Jian Jia stood poised beside Gu Yan, wearing an elegant gradient-blue custom gown that shimmered under the chandelier. Her hand rested lightly on his arm, while her other hand held their little boy, Gu Rui, who was dressed in a miniature version of his father's tailored suit.
The resemblance between father and son was uncanny — the same bright eyes, the same handsome features. The boy's cherubic face carried a charming smile, and his glossy black eyes gleamed with intelligence. Everyone who saw him wanted to pinch his cheeks, but knowing he was President Gu's precious son, none dared to cross that line.
With mother and son by his side, Gu Yan naturally drew attention wherever he went. Compliments and greetings came one after another. When he turned to join a small circle of business elites in conversation, Jian Jia took Gu Rui's hand and stepped aside.
After all, as Mrs. Gu, she didn't have to chase anyone's attention — it came to her. No sooner had she let go of Gu Yan's arm than a small flock of elegantly dressed women gathered around her.
They wore the brightest gowns they could find, jeweled hairpieces sparkling under the lights, but standing beside Jian Jia, all their effort paled. Her gradient-blue gown was refined and perfectly fitted, and the sapphire pendant at her neck glowed like a droplet of ocean light.
Jian Jia herself wasn't the kind of woman whose looks stunned on first sight — soft features, gentle temperament, a quiet grace — but paired with that gown and her polished aura as "Mrs. Gu," she easily outshone the room.
The women smiled, toasting and complimenting her jewelry, her dress, her poise — all while silently watching, waiting. They remembered who else was at the event tonight… and couldn't help wondering what expression Jian Jia would wear when that person appeared.
They sipped their wine, concealing knowing smiles behind their glasses. Their thoughts drifted to the woman who had once been the talk of the city — a bright, gifted beauty who, three years ago, had lost everything at Jian Jia's wedding. Driven off the stage in humiliation. Blacklisted by both the Gu and Lin families.
Yet now that same woman, Lin Siya, had risen higher than ever — the general manager of Huan Yuan Pharmaceutical. And rumor had it that the mysterious "President Yuan" had personally handed her the reins.
Just who was this elusive Yuan Xin?
The women exchanged glances, remembering the breathtaking figure in the white suit who had entered earlier. Even recalling that moment made their faces flush.
How could a woman be that beautiful and that… magnetic?
Meanwhile, Jian Jia was puzzled. Why were all these women suddenly red-faced? Surely a few sips of red wine couldn't do that. She'd seen them at countless galas — they could down straight liquor without blinking.
"Mommy."
The small voice at her side broke her from her thoughts. She looked down and smiled, gently brushing Gu Rui's hair. "What is it, sweetheart?"
"Mommy, can we go find Daddy? It's boring here."
She chuckled softly. "Not now, Rui. Daddy's busy. We can't interrupt him."
"But he's more important than us?" Gu Rui pouted. He glanced toward where Gu Yan stood — and immediately spotted a woman across the room smiling at his father. His tiny brows furrowed. He tugged urgently at Jian Jia's hand. "Mommy, that old lady keeps looking at Daddy! We should go!"
Jian Jia followed his gaze — and yes, there was indeed a pretty woman chatting animatedly with Gu Yan. Her stomach twisted slightly, a dull ache rising from the pit of her chest. She hesitated. It was a formal event; barging in might seem improper.
But Gu Rui was having none of it. His small jaw set stubbornly. "Mommy, I don't want Daddy to be stolen by another bad woman! Don't you remember how hard it was when Daddy wasn't with us?"
That struck a nerve. Jian Jia's heart tightened, memories flooding back — the years after she'd been cast out, pregnant and alone.
Her family had begged her to abort, saying she couldn't possibly raise a child alone. But she had refused — she'd loved Gu Yan too deeply. She'd taken what money he'd left her, given half to her parents, and run away.
Those ten months had nearly killed her. But when she finally gave birth and saw Gu Rui's tiny face, she'd known it was worth it.
She'd endured everything — poverty, exhaustion, illness — determined to raise her child. Until one day, Gu Rui had fallen sick. His rare blood type required Gu Yan's help, and after four years of struggle and empty savings, she had no choice but to return to him.
Remembering all that, Jian Jia softened. She squeezed her son's hand. "Alright. Let's go find Daddy."
Across the room, Gu Yan was speaking to a middle-aged businessman.
"This is Manager Li from Huan Yuan," the man said pleasantly. "She grew up with President Yuan — they're very close."
The "Manager Li" he spoke of was none other than Li Xiaoyu — the same woman little Gu Rui had just dubbed an "old auntie."
Unlike Yuan Xin or Lin Siya, Li Xiaoyu loved to dress up for these events. After years of earning good money, her fashion sense had blossomed. "I gave my youth to punk style," she liked to joke. "Now I'm reclaiming it with dresses."
She noticed Jian Jia approaching but paid it no mind — until Gu Yan abruptly pulled away from his wife and son, turning toward her with a tense expression.
"Don't take my daddy away, okay, Auntie?" Gu Rui's voice piped up, soft and pleading, his big eyes shimmering. "I only have one daddy, and Mommy really loves him. Can you find someone else instead?"
The adults froze.
Gu Yan's face darkened with embarrassment — but seeing his son's tearful little face, his heart melted at once. Whatever irritation he'd felt vanished. He crouched down and gently wiped away Gu Rui's tears.
"Rui, Daddy only has you and Mommy. No one will take Daddy away, alright?"
"Really?" Gu Rui sniffled.
"Really. If you don't like it here, I'll take you and Mommy home soon."
Satisfied, the little boy nodded, climbing down from his father's arms. "Okay, Daddy. Mommy and I will wait right here."
Jian Jia, cheeks warm with embarrassment, bent down and tapped her son's forehead lightly. "You little rascal," she whispered with a smile.
Li Xiaoyu's smile, however, had vanished completely.
Little rascal, my ass.
Her temper flared — the remnants of her "former punk queen" self rising fast. Did I do something to you people? she thought furiously.
The kid was rude, but the mother just stood there smiling indulgently? Not even a word of apology? What kind of parenting was that?
She wanted to curse out loud. No wonder Siya suffered back then — dealing with people like this, anyone would snap.
She tossed back her wine in one gulp, completely dropping the "graceful lady" act.
The businessman who had introduced them looked equally displeased. Gu Yan had been eager to connect with Huan Yuan's leadership, yet now he'd blown it — all because of one childish outburst.
Li Xiaoyu's expression hardened. "President Gu," she said coldly, "care to explain what your precious son just implied?"
Her voice was sharp as a knife.
Gu Yan frowned. "Manager Li, children don't know any better. Please don't take it personally."
The polite tone only made things worse — there was condescension in it, as if he were saying, You're an adult, don't stoop to a child's level.
Li Xiaoyu's hand clenched around her glass. She was about to retort when a calm, clear voice floated down from the upper floor:
"Xiaoyu."
Just one word, but the effect was immediate. The sound was gentle — like a breeze smoothing over rippling water — and somehow, it cooled her anger.
She turned toward the staircase.
"Xin."
Li Xiaoyu exhaled, watching Yuan Xin descend the stairs — Lin Siya beside her.
"Siya's sobered up?" she asked, raising a brow.
Lin Siya's cheeks flushed, though her expression was steady. "I didn't drink that much," she murmured.
Li Xiaoyu's gaze flicked between them — and realization dawned. Both women wore sleek suits: Yuan Xin in white, Lin Siya in black. The cuts were nearly identical, their hair styled similarly — Yuan Xin's shoulder-length waves, Lin Siya's shorter curls tucked neatly behind her ears.
Then she noticed the way Lin Siya looked at Yuan Xin — that soft, lingering glance, full of something that wasn't purely admiration.
Li Xiaoyu nearly choked on her drink. Oh. Oh no way.
The two descended the stairs side by side — black and white — sharp against the sea of glittering gowns and sequins. No one else in the hall dared to even approach them. They didn't need bright dresses; they were the spotlight.
Across the room, jaws dropped. Eyes widened. Conversations died.
And in the middle of that stunned silence, Jian Jia's expression twisted in disbelief.
Lin Siya.
The same woman she'd seen fall from grace three years ago.
But now she was radiant — stronger, calmer, infinitely more poised. And that one faint smile — the one she cast toward Jian Jia as their eyes met — made Jian Jia's knees nearly buckle.
A cold sweat broke across her back.
She remembered it all too well — her own wedding, the chaos, Lin Siya's humiliation. She'd told herself she hadn't meant to destroy the woman's life, that Gu Yan had simply "come to his senses." She'd loved him too much to refuse him.
But now, watching Lin Siya walk down those stairs beside Yuan Xin — powerful, composed, and breathtaking — Jian Jia couldn't convince herself anymore.
On the last step, Yuan Xin reached out and took Lin Siya's hand.
"Xin, I'm fine," Lin Siya whispered, flustered, her heart pounding sweetly.
"Better hold on," Yuan Xin said evenly. "Wouldn't want you tripping again. Last time you nearly fell."
"That was two years ago!" Lin Siya protested weakly, but her lips curved anyway. She didn't let go.
As they reached the floor, Lin Siya caught Gu Yan's furrowed gaze from across the room — and scoffed under her breath. Disgusting.
Did he think she still cared?
She tilted her head slightly toward the soft fragrance beside her, eyes glimmering. She only liked good-smelling girls now.