Banquet Hall.
Amidst the elegant chatter of guests, floral arrangements beside carved pillars emanated a cool fragrance under swirling lights that dazzled the eyes.
Though called a Charity Banquet, it was merely another business arena for the undercurrents of high society.
With Song Yan poised to take over the family business, Song’s Father had deliberately used this banquet to pave his way—an unspoken rule among established families.
Si Yuan had just arrived. As her car came to a stop, an attendant stepped forward to open the door for her.
Alighting, the evening breeze carried the scent of gardenias from the courtyard, washing over her.
Upon entering the hall, Si Yuan noticed many eyes on her.
Fortunately, the “scandal” from years past had only circulated among children; these elders were unaware, merely curious about her.
And stunned.
Si Yuan wore a simple pearl-white dress that day, making her resemble a freshly picked lotus—cool and pristine, starkly contrasting with the opulent extravagance around her.
Some speculated about which wealthy family she belonged to.
“Xiao Yuan!”
Song’s Mother spotted her immediately, stepping forward to affectionately loop arms with her, then introducing her to several society matrons nearby, “This is my youngest daughter, just back from studying abroad. Isn’t she beautiful?”
At this, everyone recalled.
So this was the little girl the Song family had adopted.
Truly, a girl changes eighteen times before reaching womanhood.
A pity, though—with such looks, one would think she was of noble birth.
Even if outsiders addressed her as “Song Miss,” she was, after all, adopted.
Si Yuan cooperatively curved her lips into a slight smile, her gaze lightly sweeping the crowd, and thus she saw the figure not far away.
Song Yan stood tall and straight in a white suit beside the Champagne Tower.
Beside him, Lin Shuangyu wore a red dress, like a delicate red rose.
She was holding onto Song Yan’s arm, seeming somewhat displeased.
That morning, Lin Shuangyu had attended an auction, but a high-end necklace she had long coveted was snapped up by a mysterious bidder who lit the sky lantern.
Now, she was clearly still sulking over the hijacked jewelry.
Song Yan reached out and ruffled Lin Shuangyu’s hair, his tone gentle, “Don’t be upset. Next time there’s something you like more, just tell me, and I’ll bid for you.”
Only then did Lin Shuangyu show a hint of a smile.
In truth, this was the first time Si Yuan had directly witnessed Song Yan’s affection for Lin Shuangyu—pure yet ambiguous.
Someone as aloof and refined as him would actually show such a doting expression for another person.
It was entirely different from the kindness he showed her.
Si Yuan understood even more clearly now that Song Yan’s past kindness to her was merely ingrained courtesy.
And perhaps because of that courtesy, he avoided further entanglement with her?
Si Yuan wasn’t as sad as she might have imagined; it felt like watching someone else’s story, even the regret seemed weightless.
As Lin Shuangyu looked up, her eyes met Si Yuan’s.
A barely perceptible smirk tugged at her lips as she leaned in and whispered something into Song Yan’s ear.
Song Yan soon looked over as well.
Together with Lin Shuangyu, but Lin Shuangyu wore an enigmatic smile.
The moment Song Yan’s gaze fell on her, it was different from how he had just looked at Lin Shuangyu.
Distant and composed, his usual indifference.
The two of them had long been a united front, as if intentionally isolating her outside.
Si Yuan had seen this look from Song Yan as early as high school.
She lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously tightening on her skirt.
And asked herself: Si Yuan, why do you still feel fear and anxiety, endlessly consuming yourself, over a single glance from him?
…
It wasn’t until Song’s Mother spoke again that her thoughts were pulled back to reality.
“By the way, Xiao Yuan,” Song’s Mother took her hand, glancing backward, “you mentioned you had a boyfriend a few days ago. Why didn’t you bring him along?”
Si Yuan nervously pressed her lips together.
If she admitted this “boyfriend” didn’t exist, she’d likely be seen as still clinging to false hopes.
Song’s Mother’s smile faded slightly as she pressed further, “Such an important occasion today would be perfect for us to meet him. Your father could see for himself too, so he’d stop worrying about you being uncared for outside.”
The moment these words fell, the surrounding gazes intensified noticeably.
Song Yan heard this too.
He was still watching Si Yuan, but his gaze had grown heavier.
Though different from how he looked at Lin Shuangyu, it was distinctly different from how he regarded anyone else.
Lin Shuangyu raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her eyes as if certain Si Yuan was lying.
She’d investigated thoroughly, after all.
What presentable boyfriend could Si Yuan possibly have?
Si Yuan’s throat moved as she prepared to say “we’ve already broken up,” when a languid voice suddenly came from behind, cutting her off.
“Sorry I’m late. Traffic was terrible.”
Everyone turned toward the voice, their eyes collectively landing on the newcomer.
Except for Song Yan, no one expected to see him at such an ordinary banquet tonight—
Jiang Wang.
Dressed in a deep charcoal gray bespoke suit, the moment he entered, an air of casual aloofness emanated from him, completely at odds with the banquet hall’s atmosphere.
Everyone knew this scion from the Jiang Family of Jingcheng had unfathomable connections, someone even Hai City’s top families treated with deference.
Yet now, he was walking directly toward Si Yuan.
Si Yuan’s heart clenched violently.
Watching Jiang Wang approach, her palms grew sweaty, panic evident in her eyes.
She shot him a silent warning with her eyes: Don’t say anything reckless!
But Jiang Wang seemed oblivious to her tension.
Or perhaps he’d anticipated it, waiting precisely to see her fear, the corner of his mouth curling into a reckless smile.
Song Yan’s gaze darkened abruptly.
His eyes narrowed slowly.
Jiang Wang?
Was this Xiao Yuan’s boyfriend?
Or rather, did Xiao Yuan actually have a boyfriend?
Beside him, Lin Shuangyu had long lost her casual interest in the drama. She tugged at Song Yan’s sleeve, pretending nonchalance as she asked, “A Yan, who is that? Judging by the Song family’s reaction, he seems important?”
Song Yan didn’t respond. Instead, he suddenly set down his champagne glass and strode directly toward Si Yuan.
Having known Jiang Wang all these years, he understood too well how cold-hearted and dangerous this man was.
If Si Yuan got involved with someone like that, she’d be devoured without leaving even bones behind.
As host, Song’s Father quickly set down his wine glass and came forward, his face wearing a polite yet probing smile. “President Jiang, what brings you here today?”
Standing between them, Si Yuan felt the air grow so thick it could solidify, her palms drenched in cold sweat.
She secretly glared at Jiang Wang, but he acted as if he didn’t notice.
Instead, he smiled at Song’s Father and produced a velvet box from behind, offering it to Si Yuan.
When Si Yuan remained frozen, unwilling to accept it, Jiang Wang opened the box himself.
Inside lay an exceptionally dazzling and luxurious sapphire necklace, its clasp adorned with scattered diamonds that refracted multicolored fire.
The moment Lin Shuangyu glimpsed it, her breath caught sharply.
Wasn’t this the exact high-end necklace that had been snatched from her at the auction this morning?
How did it end up in Jiang Wang’s hands?
Jiang Wang’s gaze fell on Si Yuan’s tense face, his tone casual as he slowly began to speak…