### Chapter 358: Chicken Butts Anyone?
At the same moment, Jiang Bin, Zhang Yunzhi, and Jiang Kekai all stood up in unison to show mutual respect, then reached for the wine glasses on the table.
Seeing his young daughter’s lack of sense, Zhang Yunzhi nudged her, which jolted Jiang Hanhang into action. She immediately mimicked her sister. Xia Yu and Xia Ling, although clueless about what was happening, also stood up respectfully.
“This must be the genius Young Lady, I’ve heard so much about you! Uncle today offers a drink; anytime you need help, just say the word.” “Thank you, Uncle Ouyang.”
_Ding~_
Since he was giving face, Jiang Kekai didn’t hold back. She clinked cups with him and took a sip.
Following this, Ouyang Yongrui moved next to Jiang Bin and offered another drink: “Brother Jiang, you’ve raised an excellent daughter. Look forward to your continued support.” “Mutual, mutual, I appreciate it.”
…
This seemed like grown-ups’ business now. The little ones silently looked to their leader, Jiang Kekai, for cues. Seeing that she nodded to suggest they could sit, they dared to sit down.
Soon after, Ouyang Yongrui completed his rounds of toasts and went to the next table, busy as always. How come someone so high in status had so many toasts to make? Xia Yu couldn’t figure it out. All she cared about was when they would get to the food. Otherwise, being stuck there was quite boring.
Looking around, she noticed something and got absorbed.
Jiang Kekai had been keeping an eye on Xia Yu, so she turned to look too. Xia Yu was staring at a girl again, who happened to have wounds on her hands and right foot.
Curious as well, Jiang Kekai gave Xia Yu a nudge: “Still watching? Wanna go talk to her if you’re so interested?” It wasn’t a question but more of an order. Jiang Kekai grabbed Xia Yu’s hand and pulled her towards the main Ouyang family table.
Of course, at Ouyang’s main table were Li Yang, Ouyang Tiānxīn, her brother, Ouyang Yongrui’s wife, and others.
These folks thought Jiang Kekai was here to mingle, so except for Ouyang Tianxin and Li Yang, they all lifted their glasses in respect.
However, Jiang Kekai wasn’t here for them. She did some surface-level politeness, raised her glass, and made her way to Tianxin and Li Yang: “Ladies, mind if we introduce ourselves?”
Ouyang Tianxin wasn’t much different from Jiang Hanhang in personality—growing up, boys usually inherited the family business. So, Ouyang Yongrui didn’t push her hard. As for social graces, Tianxin had zero clue.
But seeing Jiang Kekai and Xia Yu approach, she felt obliged to respond: “I’m Ouyang Tianxin, glad to meet you.”
Social niceties seemed easy enough. However, Jiang Kekai’s gaze was already on the thin girl beside Tianxin: “And her? Want to be friends?”
Li Yang glanced back and forth between Jiang Kekai and Xia Yu before standing up under Tiānxīn’s support: “I’m Li Yang.”
Her voice was cold and distant, as if preoccupied with thoughts beyond the obvious. Jiang Kekai could tell by the girl’s demeanor that something was bothering her.
But this wasn’t her problem. Out of courtesy, Jiang Kekai greeted her and left with Xia Yu. Li Yang? Really a strange girl.
Sitting back down, Jiang Kekai used her phone to gather intel on Li Yang from her sources in the imperial capital. Not because she was particularly intrigued but out of habit and caution. Knowing the enemy is half the battle, and she didn’t want any unknown factors in her path.
True, Ouyang Yongrui may be friendly, but his intentions were murky. His uncle sacrificed principles for money, and one never knew what depths a powerful family might go to. She needed to stay alert and prepare for future confrontations.
In comparison, Xia Yu felt relaxed. She just wanted to enjoy some games with Jiang Hanhang and Xia Ling. “Ready to start the auction. Once the stuff is done, the gear is mine, everything else is yours.”
…
Beside her dad, Jiang Bin surveyed his daughters and son with a sigh. If only Kekai wasn’t a girl.
In social settings, if Jiang Kekai showed interest, she could be quite engaging, even proactive. Just like earlier.
Jiang Dong, however, struggled with shyness. Unless his father dragged him out, he’d stay glued to his spot. Such introversion was a disadvantage in high society where communication and connections mattered greatly. Isolation and vulnerability loomed ahead.
For now, thanks to Kekai, Jiang Bin’s worries were minimal. But he hoped to see positive changes in his son.
The wait ended as the servers began to dish out food.
“Oh, finally! Starving!”
With familiar faces around, Jiang Hanhang wasted no time and put on disposable gloves to tear into a chicken leg: “Delicious!”
Jiang Kekai didn’t lag behind and snatched a leg, placing it in Xia Yu’s bowl. Jiang Bin sighed.
Daughters can be so disrespectful, but maybe he deserved it.
Before anyone could blink, two more legs vanished — one to Xia Ling, the other to Jiang Kekai. Clearly, “stolen” goods tasted better.
It wasn’t that she didn’t show respect but considering the circumstances, these treats belonged more to her parents and siblings. In a more relaxed setting, everyone would have plenty.
Unluckily for the slower of the group, they divvied up the remaining bits.
Hand-teared chicken was merely appetizer; the feast was yet to come.
Xia Yu suddenly remembered something and glanced toward the Ouyang family table.
Li Yang was clearly not favored, with no big legs in her bowl. Even though she wore gloves, she was eating… chicken b*tt.
Around Li Yang, folks paid her no heed except for Tianxin. Yet Tianxin couldn’t stop her.
Unfortunately, the noise drowned out their conversation. Xia Yu’s curiosity remained unsatisfied.
“You still looking? Go eat your chicken leg!”
Jiang Kekai lightly tapped her head, making Xia Yu shift her gaze awkwardly. It was rude to stare, after all.
She shifted her attention to the chicken b*tt on the table. Apart from the seniors who valued every bit, would kids actually like such things?
Recalling how Li Yang seemed to be enjoying the meal, Xia Yu thought of her pale cheeks turning rosy.
Dishes kept arriving. Soon, dinner was in full swing.
Halfway through, Jiang Hanhang had another idea: “Sis, we’re coming to the city this summer. Should we visit the school early?”
“Makes sense.”
Smiling, Jiang Kekai agreed. The sooner the better, perhaps as a trip. Either way, this was good timing.
As for the parents, Jiang Bin and Zhang Yunzhi, they felt a surge of pride in how Jiang Hanhang and Xia Yu had impacted their daughters’ attitudes positively.
The eldest daughter’s match with Xia Yu seemed inevitable. They eagerly anticipated the wedding plans.
Xia Yu, however, remained carefree. Her immediate goal? To grow up quickly and support her “Little Ning” sister.
“Litttle Ning, try this meat!” Xia Yu genuinely cared for Jiang Kekai, as seen in this moment.
