60: Chapter 60 Accidentally Entering the Imperial Family: The True Noble Male Supporting Character 21

Powerful families like the Meng Family have grown to an exaggerated degree.

Given the policies of H Country, living abroad is actually more suitable for them.

Therefore, the true core of the Meng Family resides abroad almost all year round.

If it weren't for Meng Zhu living in the country, Elizabeth wouldn't necessarily take the time to return every year.

Thus, the guests at the banquet only held respect for Elizabeth.

When Qiao Chuxia conversed with Elizabeth, the crowd only cast occasional glances, paying no mind.

But Meng Zhu was different; he was the person who stood at the pinnacle of Baijin City, looking down upon them every single day.

The crowd felt not only respect but also fear.

As he walked into the banquet hall, the atmosphere instantly changed.

The low, gentle symphony that had been playing vanished without a sound.

The soft clinking of glasses and hushed conversations in the hall abruptly ceased in the very same second.

Without a word from anyone, everyone tacitly fell into instant silence.

His tall, slender figure thus collided with everyone's field of vision.

The newcomer's appearance was undoubtedly outstanding, with handsome features and sharp, well-defined contours.

Yet, Qiao Chuxia's surprise did not stem from this.

She had seen photos of Meng Zhu, but those online pictures were far too stiff.

While Meng Zhu was handsome, he was not so otherworldly as to be incomparable to Chu Yunting.

Yet, unlike his face, the real-life Meng Zhu was surrounded by a powerful, palpable aura.

It was not mere coldness, but an absolute sense of control, settled deep into his bones after long dwelling at the pinnacle of power and overlooking the rise and fall of the business world.

The moment he appeared, he seemed to naturally become the center of the world, an aura of nobility rushing forth to meet everyone.

His gaze was devoid of warmth, as calm as a waveless deep sea. Even without direct eye contact, he exerted a pressure as heavy as Mount Tai.

He wore a pure black, handmade custom suit, the fabric displaying a deep texture that seemed to absorb the light around it.

It, too, was free of any superfluous, intricate adornments, save for the subtle iris pattern on the suit's lapel.

As he took each step, his leather shoes tapped rhythmically against the obsidian floor.

At this moment, all the guests in the hall avoided looking directly at him.

Those titans of industry and heads of powerful families, who could turn the world upside down in the outside world, were now as meek as obedient subjects.

Everyone instinctively held their breath, not a single person daring to make the slightest sound.

Chu Yunting, standing on the periphery, straightened his back, his entire body stiff as a clay statue, his face turning slightly pale from extreme tension.

When people feel uneasy, they instinctively seek a sense of security.

Thus, in the suffocating atmosphere, he subconsciously searched the crowd for his mother's figure.

However, for some reason, his mother happened to not be in the banquet hall.

Meng Zhu naturally knew that Qiao Chuxia was in the banquet hall.

But since she happened to be behind Elizabeth, Meng Zhu pretended not to see her.

With a gentle sweep of his deep eyes, he locked onto Elizabeth's position and walked straight toward her.

Qiao Chuxia's breathing nearly stopped. Truly seeing Meng Zhu, she felt her heart drumming, and she was terribly flustered.

Unfortunately, her feet refused to cooperate; despite trying for a long time, she only managed to take a small step back.

Fortunately, Meng Zhu's gaze remained on Elizabeth; he likely hadn't noticed her.

She chickened out and hurriedly lowered her head, wanting nothing more than to bury her head like an ostrich and have no one speak to her.

Yet, the man's magnetic voice was already close at hand.

When Meng Zhu came to a stop in front of Elizabeth, his eyes were immediately filled with tenderness.

Elizabeth was the same, her entire being radiating maternal warmth.

Given her status, it wasn't suitable for her to stay in H Country all the time, but her child was stubborn, so she could only return to the country for occasional visits.

She held Meng Zhu's arm with one hand and gently stroked his shoulder with the other, whispering softly:

"Darling, are you alright?"

Although it was not the anniversary of his death, but rather his father's birthday, Meng Zhu was always in a very low mood on this day every year.

"Of course, I am fine, Mother. And you?"

Elizabeth lowered her eyes.

"You know, on this day every year, I miss your father just as much as you do."

Meng Zhu nodded slightly. He understood, of course; according to the setting, this princess would without fail return to the country on this day every year, no matter what, to be with Meng Zhu and host this family banquet.

In the past, birthdays were always spent together as a family.

But now, though Elizabeth was unwilling to tell others why, she stubbornly insisted on hosting a banquet every year, hoping to have all her friends by her side.

She only hoped for the day to be lively, as a way to offset the intense loneliness she felt on this day.

But today was different.

Elizabeth remembered the young girl behind her.

Her expression immediately brightened, and she urged her son.

"Darling, we all miss your father, but I still hope you can be a little happier today."

"I know, Mother."

"That's good."

After saying this, Elizabeth broke into a bright smile.

She took his hand and turned slightly.

"As it happens, let me show you—who is this?"

With just that slight turn, Qiao Chuxia was fully exposed.

Meng Zhu was slightly astonished.

This astonishment was not feigned; he was not surprised that Qiao Chuxia was here.

He was surprised by Qiao Chuxia's appearance.

Compared to the last time he saw her give a speech, this woman had lost much of her youthful energy, but had gained a great deal of stunning, feminine charm.

It was as if a pink rosebud had blossomed into a blood-red flower.

Yet, she was still young, and this outfit contained both a cool aloofness and a lively spirit.

One could only say that she was worthy of being the heroine of this world.

Seeing her playing the ostrich, Meng Zhu fought to suppress a smile.

"Hmm, Qiao Chuxia?"

Qiao Chuxia wished she could crawl into a crack in the obsidian floor.

But she had already been discovered; what else could she do?

She would just have to deal with it.

Summoning courage from who knows where, she immediately raised her head, revealing a sly smile and the swan-like curve of her white neck.

"Mr. Meng, are you surprised to see me here?"

Meng Zhu's lips curled slightly.

He stared into her beautiful eyes and gave a slight nod.

"Indeed. I am certainly surprised, and even pleasantly so."

What was he saying? Pleasantly surprised?

Qiao Chuxia's composure shattered at his words; her ear tips immediately flushed red, and she felt quite embarrassed.

To cover up her embarrassment, she seemed to suddenly remember her manners.

She gave a mock cough.

"Um, Mr. Meng, does this count as our first meeting?"

As she spoke, she prepared to reach out, wanting to shake hands with Meng Zhu as if greeting an ordinary friend.

Just then, a strange sound echoed throughout the entire banquet hall.

It was the sound of everyone collectively gasping in shock.

It was so distinct.

Yet, these onlookers didn't even dare to whisper amongst themselves, which only made the sound of their collective gasp seem all the louder.

The sudden change in atmosphere startled Qiao Chuxia.

Only then did she remember what kind of being she was actually speaking to.

This made her hand, which she had only just reached out, freeze in mid-air from sheer fright.

But immediately after, she felt a wave of warmth on her hand.

Meng Zhu had reached out first and taken her hand.

"You are quite right. It is our first meeting. I am very pleased to meet you, Miss Qiao."

Qiao Chuxia was slightly stunned, but then she suddenly relaxed and broke into a light, cheerful smile.

"Likewise. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Meng, and... to meet you today."

Seeing that Qiao Chuxia had finally relaxed, Meng Zhu released her hand.

Elizabeth, who had watched their every expression from the side, couldn't help but beam with a smile.