Otherworldly Companions: Every Handsome Man is Extraordinary

"It's so lively over there, what's going on?" The emperor, who was high up on the platform, noticed the commotion and beckoned his attendant to ask curiously.

"They are the two lords of the Jiang and Ren families, and it seems there's also that young commander from the Kong family of the Forest Empire." The attendant stopped there.

"Hmph." The emperor snorted coldly, "Attracting bees and butterflies, what a peacock."

He seemed to remember something and asked the servant, "Where is Lady Tinie?"

"Madam just said she had a headache and went to rest in the lounge," the servant replied, head bowed.

"Indeed, she's tired of attending banquets like this every year. It's good for her to get some rest." The emperor waved his hand and stopped asking questions.

"Lord Ren Kecheng, we did indeed meet when we were young, but our connection only stems from our family ties and the affection between our elders," Kong Yiche said, pursing his lips.

“When I was young, I treated you like a younger sister, but as I got a little older, I started to distance myself from you. I think you understand what I mean.”

Kong Yiche's words were very clear, but he left Ren Kecheng with a final fig leaf, not wanting to make the situation too ugly.

However, Ren Kecheng was not convinced. "Everyone has the right to pursue love. We are both lords from the capital of the Ocean Empire. What is it about me that is worse than Jiang Yu?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, doesn't this silly girl understand? Love is a feeling." Chen Xin shook her head, but her words made several onlookers around her nod in complete agreement.

Xiang Lan gave a wry smile: "My Xin Xin, can you please talk less...?"

Now that things had come to this, Jiang Yu felt that she and Fan Qingyin had become mere spectators. She even had an urge to grab Fan Qingyin and run away as quickly as possible.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Ren Kecheng, Kong Yiche turned his gaze back to Jiang Yu's face and looked at her sincerely: "Lord Jiang Yu, I have explained it very clearly, please do not misunderstand me. From the first time I participated in the Partner Selection Conference last year until now, I have only firmly chosen you."

“Commander Kong…” Jiang Yu didn’t know what to say.

"Kong Yiche!" Ren Kecheng stomped her feet and screamed.

"Oh my, this place is so lively! Look at all these children gathered here, they are truly outstanding." Just as the scene was getting out of control, a group of elegant ladies walked over, waving feather fans and covering their mouths with handkerchiefs while giggling.

Well, the elders' army has arrived on the battlefield.

"Oh, what a coincidence! Isn't this your Xiaoyu?" A noblewoman with feathers in her hair nudged Jiang Yu's mother, who was closely watching the scene unfold.

“We were just saying we were going to find a chance to introduce the two kids, but look how proactive this young man is, they’ve already met on their own, hehe.”

This lady clearly has a great fondness for feather decorations, from her voluminous hair to her perfectly crafted handbag, both adorned with exquisitely designed feathers. She also carries a feather fan that appears to be quite expensive.

"Xiao Che, didn't we agree to let us introduce you? Why are you already so impatient?" the noblewoman teased. Clearly, she knew Kong Yiche.

"Aunt, I just happened to be nearby. I thought it was a rare opportunity, so I..." Kong Yiche said somewhat apologetically to the lady with the feather after bowing to the ladies.

"It's alright, it's alright, young people are bound to have these things." Madam Feather glanced at Jiang Yu, then at Kong Yiche, winking at him with an ambiguous expression.

"I have a feeling that you two had a fight?" Jiang Yu's mother had been watching this for a long time, and her tone was extremely dissatisfied.

She hadn't originally intended to attend the banquet. However, thanks to her sister's introduction, she decided to come. After all, she had felt quite regretful that Jiang Yu hadn't chosen Kong Yiche, who was number one.

At that moment, she thought it would be wonderful if there was an opportunity to create some connection between the two children. But she never expected that the young lord of the Ren family would also interfere.

"There's no mother here; we were just having a normal conversation." Jiang Yu quickly glanced around at the elegantly dressed ladies. She noticed that one of them bore a striking resemblance to Ren Kecheng.

She was very likely Ren Kecheng's mother. And now she was standing in the same group of people as her mother. So she decided it was best not to cause trouble and just let things go.

It was clear that everyone thought this way for the time being, and no one objected after she finished speaking.

"Xiao Che, didn't you want to ask Xiao Yu to dance the first dance? Since we're here, especially Xiao Yu's mother, let's ask Xiao Yu for a favor." Madam Feather said with a smile, clearly not giving Jiang Yu a chance to refuse.

Jiang Yu heard the cracking sound of Fan Qingyin's clenched fists beside her and felt a little helpless. She looked at her mother and found that the other woman did not refute her.

"Xiao Che, are you waiting for the girl to take the initiative? Go and invite her!" Madam Feather clapped her hands, somewhat exasperated. She even took a few steps forward and pushed Kong Yiche.

Kong Yiche readily stepped forward and extended an invitation.

Ren Kecheng couldn't sit still any longer. She stomped her foot and shouted angrily, "A-Che!" but was interrupted by another stern voice.

"Ren Kecheng, shut up!" A woman in a dark red dress spoke authoritatively from the group of wealthy women. It was the older woman Jiang Yu had seen who looked very similar to Ren Kecheng.

Her dark red dress was covered in subtle black patterns, and the neckline was piled high with thick black fur. From her attire alone, one could tell that she was a woman of high status and unparalleled nobility.

"Mother!" Ren Kecheng called out to her mother with a hint of grievance, "How could even you..."

Before he could finish speaking, his mother interrupted him: "Some things can't be forced. You've already embarrassed yourself enough."

“But you and Father clearly…” Ren Kecheng wanted to say more, but her mother didn’t give her a chance to finish.

"Times have changed. Forced relationships are never sweet. You must remember that you will always be the most honored woman in the empire, and you are still the only female descendant of the Ren family. You must always remember your identity and dignity."

"I am very sorry, Lord Jiang Yu and Commander Kong Yiche. My daughter was unruly and caused you trouble. As her mother, I apologize to you. I hope you are all magnanimous and will not hold it against her."

"Mother!" Ren Kecheng's eyes turned red with anger. Ignoring the reactions of everyone present, she turned and left.

"Sigh." Ren Kecheng's mother sighed. "We've spoiled her too much, which has made her so arrogant. We've really made her a laughingstock."