Chapter Index

    “This must be Miss Du.”

    Xu Shaochen’s gaze fell on Du Ruyan.

    After all, two grown men can’t compete with the allure of a beautiful woman.

    As the star of tonight’s event, Du Ruyan wore her hair down, with a small silver crown adorning her head. Her delicate oval face had a playful charm, and her large, lively eyes seemed to speak.

    She was wearing a white strapless gown, her ample bust appearing almost too large. The hem of the dress trailed on the ground. Due to her sitting posture, a portion of her leg wrapped in sheer crystal stockings was exposed. On her feet were crystal high heels, making her look like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.

    “Ah! Yes, my name is Du Ruyan. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

    Du Ruyan quickly stood up, speaking shyly as she looked at Xu Shaochen. Her beautiful eyes were filled with excitement.

    I can’t believe my father finally did something right. This time, he’s actually picked someone I like.

    Du Feng and his son Du Jun exchanged a glance, both showing a fox-like smile.

    Weren’t you against it just a moment ago? Women, after all, judge by appearance at first sight. Otherwise, why would there be something called love at first sight?

    That’s why he had the bodyguards bring Xu Shaochen to the living room first.

    “Master, it’s about time. The guests have arrived.”

    At that moment, a middle-aged woman walked in, respectfully addressing Du Feng.

    “Mr. Xu, shall we head out?”

    Du Feng looked at Xu Shaochen and said.

    “After you, Chairman Du.”

    Xu Shaochen shifted his gaze from Du Ruyan and left the living room alongside Du Feng.

    “Sis, are you satisfied this time? You seemed like you were ready to jump on him.”

    Du Jun deliberately lagged behind to gauge Du Ruyan’s feelings.

    “Hmm.” Du Ruyan blushed and hummed softly. She reluctantly said, “He’s just okay-looking, but we can give it a try.”

    After leaving the living room, Xu Shaochen took the initiative to walk toward the guest area.

    “Mr. Xu, over here.”

    Li Hao waved at Xu Shaochen.

    Xu Shaochen walked over and noticed several familiar faces: Han Tianxiong, Ye Huaiyuan, Li Hao, and Sun Hai were all there.

    “Mr. Xu.”

    Seeing Xu Shaochen approach, the group hurriedly stood to greet him.

    This scene surprised the other guests; they never expected Sun Hai to treat Xu Shaochen with such respect.

    After all, the Sun Family was one of the top in Jiangzhou. Who exactly was this Xu Shaochen?

    The young man in the white suit who had mocked Xu Shaochen at the door earlier almost fell over in shock, his back drenched in cold sweat.

    Only now did he realize the stupidity of his earlier actions.

    “Thank you all for coming to my daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony tonight. I am deeply grateful…”

    Du Feng stood at the center, raising his voice to address the crowd. Standing beside him was Du Ruyan in her white dress, looking every bit like a princess.

    After a brief opening speech, the coming-of-age ceremony officially began, marking the day Du Ruyan became an adult.

    “Ruyan, offer Mr. Xu a toast on my behalf.”

    Du Feng led Du Ruyan to Xu Shaochen.

    Seeing this, Sun Hai and the others exchanged glances and inwardly cursed Du Feng as a sly old fox for what they knew was his true intention.

    He’s practically giving away his daughter! How shameless.

    Too bad they didn’t have daughters to offer.

    “Ruyan, happy birthday! I hope I’m not too late.”

    At that moment, a cheerful voice rang out. A young man in a silver suit walked over with a box.

    “Brother Yun? What brings you here?”

    Seeing the young man, Du Ruyan was taken aback and asked in surprise.

    “Isn’t it obvious? Uncle Du sent me an invitation.” Zhou Yun replied with a calm smile before handing the box over. “This is the gift I prepared for you. I hope you like it.”

    Du Feng’s face darkened. Damn it, how did I forget about this?

    Zhou Yun from the Zhou Family always had a thing for Ruyan. How could I have forgotten? Let’s just hope nothing goes wrong tonight.

    Watching the change in Du Feng’s expression, and seeing how Zhou Yun interacted with Du Ruyan,

    Sun Hai and the others couldn’t help but show mocking smiles.

    “Du Feng, deploying a beauty trap against Mr. Xu? Just don’t let the situation spiral out of control.”

    “Thank you, Brother Yun.” Du Ruyan awkwardly accepted Zhou Yun’s gift. She was fully aware of Zhou Yun’s feelings for her.

    However, Zhou Yun was five years older, and she had always seen him as an older brother; she never had such thoughts about him.

    Besides, Xu Shaochen was here. What if he misunderstood her?

    “Open it and see if you like it.” Zhou Yun noticed the change in Du Ruyan’s expression but paid it no mind.

    Du Ruyan subconsciously glanced at Xu Shaochen before carefully opening the gift box.

    Zhou Yun was very sensitive to Du Ruyan’s look toward Xu Shaochen and frowned slightly, casting a hostile glance at Xu Shaochen.

    He always saw Du Ruyan as his exclusive property and would never allow any other man to get involved.

    Inside the box was a pair of earrings—a pair of shining diamond earrings.

    “It’s the ‘Tears of the Goddess’ that’s been so popular online! They’re so beautiful, I can’t believe they’re here!”

    As soon as the earrings were revealed, a woman recognized them and immediately exclaimed.

    “The ‘Tears of the Goddess’ have surged in price to over twenty million yuan. I heard a wealthy tycoon bought them; I can’t believe it was him.”

    “Miss Du is so lucky…”

    Hearing the discussions, Zhou Yun couldn’t help but show a hint of pride as he asked, “Ruyan, do you like them?”

    “Yes, I like them.” Du Ruyan forced a smile as she subconsciously looked at Xu Shaochen again.

    A cold gleam flashed in Zhou Yun’s eyes as his fists clenched slightly, though the smile on his face remained as warm as ever.

    Xu Shaochen stood up and said to Du Ruyan, “Miss Du, I also have a small gift for you.”

    There’s no need to mince words. Xu Shaochen had taken a liking to Du Ruyan. Not only was her face exquisite, but that killer figure was a rare gem in this world!

    After all, how many women could boast a 32D size at the age of eighteen? Xu Shaochen planned to personally guide her development, aiming to enjoy her company for a long time.

    Du Ruyan’s eyes lit up instantly. It didn’t matter what Xu Shaochen gave her. As long as it was from him, she would love it.

    The other attendees began to sense a subtle tension filling the air.

    Xu Shaochen handed Du Ruyan a box and smiled, “Miss Du, why not open it and see if you like it?”

    Du Ruyan excitedly opened the box to find an imperial green jade necklace inside.

    Of course, Du Ruyan liked it, but the others at the event found the jade necklace beautiful but somewhat cheap and too gaudy.

    Their opinion would likely change if they knew the true value of this jade necklace.

    “Hmph! You actually have the nerve to present a mere jade necklace? How can you insult Ruyan’s elegance with such a tacky item?”

    Zhou Yun snorted with disdain, his words dripping with hostility.

    He had expected Xu Shaochen to present something worthy of being compared to his own gift.

    But it turned out to be just a simple jade necklace. Probably not even a tenth as valuable as the earrings he had given. How disgraceful!”

    Chapter Summary

    Xu Shaochen meets Du Ruyan, the star of the party. Du Feng, intent on arranging a match, leads Du Ruyan to Xu Shaochen for a toast, while Zhou Yun, another admirer, arrives with a valuable gift. Zhou Yun disdains Xu Shaochen's gift but is unaware of its true value. Tensions rise as rivalries become apparent.

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