Everyone loves to watch a good drama without getting involved themselves.
Chen Ruanruan had been very nervous, afraid that the people around her would look at her with disdain.
But with her tall and handsome fiancé, Qin Xuanye, standing on her left, and Madam Chen, Wu Peihua, on her right, the looks from others seemed just as they always had been.
Some even held a hint of admiration for her now.
Was it because they thought that despite her no longer being the Chen family's biological daughter, she could still receive such treatment?
Regardless.
Chen Ruanruan's mood improved a bit more.
Just then, Miss Jin and Miss Wen, who often socialized within their circle, actively approached her.
"Ruanruan."
Chen Ruanruan also greeted them warmly.
Seeing this, Wu Peihua said, "Ruanruan, you girls go have fun. Mother needs to go greet some guests."
"Alright, Mother, don't worry about me," Chen Ruanruan replied with a gracious and proper smile.
Qin Xuanye first nodded towards Miss Jin and Miss Wen, then also walked away.
Miss Jin, seemingly comforting but actually looking to stir the pot, asked,
"Ruanruan, how have you been lately? This whole situation is so dramatic, even TV shows wouldn't dare write something like this."
Miss Wen chimed in,
"Exactly! You were always so outstanding. Every time my parents talked about you, it was always 'learn from the Chen family's Ruanruan'!"
"You were always 'that other family's child' to us, who would have thought... this time you really became another family's child."
After saying this, she realized her words might not have been entirely appropriate.
It sounded a bit like she was mocking Chen Ruanruan, and she quickly covered her lips.
Miss Jin scolded with a laugh,
"Look at that mouth of yours! So clumsy! Luckily we've been friends for so many years. Ruanruan knows you didn't mean it and won't hold it against you."
"Right, Ruanruan?"
How much sincerity was there in the friendships among these society young ladies? It was mostly surface-level camaraderie, maintained for mutual benefit, while secretly harboring jealousy.
Take Chen Ruanruan's previous engagement to Qin Xuanye, for example. She hadn't held back from flaunting it within their circle.
These friends of hers had expressed envy and praise to her face, but behind her back, they were secretly gritting their teeth.
If only their family businesses were as big as the Chen family's, or if they had the Wu family backing them, maybe they would have had a chance to marry into the Qin family too!
That was the Qin family's young master, Qin Xuanye, ranked among the top three most eligible bachelors in their circle.
Feeling insecure herself, Chen Ruanruan could only smile and say,
"Of course not."
Miss Jin asked curiously,
"By the way, is the Chen family's real daughter easy to get along with? She doesn't seem like an easy person. Old Master Wu even specially held this recognition banquet for her."
Miss Wen added,
"You and Young Master Qin's engagement was a business alliance between the two families. Now that the real daughter is back, is your engagement still valid?"
Their questions, each sharper than the last, struck right at Chen Ruanruan's heart.
She could barely maintain the smile on her face.
Just as she was thinking of how to respond, someone in the crowd called out,
"Old Master Wu has arrived!"
The spotlight in the banquet hall swung towards the direction of the second floor.
Wu Hongjun, dressed in a black suit, descended step by step from above, his arm linked with a young woman in a red evening gown.
The light fell on the girl's fair and exquisite face, beautiful and bold.
Like a brilliant flame.
Someone in the crowd whispered, "The Chen family's real youngest daughter looks so much like Wu Lihua."
"Who says otherwise? No wonder Old Master Wu values this granddaughter so much."
"Back in the day, Lihua of the Wu family... tsk tsk, which of you didn't try to pursue her?"
"Hah! As if any of you could catch her!"
A group of successful, impeccably dressed middle-aged men still looked upon Wu Lihua with the nostalgia reserved for a goddess when her name was mentioned.
Watching the scene before her,
Chen Ruanruan felt extremely bitter.
This should have been her moment.
On the other side.
Wu Hongjun led his granddaughter, Chen Liuyue, down the steps, his steady voice ringing out.
"Xiao Yue, are you afraid?"
Chen Liuyue smiled, lifting the corners of her lips.
"Not afraid!"
"Grandfather, they're all looking at me, right?"
"I'm the star of the banquet today, what is there to fear?"
"And Grandma said you would protect me, so can I act a little recklessly today?" As she said this, her eyes and brows were bold and spirited.
Vivid and full of life.
For a moment, Wu Hongjun had the illusion that he was holding the hand of his own youngest daughter.
Kind and affectionate, yet his voice carried strength:
"Xiao Yue is right! Your grandfather will protect you."
"Just be yourself."
The crowd surged forward.
Everyone actively greeted Old Master Wu.
Chen Zhenye also stepped forward with an ingratiating smile, introducing Chen Liuyue's identity to everyone.
"This is my biological daughter—Chen Liuyue."
No one in the crowd made a sound, instead looking towards Old Master Wu.
Only then did Wu Hongjun speak, unhurriedly:
"Our Wu family's own granddaughter. I hope you will all look after her in the future."
After these words fell, the quiet atmosphere became lively again.
"Not at all, Old Master Wu, you're too kind."
"Exactly, we'll treat her like one of our own juniors."
"Her name is Liuyue, right? What a lovely name. My two sons happen to be over there, let me call them over to meet her."
"Hey, Old Liu, what are you scheming? Old Master Wu, pay him no mind, my nephew is the better choice!"
The crowd was buzzing with excitement.
Chen Zhenye seized the chance to express his fatherly love.
It was Wu Hongjun who finally said, "Alright, let Xiao Yue go mingle with people her own age."
"Yes, yes, of course."
Chen Zhenye brought Chen Liuyue to Chen Ruanruan's side and said,
"Ruanruan, take good care of your sister."
A kind smile on her face, Chen Ruanruan said gently, "Don't worry, Father. I will take good care of Liuyue."
After Chen Zhenye walked away.
Miss Jin and Miss Wen both eagerly approached.
"Liuyue, your dress is truly beautiful. Is it a new haute couture piece?"
"Indeed, this style seems to have just been released last month."
Watching their enthusiastic demeanor, Chen Ruanruan couldn't help but cover her lips and give a light cough.
They had clearly agreed earlier to stand by her side.
How could they turn around and start currying favor with Chen Liuyue?
"You are my sister's good friends, right?"
Facing the two young ladies in evening gowns, Chen Liuyue smiled innocently and harmlessly.
Miss Jin and Miss Wen nodded repeatedly.
Chen Liuyue praised them:
"You are such good people, knowing my sister isn't the Chen family's biological daughter, yet still willing to keep playing with her."
"You're not even afraid others might laugh at you. What true friendship."
Their social circle had its own hierarchy.
Children from the official wife associated with children from other official wives.
Illegitimate children had their own circle.
And Chen Ruanruan was now neither Wu Peihua's child nor of Chen family blood, let alone an illegitimate child. Her status was awkward, and being seen with her might invite gossip.
Miss Jin and Miss Wen hadn't thought that far initially.
They just felt they could finally get one over on the usually proud Chen Ruanruan.
Hearing Chen Liuyue's words, they immediately took half a step back towards Chen Ruanruan's direction, creating some distance.
After exchanging a few more brief words, they made excuses and left as if fleeing.
They couldn't let others see them still associating with Chen Ruanruan—it would be a loss of face.
"Sister, your two good friends have left."
Watching their retreating figures, Chen Liuyue was in a very good mood.
Chen Ruanruan glared at her angrily, biting her lip as she said with resentment, "Chen Liuyue, did you do that on purpose?"
She thought Chen Liuyue wouldn't dare to admit it.
To her surprise, Chen Liuyue's eyes curved into a smile.
She laughed freely and without restraint.
"That's right! I did it on purpose."
