At nine o'clock, the guests began to arrive one after another.
Shu Qingqing linked arms with Lu Bochuan, greeting the guests from all over, happily busy with her duties.
Lu Xun wore a festive red Tang suit today. Passing guests smiled and praised his cute outfit, casually patting his head afterward.
Annoyed by the constant petting, Lu Xun hid behind Lu Yu. Stop patting me. Pat my brother instead. He is wearing the same thing as me and is just as cute.
Saying that, he even pushed Lu Yu forward.
The crowd was charmed by his adorable actions and burst into laughter.
When Ren Qiuyang walked over arm-in-arm with her father, this was the scene she saw.
The family of four stood together radiantly. Lu Yu and Lu Xun were wearing matching suits, and it even looked like they had purposely coordinated their outfits with Shu Qingqing!
Ren Qiuyang could not help but grind her teeth. Shu Qingqing's methods were truly impressive. Not only did she get Lu Bochuan to personally appear in her live stream to clear her name, but she had even won over Lu Yu. It seemed she had really underestimated her.
But thinking of the message her assistant had just sent, Ren Qiuyang put her smile back on.
Bochuan, Qingqing, this is the birthday gift I prepared for the old madam.
Shu Qingqing thanked her and took it.
A short while later, Xu Lingshan also arrived with her parents.
As usual, they presented their birthday gift and exchanged a few pleasantries before heading inside.
Soon, almost all the guests had arrived, gathering in small groups of three or five to chat.
Shu Qingqing took the butler to check on the catering, casually glancing around as she passed through the living room.
Ren Qiuyang was still the center of attention among the socialites, surrounded by many wealthy young ladies, but strangely, Xu Lingshan was not among them.
She did not think much of it.
After confirming the dishes, she passed by the living room again, but Ren Qiuyang suddenly called out to her.
Qingqing, you have been running around all day. It must be so hard on you, Ren Qiuyang said, taking her hand and patting it.
Shu Qingqing frowned and pulled her hand back. What was with this tone, acting like she was the lady of the house?
Shu Qingqing gave a fake smile. Please do not say that, Miss Ren. It is only right for me to work hard, though honestly, it is not hard at all. My mother-in-law arranged everything; I just need to give the orders. Besides, if anyone should be thanking me for my hard work, it should be my mother-in-law. Why would Miss Ren...
Leaving the sentence half-finished was meant to infuriate her.
A few older, motherly noblewomen heard this and immediately looked at Ren Qiuyang with disapproval, whispering among themselves before walking away.
Ren Qiuyang smiled awkwardly. Before she could speak, a woman in blue next to her chimed in: Qiuyang only said that because she is too kind-hearted. But if you ask me, Qiuyang, you do not need to worry about Miss Shu. She will probably only have to work this hard once. When that person comes back, she will not be able to work hard even if she wants to. Isn't that right, everyone?
After she said this, several people covered their mouths and laughed, seemingly all knowing who that person was, looking as if they were waiting for Shu Qingqing to ask.
Just as Shu Qingqing was about to speak, she caught sight of Xu Lingshan looking at her hesitantly, though the girl ultimately did not approach.
Shu Qingqing ignored her and joined the women in covering her mouth to laugh. There is such a good thing? What, are you all planning to chip in and hire a maid or a butler for me?
The woman in blue looked displeased. What maid or butler? Do you even understand what we are talking about?
Shu Qingqing blinked playfully. Of course I understand human speech. As for what I do not understand, it must not be human speech.
You! The woman in blue wanted to retort but was tugged by Ren Qiuyang, forcing her to shut her mouth resentfully.
Qingqing, you should get back to your duties. These girls are just a bit bored, Ren Qiuyang smiled, trying to smooth things over.
They really must have too much free time. Too lazy to bicker with them any further, Shu Qingqing dropped this sentence and walked away.
After accompanying Lu Bochuan to socialize for a while longer, Shu Qingqing was called over by Liu Hui to shoot some footage.
Liu Hui said he wanted to take some photos of Shu Qingqing in the garden. As the two were walking, they saw Xu Lingshan alone, boredly pulling at leaves.
Shu Qingqing walked over. Why aren't you hanging out with your sisterhood?
Xu Lingshan looked up at her and muttered, None of your business.
Shu Qingqing said, Let me guess. After what happened with Liu Lulu last time, you realized that your sisterhood isn't actually as great as you thought, and I am not as bad as you imagined. So you are feeling conflicted, realizing that you can no longer fit in with that group.
Shu Qingqing had paid special attention earlier. There was a girl she had not seen before by Ren Qiuyang's side, probably a new addition to their little clique. Meanwhile, after Xu Lingshan arrived, apart from exchanging a few words with Ren Qiuyang at the beginning, she had not sat with them at all.
Moreover, right before that woman in blue spoke, Xu Lingshan clearly looked like she had something to say to her.
As for what she wanted to say, it was highly likely about that person the woman in blue mentioned.
Having spent a few days with Xu Lingshan, she felt that this young girl was actually kind-hearted deep down.
Seemingly having her thoughts exposed, Xu Lingshan looked surprised for a second before listlessly tugging at the leaves in her hand again. Hmph, do you think you are really smart?
Shu Qingqing raised an eyebrow and asked in return, Am I not smart?
Xu Lingshan recalled when she live-streamed with Shu Qingqing before; she was always able to cleverly resolve unexpected issues. She really was smart.
She looked up and then down again, ultimately not refuting it.
Shu Qingqing continued, Let me guess again. So right now you are torn, wondering whether you should keep hanging out with these friends in the future?
With her mind read, Xu Lingshan grew a bit irritated. So what if I am! She was indeed conflicted about whether to remain friends with Ren Qiuyang and the others.
Liu Lulu's incident had truly made her realize that many of the things they did were immoral, and some were even illegal. If she continued being friends with them, would she also end up in prison for breaking the law one day? Looking back on her past actions, she always felt that some things were not her original intention, yet she was pushed forward by an invisible hand, forced to do them.
It does not matter, but Xu Lingshan, friendship is just like that. At the beginning, maybe your relationship was indeed very good, but people change. If one day your ambitions are no longer the same, you must know the saying that people walking different paths cannot make plans together.
Xu Lingshan met her eyes. Are you advising me to stop being friends with them?
Shu Qingqing rubbed the top of her head as if she were a child. I am telling you to follow your heart.
Liu Hui had been filming some footage nearby and came back. Seeing the two standing there looking so pleasing to the eye, he could not help but raise his camera. Is this your friend, Mrs. Lu? She is really pretty.
Shu Qingqing hummed in agreement. She live-streamed with me before, do you not remember? Your professional standards are lacking. Did you not even watch my live streams before you tried to smear me?
Liu Hui hurriedly shook his head to explain.
Xu Lingshan, however, only noticed that sound of agreement.
Shu Qingqing actually said she was her friend?
They had only live-streamed together for a few days, how did they become friends?
However, if Shu Qingqing insisted on being friends with her, it was not impossible.
And since they were friends, she had to think about the other person's well-being.
Xu Lingshan suddenly stood up and tugged at Shu Qingqing's sleeve. "That 'person' Sister Qiuyang and the others were just talking about is Ouyang Hua. She used to be engaged to Brother Bochuan, and Old Mrs. Lu is especially fond of her. She is not someone you want to mess with; even Sister Qiuyang has to keep her distance. From what Sister Qiuyang was implying... Ouyang Hua has come back this time to reconcile with Brother Bochuan."
Shu Qingqing raised an eyebrow.
"Don't brush this off!" Xu Lingshan stomped her foot. "My dad said that the Lu Group and the Ouyang family are going to collaborate on a major project soon, so the two families might actually consider a marriage alliance again. Ouyang Hua will also be coming today to celebrate Old Mrs. Lu's birthday. When you see her later, you must be careful."
Just as Xu Lingshan finished speaking, a hearty male voice rang out from nearby, "Haha, Yunying, I've brought Huahua to celebrate your birthday!"
