The Zhen family could be considered a leading enterprise in Haicheng, so the banquet hosted by Zhen Lianyun was certainly not going to be anything less than impressive.
“Congratulations, Lianyun! You’re about to marry Fu Sili.”
As the center of attention, Zhen Lianyun was surrounded by quite a few people, all of whom were showering praise on her upcoming marriage.
“Director Fu achieved the position of deputy director at such a young age, and he’s also the eldest son of the Fu family. But then, he also has such a beautiful and gentle wife like you.”
“Not at all,” Zhen Lianyun replied with a modest smile, pursing her lips. She had been in the same class as Fu Sili during university and had liked him ever since. Back then, she thought he was like the moon in the sky—something she could never reach. She never imagined she would end up with him, let alone marry him.
“What’s there to be so proud of? It’s definitely a marriage alliance,” Cheng Qingyue muttered from the side, watching her smile with a jealousy that felt like a fire burning inside her.
Her voice was loud enough for Zhen Lianyun to hear clearly, and Zhen Lianyun’s expression shifted slightly.
The people around them glanced over, recognizing Cheng Qingyue, then looked back at Zhen Lianyun, exchanging uncertain glances.
In just a second, Zhen Lianyun’s expression returned to normal. Cheng Qingyue wasn’t wrong—it really was a marriage alliance…
In fact, she had been the one to approach Fu Sili, knowing that his father had run into trouble and that Fu Yi had nearly taken control of the Fu family from him. She had used that as leverage to propose the arrangement.
But so what? As long as they could be together, any method was worth it.
Pretending she hadn’t heard, Zhen Lianyun was about to continue speaking when a commotion arose from the front.
“Is that Second Miss Fu? I think I’ve only seen her at the Cheng family’s banquet before…”
“Didn’t she go abroad years ago? I didn’t expect her to be back. I thought Young Master Shang had brought some actress with him.”
Their gazes all turned in that direction.
Two people were walking over. The familiar face was Shang Yan, but the woman beside him was surprisingly unfamiliar.
Her shoulders were partially exposed, and a pure blue gemstone resting on her chest emitted a soft, enchanting glow. Her features were exquisitely delicate, so beautiful that she could steal everyone’s attention.
While the others were still marveling and surprised, Zhen Lianyun was the first to step forward, smiling at Fu Wanzhi. “Zhizhi, you’re here.”
Watching Zhen Lianyun take the initiative to greet her, Cheng Qingyue sneered inwardly. Did she think currying favor with Fu Wanzhi would win Fu Sili’s approval?
“Sister-in-law,” Fu Wanzhi replied tactfully, linking arms with her and calling out sweetly.
Shang Yan, standing beside them, glanced away at her act. Here we go again—the pretense is starting.
“I didn’t expect Zhen Lianyun and Fu Wanzhi to be so close…”
“Yeah, did you hear how naturally she called her ‘sister-in-law’? You know Fu Sili used to be a total doting brother. It seems like Zhen Lianyun and Fu Sili’s marriage isn’t just an alliance after all.”
The people around them watched their interaction, whispering among themselves.
“Let me introduce everyone—this is Sili’s younger sister, Fu Wanzhi,” Zhen Lianyun said, holding Fu Wanzhi’s hand as she introduced her to the crowd.
Fu Wanzhi smiled politely at the wealthy young men and ladies, though inwardly she was utterly bored by the sea of unfamiliar faces.
“Fu Wanzhi, I didn’t expect you to come,” Cheng Qingyue stepped forward, the scene from last time still fresh in her mind. Grandfather Fu had made her apologize, but her idea of an apology was to slap a card right in her face.
It’s her again, Fu Wanzhi thought, masking the coldness in her eyes. “Sister-in-law sent me an invitation. How could I not come?”
“Sister-in-law… are you calling her that sincerely?” Cheng Qingyue found it amusing. Back when they were younger, Fu Wanzhi would resist fiercely whenever Fu Sili interacted with other girls, even personally throwing away her love letter. Yet now, she was obediently calling someone else sister-in-law.
Fu Wanzhi curved her lips slightly and spoke lightly, “It seems Sister Qingyue still cares deeply about the fact that I threw away the love letter you wrote for my brother.”
Zhen Lianyun overheard and glanced over. So that was why Cheng Qingyue had been targeting her…
“Oh, so you wrote a love letter to Brother Sili,” Shang Yan chimed in immediately, fanning the flames.
Cheng Qingyue’s face flushed bright red. She stiffened her neck and retorted, “That was years ago. I’ve long forgotten about it.”
“Alright, today’s party is for everyone to enjoy. Feel free to have fun,” Zhen Lianyun interjected, her gaze toward Cheng Qingyue carrying an additional layer of meaning.
Fu Wanzhi raised an eyebrow at Cheng Qingyue before being led away by Zhen Lianyun to another area.
Cheng Qingyue gritted her teeth in frustration. She refused to believe Fu Wanzhi was sincere.
“Zhizhi, what has Sili been busy with lately?” Zhen Lianyun asked as she pulled Fu Wanzhi to sit on a sofa by the poolside.
“I haven’t seen him for a few days,” Fu Wanzhi replied truthfully.
Zhen Lianyun nodded. “Me neither. Sili seems to have been quite busy these past few days.”
“He must be busy with the wedding preparations. After all, the wedding is approaching,” Shang Yan remarked, taking a bite of pastry.
Zhen Lianyun chuckled, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes. When it came to the wedding, she was always the one who cared… after all, she was the only one who truly wanted to get married.
“By the way, Zhizhi, that gown you’re wearing looks somewhat familiar,” she said, turning to look at Fu Wanzhi’s dress, feeling an inexplicable sense of recognition.
Before Fu Wanzhi could respond, Shang Yan spoke up first, “Oh, that was bought for her by Brother Sili.”
Zhen Lianyun’s hand paused slightly, her eyes turning cold. She remembered now—a few days ago, while having dinner with Fu Sili, he had been staring at his phone the entire time, as if selecting something.
She had glanced over and seen the exact gown Fu Wanzhi was wearing now. At the time, she thought it was a gift Fu Sili was choosing for her. She never expected…
Noticing the change in Zhen Lianyun’s expression, Fu Wanzhi realized something. “Brother knew I was coming to Sister-in-law’s party, so he specially prepared it.”
“Is that so? Sili is quite thoughtful,” Zhen Lianyun said, forcing a smile. All the anticipation she had built up had come to nothing in the end.
It’s fine. Love grows over time. She believed she could win him over. A dress was nothing, after all.
“It seems you’re quite satisfied with this sister-in-law.”
While Zhen Lianyun went to attend to other guests, Shang Yan, having observed their interactions, remarked.
Fu Wanzhi stood by the poolside. With no one else around, she dropped her pretense, lowered her head, and lit a cigarette. Her voice carried a hint of detachment as she spoke, “She’s very good at pretending.”
“What do you mean? Isn’t she considerate and easy to get along with?” Shang Yan didn’t understand. Having grown up in a healthy and loving family, he couldn’t grasp such scheming and pretense.
“Cheng Qingyue provoked her, yet she held back. A marriage of convenience, yet she’s pretending it’s a deep, mutual love,” Fu Wanzhi said, the pale smoke blurring her profile in the dim evening light.
Shang Yan took the lighter from her hand, unsurprised. “So it really is a marriage of convenience.”
The one Fu Sili chose wasn’t as simple as she appeared.
“Hey, Fu Wanzhi.”
A rather impolite voice came from behind.
Fu Wanzhi turned around. It was Cheng Qingyue, who walked over with the same domineering expression as before.
“I know you don’t want Fu Sili to marry her.” Cheng Qingyue frowned as she noticed the slender cigarette between Fu Wanzhi’s fingers. When had Fu Wanzhi learned to smoke?
Shang Yan frowned. Was this woman out of her mind?
“Why wouldn’t I want them to get married?” Fu Wanzhi found it baffling.
“It’s an arranged marriage, you know,” Cheng Qingyue added.
This person seemed quite accurate in her guesses. She had previously said Fu Wanzhi was abandoned, and that had been correct too.
“I know that.” She had known about it for a long time, so hearing it now wasn’t much of a surprise.
But the person who brought it up widened her eyes in shock upon hearing her response: “It really is an arranged marriage?!”
“What’s going on? Were you just messing with us all this time?” Shang Yan laughed in disbelief, speaking disdainfully.
Fu Wanzhi also seemed at a loss, letting out a soft laugh as she crushed the cigarette under her foot. “Cheng Qingyue, if you really want to become my sister-in-law, then bring more capital to the table than Zhen Lianyun. Just talking won’t cut it.”
“What do you mean? What did Zhen Lianyun bring?” Cheng Qingyue caught the key point and stepped forward excitedly.
“She’s surnamed Zhen. What do you think she brought?” Fu Wanzhi shrugged, leaving it at that and not wanting to say more.