Chapter 204: Easy Prey
The days passed by uneventfully and the day of the birthday celebration finally arrived.
After pondering over several ideas for days, Zhao Lifei had gotten Old Master Yang a gift that she thought would suit him. She was very meticulous in selecting the material, color, and various minor things about the gift. She had spent an entire afternoon wrapping it, only to unwrap it and rewrap it in several different ways until she finally found the perfect way of presenting it.
As requested by Zhao Lifei, Wu Subing had sent the dress to the Zhao Mansion instead of Yang Feng's house.
The banquet was starting in less than three hours and she finally decided to open the enormous black box sitting by the edge of her bed. Standing by the doorway of the room were maids, ready to doll her up to perfection.
When she opened the box, she was pleasantly surprised to see the fiery red dress and when she held it up, her eyes widened. It was beyond her wildest expectations. The theme of the celebration was oriental style and this dress placed an interesting twist in it. It was as expected of Wu Subing's famed expertise and designs that were always out of the box.
The maids came forward to place the dress on her, the material clinging onto her every curve, accentuating areas that she did not know existed. The ruby red complimented her pale skin, the bright color standing out. She did not want to look weak in front of Old Master Yang, thus lighter colors were eliminated.
Red most certainly suited the theme -- it was the color of luck and passion. During times of war, it would be viewed as a fighting spirit that embodied strength and power. It was all of the aforementioned qualities Old Master Yang would seek in the woman who should stand by Yang Feng's side.
The dress had an oriental cuff design towards the top portion, a slightly see-through mesh with lace flowers threading up to her neck, small red gems and pearls intertwining with the petals. The dress hugged her waist before billowing out into a small skirt stopping mid-thigh that was surrounded by parted layers of red reaching her ankle. She looked fierce, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Her hair was pulled up into a loose bun, a few strands left out to frame her face, adding a touch of elegance to it.
She paired it with low heels and a clutch, leaving her neck bare.
It took her a while to get ready, the makeup and hair was the most time-consuming part. She checked the time and saw the banquet would be starting in less than an hour. It was time for her to go downstairs where her grandfather was most likely waiting for her. True to her suspicion, he was already standing by the entrance and Old Butler Tang was helping him with the coat.
Upon hearing the clicking sound of heels, the two turned around to see the dazzling young lady gliding down the stairs with her lips lifting into a natural smile, her guarded eyes set forward, chin up, and shoulders back.
"Oh my, oh my, Young Miss..." Old Butler Tang was overwhelmed by emotions. He had not seen his lady look this glorious and confident in a while now, nothing like the woman she was two years ago. There was that haughty twinkle in her eyes again, her body practically glowing, accentuated by the glistening jewels on her dress.
Zhao Moyao nodded approvingly, glad she chose this color and design. It would surely look good in the eyes of that old man. "Xiao Fei, you've done well in choosing this gown."
Zhao Lifei rested her hand on the crook of his arms, "I didn't do much except for choosing a color and telling the designer the theme for tonight."
Zhao Moyao did not comment, but the prideful smile on his face was enough to let her know he was pleased by her decision.
Zhao Lifei bid Old Butler Tang a goodnight as he handed her the gift she had wrapped.
Zhao Moyao guided her outside with their private invitations in hand. Zhao Lifei stepped into the car after him.
She did not feel nervous when buying the gift, did not falter when she was wearing the dress but now that the car was getting closer and closer to the celebration banquet, she was beginning to grow antsy, her heart thumping faster and faster.
She looked out the window in hopes of soothing the uneasy feeling in her stomach.
Zhao Moyao saw this and said, "Do not fret so much, Xiao Fei."
He continued, "Remember the plan. Do not approach Yang Feng until you have been formally introduced by me."
Zhao Lifei obediently nodded her head, tearing her eyes away from the window to properly look at him. "I understand."
"When you are introduced, do not shy away. He will not like that. You must carry yourself with the grace that was instilled within you ever since you were a child. Curb your temper, but not your determination."
Zhao Moyao already had his plan laid out. The two would enter the celebration and with the private invitation, they could directly give the gifts to Elder Yang themselves instead of placing it on a table like most regular guests had to do. Later on, he would properly introduce Zhao Lifei as his granddaughter.
When the car pulled up to the banquet, Zhao Lifei pressed a hand on her erratically beating heart that was refusing to calm down. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, collected her thoughts and calmed her mind, before opening them again, finally at ease.
The door opened before her, earning many curious and discrete stares from the people climbing up the tall staircase leading into the hall. Families with too much wealth and power in their hands frequented the area so the security around here was set up to prevent any paparazzi from sneaking in. There was a stillness in the air. Unlike the highly publicized banquets, paparazzi were not allowed anywhere near the premises. It was a quiet climb up the stairs, too quiet for her liking. The atmosphere was filled with judgment as everyone looked for the tiniest flaw.
Zhao Lifei would never forget the lessons of etiquette taught to her at a very young age. The years of practicing her walk with books on her head, the stern steel rod against her skin when she made a mistake, all of it were etched into every fiber of her being.
One leg came out first, long and slender, accompanied by the other. She delicately got out of the car, in the same manner as the other daughters of higher riches.
Zhao Moyao came out of the car after her and even with her heels, she was not taller than him. He might've been old, but he always exercised whenever he got a chance, ensuring his body never deteriorated with time.
He bent one arm, offering it to her. She nimbly tucked her dainty hands into the crook, walking with him as their presence combined was enough to overwhelm the most influential of people who watched them like hawks. Eyes trained on their every move, breaths held, and waiting for a visible mistake.
They could not find any.
Any fool could spot them from miles away. It was the infamous Zhao Moyao. The people will never forget the day he took over the hotel empire — buying out his opponents or shutting down all of his competitors along the way. He ruled over his house with an iron fist and a ruthless heart.
Their eyes eventually trailed to Zhao Lifei, light hums in the air as they chatted about her.
"Is that..."
"She dared to show her face here... Tsk, rumor has it the Yangs did not approve of her because of that horrendous reputation of hers."
"Why isn't she walking with Yang Feng?"
"Shh Madam Sun... She probably lost his good grace."
"Or he could not bear the embarrassment of bringing her along to such an important event—" They stopped gossiping when they felt a chill crawl up their spine, goosebumps forming on their arms, their hairs standing up.
They looked around in confusion at the sudden change of air until they realized whose eyes had landed upon them. It was Zhao Moyao and he did not look pleased.
The ladies quivered in their heels, holding onto their husbands for dear life. These women were daughters of powerful families whose husbands topped the food chain. They were people with enough power to destroy companies, but in the presence of Zhao Moyao, they were at the bottom of the chain — small and easily squashable preys.