The next evening, the Qin family banquet.
The Qin family was an old-established aristocratic family in the capital. Though not as prominent as the Fu family, they still belonged to the top circle.
The eldest daughter of the Qin family, Qin Se, had just returned from studying abroad in America. This banquet served both as a welcome-home celebration and her formal debut into the circle.
The banquet hall was set up in the Qin family’s old residence, with a three-story-high ceiling, resplendent crystal chandeliers, and an atmosphere of elegance and glamour.
Fu Linzhou arrived neither early nor late.
He wore a black custom-tailored suit. Tall with long legs, he attracted everyone’s attention at the entrance the moment he stepped out of the car.
Wen Yirou followed by his side, wearing a long gown, her hair carefully pinned up, with appropriate light makeup.
This was the first time she had appeared at an occasion of this caliber as Fu Linzhou’s girlfriend.
She was so nervous her palms were sweating.
“Don’t be nervous.” Fu Linzhou turned his head and said in a low voice.
He held her hand, slightly easing her unease.
Wen Yirou looked up at him, her eyes full of dependence and joy.
She thought of last night—he had eaten the sweet and sour pork ribs she made, was in a good mood, and drank a couple extra glasses.
She helped him back to his room, and he suddenly grabbed her wrist.
“Yirou.” He called her, his voice very gentle.
“Hmm?”
“Thank you,” he said, eyes closed, brows relaxed. “These past six months, thank you.”
Wen Yirou’s heart beat so fast it was unbearable.
She thought he was going to say something, thought he was going to confess, but he only held her hand and fell asleep.
Even so, she was happy the entire night.
She thought of the night they got together.
She had been set up to end up in his bed. The next morning, he sat by the bedside, looking at her with a cold face, saying she had schemed against him.
She cried and explained, but he didn’t believe her.
Later, Elder Fu caught them and misunderstood, forcing him to take responsibility. He proposed a contract—pretending to be a couple. She agreed.
Because she had always liked him, hoping that one day, he would see her.
Dripping water wears through stone. From initial coldness and disgust, to recently—though he still occasionally wore a cold expression—his attitude had already softened.
She knew he had her in his heart, just wasn’t good at expressing it.
Now, she stood at the entrance of the Qin family home, Fu Linzhou holding her hand, leading her into a circle she had never set foot in.
She felt like she was dreaming.
A beautiful dream.
The moment Fu Linzhou appeared, countless people looked over.
He was the head of the Fu family, with a net worth of hundreds of billions, holding the fate of countless people in his hands. More importantly, he was only twenty-seven this year and extremely handsome.
Cold and stern, aloof, ascetic.
Like an iceberg, making people want to climb up and melt him.
“President Fu.”
“Linzhou’s here.”
“President Fu, long time no see.”
People kept coming over to greet him, but their gazes all fell on Wen Yirou.
Curiosity, scrutiny, and undisguised jealousy.
Wen Yirou straightened her back, trying hard to look presentable.
“Is that President Fu’s girlfriend?”
“I heard she’s a contract girlfriend, fake.”
“It’s been half a year, what’s fake about it? Look at President Fu’s eyes—he’s clearly protective.”
“She’s just so-so looking, a bit petty. Don’t know what President Fu sees in her.”
Sharp and mean whispers reached Wen Yirou’s ears, and her face paled slightly.
Fu Linzhou noticed and turned his head to look at her: “Not feeling well?”
“No.” Wen Yirou shook her head, forcing a smile.
“I’m going to the restroom.”
“Mm.”
Wen Yirou turned and, lifting her skirt, walked toward the restroom.
She didn’t notice that the gazes of the women behind her had shifted from envy to schadenfreude.
Because the moment she left, a stir broke out at the entrance of the banquet hall.
Someone had arrived—a woman in a black floor-length gown with a strappy design, revealing snow-white shoulders and collarbones.
The dress was minimalist in cut, yet it perfectly accentuated her slender waist and full bust and hips.
The most striking thing was her face—almond eyes, a delicate nose, carrying a pure yet alluring charm.
She stood at the entrance, tilting her head slightly, as if searching for someone.
The entire banquet hall erupted.
“Who is that?”
“Su Qingsi! The one Mr. Fu has been pining over!”
“Oh my god, why is she here?”
“Good heavens… that face, that figure… no wonder Mr. Fu has been hung up on her for three years…”
“Wen Yirou is done for. The real deal is back—how can a stand-in keep up the act?”
“Look at Mr. Fu’s expression—wow. Wen Yirou wasted her time coming tonight.”
Fu Linzhou held a glass in his hand, his gaze fixed on the entrance.
He had to admit—he was stunned.
The blurry figure in his memory suddenly took on a concrete form.
But she was even more alluring and captivating than in his memories, impossible to look away from.
She was dressed understatedly, yet she turned all the extravagance in the room into mere backdrop.
Su Qingsi seemed to sense something. She turned her head and looked in this direction.
Her gaze passed over the crowd and landed on Fu Linzhou’s face.
Then, she blinked gently, her eyes shimmering with a breathtaking beauty.
Fu Linzhou tightened his grip on his glass, his eyes dark and intense.
Three years. He thought he had forgotten.
But now, with just a distant glance, all the defenses he had painstakingly built, all the reasons he had told himself to start over—crumbled in an instant.
Su Qingsi didn’t walk toward Fu Linzhou as everyone expected.
Instead, she turned and headed toward tonight’s guest of honor, Qin Se.
Her gait was soft, her waist swaying gently, like a willow in the breeze—yet utterly mesmerizing.
Fu Linzhou stared at her retreating figure without looking away.
“Zhou ge.” Xie Yu’an had sidled up at some point, glass in hand, a meaningful smile on his face.
He was the youngest son of the Xie family, Fu Linzhou’s childhood friend and loyal sidekick. He had the face of a typical playboy—peach blossom eyes, thin lips, and a smile that always carried a hint of roguish nonchalance.
“See that? Still saying you don’t remember?”
Fu Linzhou said nothing.
“Quite the change, huh?” Xie Yu’an clicked his tongue twice. “I almost didn’t recognize her.”
“What did she eat abroad these three years? She just keeps getting more…” He paused, searching for the right word. “More of a femme fatale.”
Fu Linzhou shoved his glass into Xie Yu’an’s hand.
“Hey, where are you going?” Xie Yu’an asked.
Fu Linzhou didn’t answer, walking toward Su Qingsi.
He didn’t know why he was going over there.
She was just a first love from his youth. Three years had passed, and the memories had long since faded. He even felt more fondness for Wen Yirou now.
But his feet seemed to have a mind of their own—step by step, drawing him closer to her.
Qin Se stood beside Su Qingsi, holding a champagne glass, laughing as she said something.
She had grown up with Su Qingsi; their families had been close for generations.
Tonight, she wore a red gown that made her skin look porcelain-white, her brows and eyes bright and spirited.
“Qingsi, I’m glad you’re back,” Qin Se said. “Those three years abroad—it must have been hard on you, all alone.”
Su Qingsi shook her head gently. “It wasn’t hard.”
Qin Se was about to say more when she suddenly felt a gaze on her.
She turned and saw Fu Linzhou walking toward them.
The man was tall with long legs, dressed in a crisp black suit, his brows and eyes cold and sharp, yet at this moment he exuded an indescribable sense of pressure.
Qin Se raised an eyebrow and nudged Su Qingsi with her elbow: “Someone’s here to see you.”
Fu Linzhou pushed Qin Se aside, took a long stride, and directly blocked all the light in front of Su Qingsi.
He stood too close, his black suit trousers almost brushing against the hem of her dress.
Su Qingsi took a small half-step back.
“Su Qingsi, long time no see.” Fu Linzhou spoke first.
Su Qingsi blinked, her voice soft and gentle, “Sir, is there something you need?”