Shen Yihan glanced at Li Huanyu and said coldly, "It hasn’t been that long. Didn’t we just see each other at the hospital?"
Li Huanyu’s heartbeat quickened. "Brother Yihan, you still remember my fractured hand."
Shen Yihan: "..."
Gu Jingchuan, dressed in a well-fitted black suit with styled hair, walked over and mocked Li Huanyu, "You’re really good at deluding yourself!"
Then he turned to Shen Yihan. "Yihan, you’ve always loved black since we were kids. What a coincidence—we matched today."
Lin Mo’s second brother was the most accomplished and intelligent in the family. He should be able to see his sincerity.
"Nonsense! My brother’s suit is elegant black, while yours is pitch-black inside and out—same color as a trash can!"
Shen Sizhan didn’t miss the chance to insult Gu Jingchuan while sabotaging his sister’s relationship with Xie Guanyan.
Gu Jingchuan felt a headache coming on at the sight of Shen Sizhan and was about to retort when—
"Jingchuan."
A familiar middle-aged woman’s voice rang out.
Gu Jingchuan turned in surprise, eyes widening. "Mom! Why are you here?"
Zhang Meixia, adorned in jewels, huffed, "Why can’t I be here?"
Gu Jingchuan knew his mother cared deeply for him and smiled. "Of course you can. But Mom, two gems fell off your manicure."
Zhang Meixia paused, then said, "Must’ve been scratched off by something."
Gu Jingchuan pulled out his phone. "Mom, you love looking good. Here, I’ll transfer you 50 yuan so you can get those gems fixed tomorrow."
Zhang Meixia: "..."
She was well aware of her eldest son’s stinginess, but it still shocked her every time.
Except when it came to Lin Mo, he treated everyone the same.
The most expensive gift he’d ever given her was a pair of orthopedic shoes.
Ignoring him, she glanced at the girl in a yellow dress nearby.
Her pupils trembled uncontrollably.
Seeing her on-screen hadn’t been this jarring.
The person who should’ve been dead was standing right in front of her, sending chills down her spine.
"Mom, that’s Lin Mo. You remember her, right? She’s alive!" Gu Jingchuan said.
Zhang Meixia’s fingers instinctively picked at the gems on her nails. "I... vaguely recall."
Her penny-pinching son had spent a million on a grand fireworks display to confess to her.
Gu Song’s illegitimate son had been willing to die for her—too bad he hadn’t succeeded.
Gu Jingchuan complained pitifully, "Mom, I still like her so much, but she won’t even look at me now. It hurts."
Zhang Meixia blurted out, "You really aren’t that likable."
Gu Jingchuan: "..."
He hadn’t expected his own mother to crush him. "Mom! I didn’t actually want your comfort. And you’re so fake!"
Zhang Meixia resisted the urge to roll her eyes and forced a consolation. "Just move on. A wise horse doesn’t return to old grass."
Gu Jingchuan snapped, "I’m not a horse!"
Zhang Meixia had nothing else to say, her gaze drifting back to Lin Mo.
No matter how much Gu Jingchuan liked her, she was a dead woman walking!
Earlier that morning, she’d assumed the show’s online statement was fake.
How could they announce something as serious as a life-or-death matter online?
But after calling Gu Jingchuan, she learned Lin Mo was completely unharmed!
Surviving a car plunging into the river was one thing, but fire was inescapable.
Who knew Lin Mo’s life would be this tenacious? So hard to kill!
But this time, she wouldn’t escape alive.
"Dad! You’re here too?"
Gu Jingchuan spotted another familiar figure—a man in an old-fashioned suit, hair meticulously combed.
Gu Song barely glanced at his son before walking toward Xie Guanyan. "Guanyan."
The sudden direct address of Xie Guanyan’s name was rare in Beijing’s elite circles.
Everyone turned to look.
It was Gu Song, chairman of Gu Corporation and Gu Jingchuan’s father.
What an audacious old man!
Beside him stood a tall, upright young man—Gu Jingzhou, the second son of the Gu family, known for his academic excellence.
The voice made Xie Guanyan frown slightly. Though he remained silent, a trace of worry flickered in his eyes.
Shanshan would eventually learn about his background.
Being an illegitimate child was a shameful identity.
Would she look down on him?
Gu Song received no response.
After an awkward pause, he exchanged a perfunctory smile with Zhang Meixia—maintaining their facade of a loving couple in public.
But Gu Jingzhou’s back went cold.
Why was his mother here?
She hated him attending any events, insisting he devote all his time to studying.
"Jingzhou."
Hearing his mother’s voice, Gu Jingzhou nervously let out a fart.
"Mom! I finished my homework before coming!"
His brother’s potential had been wasted, so he was his mother’s last hope.
She wanted him to surpass that lowborn Xie Guanyan from the slums.
But it was nearly impossible!
At 7 PM sharp, the director walked to the center of the venue with a megaphone.
"Our show officially begins now! All eight guests, please gather here!"
The eight participants stepped forward.
Zhao Ziling retreated to the side, casually grabbing a glass of champagne from a male model server’s tray.
The server watched her drink again, eyes burning with disapproval, but said nothing and stood quietly.
The director announced, "Everyone knows today’s rules, right? Before we start, the female guests will each make one request of the male participants."
"Ms. Lin Mo, you first."
Lin Mo couldn’t suppress a smirk, ready to stir things up. "Xie Guanyan..." Call me 'big sister.'
But then she spotted the gloomy "Buddha of Beijing’s elite," the scowling Shen Ji’an, and the sulking Shen Sizhan beside her.
Her words caught in her throat, and she blurted out instead—
"Call me 'Master'!"
