This choice was no different from saying, “If becoming fair-skinned, beautiful, and the richest person in the world requires it, then I’d gladly do it.”
No matter which option she picked, the outcome was the same—Jiang Wanqing would have to apologize to Shen Shuhe and pay compensation.
Jiang Wanqing swayed, nearly losing her footing.
She had never imagined that Lu Yanzhou would refuse to spare even his own sister’s dignity just to defend Shen Shuhe.
Shen Shuhe smiled warmly, genuinely delighted.
So this was what it felt like to have someone stand up for you.
No wonder Jiang Wanqing had been so smug earlier.
Unfortunately, fortunes had turned.
Lu Yanzhou alone had effortlessly crushed Lu Mingshu, Zhou Jiayan, and Jiang Wanqing’s flock of chattering socialite friends.
Looking utterly at ease, Shen Shuhe turned her gaze toward Jiang Wanqing’s pale, anxious face.
She said nothing.
Her silence alone slowly roasted Jiang Wanqing’s nerves.
Shen Shuhe never started trouble.
But she always settled her scores.
Only when Jiang Wanqing seemed on the verge of breaking did Shen Shuhe finally speak.
“Today is Miss Lu’s birthday. You’re her best friend.”
“I won’t make things difficult for you.”
She smiled softly.
“I’ll let you choose.”
Who couldn’t pretend to be gracious?
At no cost to herself, she had elegantly preserved Lu Mingshu’s dignity, demonstrated the Shen family’s generosity…
…while still refusing to let Jiang Wanqing off the hook.
After all, whichever choice she made, Jiang Wanqing still owed her an apology and compensation.
From the second floor, Lu Yanzhou watched with growing interest, the depth in his eyes becoming more pronounced.
Jiang Wanqing was already on the brink of collapse.
Though no one dared whisper, every silent gaze fixed on her felt like a thousand knives slowly carving away at her.
She had never been so humiliated in her life.
It was an unbearable disgrace.
Her only support had been Lu Mingshu.
But Lu Yanzhou was determined to protect Shen Shuhe.
Even Lu Mingshu could do nothing.
No one could save her.
Her mind was in complete chaos.
Gripping her skirt tightly with both hands, she forced the words out.
“Miss Shen… I’m sorry. Earlier, I accidentally… If you need…”
“Enough!”
Lu Mingshu strode forward, pulled Jiang Wanqing behind her protectively, and glared at Shen Shuhe.
“Are you seriously saying this is all Wanqing’s fault? You were at fault too!”
“If you were invited by my brother, why didn’t you just say so from the beginning? Why wander around the ballroom letting everyone misunderstand?”
“You refused to explain yourself, then stood here acting pitiful?”
Lu Mingshu’s relentless accusations left Shen Shuhe momentarily speechless.
The invitation in her hand clearly stated Birthday Banquet.
It said absolutely nothing about Lu Yanzhou.
What was she supposed to explain?
Besides, she and Lu Yanzhou didn’t even know each other.
She was convinced he had only claimed to be the one who invited her in order to help her out.
Since he had acted out of kindness, there was no way she would foolishly expose him.
Embarrassing him would not only be ungrateful—it would also destroy any chance of asking the Lu family to help the Shen family.
Just as Shen Shuhe was carefully considering her response, Lu Yanzhou spoke again from upstairs.
This time, he called out firmly,
“Lu Mingshu.”
He addressed her by her full name.
The warning in his tone was unmistakable.
She turned to glare at him, raising an eyebrow defiantly.
“What?”
She truly was angry.
Today was supposed to be her birthday.
Yet her own brother was defending a manipulative woman who had bullied her best friend.
Although no one in the ballroom dared interrupt, and only the voices of the four of them—Lu Yanzhou, Lu Mingshu, Shen Shuhe, and Jiang Wanqing—could be heard, the enormous hall was still packed with guests.
Naturally, Lu Yanzhou had no intention of staging a public argument with his sister before everyone.
He simply ignored her.
Instead, he looked toward Shen Shuhe.
“Miss Shen.”
“It’s rather noisy downstairs, making it inconvenient to discuss business.”
“Why don’t you come upstairs?”
Shen Shuhe quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
She couldn’t have asked for a better invitation.
She had to admit that the only reason she had attended this banquet was for the Shen family.
After all, she didn’t know Lu Mingshu.
Claiming she had come simply to celebrate her birthday would have been far too hypocritical.
Now the most powerful man in the room had extended an olive branch.
If she ignored it just to continue arguing with Jiang Wanqing, she’d truly be an idiot.
Besides…
Just looking at Zhou Jiayan made her sick.
Without the slightest hesitation, Shen Shuhe nodded to Lu Yanzhou.
Ignoring everyone’s stares, she walked toward the grand spiral staircase.
As she began climbing, Lu Yanzhou snapped his fingers toward the orchestra conductor once more.
The graceful music resumed.
The elegant melody washed through the ballroom, attempting to erase the unpleasant interruption.
Watching Shen Shuhe’s slender figure ascend the spiral staircase, Jiang Wanqing could vaguely see Lu Yanzhou turn slightly toward her, his gaze following every step she took.
Her entire body trembled with rage.
The seemingly sweet, intimate scene nearly drove her mad with jealousy.
Lu Mingshu gently patted Jiang Wanqing’s back in comfort.
“I have no idea what’s gotten into my brother.”
“Don’t be upset.”
“Later I’ll tell him Shen Shuhe’s true colors.”
“When he understands the truth, he’ll definitely apologize to you.”
Sniffling, Jiang Wanqing lowered her head guiltily.
“It’s all my fault…”
“I ruined your birthday party…”
“I’m so sorry…”
Lu Mingshu waved it off.
“I know what really happened.”
“You’re my best friend. Why are you saying things like that to me?”
Out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Wanqing noticed that Shen Shuhe had already climbed most of the stairs and was about to meet Lu Yanzhou.
Jealousy nearly consumed her.
Looking down at her wine-soaked gown, she deliberately hinted,
“I’m sorry, Mingshu…”
“I look so embarrassing like this.”
“I can’t stay for your birthday anymore.”
“I should go.”
“Go? Why should you leave?”
Lu Mingshu grabbed her hand.
“The person who should leave isn’t you!”
“I have plenty of backup dresses for the birthday party in my room.”
“Come upstairs with me and pick one.”
“I… I don’t think that’s appropriate…”
“What’s inappropriate about it?”
“We studied abroad together. You’re like a sister to me.”
“If you keep refusing, I’ll actually get angry.”
“All right, all right.”
“I’ll do whatever you say.”
Wearing an expression that said she simply couldn’t refuse such kindness, Jiang Wanqing happily allowed Lu Mingshu to lead her upstairs.
She had always treated Lu Mingshu’s designer wardrobe as her own backup closet.
That was precisely why she had dared to splash an entire glass of red wine over herself without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Shen Shuhe had only two steps left before reaching the second floor.
Lu Yanzhou’s figure was now fully within sight.
He was no longer just a vague silhouette.
Standing sideways as he faced her, his sharply sculpted features became even more striking beneath the shifting light.
From his defined brow ridge…
…to his straight nose…
…to his chiseled jawline…
Every contour looked as though it had been carved by a master sculptor.
Strong.
Handsome.
Yet for some reason…
Shen Shuhe couldn’t shake the feeling that his face looked strangely familiar.
Had she met him somewhere before?