Chapter 654 Family Reunion Banquet

Zhang Hongmei checked the time; the banquet didn't start for another two hours. "Annie, let's go back to our room and change. Otherwise, we'll feel too stiff and uncomfortable."

"Okay, Mom. Dad, will the photographer be coming today?"

"Of course, there are not only photographers, but also videographers. I plan to make film so that Annie can look back on it when she grows up."

"That's great, Dad. Tell them to make sure they take beautiful pictures of Grandma, Mom, and the three of us."

"No problem, Dad will tell them."

"Mr. McCann, give me a copy of the film."

"No problem, the photos will be prepared for you."

"Thank you for your help."

“Hongmei, we need to change how we address each other from now on. You always call me ‘Mr.’ which feels too distant. Look, I’ve started calling you Hongmei. Shouldn’t you change it too?”

"Then I'll call you Carlos! What do you think?"

“Okay, that’s fine. Also, you need to be prepared for tonight’s family recognition ceremony. I know that in China, godparents have to kowtow, but there’s no such custom here. However, there is still a bowing part. Also, you will be calling my parents ‘godfather’ and ‘godmother’ from now on.”

Zhang Hongmei nodded, agreeing that this was acceptable. As for the issue of address, it wasn't a problem; there were no godparents here, so anything was fine.

"Don't worry, things aren't as complicated here as they are back home," Huang Meihua reassured Zhang Hongmei.

"Okay, I understand, I have no problem with that. Also, Annie, is there a ceremony for our family reunion?"

"Yes, first is our family recognition ceremony, and then it will be yours and Annie's."

Zhang Hongmei actually wanted to ask if she needed to prepare a gift herself. She had a very exquisite set of purple agate jewelry and a gold set in her bag, but she wasn't sure if she would need them. Also, which set would be more suitable?

After hesitating for a moment, I finally asked, "Is there a gift-giving ceremony? I've prepared two sets of children's jewelry; I'm not sure whether to give them agate or gold pieces?"

"If this is a part of the process, then you should give gold. After all, even though this place is not famous for agate, it is still not as precious as gold."

"Yes. I know, I'll give gold at the ceremony." Although I think gold is a bit tacky, customs are different, so it's better to listen to others' opinions to avoid making mistakes. I'll help Annie put on that set of agate jewelry in a little while; it should match her clothes and hair perfectly.

"Madam, there are five more dresses, all of them conservative, three for summer and two for winter. We won't be able to finish them for another week."

"Okay, I'll give you the address. You can just send it there."

"Okay, we know the address, we just want to confirm it. Also, do you need us to make matching shoes as well?"

"Of course, but I don't want high heels."

"Understood." The staff member turned and left.

Huang Meihua took Annie's hand and left, leaving only Zhang Hongmei and Carlos McKen in the small hall on the second floor.

"Hongmei, you are so beautiful, really!" Carlos approached Zhang Hongmei and said in a sexy, low voice, expressing his sincere praise.

Zhang Hongmei felt goosebumps rise on her skin, but instead of backing down, she raised her head and said, "Mr. McCann, please show some respect, but thank you for your compliment."

Carlos McKen gave a wry smile. "I didn't mean anything by it. It was just a genuine compliment. There's no need to be so defensive with me."

"Hehe, Mr. McCann, you are not Chinese, so you don't understand how much a woman values ​​her reputation. Especially a married woman, she values ​​it even more."

"Okay, I'll be more careful next time. I have something to do, so I'll be leaving now."

Zhang Hongmei nodded, watched Carlos McKen leave, returned to the house, and hurriedly went into the bathroom to change her clothes.

Lying in bed with my eyes open, I feel truly exhausted, as if every cell in my body is tense.

I felt like I couldn't concentrate on reading, so I just lay there.

Things aren't as they seem. Even children can't open their hearts freely anymore.

This is where I failed most. I always imagined everything would be wonderful, but when things really turned out differently, I couldn't accept it. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Unconsciously, a distance grew between me and Annie.

Try to regulate your emotions. Since you don't have any emotional ties, just treat it as a job!

As for Anne, I can still like her, but I can't be completely unguarded.

Having thought it through, I feel much lighter. That's when I finally took out the book, and now I'm in the mood to read it.

Perhaps today wasn't a day for reading. I had just picked up a book when Annie came in.

"Mom, can I play games? I can play Go on the computer."

"Okay, but there's no computer in your room, and I don't have one here either. Where should I go?"

"Go to Dad's study."

"Hehe, then you can go by yourself, Annie. It's not appropriate for me to go into your father's study. There might be confidential information there. You can't just bring anyone in there anymore, understand?"

"Okay, I won't bring anyone in next time. I'll go have fun by myself."

"Go on, remember to come back and change your clothes."

"Yes, I know." The little girl ran off like the wind again.

I picked up the book again, but still couldn't read a single page, when someone knocked on the door.

It turned out that the maid had told her that Zhao Tiancheng and the others had arrived.

They hurried downstairs and looked at the three men dressed differently. Zeng Zhongkang looked the best in his suit, while Cai Peilin looked a bit too thin.

However, the two girls were a real eye-catcher. They were very beautiful.

The group was drinking coffee. Seeing Zhang Hongmei come down, Zeng Zhongkang breathed a sigh of relief. He had been regretting not coming with her; next time something like this happened, he would have to persuade her even if she disagreed. Waiting at home was so agonizing; he couldn't do anything and wanted to come by himself, but Zhao Tiancheng and the others stopped him.

"You two senior sisters are so beautiful."

Miao Xinyue smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Right? I've been looking in the mirror for hours, and I think I'm so beautiful. I've decided to wear this outfit for the photoshoot; it'll be a wonderful memory."

"Hehe, the photographer will be here tonight, he'll definitely take some beautiful pictures of you."

“That’s great. I even asked Mr. Zhao to take me to the photo studio on the way. Now I don’t need to.”

The rest of the people just laughed. Zhao Yuetong was a little embarrassed, although her features weren't as delicate as Miao Xinyue's, she was still definitely a great beauty.

"Cheng Guangxu and Cai Peilin, your task today is to protect these two beauties."

"Okay, okay! Why are you dressed up so fancy?"