Iris, Long Hui and his "bodyguard mistress", Jiang Ying Yue.
Iris and the couple joined Long Tengfei and the others in greeting the visitors.
Long Tengfei knew by their expressions that the elders must've said something unpleasant to them. He inwardly sighed, feeling a slight headache. He loved his children and wanted to protect them, but as the head of the family, he also had a duty to take into account the opinions of the elders and the other branch families. It was difficult balancing his duty as the family head and his personal feelings as a father. But he must do it.
Chen Fei acted polite throughout the conversations, but she ignored Iris. She was still hostile towards Iris and unable to forget her grudge.
As for Iris, her bad mood didn't go away after leaving the elders. In fact, the negative feelings simmering inside her gradually grew stronger. The more Chen Fei blatantly ignored her, the more Iris wanted to slap her face.
She also felt annoyed at Long Jinjing who acted nice and shy. Long Jinjing was very considerate with her words. Iris could almost see a bright halo floating over Long Jinjing's head. It made her feel surly.
The change in her emotions was so subtle that Iris treated these irrational feelings as her own.
Despite the tense undercurrents between them, they still interacted politely with each other. It gave the guests an impression that all of Long Tengfei's children got along with one another.
After greeting most of the guests, Long Tengfei asked for everyone's attention. They stopped their chatters to listen to him.
"My dear friends, I would like to thank all of you for coming to celebrate my birthday today. My wife and I appreciate your time and your well-wishes. I am very happy today because all of my children came tonight. My firstborn, Long Hui. My second son, Long Jian. My first daughter, Long Jinjing. And my youngest daughter, Long Xiulan. You may know her as Iris Long."
The guests murmured among each other.
"So her real name is Xiulan…"
"I am very proud of all of my children. They are the greatest blessings of my life. My biggest wish for my birthday is to watch all of my children develop their own set of strong wings and fly high towards their respective successful lives."
The four Long siblings smiled at their father's words. Whether they were acting or not, the guests couldn't be sure.
Long Tengfei spoke for a bit more before ending his speech.
Everyone clapped their hands when he finished speaking. Then they raised their glasses in a toast to a long life for him.
The party resumed.
Long Jian excused himself to join Long Xiaopeng's group. He was closest to Long Xiaopeng's branch family. He never experienced any discrimination from them for being illegitimate. This branch family was among the weakest and least influential in the Long clan, but Long Jian planned on elevating their status when he succeeded as head of the family and Long Industries.
Long Tengfei and Yang Jiahui began moving around to entertain the guests and also to personally speak to the important personages who attended. As the heir, Long Hui was instructed to join them.
"Come with me?" Long Hui asked Jiang Ying Yue.
She quickly shook her head. "You go ahead. I'll just stay here with Xiulan and Meimei."
Iris clicked her tongue, displeased at his actions. "He wanted you come with him tonight, but he's leaving you just like that? I thought he was going to introduce you to everyone? What's he doing now? How irresponsible."
The ill feelings inside her magnified all the shortcomings she noticed among the members of the Long family, including Long Hui. Surrounded by the Longs in this party, these feelings only solidified even more inside her.
However, Iris still failed to notice the qualitative change in her emotions.
She turned to Jiang Ying Yue. "If he continues to lack resolve in fighting for you like this, feel free to find a better man than him. I don't want my godson to follow a spineless father like him as a role model."