The reunion dinner was in the evening, but going to such an occasion required careful dressing up. Song Linlang pulled You Xiaoxia upstairs to pick out clothes and accessories, while Song Xiangchen tagged along for fun. In the blink of an eye, only the Song couple remained in the downstairs living room!
Once the children had left, Mo Pingxin’s smile faded, and she glared fiercely at Song Ankang. “Are you still planning to protect your younger brother even now?”
After everything that had happened, if Song Ankang remained a fool, she would divorce him!
Song Ankang sighed and took Mo Pingxin’s hand. “From the moment I found out he was the one who swapped our daughter, I stopped considering him family. Don’t worry, dear. This time, I’ll do whatever you say. I’ll follow your lead!”
Mo Pingxin felt reassured. After years of marriage, she knew that if Song Ankang said this, he would definitely keep his word.
After a moment’s thought, she lowered her voice. “Later, send someone to…”
While the couple discussed important matters downstairs, upstairs, Song Linlang led You Xiaoxia into her room. Since becoming a celebrity, her belongings had multiplied, and the adjacent room had been merged into hers. She took You Xiaoxia to the walk-in closet to choose clothes, with Song Xiangchen trailing behind like a shadow.
Song Linlang shooed him away. “What are you doing here while we’re changing? Get out, get out!”
After chasing Song Xiangchen out, she took You Xiaoxia to the wardrobe. “Feel free to pick anything from here. Whatever you like!”
Seeing You Xiaoxia frozen in place, Song Linlang quickly waved her hands. “Don’t misunderstand—everything here is new. I haven’t worn any of it. They were all sent by brands.”
You Xiaoxia hadn’t been thinking that. She was simply staring wide-eyed at the massive walk-in closet.
Heavens, in my past life, I kept hoping my best friend would strike it rich or marry some wealthy tycoon so she could treat me to the good life—just like this, taking me to a huge walk-in closet and haughtily declaring, ‘Take your pick!’
Who would’ve thought my best friend in my past life never managed it, but this lifetime, my wish has come true!
Seeing You Xiaoxia finally move, Song Linlang breathed a sigh of relief and busied herself helping You Xiaoxia try on clothes and accessories, fussing over her like a maid from ancient times.
Seeing her like this, You Xiaoxia understood perfectly. She said directly, “You really don’t have to do this!”
Song Linlang froze, set down the diamond necklace in her hand, and turned around with a sigh. “Xiaoxia, even though the swap wasn’t my intention, I am the one who benefited from it. If you feel uncomfortable, I can move out.”
Though they weren’t related by blood, Song Linlang’s bond with the Song family was genuine. Emotionally, she found it hard to accept this sudden change. But putting herself in You Xiaoxia’s shoes, she realized You Xiaoxia was the one who had suffered the most. Born into the Song family, everything Song Linlang now enjoyed should have been You Xiaoxia’s. Instead, she had been swapped by a villain and raised in hardship in the countryside. As the beneficiary, even if Song Linlang didn’t want to move out, she had to consider You Xiaoxia’s feelings.
Yet You Xiaoxia shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. You can keep living here if you want. You don’t need to ask for my opinion.”
You Xiaoxia truly didn’t care. Strictly speaking, she wasn’t the original You Xiaoxia of this world either—if anyone was occupying another’s place, she was just as guilty. Besides, having been given a second chance at life, she’d had an epiphany: screw those soul-crushing jobs! All she wanted now was to eat, drink, lounge around, and gossip—after all, if she didn’t indulge in gossip, she’d die! She really had no spare energy to squabble with some false heiress!
Of course, if Song Linlang ever provoked her first, then she shouldn’t blame You Xiaoxia for not playing nice!
As for now…
[Since we’re both supporting female characters—one a cannon fodder, the other a villainess—let’s just stop fighting, alright? Why should women make things harder for each other!]
Hearing this inner monologue, Song Linlang nodded fervently in agreement. Yes, yes, since they were both supporting characters, there was no need to compete!
Neither spoke, and the atmosphere in the dressing room grew slightly stiff. It was You Xiaoxia who broke the silence: “By the way, aren’t you a celebrity? You must be swamped with schedules, right?”
You Xiaoxia had assumed big stars were constantly on the go, so she was surprised Song Linlang had time to join them for dinner.
Song Linlang nodded. She was usually indeed very busy, currently filming for a drama, but she’d specifically requested leave from the director to welcome You Xiaoxia home.
Thinking of her work in the entertainment industry, Song Linlang’s eyes suddenly lit up. Right, with You Xiaoxia’s incredibly sharp inner monologue, if she brought her into the industry, wouldn’t they have an endless supply of gossip to devour?!
After all, was there any industry with more juicy drama than the chaotic entertainment world?!
But she immediately dismissed the idea. While eavesdropping on inner thoughts for gossip was thrilling, it could easily offend people. If You Xiaoxia entered the industry, she’d undoubtedly attract unwanted attention and face doubled dangers—absolutely not!
Moreover, to protect You Xiaoxia and prevent more people from hearing her inner monologue, their parents would likely restrict her outings. No, no! Song Linlang shook her head.
You Xiaoxia, sitting at the vanity table, watched Song Linlang’s shifting expressions in the mirror—sometimes frowning, sometimes looking grave—wondering what troublesome thoughts were occupying the false heiress’s mind.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Song Linlang realized she’d been spacing out and quickly shook her head. “Nothing, nothing. Have you picked out your makeup? Let me help you apply it.”
You Xiaoxia nodded.
Eager for the evening’s gossip, You Xiaoxia had barely eaten lunch. By dusk, the family finally set off by car to the hotel.
You Xiaoxia was brimming with excitement, but the moment she stepped out of the car, Song Linlang linked arms with her. Song Linlang had an important mission tonight: to ensure You Xiaoxia and Song Anhe never came within four meters of each other. Otherwise, if Song Anhe overheard the inner monologue prematurely, how could they enjoy the gossip?!
Finding Song Anhe’s private room wasn’t difficult, so Song Ankang had deliberately booked their family’s room just one partition away from Song Anhe’s.
As soon as You Xiaoxia entered, Lao Liu appeared: [Host, great spot! The room two doors down is where Song Anhe is hosting his class reunion!]
You Xiaoxia’s eyes sparkled: [Well? Well? Is everyone here yet? Has Liao Jiali arrived?]
Around the round table, the Song family members holding menus unanimously pricked up their ears.
System: “Everyone from Song Anhe’s side has arrived and they’re already quite drunk. Right now he’s making eyes at his old classmate—I estimate he won’t be able to resist ‘starting the battle’ soon. As for Liao Jiali, she’s already lying in wait in the car at the entrance. She even bribed a waiter, instructing them to call her immediately if Song Anhe and the female classmate she suspects disappear together!”
You Xiaoxia was about to speak when she suddenly heard the System exclaim, “Ah! Host, fresh gossip—the husband of the female classmate fooling around with Song Anhe is here today!”
“Huh? What? What?” You Xiaoxia was shocked. “Did he come just to attend the gathering, or… does he have some other purpose?”
System: “He’s known for a while that his wife was cheating and vaguely suspected the other man was her classmate, but he didn’t know which one. He came today specifically to catch them in the act!”
“Excellent, excellent!” You Xiaoxia felt like clapping in excitement. “This piece of gossip just got even more thrilling~”
…
Two tables over, Song Anhe appeared serious on the surface, but under the round table, he was secretly rubbing his foot against his female classmate Mao Fang’s leg.
Taking advantage of the chatter and toasts around them, he leaned close to Mao Fang’s ear and glanced toward the restroom in the private room, complaining: “Why did you bring him along? It’s such a hassle!”
Mao Fang hooked her leg around Song Anhe’s, her ears slightly red, her voice soft and coquettish: “I didn’t want to either, but what could I do when he insisted on coming?”
Seeing Mao Fang’s flushed face, Song Anhe felt a surge of excitement. Though Mao Fang wasn’t young anymore, she had aged well—especially her voice, which remained as sweet and soft as it was back in their school days, completely different from the shrill harpy at home. Song Anhe had long been interested in her and had flirted with her several times during class reunions before finally making his move!
Mao Fang, aroused by his teasing, shot him a reproachful glare: “If you want to see me, can’t we just go out? Why do we have to have this gathering?” Now she was left feeling restless and uncomfortable!
Song Anhe chuckled: “A private date isn’t as thrilling as being surrounded by old classmates!”
Just then, the restroom door opened, and Mao Fang’s drunk husband stumbled out.
Song Anhe snorted and deliberately blew a breath toward Mao Fang: “Can that weakling even satisfy you?!”
Mao Fang blushed and glared at him, then hurriedly stood up to support her husband.
“Old Song, are you drunk? Your face is so red.”
Song Anhe snapped back to reality and waved with a smile: “Just a little buzzed, just a little buzzed!”
Turning back, he whispered to Mao Fang, who had sat down again: “Get him drunk. Later, I’ll take you somewhere nice!”
Mao Fang said nothing and shoved a glass into her husband’s hand.
After a few more drinks, Mao Fang’s husband completely passed out on the table. Not long after, Song Anhe and Mao Fang slipped out one after the other under various excuses.
However, the moment they slipped out, not only did the waiter immediately make a phone call, but Mao Fang’s husband, who had been slumped over the table, also instantly opened his drunken eyes.