Chapter 84: Mrs. Ye Steals the Show at the Banquet!

Time always flies.

In the blink of an eye, the day arrived for the banquet hosted by Mrs. Wang, the wife of the Land Bureau’s deputy director.

Six o’clock in the evening.

Inside a two-story Western-style house in Hudong County, the lights blazed brightly. Several cars, including Ladas, Santanas, Toyota Crowns, and Xialis, were parked outside the villa.

Those invited here were either wealthy or influential, essentially the cream of Hudong County’s high society.

They either held government office or possessed great wealth.

One had to have either money or power.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t even be able to cross the threshold.

Today, Mrs. Wang had specially dressed in a light red knitted cardigan over a qipao. Her hair was piled high, and she wore exquisite, charming makeup.

On her feet were soft kidskin shoes, and in her hand, she held a small purse adorned with pearls, looking very beautiful.

She stood outside in the courtyard. As the other wives arrived, they looked at her with admiration and envy, greeting her one after another.

“Oh my, Mrs. Wang! You really know how to dress. You’re the most beautiful one again today! Look at this qipao and knitted cardigan combo. Why didn’t I think of wearing it like this?”

“Mrs. Wang, your elegance is unmatched! Normal people could never pull off this look. It’s beautiful, grand, and elegant! My husband is always telling me to learn how to dress from you!”

“Exactly! So beautiful! Look at you standing there; who could possibly notice the rest of us? You’re absolutely radiant! Too beautiful!”

…

The stream of flattery, whether sincere or fake, left Mrs. Wang absolutely delighted.

She couldn’t help but glance toward the gate.

Why hasn’t Mrs. Ye arrived yet?

She is my old rival, after all!

I put so much effort into my outfit today just to outshine her again!

She could hardly wait.

By half past six, the banquet was about to begin. Amidst the bustling crowd, quite a few people noticed Mrs. Wang’s glances and understood she was waiting for Mrs. Ye.

So, while the group of women chatted, their eyes drifted toward the entrance from time to time.

Finally, a moment later, the courtyard gate opened.

A household servant jogged in to announce her arrival.

“Everyone! Mrs. Ye has arrived!”

Mrs. Ye was here?

This announcement was like a drop of water hitting hot oil. Everyone fell silent for a split second before instantly bursting into chatter.

Zhao Lanzhi was among them.

Chen Donghai was, after all, the wealthiest man in Hudong County.

Since his rise to wealth inevitably required dealing with government officials, he had sent Zhao Lanzhi to handle social relations with the wives. Her main strategy was to keep a low profile, flatter them, and find various ways to gift them money and items to win their favor.

Only then could his business run smoothly in Hudong County.

Zhao Lanzhi’s face was stiff from smiling, but she still responded attentively to the conversation.

“Mrs. Ye relies on her wealth and always dresses dripping in jewels. It’s so tacky. She definitely won’t compare to Mrs. Wang this time!”

“Exactly! Her figure doesn’t compare to Mrs. Wang’s either. She’s a bit plump!”

“But the Tobacco Bureau is indeed wealthy. I heard one of her diamond rings costs several thousand yuan!”

…

Creak.

The courtyard gate was pushed open.

Mrs. Ye walked in.

But this time, the moment Mrs. Ye appeared, everyone froze.

Was… was this really Mrs. Ye?

She wore a long, double-breasted camel cashmere coat that looked slim and sophisticated. Underneath, she no longer wore those gaudy sweaters or shirts.

A simple, form-fitting black V-neck knit top accentuated her voluptuous figure, paired with a pencil skirt that didn’t make her look plump at all. Instead, she looked incredibly charming and beautiful!

Her neck seemed elongated, adorned with a necklace that made her skin look fair and elegant.

Her hair was permed and styled in an updo, making her look even taller.

And the most crucial thing was this.

She was carrying that bag!

Even from a distance, one could see the layer of wild rabbit fur covering it. It was grayish-white, soft, and delicate, clearly genuine fur.

And the style was incredibly elegant and grand!

It was structured and stylish. From afar, they hadn’t noticed, but as Mrs. Ye drew closer, they realized the fabric was entirely hand-knitted!

The auspicious cloud patterns looked noble and generous. Combined with the wild rabbit fur and the specially stiffened body of the bag, it was simply gorgeous and exquisite!

When Mrs. Ye set it down on the table, the metal hardware on the base made a soft click, instantly drawing everyone’s eyes to it!

“What’s the matter? Why is everyone so quiet? Are you not welcoming me?”

Mrs. Ye was extremely satisfied with their reactions!

Hmph!

It was finally her turn to steal the spotlight!

She even deliberately turned the bag around, placing it right in Mrs. Wang’s line of sight. “Mrs. Wang, why aren’t you speaking? You invited me to your banquet, surely not just to leave me out in the cold?”

Mrs. Wang: “!”

Her face practically turned green!

Forcing a smile, she walked over and warmly took Mrs. Ye’s arm, saying, “Mrs. Ye, you do love to joke! How could that be? I just didn’t expect you to change your style today. The girls and I almost didn’t recognize you.”

As Mrs. Wang spoke, her eyes finally locked onto the handbag.

“Mrs. Ye, your handbag looks so beautiful. None of the ladies here can compare! Where did you buy it? The provincial capital’s department store? But I’ve never seen anything like it there!”

Once Mrs. Wang asked, all the other wives pricked up their ears.

Although they felt a bit envious, this was just how banquets went.

You win some, you lose some.

Today you outshine me, tomorrow I’ll surpass you.

They didn’t really hold grudges; instead, they would just find ways to ask where the clothes and bags were bought.

After all, what woman wouldn’t want a beautiful bag?

Mrs. Ye was absolutely thrilled!

She could hardly remember the last time she had enjoyed being the center of attention like this!

Phew!

Puffing out her chest, she proudly lifted the bag and held it in front of herself.

“A young man sold this to me. He said it’s a new arrival from Jinxiu Tailor Shop. Since our husbands are the local officials of Hudong County, I naturally have to support our county’s established local businesses! It’s about understanding and supporting the local livelihood!”

Mrs. Ye declared proudly.

“Who cares about goods from the provincial capital? Isn’t it better to support a time-honored brand right here in Hudong County? It’s not a bit worse than those imports from the provincial capital!”

Ye Haodong had coached her to say this, of course.

Sure enough.

As soon as Mrs. Ye finished speaking, the expressions of the women around her shifted slightly.

Indeed!

Why hadn’t they thought of framing it that way?

She got the bag she wanted and boosted her reputation at the same time.

How frustrating.

Mrs. Ye had won a total victory today!

Zhao Lanzhi stared at the bag, utterly astonished.

While these officials’ wives rarely frequented the narrow streets of Hudong County, she went there all the time!

Jinxiu Tailor Shop was right across from Lucky Tailor Shop. Her own family actually partnered with Lucky Tailor Shop, selling ready-made clothes there year-round to capitalize on its bustling business for mutual benefit.

But she had never seen Jinxiu Tailor Shop sell bags before!

When did this start?

Besides, Mrs. Ye said a young man had sold it to her?

But Jinxiu Tailor Shop was only run by an old couple and their daughter!

Where did a young man come from?