Chapter 66: The Mother and Daughter Are Putting on an Act Again

Chapter 66: Chapter 66: The Mother and Daughter Are Putting on an Act Again

After exchanging a few pleasantries about the weather or the refreshments, the topic would naturally be dropped.

It was easy to see that, just like Song Yao, they were all deeply uncomfortable. The banquet was so stiff it felt like a pantomime.

Normally, Shen Zhenwu should have taken the lead, with Yao Yuzhen assisting, to guide Song Yao around and properly introduce her to the guests one by one.

But there was no sign of Shen Zhenwu. And Yao Yuzhen?

She had long since joined her circle of old friends, chatting away animatedly, having completely forgotten about Song Yao standing awkwardly to the side.

Her back was to Song Yao, the fan in her hand waving rhythmically.

"Mom! Look who’s here!"

Just as Song Yao was wondering whether Shen Zhenwu would burst in right at dinnertime, a sudden shout erupted through the crowd.

She glanced over, her eyelids lowering slightly.

Shen Shuangshuang came bounding in, her dress dazzlingly bright and her ponytail whipping through the air.

Two people followed behind her. Liu Yumin had one arm hooked tightly around Song Shunqiang’s, while her other hand clutched the strap of her handbag, her eyes darting in every direction.

Song Shunqiang, meanwhile, stood with a stiff neck, gaping at the courtyard, stunned by the bustling crowd that filled even the entryway.

The sudden appearance of this family of three left the courtyard full of distinguished guests completely baffled.

Several soldiers glanced sharply toward the entrance, exchanging bewildered looks.

No one recognized the middle-aged couple.

Not until Shen Shuangshuang rushed up to Yao Yuzhen, her face beaming, did she announce, "Mom! These are my sister’s adoptive parents! When they heard our family was holding a recognition banquet, they were so thrilled that they took a special trip by train all the way from Nanhui!"

After speaking, she turned and waved energetically at Song Shunqiang and Liu Yumin, the smile never leaving her face.

The moment she spoke, dozens of pairs of eyes slid in unison toward Song Yao.

’Oh, so those two actually showed up?’

’We’d heard stories about the adoptive parents... For them to show up now, Song Yao can’t be too happy, can she?’

"Little sister... you... how did you change so much?"

Liu Yumin’s eyes fell on Song Yao’s new, ear-length haircut and the delicate watch on her wrist. A sudden pang shot through her heart, and tears welled up before she could finish speaking.

She let go of Song Shunqiang, hurried forward, and stopped right in front of Song Yao. Her hands hovered, not daring to touch, as she said in a trembling voice, "Daughter, we were wrong! We were truly wrong! You must have suffered so much all those years at home, haven’t you? Your father and I are here today to admit our mistakes!"

Song Yao didn’t respond. She just slowly turned her head to stare at Shen Shuangshuang. "You found them?"

Her gaze was placid, but it felt like two needles stabbing into Shen Shuangshuang’s eyes.

Shen Shuangshuang flinched, and her voice immediately softened. "Sister... I didn’t want to cause a scene. I just wanted our family to be able to talk things out. You know..."

She sniffled, the rims of her eyes turning red. "I’m their biological daughter, but you never liked me staying here... I might as well just go back to Nanhui with Mom and Dad."

Before the words were even out, her knees slammed onto the ground, and tears splattered onto the gray flagstones.

"Mom! Thank you for raising me!"

Yao Yuzhen was startled and reached out to pull her up. "Oh, my dear girl! Get up, get up! I gave birth to you and I raised you, don’t talk like we’re strangers!"

She held Shen Shuangshuang’s arms with both hands.

Some people saw Yao Yuzhen and Shen Shuangshuang crying in each other’s arms and felt a warmth in their hearts.

Others sneered, thinking the whole act was ridiculously fake.

"I thought today was supposed to be Mr. Shen’s recognition banquet for his biological daughter. How come it looks more like Mrs. Shen and the adoptive daughter are the main event, playing house?"

Someone in the crowd muttered under their breath. The voice wasn’t loud, but it was like a needle, instantly puncturing the polite facade in the room.

Yao Yuzhen took a breath, wiped the moisture from the corners of her eyes, and smiled at the crowd. "My apologies, everyone, for the little spectacle. Today is, indeed, the recognition banquet for our Song Yao."

Before she could finish, Song Shunqiang suddenly started bellowing, "Song Yao! So now that you’ve flown the coop and become a young miss in a rich family, you’re just going to cast aside the parents who raised you?"

At his outburst, every head in the room whipped in his direction.

Yao Yuzhen immediately turned to Song Shunqiang and Liu Yumin, the smile never leaving her face. She nodded and said, "You’ve both come all the way from Nanhui City; you must be exhausted. As for what happened before, we truly didn’t mean to make things difficult. My husband, Shen, has a quick temper and can be reckless in his words and actions. I’m sorry you were treated poorly at the barracks."

"But we know in our hearts that if you hadn’t raised Song Yao, she wouldn’t be standing here today. We will always remember this kindness."

As soon as she finished, the room came alive with reactions. Some people stared blankly, some frowned, and some couldn’t stop themselves from rolling their eyes.

One woman snorted out loud. "Ms. Yao, you certainly are magnanimous! We heard the girl lived on watery porridge at the Song Family’s house, was beaten with a stick, and rarely had a winter coat. In the end, they nearly stuffed her in a bridal sedan and sold her off to an old bachelor who works as a butcher..."

"And you’re thanking them instead of demanding justice for your daughter?"

Liu Yumin immediately jumped to her feet. "Those are vicious rumors! That’s not what happened at all!"

Yao Yuzhen gave a slight nod, her expression calm. "Please, don’t be anxious. The Shen family is reasonable, and we’re willing to listen to the truth. Please, take your time. We’re all listening."

Liu Yumin wailed as she wiped her nose, "We never hurt her! She was the one who had no shame! Just a teenager, already fooling around with all the men in the village!"

"Our family was so poor we couldn’t even afford to eat. Zhang Laosan may be a butcher, but at least he had meat with every meal. She was greedy for a taste of it, so while we were sleeping, she secretly crawled right into his bed!"

Every head in the room swiveled, their eyes locking first on Liu Yumin, then on Song Yao, all staring, transfixed.

Yao Yuzhen swayed, her face instantly paling. "N-No... Impossible! My daughter would never be that kind of person!"

Shen Shuangshuang quickly covered her mouth, her voice trembling. "My sister is a good, honest girl! How could she possibly do something like that? Auntie, you can’t just open your mouth and sling mud like this!"

Liu Yumin dropped to her knees and raised her right hand. "If I’m lying, may I be struck by lightning! May I be reborn as a dog in my next life!"

No one really believed in such dramatic oaths anymore, but everyone knew the score.

When an argument reached this pitch, the person with the loudest voice and the most pathetic tears was the one who usually came out on top.

Even if most people inwardly thought the accusation was absurd, their gazes toward Song Yao now held a new layer of scrutiny and doubt.

Among the guests at this recognition banquet, which family didn’t have an eligible young bachelor?

Mr. Shen was a well-known figure in Beijing, and many families were eager to form an alliance with the Shen Family through marriage.

Shen Zhenwu’s insistence on this grand recognition banquet was, on the surface, to formally acknowledge his daughter. In reality, he was planning to use the opportunity to find a stable, reliable husband for Song Yao.

Though it was never said aloud, Yao Yuzhen was his wife; how could she not understand his intentions?

And so, this bustling and humiliating drama had begun...

Song Yao quickly replayed the events in her mind and immediately understood what was going on.

She was so angry she almost laughed.

She couldn’t be bothered to engage with Liu Yumin’s absurd, troublemaking antics.

’The more I rush to explain, the guiltier I’ll look, and the deeper I’ll fall into the trap they’ve set.’

’These guests aren’t completely blind.’

’Didn’t Zhang Laosan point right at Liu Yumin’s face in front of everyone and curse her out for trying to sell her daughter?’

’If there had really been an affair, why would Zhang Laosan have gotten so angry and broken off the deal?’