Everyone turned their heads toward the sound.
Descending the grand spiral staircase in the living room was a stunning woman dressed in an elegant dark qipao. Her graceful figure exuded a classical charm, poised and dignified.
Many couldn’t tear their eyes away.
Fifty-five years old? She looked no older than thirty-five!
How could that slicked-back-haired man possibly deserve her?
Shen Feng’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of her voice. He immediately turned and scurried over, his voice suddenly syrupy sweet. "Darling, why did you come down by yourself? I was just about to go up and get you~"
Everyone: "..."
This was how Shen Feng always acted around Xu Yali in private.
Shen Jing didn’t find it unusual.
But with so many people watching now, she suddenly felt like needles were pricking her back and a fishbone was stuck in her throat!
Xu Yali avoided Shen Feng’s outstretched hand, her expression cool. "You were going to get me? I thought you were the head of this household?"
Shen Feng grinned obsequiously. If he had a tail, he’d probably wag it hard enough to give Xu Yali a cold. "No, no, darling, you’re the one in charge~"
Everyone: "............"
No one had expected Xu Yali to be into this kind of groveling old dog of a man!
Xu Yali gave Shen Feng an indifferent glance before stepping forward. The moment she saw Lin Mo, her expression softened. "What’s going on?"
Lin Mo didn’t understand why Teacher Xu had chosen to marry Shen Feng.
But one thing was clear—Xu Yali was the undisputed authority in this household.
Her peach-blossom eyes fluttered, her voice sweet and delicate. "Teacher, they said I didn’t have an invitation and wouldn’t let me in."
The radiant young woman sounded so pitiful, it could melt anyone’s heart.
Xu Yali, especially tender toward her long-lost beloved student, took Lin Mo’s hand. "Who stopped you?"
Lin Mo lowered her long, curled lashes, looking every bit the wronged victim. "Your husband and daughter. But it’s fine. If I’m not welcome, I’ll just leave after giving you my gift."
Shen Jing and Shen Feng were stunned.
Wait, since when did Lin Mo become such a scheming little actress?
Zhao Ziling nearly burst out laughing watching Lin Mo’s performance.
Who said being a schemer was bad? This was brilliant!
Xu Yali tightened her grip on Lin Mo’s hand. "Who said you’re not welcome?" She turned, her icy gaze fixed on Shen Jing and Shen Feng. "Lin Mo is my personally invited guest. Both of you, apologize to her!"
Being scolded like this in front of so many people—
Shen Feng and Shen Jing had lost all face.
Shen Feng, ever the pragmatist, swallowed his pride. "Darling, I didn’t mean to. I was just worried about you. Without an invitation, I was afraid some shady person might sneak in and disrupt your birthday party."
Shen Jing, however, stayed silent, too proud to relent.
How on earth had Lin Mo gotten close to her stepmother?
This was her teacher’s birthday party—Lin Mo couldn’t exactly start a fight.
But she wasn’t about to let Shen Feng and Shen Jing off the hook either.
She feigned shock. "What? Do I look like a shady person to you?"
Shen Feng was fuming, veins throbbing at his temples.
She’d been a handful as a kid, and now she was even worse!
Xu Yali’s voice turned frosty. "Enough nonsense. Both of you, apologize now!"
She had something important to discuss with Lin Mo today, and these two were getting in the way.
Shen Feng clenched his teeth but finally bowed his head. "I’m sorry."
Shen Jing had always been proud.
With so many people watching—including Gu Jingzhou—
She couldn’t bring herself to lower her head and apologize to Lin Mo.
Tears of frustration welled up, and she turned and ran.
Xu Yali glanced after her, then back at Lin Mo. "Then let me—"
"No need, Teacher. Today is your birthday—you’re the star! Happy birthday, Teacher!"
Lin Mo didn’t want Shen Feng and Shen Jing to ruin the mood. She handed over her gift—a collector’s-grade qipao she’d asked a well-connected friend to procure.
Xu Yali held the gift, her eyes crinkling with delight. "Thank you, little Lin Mo. Come, let’s talk inside."
Zhao Ziling followed. "Teacher, I have a gift for you too."
Xu Yali ignored her but didn’t send her away.
Shen Feng trailed behind. "Darling, let me carry that for you. Don’t strain your hands~"
As Xu Yali personally escorted Lin Mo inside, the guests resumed their murmuring.
"That beauty must be from Jingnan!"
"She looks so familiar, and the name Lin Mo rings a bell, but I just can’t place it!"
"If she’s close to Xu Yali and that stunning, she’ll definitely have suitors lining up tonight!"
The banquet wouldn’t officially start until seven.
Guests were still trickling in.
After chatting with Xu Yali for a while, Lin Mo wandered into the garden.
A buffet was set up outside.
Lin Mo hadn’t eaten dinner and was starving.
Just as she reached for a matcha petit four, a man in a blue dress shirt approached.
"Miss Lin, could I have your WeChat?"
Once one person asked, several others followed suit.
Lin Mo took a delicate bite of the cake and smiled. "I only have one WeChat account. If I give it to you, what will I use?"
The suitors: "..."
Zhao Ziling smirked, whispering, "Just add them. You’re still young—you should meet more men. That’s the only way to figure out what you really like."
These past few days, Lin Mo had been chatting with her about how she wasn’t sure whether she liked Xie Guanyan or not.
This was completely normal.
In her daily life, aside from interacting with her two younger brothers, the only man Lin Mo spent time with was Xie Guanyan.
Without any comparisons, it was easy to feel lost.
Xie Guanyan was indeed exceptional, but every young man at tonight’s banquet came from wealth and privilege.
Money was the best cosmetic enhancement for a man, and none of them were unattractive.
Adding them on WeChat couldn’t hurt.
Listening to Zhao Ziling’s words, Lin Mo blinked her peach-blossom eyes. "Is that so?"
If she felt nothing for other handsome men, then maybe she truly did like Xie Guanyan?
Just then, outside the villa’s garden, two custom-made Rolls-Royces pulled up simultaneously.
Two tall, long-legged men stepped out, their auras starkly different.
Xie Guanyan hadn’t expected to run into Huo Tingshen here. He gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
Huo Tingshen remained expressionless.
The memory of Xie Guanyan witnessing his humiliating stint as a KTV host still stung.
That night, the family butler had to retrieve him from the Huo estate—his neck ached for three days afterward!
Xie Guanyan paid no mind to Huo Tingshen’s attitude and strode into the villa garden with his long legs.
The moment he entered, his gaze landed on the beautiful girl surrounded by a crowd—five or six men were scanning her WeChat QR code.
