You Are My Good Friend

When Yun Huaizhu heard the unfamiliar woman’s voice on the other end, her face fell. She fought to keep her tone steady. “Mengmeng-jie, is there someone with you?”

Lin Meng, as if oblivious to the dangerous edge in her voice, replied, “It’s Miss Huo. Her car ran out of gas yesterday, so we booked a room at a small inn in the scenic town and stayed the night.”

Yun Huaizhu’s expression grew harder and harder to control. Her tone cooled. “Oh. So the two of you slept together?”

Lin Meng found that strange. She nodded and continued, “Well, we just lay on the same bed to sleep. Back when I used to travel for work, I did the same with my senior colleagues.”

Hearing this, Yun Huaizhu was so furious she nearly laughed. She gripped the phone she had only recently replaced. “Is President Huo beside you? Can I speak with her for a moment?”

By now, Lin Meng had noticed something unfriendly in Yun Huaizhu’s tone. A little bewildered, she turned her head and cautiously asked the just-awakened Huo Yi, “Miss Huo, Miss Yun seems to have something to say to you.”

Huo Yi perked up, her sleepiness vanishing in an instant. She quickly reached out for Lin Meng’s phone.

Seeing that expression on her face—the one that always seemed to be plotting something—Lin Meng felt a wave of foreboding.

Huo Yi took the phone, and the person on the other end immediately hissed through gritted teeth, “Your car ran out of gas. Couldn’t you go fill it up?”

Huo Yi had never seen Yun Huaizhu genuinely angry before. She narrowed her eyes, covered her mouth, and laughed. “Sorry about that. The gas station was just too far away, so I figured I’d sleep here with Miss Lin for the night and figure something out in the morning.”

After hearing Huo Yi’s words, which sounded almost like a provocation, Yun Huaizhu’s expression gradually turned ferocious. She said, word by word, “Then the two of you stay right there and wait for me. I’m coming to bring you gas right now!”

“Beep—beep—”

Before Huo Yi could even say thank you, the call was cut.

Lin Meng hadn’t heard what Yun Huaizhu said to Huo Yi, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Yun Huaizhu seemed upset. She walked carefully over to Huo Yi. “What is it? Did something happen to her?”

Seeing that this little fool still hadn’t caught on, Huo Yi couldn’t help but want to laugh. She gave Lin Meng a knowing smile. “Didn’t I say our problem would be solved today? Miss Yun told us to wait right here—she’s coming to bring us gas.”

Huo Yi rose from the bed, yawned, and stretched her stiff limbs. Then she looked at Lin Meng with gentle eyes. “Thank you for yesterday.”

Lin Meng waved it off. “What’s there to thank me for? But if you weren’t comfortable staying at this inn, you should have said so from the start. Then we wouldn’t have had to stay the night.”

If she didn’t like it, couldn’t she have just waited in the car?

This little fool was so dense when it came to feelings—why was she so attentive to such trivial details?

Huo Yi’s eyes flickered with surprise, as if she’d been caught out, but she quickly recovered her elegant smile. “Perhaps I played with you too long yesterday and had too much fun, so I forgot about it.”

Lin Meng scratched her head, puzzled. “Can a cleanliness obsession be forgotten?”

What Huo Yi hated most was people prying into her preferences, and she had only spent one night with Lin Meng—yet this person had already noticed she had a cleanliness obsession.

Not stupid, but why couldn’t she tell when someone liked her?

Lin Meng sat on the bed. “Sigh... I’ll just wait for Zhuzhu.”

Huo Yi caught the name Lin Meng let slip. “The ‘Zhuzhu’ you mentioned—is that Miss Yun? I remember her fans used to call her that.”

Lin Meng, thinking Huo Yi was going to use this to stir up trouble with Su Yutang again, quickly explained, “That’s right. I used to be her fan. Other than that, we have no relationship.”

Seeing her rush to explain, Huo Yi leaned in with interest. “I didn’t ask what kind of relationship you two have. Why are you so eager to distance yourself? Is your conscience guilty?”

Lin Meng was speechless.

What she least wanted was to talk with a fox-like woman like Huo Yi, because before she knew it, she’d get tangled up in the other’s logic.

Seeing her grim expression, Huo Yi pressed on. “But from the first time I met you, you’ve always called Yun Huaizhu ‘Miss Yun.’ Only now, when you’re completely relaxed, do you call her ‘Zhuzhu.’ Isn’t it that you’ve been keeping yourself tense whenever outsiders are around, afraid that calling her too intimately would cause misunderstandings?”

Lin Meng was stunned into silence.

This woman was terrifying.

If she stayed in the same space with Huo Yi any longer, this woman might just recite the entire remaining plot of the novel.

Lin Meng quickly lowered her head, trying to hide the panic on her face. “You’ve misunderstood. Someone of Miss Yun’s noble status—how could I ever reach that high? So in front of you all, I have to be a bit reserved. Privately, I still like to call her by my fan nickname. It’s always good to have some sense of propriety in public and in private.”

Huo Yi seemed to suddenly understand why this person attracted Su Yutang so much.

But with someone like this, you couldn’t use intimidation, nor force—otherwise you’d only push them further away.

Huo Yi spoke as if she’d just heard something novel. “Why would you think that way? Rich people are people too. Even if our circles are different, meeting is still a form of friendship. You don’t need to act so distant. Besides, you already have both Yun Huaizhu’s and Tangtang’s contact information on your phone, don’t you?”

Lin Meng nodded.

Huo Yi continued, “Exchanging contact information in person means you’re already friends. If you like calling her ‘Zhuzhu,’ no one in our circle would find it strange. Of course, you calling me ‘Miss Huo’ this and ‘Miss Huo’ that—it’s awkward for me too. From now on, just call me Yiyi.”

Lin Meng looked up as if caught in her words. “Yiyi?”

Huo Yi smiled and nodded. “Yes. Friends shouldn’t address each other so distantly. All my friends call me that.”

Though she didn’t actually have any friends who called her by name directly.

Lin Meng had always thought that calling someone by their name intimately was something only very close people did. So she could address others that way... just as friends, not as someone especially close.

Huo Yi watched the little fool’s thoughtful expression, then extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Huo Yi. I’m very happy to meet you and become your friend.”

Lin Meng, as if witnessing this kind of scene for the first time, flinched when Huo Yi reached out. But after a moment’s hesitation, she slowly extended her hand and grasped the warm palm extended toward her. “Hello...”

Huo Yi smiled brilliantly. “Then from now on, we’re friends. As friends, we should go through fire and water for each other. If you ever run into any trouble, you can ask me for help. Of course, when you get back, you can also ask your Zhuzhu and Tangtang whether they’re your friends. Always rejecting people—that’s very impolite behavior too.”

When Lin Meng heard the word “impolite,” she suddenly widened her eyes as if triggered. “Really?”

Huo Yi nodded. “Of course it’s true. Isn’t it normal for a person to have many friends? You didn’t not have a single friend before, did you?”

Though Huo Yi’s words were sharp, Lin Meng lowered her head and seriously considered them.

She really hadn’t made any friends... and didn’t know what the boundaries between friends should be. But after hearing Huo Yi say all this, it seemed to make some sense.

Maybe she should try?

Huo Yi saw the person spacing out again... The little sheep’s brain must be in the middle of a storm right now. How adorable.

This person’s previous personality seemed extremely chaotic, to the point that she couldn’t even distinguish her own feelings now. At this moment, Lin Meng was like a blank sheet of paper, waiting for her to paint on it.

Huo Yi’s social circle was vast. She loved doing business everywhere and was talkative, so she’d met all kinds of people—hypocritical or sanctimonious, or those who didn’t bother hiding their greed, or those who seemed foolish from being too kind.

From their experiences, a few words of conversation were enough for Huo Yi to glimpse their inner thoughts.

But this person before her was different. Even when she exposed what was in her heart, Huo Yi still couldn’t grasp her feelings.

Someone who couldn’t even distinguish between liking someone and being friends was, of course, the most suitable to slowly train. Once this person fully understood that feeling, it would be her finest work.

...

By the time Yun Huaizhu drove to the open-air parking lot where Huo Yi had parked, her expression was black as thunder.

She had filled her tank before coming, so she transferred exactly half a tank into Huo Yi’s car.

Once that was done, Lin Meng stood between the two of them, not knowing what to do.

Yun Huaizhu sized up Huo Yi with hostility. “I never would have thought you were the kind of petty person who poaches from others. Doesn’t Young President Huo have plenty of friends? And haven’t you always looked down on me just like Su Yutang? So why do you think so highly of the people around me?”

Huo Yi smiled with narrowed eyes. “I love making friends. Having many friends isn’t a burden. And someone as adorable as Miss Lin—not being her friend would be a terrible shame. Isn’t that right, Mengmeng?”

Lin Meng was about to nod when Yun Huaizhu grabbed her arm. “Mengmeng? You let her call you Mengmeng?! Why are you friends with her? This person is...”

Huo Yi’s mind was too deep. Someone like Lin Meng couldn’t possibly outmatch this woman.

Lin Meng looked at Yun Huaizhu with utter sincerity, based on what Huo Yi had said. “But she’s a good person...”

Yun Huaizhu’s face looked as if the sky had fallen. She staggered back.

She knew Huo Yi hadn’t had good intentions when she took Lin Meng away. Lin Meng had only spent a day and a night with her, and Huo Yi had already secured a friend position. If this continued, wouldn’t Lin Meng be completely played by her?

No, she absolutely would not allow this to happen!

Just as Yun Huaizhu felt the world spinning around her, Lin Meng, as if summoning great courage, cautiously extended her hand and for the first time took the initiative to link her arm through Yun Huaizhu’s. “Zhuzhu, you’re my good friend too.”

Yun Huaizhu, whose soul seemed to have been scared out of her body, instantly returned at the sound of Lin Meng’s soft, sweet words. She widened her eyes in disbelief. “You... what did you say?”

Lin Meng smiled and leaned a little closer. “I said you’re my good friend too. Although I used to have some prejudice against people other than you, after actually spending time with them, I found they weren’t as bad as I imagined.”

Yun Huaizhu couldn’t hear the rest of that long speech. She only heard Lin Meng say, “You are my good friend.”

This counted as progress, at least.

Yun Huaizhu suddenly didn’t feel so angry anymore. Though she didn’t know what Huo Yi had said to Lin Meng when they were together, Lin Meng opening up even a little was a blessing.

From now on, it seemed she would have to guard against not only Su Yutang, but also that old fox Huo Yi.

She absolutely would not allow Lin Meng to meet Huo Yi alone again.

At that, Yun Huaizhu placed her hand on Lin Meng’s waist in an extremely intimate gesture. “Then do you remember what I told you on the phone? Come back with me first, alright?”

Lin Meng looked toward Huo Yi. Huo Yi waved at her. “Goodbye. I look forward to our next meeting.”

Yun Huaizhu rolled her eyes in Huo Yi’s direction. I won’t give you that chance.

Lin Meng nodded. Like a kindergarten child who had just learned how to socialize, she pulled her arm free from Yun Huaizhu’s and awkwardly waved back at Huo Yi. “Goodbye.”

Yun Huaizhu immediately linked arms with her again. “Alright, we need to go back.”

Lin Meng turned around. “Mm.”

Now that she’d cleared things up like this, it didn’t count as being impolite anymore, did it?

...

Yun Huaizhu was still driving the same Audi from last time. Lin Meng liked riding in cars with a normal chassis. Perhaps she wasn’t cut out for sports cars, because whenever she rode in Su Yutang’s or Huo Yi’s, both of them gave her a heart-stopping experience.

Only after picking Lin Meng up did Yun Huaizhu feel the weight in her chest finally lift. She then followed up on what she’d messaged Lin Meng about on WeChat. “Mengmeng-jie, the banquet you mentioned is in two days. Do you have a gown for it? Should I take you to buy one?”

Lin Meng looked up and thought for a moment. “Hmm... would the one I wear to the company annual party work?”

Actually, that one wasn’t really a gown, just a very understated white long dress.

When Yun Huaizhu heard this, she thought of how Lin Meng usually dressed in her casual clothes, and an awkward expression flickered across her face. After all, asking Lin Meng whether she had a gown was just a formality; no matter what Lin Meng answered, she intended to take her shopping.

Yun Huaizhu shook her head slightly. “I don’t think so. But don’t worry, Mengmeng-jie. Leave the gown to me.”

Lin Meng nodded. “Okay.”

Hearing Lin Meng agree to accept her gift, Yun Huaizhu felt a sweet wave ripple through her heart. As she drove, she asked, “By the way, Mengmeng-jie, what were you doing at Su Yutang’s house the day before yesterday? I saw she treated you badly and got so angry I pushed her. You don’t think I’m scary or violent, do you?”

Lin Meng quickly shook her head. “How could I?”

Scary and violent—those words had nothing to do with you at all!

Lin Meng explained, “It’s just... last Thursday, Eldest Miss Su took me to her friend’s gathering and bought me a dress, but it was too expensive, so I couldn’t accept it. So I washed it and delivered it to her house. I don’t know why she got so angry.”

Yun Huaizhu could barely hide the schadenfreude on her face. Just thinking about how Lin Meng didn’t want the dress Su Yutang gave her but was willing to accept hers made her feel a surge of delight.

Yun Huaizhu spoke as if comforting, though it was more like stoking the fire. “Ignore her. She’s used to being domineering and arrogant because of her status. She wakes up every day and finds fault with everyone she sees.”

Lin Meng noticed that whenever she mentioned Su Yutang, Yun Huaizhu would get very emotional and list all of Su Yutang’s flaws.

Lin Meng couldn’t shake the feeling that this couple was strange somehow.

The skyscraper was crumbling bit by bit. The edges and corners fell first; collapse was only a matter of an instant.

Seeing Yun Huaizhu so angry, Lin Meng cautiously ventured, “Zhuzhu, do you... dislike Eldest Miss Su?”

Yun Huaizhu suddenly slammed on the brakes. The tires screeched violently against the road. If Lin Meng hadn’t been wearing her seatbelt, she would have been thrown forward.

Lin Meng looked up, confused, about to ask what had happened, when she saw Yun Huaizhu staring at her with dark, gloomy eyes. “Like her? Why would I like her? Someone born into such nobility who treats everyone like dogs—what is there to like about her?”

Lin Meng hadn’t seen that expression on Yun Huaizhu’s face in a long time. Seeing it now felt like a venomous snake silently slithering up her body, coiling around her neck before she even realized, tightening slowly.

Lin Meng could feel the distinct sensation of suffocation, but she still summoned the courage to ask, “But... I saw you at her villa.”

She had thought Yun Huaizhu appearing at Su Yutang’s villa meant the plot was progressing.

Hearing this, Yun Huaizhu seemed afraid of being misunderstood. She twisted around and grabbed Lin Meng’s shoulders with both hands, her seatbelt pulling taut, her expression savage and terrifying.

“Mengmeng-jie, you have to believe me. There’s really nothing between her and me... This is about business matters, things I can’t explain to you. But I can tell you—Su Yutang doesn’t like me, and I absolutely cannot like her! I was begging Su Yutang’s mother for help to save the Yun family from decline. Everything I did was just an act, I...”

Lin Meng was stunned by the frightening, gradually twisting expression on Yun Huaizhu’s face. She didn’t know how to describe Yun Huaizhu in this moment.

She had only wanted to know how Yun Huaizhu’s relationship with Su Yutang was progressing. She hadn’t expected this answer.

Perhaps it was disappointment, or perhaps it was fear in this moment—Lin Meng’s body began to tremble. Yun Huaizhu noticed the change in her and quickly let go. “Sorry, I got too worked up.”

Lin Meng hadn’t yet recovered from the fear. She maintained that dazed posture for a long time before slightly lowering her head.

The best way to move past this now was to pretend it never happened. Her voice came out weak and small. “It’s... it’s fine. I understand.”

Yun Huaizhu let out a breath of relief. She had tried her best to control her temper, but whenever she heard Su Yutang’s name from Lin Meng’s lips, she would instinctively become emotional.

If before she had endured humiliation and bowed to Su Yutang to save the Yun family, then now she thoroughly loathed Su Yutang.

Because the way Su Yutang looked at Lin Meng was so blazing. Would the Su family heir, who saw nothing in anyone’s eyes, restrain her temper for an ordinary beta?

Su Yutang had probably developed some genuine feelings—but only a few.

For someone from a family like hers, how long could genuine feelings last before being worn away? She liked Lin Meng, but only treated her as a current amusement, even a toy.

It didn’t matter if she had to endure this humiliation, but she absolutely would not allow Lin Meng to become that too. That was why she had to proceed with her plan, to take Lin Meng away from this place.

After that, Lin Meng and Yun Huaizhu didn’t speak a word the whole way.

Yun Huaizhu actually observed Lin Meng’s expression during the drive. She had probably really frightened Lin Meng with her emotional outburst. Lin Meng’s face looked pale now, as if she were ill.

Following her plan, Yun Huaizhu brought Lin Meng to the custom gown shop. After parking the car, she came around to the passenger side. Lin Meng still hadn’t seemed to recover.

Yun Huaizhu opened the door, and Lin Meng, as if triggered, quickly threw up her arms to block. Seeing this, a wounded feeling surged through Yun Huaizhu. In the moment she lowered her head, her eyes reddened and a tear slid down her cheek.

“I’m sorry... Mengmeng-jie, I’m truly sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you earlier. I was just too scared—scared that you’d found other friends and wanted to be with someone better than me... And I only have you. I’m afraid that one day you’ll abandon me, and then when I’m hurt by someone, what will I do?”

Lin Meng snapped back at these words. She had been a little frightened just now, but she still had to protect Yun Huaizhu. The plot point was coming soon.

Yun Huaizhu had only acted this way because she was too scared. With that thought, Lin Meng reached out with trembling hands to unbuckle her seatbelt. But from the fright, her hands and feet were cold and seemed to have no strength.

Yun Huaizhu quickly leaned in to help her unfasten it. “Mengmeng-jie, can you forgive me?”

Looking at that tear-streaked face, the fear in Lin Meng’s heart eased somewhat. She shook her head. “I never blamed you. I was just a little scared too...”

What was she afraid of?

It felt like something was slipping beyond her control, beyond her understanding.

Even if it wasn’t some indescribable entity, the unknown was still terrifying to her.

Hearing this, Yun Huaizhu’s tearful face broke into a gentle smile. She extended her hand to Lin Meng. “Come on, let me take you to pick out a gown.”

Lin Meng hesitated, but in the end placed her hand in Yun Huaizhu’s palm. Yun Huaizhu closed her fingers around the somewhat cold hand.

This hand had grown cold because of her. She would warm Lin Meng back up.

...

The Su family charity banquet was held at the Musk Rose Manor, which Old Madam Su had built to celebrate Su Yutang’s birth.

The manor was located on the outskirts of Jing City. Though remote, it was filled with roses that would all bloom on Su Yutang’s birthday.

The manor had cost a billion yuan to build at the time, and even now, few people in Jing City could boast a private manor of their own at such a young age.

Today, all of Jing City’s elite had come for the charity banquet. This event included not only a charity auction and donations but also served as a social and matchmaking venue for eligible young ladies of various families.

After all, the only force capable of gathering most of Jing City’s influential figures was the Su family.

Incidentally, since Su Yutang had been tied up and confined at home for half a month by the people Madam Su sent last time, she hadn’t seen her mother in several months. If not for the charity banquet requiring her appearance, she wouldn’t have come back even for Qingming Festival.

Warm weather had come early this year. The musk roses in the manor had bloomed by mid-March, filling the gardens with a sweet fragrance that made one drunk with every breath.

Su Yurong wore a dark qipao with coiled dragon patterns, a matching dark cloak draped over her shoulders. She sat in a third-floor guest room, lecturing her disobedient daughter.

Su Yutang usually loved driving her supercars, so heavy formal gowns like today’s were not something she often wore. Her water-red trailing gown was adorned with pink diamonds that glittered under the crystal chandelier on the third floor.

She propped her face on her hand, bored, staring at the woman before her. This was already the woman’s third cup of tea. Impatient, she said, “The banquet is about to start. Aren’t you afraid you’ll need the bathroom after drinking so much water?”

Su Yurong set down her teacup heavily and took a deep breath. “Is that any way to speak to your mother?”

Seeing her stop drinking tea, Su Yutang said, “What exactly do you want to tell me? I still need to go out.”

Su Yurong looked at her helplessly. “Many people came today. I think the Cen family’s child is quite good. Her great-aunt is a cousin of your grandmother’s sister. She’s gentle and considerate, well-educated and proper. No matter what, you should at least meet her.”

Su Yutang knew it. This person only sought her out for things like this.

Her face darkened. “How many times have I said it? I don’t want to go on blind dates! Are you done yet? No matter how many omegas you stuff around me, it’s all the same. I don’t like omegas. If you do this again, I’ll go dig out my glands!”

Hearing her pampered daughter threaten her like this, Su Yurong slammed her hand on the tea table in fury. “Insolence! Do you know what you’re saying? I’m your mother, and you use something like this to threaten me? I only want you to settle down sooner. Your mind is too wild—you need someone to rein it in. Otherwise, if one day you really cause a disaster, who will clean it up?”

Su Yutang had already pulled out a piece of gum when Su Yurong slammed the table. Just as Su Yurong finished speaking, she blew a bubble.

Su Yurong was nearly dying of anger at her flippant attitude. “Are you even listening to me?”

Su Yutang kept chewing her gum. “Mm, go on. I’m listening.”

Su Yurong smoothed the breath in her chest. “It’s all for your own good. Why won’t you listen? Do you have to be with that greedy, vain, low-quality omega?”

Su Yutang’s expression gradually turned serious. She wrapped the gum in paper and tossed it on the table. “Who are you talking about?”

Su Yurong looked at her with disappointment. “Of course it’s Auntie Bai, the one who used to work as a nanny at our house. Aren’t you in love with her daughter? A few days ago I heard someone say she’d already gone to see you.”

Su Yutang’s face darkened further. “I believe I’ve said that I don’t need you meddling in my affairs. Did you touch her?”

Seeing Su Yutang’s expression, Su Yurong knew she was about to get angry. This child had been so cute and obedient when she was little—why had she grown more disobedient the older she got?

And what was even harder to control was that Su Yutang was gradually building her own power in Jing City. Even as her mother, she could no longer discipline this child.

Su Yurong softened her tone. “Of course I won’t touch her now. I’m turning a blind eye for your sake.”

Having gotten the answer she wanted, Su Yutang no longer wished to stay in this suffocating place. “Who I like and who I want to be with is my own business. Please don’t interfere too much, Mother. If you insist on interfering, then don’t blame me for being an unfilial daughter.”

“You...”

After leaving Su Yurong half-dead with anger, Su Yutang walked out with a sour expression.

The banquet was full of high-grade omegas and alphas. Even without being in heat, the mixture of faint pheromones made Su Yutang feel irritable.

She dragged her gown downstairs, with Ji Quanying chasing after her. “Eldest Miss, where are you going? Madam instructed that today is an important occasion. As the family heir, you must be present.”

Su Yutang hated this steward who followed Su Yurong’s orders blindly. She pointed at the woman fiercely. “I’m going to get some air. Stay far away from me, or don’t blame me for announcing on the spot that I’m looking for a beta to marry.”

Ji Quanying, who had watched Su Yutang grow up since childhood, knew the eldest miss wasn’t joking. If Su Yutang was truly pushed to her limit, she really might do such a thing at the banquet.

Ji Quanying was an old servant who had been with the family for over twenty years. Rumor had it that she had been personally chosen by Su Yutang’s grandmother for Su Yurong.

Su Yutang, out of respect for her seniority, didn’t want to make things difficult for her. “I just feel stifled here and want to get some air. I’ll be back soon. You go back first.”

Ji Quanying hesitated, then bowed. “Yes, Eldest Miss.”

...

After Ji Quanying returned, Su Yurong had already composed herself and sat upright at the tea table. Without even looking up, she asked, “What did she say?”

Ji Quanying replied, “The eldest miss said she was just going out for some air and would be back soon. Madam, forgive me for speaking frankly—the eldest miss is still so young. Even marriage is a bit early for her.”

Su Yurong poured tea as she spoke. “You’ve never been married, so you don’t understand these stakes. The wilder the mind, the more one wants to act on one’s own whims. Today she could drag home some low-quality omega on a whim. Tomorrow, could she run off with a beta?”

Although Ji Quanying had spent years carrying out Su Yurong’s orders, she too felt Su Yurong was going too far in this matter.

“Madam, the eldest miss isn’t that kind of person.”

Su Yurong took a sip of tea and smiled. “She’s my daughter. No one knows her better than I do. You see her rebelliousness now, but it’s just because she has no direction. If someone with ill intentions puts on a show in front of her, pretending they only want her feelings and not her money, she’ll be foolishly swept away.”

This had happened once before. She absolutely would not allow it to happen a second time.

Ji Quanying wanted to persuade Su Yurong further. She felt Su Yutang was no longer a half-grown child and shouldn’t be so inexperienced in the ways of the world.

But seeing Su Yurong’s expression growing darker as she spoke, Ji Quanying abandoned the idea.

Su Yurong set down her teacup as if remembering something. “By the way, has Yun Huaizhu also arrived?”

Ji Quanying quickly nodded. “Yes, Madam. Miss Yun should be at the entrance of the main hall by now.”

Su Yurong sighed deeply. “Sigh... If the main account isn’t working anymore, it’s time to train a secondary one.” She then gave Ji Quanying a meaningful look. “Go, bring her to me. I have some things to discuss with her.”

Hearing this, Ji Quanying said, “Yes, Madam. I’ll see to it right away.”

...

At dusk, the setting sun peeked through the clouds, casting a rosy glow over the wide asphalt road outside the manor. The maple trees on both sides had just grown new leaves, and redbud flowers stretched through the iron caltrops surrounding the manor.

A Rolls-Royce stopped at the manor’s main entrance. A long red carpet extended from the gate all the way to the banquet hall inside.

Yun Huaizhu stepped out in a white tulle gown. The cream-white silk camellias on her dress glowed softly under the sunset, and the soft silk organza was covered in white pearls.

After getting out, she extended her hand to help the person beside her. Then someone in a pink gown, with a bow trailing from her back down to the floor, peeked out from inside the car.

Lin Meng rarely wore high heels, but to match the dress, she had put on a pair of thick-heeled white pumps today.

Seeing Yun Huaizhu’s extended hand, she felt a little shy. After all, she had never dressed up like this and appeared in public before.

Seeing the faint blush on her cheeks, Yun Huaizhu smiled at her quietly. “Mengmeng-jie, you look really beautiful today. Come down.”

Lin Meng lowered her head bashfully. “N-no, Zhuzhu, you’re the one who looks better.”

Yun Huaizhu looked like a camellia fairy descended to the mortal world!

She was actually terrified of occasions full of people, especially wealthy people. But to stop the key plot point...

She’d risk it!

Lin Meng stepped out of the car somewhat awkwardly, nearly twisting her ankle. Fortunately, Yun Huaizhu was standing right in front of her and caught her in an embrace.

Lin Meng felt embarrassed and quickly steadied herself on Yun Huaizhu’s arm.

After all, the other was wearing sky-high stilettos and standing perfectly stable. She was really too embarrassing.

Yun Huaizhu knew Lin Meng was shy, so she linked arms with her. “Don’t be afraid, Mengmeng-jie. Just stay by my side once we’re inside.”

Lin Meng nodded. “Okay!”

The manor was truly enormous—bigger than the largest People’s Park Lin Meng had ever seen. In short, if an emperor lived in modern times, he’d be jealous of Su Yutang.

Lin Meng looked around curiously as Yun Huaizhu led her into the magnificent banquet hall.

The hall had more than one crystal chandelier, each larger than the one she’d seen at Su Yutang’s villa. The hall was designed with a gallery viewing deck, so people on the upper floors could also see the figures dancing on the first floor.

Yun Huaizhu brought Lin Meng to a quiet corner and pointed at the various dishes on the table. “Mengmeng-jie, if you’re hungry, have something to eat first. I’m going to greet some acquaintances over there. I’ll be back soon.”

Lin Meng nodded obediently from her chair. “Mm, okay!”

Seeing Lin Meng’s obedient demeanor, Yun Huaizhu couldn’t help but feel fond. As she left, she couldn’t resist reaching out to pat Lin Meng’s head.

...

Yun Huaizhu actually disliked these vanity fairs, but the Yun family’s transformation required partners. The more investors she secured, the better the chances of a successful listing. So she moved through the elite with a glass of champagne.

The feeling of acting was truly exhausting. Yun Huaizhu had to disguise her true personality and face those people wearing a smiling mask.

Fortunately, this time she had Lin Meng with her. As long as she finished dealing with these old fools, she could return to Lin Meng’s side.

Amid the clinking glasses, Yun Huaizhu’s sharp and substantive conversation drew many people’s interest in her new energy project. Just as she was about to probe whether these people were interested in cooperation, someone slowly walked toward her.

The others stepped aside when they saw this person.

Everyone present had more or less seen Su Yurong, and they recognized this person approaching as Su Yurong’s personal steward.

When Yun Huaizhu turned and saw Ji Quanying, the smile on her face froze. She took a deep breath and struggled to maintain the same smiling expression as before. “Steward Ji. May I ask what brings you to me?”

Ji Quanying said directly, “Miss Yun, Madam is waiting for you. Please come with me.”