Li Zhen, boiling with suppressed fury, followed the servant upstairs. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, she snatched up a water glass from the table and hurled it violently onto the floor. The sharp shattering sound echoed as her chest heaved fiercely, consumed by indignation.
"Damn Su Wanwan, how dare she humiliate me in front of all these people!"
"Just wait!"
"I won't let you have an easy time in the Fu family!"
Downstairs, Su Wanwan was engaged in conversation with a woman. During their exchange, she learned the woman was an intern reporter named Xia Ke, still a university student, brought here by a distant relative to broaden her horizons.
"Just now… thank you. Otherwise, I really would have been left speechless…"
"It's nothing."
Xia Ke looked at Su Wanwan gratefully, admiration gleaming in her eyes, her fingers nervously entwining.
"As far as I know, Li Zhen has been spoiled rotten since childhood, often abusing her status to suppress others."
"You helped me today—do you think she'll cause you trouble?"
"I'd feel uneasy…"
Su Wanwan said with a meaningful smile, "Even if I hadn't helped you, she would have found a reason to trouble me."
"Huh?"
Xia Ke blinked, puzzled.
Su Wanwan met her gaze sideways. "As a fledgling reporter, don't you know Li Zhen's close friend is Su Nian?"
Xia Ke was momentarily stunned, then blinked wide-eyed at Su Wanwan before stammering, "I... I know…"
The birthday banquet arrived swiftly amidst their casual chatter. The hall was crowded with guests engaged in lively conversations, discussing the latest happenings within the Fu family.
"Eh, the second branch of the Fu family is really a pity. Chen Shuang is so capable, yet her son is just a freeloader."
"Yeah, no matter how hard she works for the Fu family, it all ends up benefiting the first branch."
"I heard the third branch's little tyrant recently started a company?"
"Just a hobby, probably will fold in a few days."
The patriarch was aged and had yet to leave a will, naturally stirring gossip and speculation.
Xia Ke leaned closer to Su Wanwan, catching a faint fragrance from her, whispering, "The matriarch doesn't seem to have come…"
The matriarch, of course, was the grandmother living with Fu Liangmu and the others.
"I heard after the eldest son's face was disfigured, the matriarch and the family head had a falling out, and haven't communicated for years."
Su Wanwan nodded thoughtfully.
Chen Shuang took the stage, a faint smile gracing her lips as she courteously addressed the crowd, "Thank you all for coming to my birthday party, I'm truly grateful for your presence…"
After the polite pleasantries, her husband stepped forward and gracefully placed a pearl-studded necklace around her neck.
"Wow… isn't this the South African diamond that appeared at auction earlier this year?"
"Exactly! Who would have thought the old master was so meticulous and generous to commission it into a necklace!"
"Oh my, so enviable—after so many years of marriage, their affection is still so strong!"
Many sighed in admiration, even Xia Ke's eyes glimmered with longing.
"So blissful…"
"Blissful?"
Su Wanwan's voice fell low as she uttered the word, barely shaking her head.
Xia Ke hummed in agreement, "Right? Miss Su, don't you think their relationship seems so good?"
Fu Liangmu, walking behind Su Wanwan and about to reach out to her, paused mid-step.
Su Wanwan looked at Chen Shuang's smiling face, but her eyes betrayed no hint of warmth or emotion.
"It's all just a performance."
Fu Liangmu's fingertips trembled slightly.
Xia Ke blinked in confusion, utterly bewildered.
"What do you mean? How is this just a show?"
Su Wanwan struck at the truth unflinchingly.
"Don't you think that necklace looks completely out of place on her?"
"She clearly dislikes ostentatious displays, yet he gave her a priceless treasure."
At Su Wanwan's revelation, Xia Ke suddenly understood and admired her even more.
"You're incredible—such keen observation!"
People's subconscious gestures often betray their true feelings.
The moment Chen Shuang saw her husband approach, she not only failed to welcome him, but took a step back.
It was evident their relationship was not as harmonious as rumors suggested.
Xia Ke's gaze shifted from Su Wanwan to Fu Liangmu; seeing his somewhat sullen expression, she discreetly moved a bit away.
Fu Liangmu stood beside Su Wanwan, his voice hoarse.
"Once the speeches finish, we'll leave."
Su Wanwan smiled faintly.
"I don't think we can leave so soon."
Fu Liangmu furrowed his brow.
As expected, the butler approached through the crowd, smiling at them both.
"Young master, young madam, the second madam said after the banquet ends, you're to stay for a family dinner."
Before Fu Liangmu could speak, the butler added,
"This is the family head's order."
Hearing the mention of the family head, Fu Liangmu coldly grunted.
The banquet dragged on, tedious and dull. Su Wanwan propped her chin on her hand, watching the dancers in the center of the floor, struggling to keep awake as sleepiness crept into her clear eyes.
When the song ended, guests began to scatter, making space for others.
Li Zhen, holding her gown's hem high, arrogantly strode toward Fu Liangmu in full view of everyone.
"Liangmu, may I have this dance?"
Su Wanwan's drowsiness vanished instantly. She raised an eyebrow, meeting Li Zhen's challenging gaze.
The air crackled with tension.
Fu Ziyang sensed the volatile atmosphere, swiftly rising with graceful flair, extending his right hand gallantly as he bowed slightly.
"Sister Zhen, my brother is already married; it wouldn't be appropriate to dance with you…"
"Then how about you dance with me?"
Li Zhen's face lit with sudden delight, as if Fu Ziyang's reply was exactly what she hoped for.
"That's true, but tonight is the second madam's birthday, Miss Su should dance with Liangmu to liven up the party."
No matter how superb Su Wanwan's piano playing was, what mattered in a noble family's ballroom was professional training—not the amateurish gyrations of a bar dancer. Without proper training, who would dare step forward and risk ridicule?
Fu Ziyang immediately realized he'd misspoken. Though not the sharpest, he understood Li Zhen had been using him as a pawn.
"It's all the same who dances. Besides, my brother hates the spotlight."
"Come on, I'll dance with you."
Fu Ziyang reached to grab Li Zhen's hand.
Li Zhen glared at him with disdain, dodged his grasp, and openly declared war on Su Wanwan.
"What? You don't dare?"