On the day of the exchange gathering,
Shen Nanyue wore a crescent-white evening gown, its skirt falling naturally around her.
Her long curled hair was simply pinned up with a single hairpin.
Her makeup was light, yet her breathtaking beauty wasn’t diminished in the slightest by the understated look.
The moment she entered the venue, she attracted everyone’s attention.
Meng Yan, who had been chatting with others, couldn’t help but have his gaze drawn toward Shen Nanyue as well.
Seeing that she was still as dazzling as the stars, a dangerous look flashed through his eyes.
Ever since the incident at the Meng family residence, where he had been besieged by major media outlets, his reputation had suffered enormous damage.
It was one thing for outsiders to mock him over the matter, but even within the Meng family he had become a target of criticism.
Originally the most promising heir candidate, he had been strongly pressured to step down because of that scandal.
In an instant, he had lost everything.
And the person responsible for all of it was Shen Nanyue.
How could he possibly not hate her?
Chen Mu had also spotted Shen Nanyue.
He was somewhat puzzled.
If he remembered correctly, Shen Nanyue’s name shouldn’t have been on the invitation list at all.
Shen Nanyue, however, didn’t notice either of them.
After entering the venue, she instinctively scanned the room.
Suddenly, her gaze paused on someone.
Smiling, she walked forward gracefully.
“President Qian, long time no see.”
President Qian had been conversing with acquaintances.
Seeing Shen Nanyue come over to greet her, she smiled in return.
“President Shen, it really has been a while. Our last collaboration went very smoothly. I’m looking forward to working together again.”
Shen Nanyue raised her hand slightly.
A server carrying a tray approached, and she smiled as she picked up a glass of wine and clinked it lightly against President Qian’s.
“Of course. President Qian is such a straightforward and generous boss. I learned a lot from working with you.”
“You flatter me.”
Watching Shen Nanyue skillfully socialize with others, Chen Mu felt a sharp ache in his heart.
He still remembered how, when they were children, Shen Nanyue had always described interactions between adults with one word:
Hypocrisy.
And now she herself had been forced into becoming “President Shen,” painstakingly attending this exchange gathering to build connections with elite figures for the future development of her company.
A faint pain tugged at Chen Mu’s chest.
Meng Yan, however, had completely different thoughts.
He was thinking about how to take revenge and make Shen Nanyue utterly lose face at this gathering.
At that moment, the heavy doors of the hall suddenly opened.
Zhou Yushen’s tall and imposing figure appeared at the entrance.
As always, he wore a custom-tailored black suit.
His posture was straight and flawless, and he walked in expressionlessly, carrying an icy aura that no one could ignore.
Following behind him was Gu Linlang, dressed in a green strapless short evening gown.
The smile on her face was bright as she followed half a step behind Zhou Yushen.
Facing everyone’s gazes, she showed no timidity at all and even smiled while greeting acquaintances.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of illness left on her face anymore.
Clearly, Zhou Yushen had taken very good care of her during this period.
That was what Shen Nanyue thought.
Meanwhile, murmurs spread among the surrounding crowd.
“Have you heard? The current person in power at the Zhou Corporation is Madam Han—Zhou Yushen’s adoptive mother.”
“Of course I heard. Doesn’t the Zhou family only have Zhou Yushen as their child? How did the inheritance end up in Madam Han’s hands? I really wonder what Old Master Zhou was thinking.”
“Well, Young Master Zhou is an illegitimate son after all. Madam Han can’t have children either, so she became the heir to the Zhou Corporation. Don’t be fooled by how upright Old Master Zhou appears—deep down he’s incredibly old-fashioned. He looks down on illegitimate children at his core. How could he possibly hand the Zhou Corporation over to Zhou Yushen?”
“That’s true.”
“…”
The discussions were hushed, but Shen Nanyue, standing among the crowd, heard every word clearly.
She remained silent.
Only when Zhou Yushen approached did those people hurriedly stop talking, afraid he might overhear them.
Shen Nanyue had no intention of greeting him.
Now that he had already delivered the invitation, their agreement had been fulfilled.
There was no need to pretend familiarity with each other at the banquet.
She turned to leave.
Before Zhou Yushen could speak, Gu Linlang—standing beside him—called out to her first.
“Miss Shen, long time no see.”
Shen Nanyue wanted even less to deal with Gu Linlang.
But noticing the surrounding gazes turning toward them, she couldn’t exactly walk away directly.
“Long time no see,” she replied calmly, wearing a polite smile.
“It’s only been three months, yet Miss Shen has become even more stunning and beautiful, hasn’t she, Ah Shen?”
As she said this, Gu Linlang stepped forward and wrapped her arm around Zhou Yushen’s, her gaze toward Shen Nanyue carrying an unmistakable hint of provocation.
Zhou Yushen calmly withdrew his arm and let his eyes rest lightly on Shen Nanyue.
He rarely saw her wearing white dresses.
He had always thought that with her breathtakingly gorgeous face, she would suit vivid, striking colors better.
Yet unexpectedly, the elegant pale dress made her look pure and delicate instead.
A trace of amazement flashed through his eyes before he quickly suppressed it.
Shen Nanyue shifted her gaze away slightly. “Thank you for the compliment.”
She smiled politely and nodded to the two of them before decisively turning to leave.
Her previously relaxed mood suddenly became heavy because of Zhou Yushen and Gu Linlang.
Chen Mu wanted to walk over to Shen Nanyue, but Chen Tianming stopped him.
Chen Tianming glanced at his son calmly, but the sharp authority in his eyes was overwhelming.
“The Han family’s daughter came with her father today. Go make connections with her.”
Chen Mu was unwilling. “I’m not going.”
Chen Tianming’s expression darkened slightly.
Chen Mu gritted his teeth.
Unwillingly, he cast one last glance at Shen Nanyue before turning and walking toward Miss Han.
Chen Tianming was very satisfied.
Holding his wine glass, he walked over to Meng Yan.
“Young Master Meng, there are many outstanding figures from both business and politics here tonight. Wishing you success.”
Meng Yan clinked glasses with Chen Tianming, and the cold expression on his face finally eased a little.
Fortunately, he still had a trump card.
Shen Nanyue took in all the commotion from afar.
Her mind turned, and she walked toward Meng Yan.
Seeing the direction Shen Nanyue was heading, Zhou Yushen narrowed his eyes slightly.
Shen Nanyue smiled brightly and gracefully.
“Young Master Meng, long time no see. Are you still holding a grudge against me?”
Meng Yan: …
Was that a greeting, or a provocation?
Sure enough, Meng Yan’s face darkened.
Before he could speak, Chen Tianming spoke first from beside him.
“President Shen, what exactly are you trying to do here?”
Shen Nanyue chuckled lightly.
“Mr. Chen, don’t tell me you don’t know about the grudge between Young Master Meng and me? Shall I repeat it for you?”
Provocation. Naked provocation.
At a formal banquet like this, no matter what grudges existed, they were not an excuse to cause trouble here.
Even Chen Tianming’s expression darkened with anger.
If Shen Nanyue really said something offensive and angered the Meng family, he would inevitably be implicated as well.
It seemed this Shen Nanyue was not some foolish young woman after all.
After a moment of thought, he smiled lightly at Shen Nanyue.
“Miss Shen, how is Miss An’an doing these days?”
The smile at Shen Nanyue’s lips stiffened, and a chill flashed through her eyes.
— The end of the Chapter–
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