A god-level beauty system? But I'm already a god-level beauty!

The noise in the banquet hall gradually subsided as the door was pushed open.

The specially hired professional emcee held the microphone and raised his voice:

"Let's give a round of applause to our protagonist tonight, Ms. Chu Cihan!"

As soon as the words were spoken, a spotlight shone down from the dome, casting a beam of light at the entrance.

Chu Cihan stood in the light.

The pale blue gown accentuated her figure, the satin flowing from her shoulders to her feet, shimmering with a watery sheen under the spotlight.

Her hair was already tied up, with a few stray strands hanging down beside her ears, revealing a section of her fair neck.

Her skirt trailed behind her, spreading out slowly with each step, rippling across the ground as she walked down the red carpet.

Step by step, without rushing or being slow.

The entire room fell silent for two seconds.

Immediately afterwards, whispers erupted.

"It's been a few years, and this girl from the Chu family has grown up so much!"

"Tsk tsk, young people are really different, their skin is so fair..."

"I originally planned to grow up to look like this..."

Exclamations of surprise, praise, and applause mingled together, creating a lively atmosphere that nearly lifted the roof off.

Shen Ye's hand, holding the orange juice, froze in mid-air.

He leaned against a pillar, his gaze sweeping across most of the banquet hall before settling on the figure bathed in light.

Well, how should I put it?

The Chu Cihan who usually stood with his hands on his hips glaring at him and called him a "small fry" or a "pervert" was now acting differently.

The gown, updo, and a few rhinestones on her earlobes all toned down the girl's flamboyant spirit, leaving only a serene beauty.

Even though he was mentally prepared, Shen Ye was still stunned by her beauty.

He lowered his head, took a sip of orange juice, and mentally gave it a very high rating.

Tsk, it actually looks quite convincing.

If this guy knew he'd been staring blankly for a few seconds, his tail would probably be wagging in the air.

......

Shen Lan held her daughter's left arm, with Chu Bin following on the right. The family of three slowly walked along the red carpet.

Guests on both sides raised their glasses to greet them, like two rivers flowing between them.

"Mr. Chu, congratulations! Your daughter is growing up to be more and more beautiful."

"The child is so big already, time really flies. It seems like just yesterday she was still holding a baby bottle..."

"Cihan has grown so much! Does he still recognize his uncle?"

Chu Cihan was surrounded by people, a polite smile on her face.

"Thank you, Uncle Chen."

"Aunt Wang, you're too kind."

"It's alright, it's alright."

She would still put on a smile and be polite to these elders.

She bows when she should bow and thanks when she should thank someone; eighteen years of upbringing as a well-bred lady ensures she never falters in such situations.

Gifts were delivered to her one after another.

Beautifully packaged gift boxes, greeting cards with gold foil covers, and auspicious jade pendants—waiters followed behind her carrying silver trays, which quickly piled up into a small mountain.

But when it comes to their peers, the situation changes.

"Cihan! Long time no see. I thought you weren't going to invite me today."

A girl, also dressed in a formal dress, approached her, smiling, and tried to take her arm.

"Um."

Chu Cihan nodded, neither dodging nor letting the girl touch him.

"Miss Chu, what do you think of this necklace? I chose it especially for you—"

"Um."

Another young man, trying to get closer to the girl, introduced his family background, but only received a nod in return.

The boy awkwardly shut his mouth.

Despite being the same age and not related, Chu Cihan basically only offered nods and "hmm" in response.

Chu Bin, who was standing nearby, saw all of this, adjusted his glasses, and said nothing.

How could he not know his daughter's temper?

.......

After a round of pleasantries, Chu Cihan was led to sit at the head table.

She picked up the wine glass in front of her and glanced around the entire banquet hall.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, people gathered for a lively gathering.

The adults gathered in small groups of two or three, chatting and laughing about projects and business.

Some people huddled together exchanging business cards, while others were already pulling Chu Bin towards a private room for a detailed discussion.

After exchanging greetings and gifts, they raised their glasses again, each discussing their own business and reminiscing about the past.

Few people really care whose coming-of-age ceremony it is today.

Chu Cihan lowered her eyelashes, her fingertips resting on the side of the glass, gently swirling the juice.

I understand everything perfectly well.

For the guests below, her coming-of-age ceremony was a respectable occasion, a ready-made venue for socializing and conducting business.

Joining in the fun was genuine, but offering congratulations was just a side effect.

It doesn't matter.

She didn't care about these people anyway.

Anyway, the person she most wanted to see today has already arrived.

Thinking of this, Chu Cihan raised his head, his gaze passing through the bustling crowd and intersecting lights, looking around in the crowd.

In the corner, next to a pillar, stood a boy dressed in a black suit, holding a glass of orange juice.

found it.

The boy was clearly not interested, leaning against the pillar as if he were being punished, and his gaze met hers from afar.

Chu Cihan's eyes lit up.

Hmm, not bad...

He looks quite handsome in a suit.

He was much more energetic than he was in school, with straight shoulders and clean eyes. Standing among a group of overweight middle-aged men and slick-haired young masters, he stood out conspicuously.

She was very satisfied.

Unfortunately, she was the main character today, with a packed schedule. She had to give a speech, cut the cake, and return gifts to the guests, so she couldn't get away for the time being.

Chu Cihan grinned, showing his tiger teeth, and smiled with his eyes crinkling.

The meaning couldn't be clearer—you just wait until I'm done.

Shen Ye understood her lip movements from across most of the banquet hall, and raised his glass as a gesture of response.

After a few rounds of drinks, the dinner began to get down to business.

"Next, please welcome Ms. Chu to the stage to give a speech!"

As the emcee announced the program, Chu Cihan rose amidst applause and walked towards the main stage.

Shen Ye didn't listen carefully to what she said; it was nothing more than the usual pleasantries of thanking her parents and guests. The girl recited them slowly and deliberately, occasionally glancing up and letting her gaze drift in his direction.

Then, it was time to cut the cake.

The waiter brought out the three-tiered cream cake, covered with slender candles.

"Come on, Nuannuan, make a wish."

Shen Lan greeted her daughter with a smile.

Chu Bin gave the musician a wink, and the music gradually faded away.

Then, the lights in the banquet hall dimmed one by one.

Most of the crystal chandeliers were off, leaving only a few wall lamps casting a dim, yellowish glow.

All the light sources disappeared, leaving only the cluster of candlelight on the cake, flickering in the darkness and illuminating the faces of the people around it.

The guests quieted down and stood in a semi-circle around the main stage, watching the birthday celebrant.

Chu Cihan stood in front of the cake.

The candlelight flickered, casting a warm yellow glow on her face and casting the shadows of her eyelashes beneath her eyes.

The girl clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.

In the darkness, she secretly opened one eye.

My gaze passed over the flickering candlelight, over the blurry figures, and landed on a somewhat indistinct outline in the distance.

The lights were too dim; I couldn't see the face clearly.

But she knew he was standing there, in a black suit to support her, holding a glass of orange juice, leaning against a pillar.

I'm eighteen now...

She glanced at the flickering candle, then at the figure in the distance in the dim light.

His lips moved silently twice.