While Xue Yue and Wei Yuyang were talking, Feng Yujie had already gone to greet some acquaintances.

Someone teased, "Mr. Feng, trying to outshine all the lovely ladies today?"

Feng Yujie laughed. "I wouldn’t dare use a phrase like that. Just look at all the young girls here. Every one of them is prettier than me, like little flower buds. I’m getting old."

"Oh, don’t say that. We had our time in the sun, too. We were once flower buds ourselves." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Haha, that’s true. But you have to admit, setting aside looks, these young girls today really know how to dress. Mr. Feng, that girl who came in with you... is she new to the Ministry of Commerce? I’ve never seen her before. Look at her outfit! It’s much more fashionable than what we old relics wear."

Feng Yujie nodded. "She’s a newcomer, on my team."

"No wonder. So she’s on your team. She’s practically stealing your spotlight, though." The comment was clearly meant to stir up trouble.

Feng Yujie glanced at Xue Yue and pressed her lips together.

"Opportunities should be given to the young. It’s only natural for a young girl to want to look pretty."

Of course, someone from the Ministry of Commerce who knew Xue Yue’s identity was also there. She nodded and said, "Exactly. Seeing a young girl dressed up so nicely puts us in a good mood too."

Hearing her say that, the others dropped the topic and started talking about the foreign guests.

"They’re all from Country Y. I heard your Vice Minister Zheng studied in Country Y before."

Feng Yujie paused slightly. "I believe so."

Zheng Guofeng had indeed studied abroad in Country Y. His suspension and dispatch to the countryside for re-education years ago were connected to that past. The memory still unsettled Feng Yujie, so she didn’t want to discuss it.

A moment later, the main doors opened, and a group of people walked in. The room fell silent instantly.

Xue Yue saw Uncle Zheng was among them.

Introductions were unavoidable on such occasions.

"Mr. Zaven Reynolds, this is his wife, Ms. Zhao Yinglan, and their grandson and assistant, Mr. Ezra Rosen..."

"This is our Minister of Foreign Affairs..."

They had actually all met before. The guests had been here for two days, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the entire time. In contrast, this was the first time the people from the Ministry of Commerce were meeting them.

They exchanged greetings. The couple had a little boy with them—their grandson—with blond hair and fair skin. Zhao Yinglan held his hand.

"I hear that Ms. Zhao Yinglan and Vice Minister Zheng were classmates?"

Zheng Guofeng nodded.

But Zhao Yinglan smiled and said, "Actually, we weren’t just classmates, we’re old friends. I’m from Beijing City myself."

"Is that so? Then this trip back to the country must be a walk down memory lane for you, Ms. Zhao."

Zhao Yinglan sighed. "Yes, it is. I’ve been in Country Y for many years and haven’t been back in a long time. Coming back this time, I see how much our motherland has changed."

"The changes are indeed great. If you have enough time, you should take a look around."

Zhao Yinglan smiled. "I really must have a good look around. Guo Feng, would you have time to join us and be our guide?"

Zheng Guofeng shrugged. "Of course."

Then they began to discuss the purpose of the day’s meeting, talking about Hua Country’s textile industry. The couple owned a textile factory in Country Y. Their purpose in returning this time was not only to import cotton from Hua Country but also to learn about its dyeing and printing technology. In exchange, they could sell their latest spinning machines to Hua Country.

Xue Yue stood at the very back, just listening to them talk. They switched between Chinese and English. On the Country Y side, Zhao Yinglan translated for her husband the entire time. The Hua Country side had a dedicated translator, though of course, most people present could speak a foreign language.

When they finished with that topic, music began to play. After all, this kind of event wasn’t the real place for business negotiations.

Xue Yue waited for a while. She saw Feng Yujie talking with others, but she didn’t call her over.

’Oh well, I’d better find something to do myself.’ She found a secluded spot, sat down, and watched the others dancing in the center of the room.

"You look so bored. How about I ask you for a dance?"

Xue Yue turned her head and saw Wei Yuyang. He extended a hand toward her.

Xue Yue waved her hand. "No, thank you."

Xue Yue had learned how to dance, but she had never actually done it at a real event.

Wei Yuyang seemed to know she would refuse. He smiled. "These banquets are always like this. Do you want to get something to eat? There are a lot of delicious pastries."

Xue Yue was instantly interested. She stood up. "Okay! I am actually a little hungry."

When they reached the dessert area, Xue Yue saw all sorts of pastries laid out on the table. Many were types she had never seen before, and they all looked delicious. Her eyes lit up.

Just then, Wei Yuyang handed her a plate, and Xue Yue picked up several pieces.

She tried a bite.

’Mmm, this is delicious.’

Xue Yue picked up a few more pieces, sat down nearby, and began to savor them one by one.

When her mouth started to feel dry, Wei Yuyang handed her a glass of juice.

Xue Yue glanced at him. "Thanks." She took it and drank a large gulp.

"Aren’t you having any? They’re really good," Xue Yue asked.

Wei Yuyang smiled. "I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. Go ahead. These pastries were all freshly made by a professional pastry chef. You can’t get them just anywhere."

"No wonder they’re so good. Tsk, I’d better go get a few more then." Xue Yue took her plate and went back for more.

Wei Yuyang smiled and shook his head.

Xue Yue returned quickly, but she had only taken a few bites when she heard Wei Yuyang say to her, "I think your superior is calling you."

With her mouth still full of pastry, Xue Yue looked in the direction Wei Yuyang indicated. Sure enough, Uncle Zheng was waving her over.

Xue Yue swallowed the food in her mouth, wiped her lips, and then stood up and walked over.

"Uncle Zheng."

"Li Wan Yi?"

The moment Zhao Yinglan saw Xue Yue, her eyes widened. She walked toward Xue Yue joyfully, only to freeze after staring at her for a few seconds.

"No, you’re not—"

Xue Yue was also taken aback for a moment.

Zhao Yinglan turned to look at Zheng Guofeng. "Guo Feng, what’s going on? Why does she look so much like Wanyi?"

Zheng Guofeng told her, "Wanyi is indeed gone. This is her daughter, Xue Yue."

Zhao Yinglan paused. "Her surname is Xue... You two didn’t end up together?"

Zheng Guofeng’s eyes darkened slightly. "There were some... incidents. It’s not something I can explain in just a few words."

’This must be an acquaintance of my mother’s.’

Zhao Yinglan studied Xue Yue closely and couldn’t help but nod. "You look so much like your mother. But she had a mole by the corner of her eye, and you don’t."

Seeing Xue Yue remain silent, she thought she might have startled her. "I was your mother’s classmate and a good friend. But I moved to Country Y with my family many years ago, so we lost touch. I was hoping I’d be able to see her on this trip back... I never expected that your mother was already gone."