Volume One, Chapter 11: The Banquet

Surrounded by a group of her close friends, Zhou Qianqian stood in the center, exuding a subtle aura of being shielded. Her delicate cheeks lifted slightly, and when she looked at others, a faint smile played on her lips—a smile she believed was well concealed.

Zhou Xianyu furrowed her brows coldly, unmistakably recognizing that those so-called friends of Zhou Qianqian were the daughters of families she had never gotten along with before Zhou Qianqian returned to the country.

She found Zhou Qianqian’s act utterly nauseating; whenever she had conflicts with someone, she liked to cozy up to their circle.

Casting a glance toward her parents nearby, who were engaged in conversation with Elder Lin, Zhou Xianyu felt a twinge of boredom. Turning back, she caught sight of Zhou Qianqian and Jiang Wenhua approaching her.

They seemed intent on walking over to her, but Zhou Xianyu immediately quickened her pace, veering aside. She had no desire to exchange pleasantries and cultivate the image of close sisters in front of everyone, nor did she wish to encounter Jiang Wenhua.

Zhou Qianqian’s smile stiffened, her steps faltering. Beside her, Zhang Xuewei clicked her tongue softly and tugged at her arm. “You smiled at her, and she just brushed you off like that? Someone might think you’re enemies, not sisters.”

“Exactly! What kind of attitude is that?”

“She’s got Gu Shao backing her up.”

“Weren’t they supposed to be on indifferent terms?”

“Isn’t Miss Zhou fond of Young Master Jiang? Why does she avoid him whenever she sees him?”

Jiang Wenhua frowned gradually. Several times he wanted to approach Zhou Xianyu but found no suitable opportunity.

Zhou Qianqian lowered her eyes pitifully, sighing, “Sister is upset with me, that’s why she’s ignoring me. But it’s fine, I don’t blame her…”

Zhang Xuewei looked at the graceful figure and complained, “Why is her temper so bad? You’re both Misses of the Zhou family, how can your dispositions be so different?”

Zhou Qianqian replied shyly, “Maybe it’s because Sister grew up around Mom and Dad. I’m different... I’ve lived alone abroad for so long, so I guess my personality is a bit petty.”

She smiled bashfully. “Naturally, I’m no match for Sister.”

Zhang Xuewei regarded Zhou Qianqian with skepticism. Meanwhile, Zhou Qianqian remained immersed in her act, unaware that Zhang Xuewei had let go of her arm.

Feeling a twinge of pity for Zhou Qianqian, Zhang Xuewei thought about how poorly she had lived in the Zhou family, shaping her into this cautious, timid figure. In contrast, Zhou Xianyu was so uninhibited and flamboyant, like a true princess.

Zhou Qianqian really resembled Cinderella facing a cruel stepsister, Zhang Xuewei mused, confirming her belief that Zhou Xianyu bullied Zhou Qianqian daily at home.

---

This kind of drama irritated her the most, which was why she held such a strong negative impression of Zhou Xianyu.

At that moment, Zhou Xianyu was stopped by Lin Yue. Their eyes met, and a faint smile curved Lin Yue’s lips as he drawled casually, “Miss Zhou?”

Zhou Xianyu studied him for a few seconds before recognizing him. He looked somewhat different from her memory—his face was more open, black tousled hair hung over his brows, and his slightly upturned peach blossom eyes watched her with interest as he raised a brow in a playful challenge.

“Lin... Brother Yue?” Zhou Xianyu hesitated.

No wonder she almost didn’t recognize Lin Yue. Among the young heirs of the upper circles in the capital, she knew most of them, and even if they weren’t close, they often crossed paths. Lin Yue was four years older, roughly her peer.

Before he went abroad in high school, he was fairly familiar with Zhou Xianyu and Zhou Yizhi. Zhou Xianyu had met him through Zhou Yizhi, but after he left the country, contact was lost, and their relationship gradually cooled.

Once derided by elders as worthless, Lin Yue had since shone brilliantly in his chosen field overseas and had become acquainted with Gu Qichuan. Upon returning, he enjoyed great prestige.

Many people at the event were eager to schmooze for the sake of Lin Yue’s connection with Gu Qichuan.

Lin Yue lifted his smooth chin, smiling handsomely. “Didn’t expect you to grow even more beautiful as you got older. Ha ha ha. How’s your brother now? Why haven’t I seen him?”

Zhou Xianyu chuckled softly. Her bad mood from seeing Zhou Qianqian had eased somewhat upon meeting a familiar face. She didn’t want to bring up Zhou Yizhi, so casually said, “Maybe he’s on his way.”

Changing the subject, she added, “Brother Lin, you’re impressive—half the circle showed up at your welcome party.”

Lin Yue quickly waved his hand. “Hey, hey, it’s not that I’m so impressive. It’s all thanks to your man. My old man said he’d throw me a welcome party, and when those people heard Gu Qichuan was coming, they all wanted to join in.”

Suddenly, Lin Yue’s gaze lifted and caught sight of a woman not far off. With a sneer, he asked Zhou Xianyu, “Since when did you get a younger sister? A real one?”

“Looks like you two aren’t on good terms. I just heard her badmouthing you among the ladies.”

Lin Yue surveyed her like a spectator enjoying a show. Returning after so long, he not only encountered many new faces he didn’t know, but also heard plenty of high-society gossip.

Zhou Xianyu was tired of hearing about matters concerning Zhou Qianqian and replied, “Not very close.”

Lin Yue laughed heartily and, while chatting with her, scanned the crowd again. Still, he hadn’t spotted the person he wanted to see, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

---

Suddenly, a familiar voice called from behind. Lin Yue’s eyes brightened as he turned—indeed, it was Gu Chuyue.

She floated forward gracefully, her red dress swaying, radiating innate elegance and captivating charm—like a dazzling rose in bloom.

Gu Chuyue’s arrival stirred a commotion. With her here, perhaps Gu Qichuan might come too.

Glancing briefly at Lin Yue, Gu Chuyue first approached Zhou Xianyu, casually remarking, “Why didn’t that Gu Qichuan guy come with you?”

Zhou Xianyu obediently answered, “He had company matters to attend to; he’ll come later.”

As if on cue, a tall, imposing figure gradually entered the crowd’s view. His sharply defined features carried a faint aloofness, his expression calm.

Zhou Xianyu turned to see Gu Qichuan approaching. He must have come straight from the office, dressed in a sleek black suit buttoned up to the collar—restrained yet elegant.

His gaze rested on her bare shoulder exposed by the gown, her fair skin luminous. His rough fingertips lightly brushed it, causing a shiver. “Cold?”

Zhou Xianyu shook her head. Everyone was dressed like this, and besides, the weather was truly not cold.

Before Gu Qichuan could exchange more words with Zhou Xianyu, Elder Lin arrived, greeting him warmly.

While they talked, Lin Yue eagerly struck up a conversation with Gu Chuyue, who stood idly by. “Sister Chuyue, have you been busy lately...?”

Gu Chuyue looked down at her red nails, then back at him with a faint smile. “Quite busy.”

Only then did Zhou Xianyu realize that Lin Yue had been scanning the crowd earlier in search of Gu Chuyue. She was surprised—he actually had feelings for Gu Chuyue.

She glanced back at the casually indifferent Gu Qichuan and suddenly found it amusing. Gu Qichuan considered him a brother, yet he harbored ambitions to become Gu Qichuan’s brother-in-law.