As Fu Sili entered the venue, nearly all eyes turned toward him. There were those among the nobility who wished to approach him, including no shortage of socialites. Even though they knew he was currently engaged, they still clung to a sliver of hope.
When they noticed the person beside Fu Sili, their expressions turned somewhat puzzled. After all, eight years had passed, and matters concerning Fu Wanzhi were rarely mentioned in upper-class circles.
Nowadays, aside from Zhen Lianyun, no one dared to stand openly beside Fu Sili. Yet here he was, bringing an unfamiliar woman to the banquet…
“Where’s Grandfather?” Fu Wanzhi scanned the surroundings but didn’t see Grandfather Fu, so she couldn’t help but ask.
“He’s catching up with Grandfather Cheng in a room upstairs. They’ll come down later,” Fu Sili replied.
Fu Wanzhi nodded. Perhaps because Grandfather Fu had served in the military, none of the younger generation had ever dared to act presumptuously in front of him since childhood.
He was extremely strict about etiquette and rules. Fu Sili had been designated as his successor from a young age, and because they belonged to the second branch of the family, they had faced much covert exclusion and opposition.
“Sili, how is your father doing?”
Fu Wanzhi saw the chairman of the Artists’ Association approach Fu Sili to greet him.
“Father is still the same as always. Thank you for your concern, Uncle Chen,” Fu Sili replied.
“And this is…?” Uncle Chen shifted his gaze to the person beside him. Her face was strikingly beautiful—he had initially wondered if she was some celebrity.
“Zhizhi, she just returned from abroad,” Fu Sili introduced.
Hearing Fu Sili’s words, Uncle Chen looked surprised. “Wanzhi! It’s been years. You’ve grown so much.”
“Uncle Chen, it’s been a long time,” Fu Wanzhi said with a polite smile.
“It must be seven or eight years now. I recall Wanzhi studied fine arts, right? Have you considered joining the association?” Uncle Chen suggested. His offer wasn’t just out of friendship with the Fu family; more importantly, he wanted to get closer to Fu Sili.
“I’ve opened my own studio, but I’ll definitely be in touch with you more in the future, Uncle Chen. You’re welcome to visit the studio whenever you have time,” Fu Wanzhi said with a smile.
Watching her navigate social interactions with such ease, Fu Sili took a sip of his wine. The person before him was no longer the little girl who used to hide behind him.
“Of course. If it’s a studio you opened, I’ll definitely come.”
After making the rounds with Fu Sili, the banquet still hadn’t officially begun, but Fu Wanzhi had already lost all interest in socializing. Too many people were trying to curry favor with Fu Sili.
“Brother Sili.” A sweet, cloying female voice rang out.
Fu Wanzhi, who had been about to sneak off for a break, paused in her steps and turned around.
Cheng Qingyue’s face came into view. Her features hadn’t changed much from before, and the way she looked at Fu Sili was exactly the same as it used to be.
Fu Wanzhi decided not to leave and continued watching her.
“Brother Sili, I’m so happy you could come,” Cheng Qingyue said, her eyes fixed solely on Fu Sili, unable to conceal her joy at seeing him.
Brother Sili…
Fu Wanzhi’s lips curved slightly. She remembered how, as a child, she had gotten angry with Fu Sili for days after hearing Cheng Qingyue call him that.
In the end, Fu Sili had told Cheng Qingyue face-to-face not to address him that way.
And now, after eight years apart, it was starting again…
Fu Sili glanced at her coldly, but before he could speak, the person beside him spoke first.
“Sister Qingyue, it’s been so long. Do you still remember me?” Fu Wanzhi said with a playful, coquettish laugh, like a little sister vying for attention.
Cheng Qingyue finally turned her gaze to her. From the moment Fu Sili entered, her attention had been fixed on him—and on the woman by his side. Who else could accompany Fu Sili to such an occasion but Fu Wanzhi?
“Of course I remember. Wanzhi, you’ve returned from abroad.” Cheng Qingyue smiled insincerely. She had never liked Fu Wanzhi since childhood.
If it weren’t for her, she herself would be the one standing beside Fu Sili now.
Fu Wanzhi saw through her expression, but she was also playing her part: “Yes.”
“Brother Sili, Grandpa and the others will be down soon. Before you arrived, he kept talking about you for the longest time.” Cheng Qingyue shifted her focus back to Fu Sili.
Before Fu Sili could speak, Fu Wanzhi interjected: “Brother, I’m going to the restroom.”
“Mm.” Fu Sili watched her figure walk away before turning his gaze back, his eyes devoid of warmth. “Has Miss Cheng forgotten what I said before?”
Cheng Qingyue’s smile stiffened slightly. She hadn’t expected Fu Sili to still remember that…
“My apologies, Brother Fu. I was just momentarily excited and forgot.” She explained with an unchanged expression.
Fu Sili shifted his gaze away and did not continue speaking with her.