Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Zhou Yu hadn’t been home for three days.

Xia Wanzhi had also been spending all her time at her Studio, as if she lived there.

Xia Wanzhi had come to understand perfectly well just how agonizing life was when living under someone else’s roof.

“Zhi Zhi, it’s normal for young people to bicker, but if someone offers you a way out, you should take it. Zhou Yu hasn’t been back for days; this isn’t right,” Zhou’s Mother said at the dinner table, her voice uncharacteristically soft and earnest.

Xia Wanzhi nodded obediently. “I understand, Auntie.”

“There’s a banquet tomorrow night. You and Zhou Yu will go together. People are watching, so both of you should maintain some dignity,” Zhou’s Mother added, setting down her chopsticks and giving Xia Wanzhi detailed instructions.

That was it.

To the outside world, she was still Zhou Yu’s fiancée and the future daughter-in-law of the Zhou Family.

The Xia Family had fallen, and others could mock and ridicule her as much as they liked, but the Zhou Family could not.

The Zhou Family cared about their reputation and, more importantly, needed to maintain their image in the industry.

Zhou’s Mother had reservations and hadn’t taken the initiative to call off the engagement between her and Zhou Yu for two reasons: first, because Zhou Yu insisted it had to be her, and second, because the Zhou Family couldn’t afford a reputation for being heartless.

The Zhou Family wanted everyone to know they had shown the utmost kindness to Xia Wanzhi.

Ultimately, if this marriage was to be called off, it had to be Xia Wanzhi who initiated it.

Thinking about it, the drastic change in Zhou’s Mother’s attitude was likely a calculation to pressure her into speaking up first.

“Zhou Yu didn’t mention it to me.” Xia Wanzhi sat up straight. Her basic upbringing prompted her to also set down her chopsticks and listen attentively to Zhou’s Mother.

“He’s had many social engagements lately and has been staying out,” Zhou’s Mother sighed. “I’m not trying to nag, but Zhou Yu is completely devoted to you, and you should cherish that. Otherwise, over time, you’ll drift apart and the relationship will easily crumble.”

Xia Wanzhi’s eyes flickered slightly, but she remained silent.

There was more to Zhou’s Mother’s words than met the ear.

Or rather, it was a hint of some sort.

Coming back to her senses, Xia Wanzhi smiled and picked up her chopsticks again. “I understand, Auntie.”

Sure enough, Zhou Yu came to the Studio to pick her up the following afternoon.

Xia Wanzhi was still holding a palette and painting. Zhou Yu stopped outside the glass door and waited quietly for a few minutes.

When she was painting, she didn’t like anyone intruding on her territory. Zhou Yu knew she would get angry, so he didn’t dare disturb her.

It had been nearly two months since the Xia Family’s downfall. As he watched the current Xia Wanzhi in silence, he suddenly remembered that she was actually a pampered young lady.

In the past, at least, Xia Wanzhi would never have suffered in silence.

He knew she had been mistreated during her time at the Zhou Family’s home. He felt for her, of course, but more than pity, he wanted to see Xia Wanzhi show him her weakness.

Yet, Xia Wanzhi had never shown weakness to him even once.

She could lower herself to beg Xie Qiyan, but when facing him, she was never willing to set aside her pride.

Xia Wanzhi didn’t make Zhou Yu wait long. She took off her apron, washed up briefly, and walked over. “Are we going now?”

“First to get your makeup and clothes done. We enter at seven.” Zhou Yu looked at Xia Wanzhi, his fingertips twitching. He raised his wrist slightly, wanting to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Let’s go then.” Xia Wanzhi had already turned around, leaving Zhou Yu’s hand hanging in mid-air.

Xia Wanzhi was a natural beauty.

Even without makeup, her features were extraordinary. When she dressed up properly in a formal gown, everyone else had to make way for her beauty.

She stood at 168 centimeters. With heels on, she was nearly as tall as Zhou Yu beside her. The pale pink dress with its cutout design perfectly accentuated her stunning proportions.

Zhou Yu had chosen the dress-a light, minimalist design with a slit at the hem, revealing glimpses of her slender, fair legs.

As more and more eyes focused on Xia Wanzhi, Zhou Yu felt increasingly uncomfortable.

He knew she was beautiful, but the moment she stood beside him so magnificently dressed, his confidence took a sudden hit.

This wasn’t the first time Xia Wanzhi had attended such a banquet, and the faces were mostly familiar. With the Four Great Families of Beicheng gathered together, everyone would essentially revolve around those few families.
Glancing at Xie Qiyan, who held a position of equal power and status yet stood alone with a wine glass in hand, Xia Wanzhi arched an eyebrow. A wave of inexplicable satisfaction washed over her.

Serves him right for his thunderous methods and ruthless reputation.

At a banquet this large, not a single person had come over to offer him a toast.

It was one thing to be ignored, but for a grand CEO, he hadn’t even brought a female companion.

How pathetic, how pitiful, how lamentable.

Xia Wanzhi’s lips curled upward in delight. However, her joy was short-lived as a familiar face approached her, glass in hand.

Holding her breath, alarm bells rang in Xia Wanzhi’s mind.

*Don’t you dare come over here.*

Just as she was about to retreat, Zhou Yu placed a hand lightly on her back and led her forward with a gracious smile. “President Jiang, a pleasure to meet you.”

Jiang Baichuan raised his glass slightly, exuding an air of refined elegance. “The pleasure is mine. I’ve come to share a drink with Miss Xia.”

Zhou Yu was momentarily stunned, his smile stiffening. “It is Zhi Zhi’s honor.”

Xia Wanzhi was reluctant. She clinked glasses with Jiang Baichuan, but because she knew he had designs on Yun Li, she spoke bluntly. “I don’t think we’re that well-acquainted.”

Jiang Baichuan remained composed. “How could we not be? I’m your Brother Jiang.”

Xia Wanzhi’s smile crumbled bit by bit.

*What the hell is a ‘Brother Jiang’?*

He had only come over for a brief formality before leaving. To be precise, he had come to annoy her on Xie Qiyan’s behalf.

Her eyes met Xie Qiyan’s across the crowd, and Xia Wanzhi made no effort to hide the resentment and dissatisfaction on her face.

“The crowd has thinned out. Let’s go offer a toast to President Lu and President Qu,” Zhou Yu said, guiding her forward by the back with a clear objective in mind.

The Four Great Families of Beicheng consisted of the Lu, Jiang, Qu, and Xie families. Tonight’s banquet was an opportunity for many to establish connections with them.

But just as they reached the representatives of those two families, they saw Jiang Baichuan leading Xie Qiyan over to block their path and offer a toast first.

Not only were they toasting, but they had also struck up a casual conversation.

Zhou Yu tightened his grip on his glass and silently took a step back, not daring to intrude.

Xia Wanzhi blinked.

Well, the heads of the Four Great Families of Beicheng were all gathered now. Not only were they all here, but they were standing in a circle chatting.

Indeed, no one was foolish enough to try and squeeze into that circle.

Compared to Zhou Yu’s internal tension, Xia Wanzhi appeared remarkably calm. Instead, she looked with interest at the backs of Xie Qiyan and Jiang Baichuan as they stood side-by-side, scanning them up and down repeatedly.

Who said one could only bring a female companion to a banquet?

A male companion worked just as well.

And who said Xie Qiyan didn’t have a date?

From the looks of it, he was Jiang Baichuan’s male companion.

Xia Wanzhi was lost in thought until Zhou Yu led her forward, forcing her to hurriedly hide her mischievous expression.

“President Lu, I’ve brought my fiancée over to offer a toast.” Zhou Yu leaned in slightly, lowering his posture with a humble tone.

Xia Wanzhi followed suit with a slight nod.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the gaze of Xie Qiyan, who had finished his toast but remained nearby to watch the spectacle.

Xie Qiyan let out a soft sneer.

She didn’t know if anyone else heard it, but Xia Wanzhi certainly did.

“Zhi Zhi? Zhi Zhi?” Zhou Yu had exchanged a few words with the others, but when the conversation turned to Xia Wanzhi, she was daydreaming and didn’t respond. Feeling like he had lost face, he suppressed a surge of irritation.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that,” Xia Wanzhi said with an apologetic smile.

“It’s quite alright. I heard that Miss Xia is a Dream Painter by profession. I wonder if you would have the time to come to the Lu Family home and paint a picture for my daughter?” The speaker was the Lu family’s top-tier director, Lu Beiting. He wasn’t smiling, but his tone was gentle. “Children have all sorts of strange dreams. If possible, I’d like Miss Xia to exchange contact information with my wife.”

Nothing was more exciting than business knocking on the door. Xia Wanzhi was flattered and nodded with a smile. “Of course, it would be my honor.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she seemed to hear another scoff.

It came from Xie Qiyan, standing diagonally across from her.

She was happy, but it seemed someone else was not.

Xie Qiyan was one.

And Zhou Yu was another.