With foreign dignitaries visiting recently, the Ministry of Commerce had gotten busy, in addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which was handling the reception.

There was a banquet at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday night.

In Xue Yue’s team, Feng Yujie had originally planned to go by herself, but Zheng Guofeng called and asked that Xue Yue go along as well.

When Feng Yujie informed Xue Yue, she didn’t seem to show any particular emotion.

"There’s a banquet at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tomorrow night. You’re coming with me. Prepare a formal dress."

"Okay, Sister Feng."

Xue Yue didn’t know this was Uncle Zheng’s doing, so she found it strange. ’Just this morning, the plan was for Sister Feng to go by herself.’

Zhao Li rolled her eyes when she heard. Opportunities like this were rare and not something junior employees like them usually got to attend. After all, the banquet would be full of important people one could potentially network with. Plus, there would be good food. Zhao Li had only been once, and she’d had to leave halfway through with Feng Yujie, so she had only been able to stare at the food with envy, never getting to eat any.

Zhao Li was annoyed. ’After all, I’ve been here longer than Xue Yue. An opportunity like this should have been mine.’

After Feng Yujie went into her office, Xue Yue sat down and turned to ask Zhao Li, "Did Sister Feng say which country’s delegation is visiting?"

Zhao Li replied coolly, "How should I know? You’re the one who’s close to her. Why don’t you go ask?"

Xue Yue frowned and narrowed her eyes, then said no more. ’Looks like my attending the banquet has made someone jealous.’

At lunchtime, Zhao Li left without waiting for Xue Yue. Xue Yue didn’t mind. She organized the documents on her desk and slowly headed out.

Feng Yujie had gone out on business that morning and hadn’t returned yet.

On the way to the cafeteria, she ran into Meng Ye. Meng Ye was still a loner, aside from being on friendly terms with Xue Yue.

"Are you going to the banquet at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tomorrow?" Meng Ye asked.

"Mhm, you?"

Meng Ye shook his head. "No, only our team leader is going from my department."

’Right.’ Xue Yue now understood. It was supposed to be the same for her team. ’It was probably Uncle Zheng’s idea, but I don’t know why he wants me to go.’

When He Lang found out Xue Yue was going to the banquet, he immediately offered to go with her to pick out a formal dress.

"I didn’t get to see you the last time you went to a banquet. I only heard about it from your brother. It was such a shame. I absolutely have to be involved this time."

Of course, Xue Yue was happy to agree.

"Okay, but I wore a qipao last time. Should I just wear that one again?"

He Lang shook his head. "You’ve already worn that one. It’s not like we don’t have the money. Let’s go buy a new one. I’ll pick it out for you this time."

Xue Yue took He Lang to the same qipao shop from last time, still tucked away in a narrow alley.

He Lang looked around at the buildings with great interest.

To Xue Yue’s surprise, the old man actually recognized her.

The old man, hunched over slightly, invited them in.

"If you need it urgently, look at the ones hanging on the wall." It was the same thing he had said last time.

As they looked, He Lang’s sharp eyes spotted a piece on the old man’s sewing machine that didn’t look finished.

It was a deep blue velvet qipao, but its design was rather unique. The bottom wasn’t the traditional straight cut; instead, it incorporated the style of a skirt, with something of a lotus-leaf hem. The collar was also very special.

"This one’s nice."

Hearing He Lang say that, Xue Yue turned to look and her eyes lit up as well.

The old man said, "This one isn’t finished yet. Please look at the others."

But He Lang had his heart set on it. "Sir, it looks like this dress is almost done. We don’t need it until tomorrow evening. I can just come by to pick it up tomorrow afternoon."

The old man shook his head. "This is my first time making a qipao in this style. I don’t even know what it will look like when it’s done."

Xue Yue examined it closely. "Sir, it looks like you’re trying to combine elements of modern popular skirts with a traditional qipao."

The old man nodded. "That’s the idea. Fewer people wear qipaos these days. The streets are full of women in skirts. I have to make a living, too."

This was a very real problem. In recent years, people rarely wore qipaos. For one, they were inconvenient for work, and they were also very particular about one’s figure. Furthermore, just a few years ago, the qipao was considered one of the "Four Olds" and was forbidden, which led many old artisans to leave the trade.

He Lang said, "We want this one. As long as you finish it, we won’t short you on the payment."

Xue Yue’s words were more pleasant than He Lang’s. "Sir, why don’t you see if it would suit me? I trust your expert eye. If you think it’s not a good fit, we’ll pick another one."

The old man could actually tell with just one glance that it would look very good on Xue Yue. She had the bone structure of a classic beauty, perfect for a qipao.

"Very well."

Hearing the owner agree, He Lang immediately paid the deposit.

The next afternoon, He Lang went and picked up the qipao, immediately having Xue Yue try it on the moment he got back.

"The owner said he can alter it if it doesn’t fit."

Xue Yue took it and went into the bathroom.

He Lang teased, "We’re like an old married couple already, and you still won’t let me watch you change? As if there’s any part of you I haven’t seen."

Xue Yue heard him loud and clear and blushed a little.

After a little while, Xue Yue came out of the bathroom.

"What do you think?"

The moment He Lang saw her, he froze, completely stunned.

Xue Yue touched her waist. "The owner really has a sharp eye. He didn’t even take my measurements, but the fit and size are perfect."

Xue Yue finished speaking, but He Lang didn’t respond. She looked up and saw he was still frozen in place.

She was a bit puzzled. "Does it not look good?"

"It looks good!" He Lang said slowly. "Incredibly beautiful."

Xue Yue bit the corner of her lip. "As long as it looks good."

He Lang walked over to her and gazed down at Xue Yue. "My wife is so beautiful. I suddenly don’t want you to go to any banquet."

He wanted to hide Xue Yue away so no other man could see her.

Xue Yue said softly, "That won’t do. It’s already been decided."

He Lang reached out and stroked her cheek, visibly moved. He leaned down and kissed the corner of her mouth.

"I’ll take you there in a bit, and then I’ll wait outside for you."

Xue Yue blushed and nodded.

In the evening, He Lang took Xue Yue to the venue on his motorcycle. Feng Yujie happened to be arriving at the same time.

"Sister Feng."

Feng Yujie was wearing a magnolia-colored qipao and looked very gentle, a stark contrast to her usual sharp and capable image.

Feng Yujie stared at Xue Yue for a few moments before her gaze shifted to He Lang.

Xue Yue said, "This is my husband, He Lang."

Feng Yujie gave He Lang a slight nod. "Hello."

He Lang replied, "Hello."

"Let’s go in."

"Okay." Xue Yue waved to He Lang and followed Feng Yujie inside.

The moment Xue Yue entered, she drew the gazes of many people, including Wei Yuyang from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Xue Yue wasn’t at all surprised to see Wei Yuyang here. After all, this was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ turf.

"Long time no see. You’ve gotten even more beautiful."

"You’ve gotten more handsome, too."

After speaking, the two of them looked at each other and smiled.

Perhaps because they had cleared the air last time, this meeting felt more like a simple greeting between friends.