You tricked me into raising your son? You'll divorce me and become my aunt.

The scene before her eyes was completely beyond her expectations.

The private room was packed, with Xu Jianye and Liu Hui seated in the main seats.

The couple were standing next to their son and Lin Xiyue, Liu Hui's daughter from her previous marriage.

Liu Hui's eldest sister, second sister, and younger brother's families all came, and even Liu Hui's elderly parents came.

Liu Hui's family alone has more than a dozen members.

Several large families of Xu Jianye's relatives also came.

Ruan Ning stood at the door and saw this scene, and was stunned and stood there for a moment.

She looked at Xu Jianye with a questioning gaze.

No one had mentioned to her that tonight was a dinner gathering for all members of the Xu and Liu families.

When Xu Jianye saw the two enter, a warm smile spread across his face, and he raised his hand to wave to them.

"Ningning, Tingchen, come and sit here."

Fu Tingchen remained calm, his gaze sweeping lightly over the crowd without any further reaction; he simply nodded slightly.

The two walked to the two reserved seats and sat down.

Xu Jianye came from an ordinary small county town and only became successful after marrying Ruan Ning's mother, Ruan Qiuyun.

His relatives all came from ordinary families and had no contact with a wealthy young master like Fu Tingchen on a daily basis.

These relatives sized up Fu Tingchen, their eyes full of flattery, all harboring thoughts of currying favor.

The noise continued for a moment, then Xu Jianye raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

The private room fell silent.

Xu Jianye said, "Tingchen, today is your mother-in-law's birthday, so there are many people here. You're meeting these relatives for the first time, but they are all very nice. We're all family, so please don't stand on ceremony."

Fu Tingchen smiled and replied casually, "Oh, it's my mother-in-law's birthday."

He then looked at Ruan Ning and asked, "Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

Ruan Ning frowned. "How would I know?"

Xu Jianye said with a smile, "Don't blame Ningning, I just forgot to tell her."

Ruan Ning remained noncommittal.

Her dad didn't forget to mention it.

It's obvious they deliberately didn't say it.

I'm afraid she won't come back after she finds out it's her stepmother Liu Hui's birthday today.

After all, Liu Hui favored her biological daughter and was not kind to her stepdaughter.

Xu Jianye added, "Since everyone is free today, I might as well invite all our relatives and friends from both sides to come together for a get-together. It's been many years since our two families have gathered together so neatly, so let's take this opportunity to have some fun."

That sounds nice.

It sounds like a simple family reunion.

Ruan Ning sat quietly to the side, her mind perfectly clear.

Xu Jianye and Liu Hui merely wanted to use her marriage to Fu Tingchen and the Fu family's reputation to hold this family banquet in front of all their relatives, showing off that the Xu family had the Fu family as their backer.

This is just using Fu Tingchen, the son-in-law of a wealthy family, to save face.

Liu Hui married into the Xu family the year after Ruan Ning's biological mother died in a car accident.

Before her death, Nguyen Ninh's mother left behind the Nguyen family business and multiple properties. Even the villa where the family now lives is Nguyen Ninh's mother's premarital property.

Liu Hui entered the house empty-handed, without bringing any dowry, yet she firmly held onto all the assets that belonged to Ruan Ning's mother.

In the first few years after she entered the family, Liu Hui treated Ruan Ning harshly and made no attempt to hide her favoritism towards her own daughter, Lin Xiyue.

Under the same roof, Lin Xiyue wore designer brands and could have whatever she wanted.

Ruan Ning, however, was mistreated everywhere and often ignored.

Everything changed three years ago.

Ruan Ning married Fu Tingchen and became the young mistress of the Fu family.

From the day she married into the Fu family, Liu Hui's attitude towards her completely changed. Every time she saw her, she would greet her with a smile and praise her stepdaughter to everyone she met.

All of Xu's relatives also changed their attitude, trying to please and flatter him at every turn.

The people who were trying to please her were never Ruan Ning herself, but the Fu family behind her.

As the dishes were served one after another, after a few casual words, the topic quickly turned to Ruan Ning and Fu Tingchen's marriage.

The eldest uncle picked up his wine glass and looked at Fu Tingchen with a smile.

"Tingchen, to be honest, those news stories online recently were very worrying for our whole family. The content circulating online was all over the place, and we elders were constantly on our minds, afraid that you and Ningning would have a falling out."

My second uncle nodded in agreement.

"That's right. We've watched Ningning grow up since she was little. She's well-behaved and gentle. It's more important for you two to get along well than anything else."

The aunt looked at Fu Tingchen and Ruan Ning with a tentative gaze.

"We never believe those rumors online. That content is all made up to gain clicks, right, Tingchen? You two should still have a good relationship, right?"

A barrage of questions was thrown at Fu Tingchen.

Everyone in the room was waiting for his reply.

As long as Fu Tingchen personally confirms that the relationship between the two is stable, it means that the Xu family has a solid backing, and in the future, when any family encounters difficulties, they can seek help from the Fu family through kinship ties.

Fu Tingchen smiled and gave a thorough and appropriate answer.

"Dear elders, please don't worry. My husband and I have a very good relationship. The online rumors are just made up by the media for clicks. Please don't take them to heart."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the private room breathed a sigh of relief.

"I've said it before: everything online is made up."

"Tingchen is a steady and reliable person. How could he beat someone in the street? These unscrupulous media outlets will make up anything for clicks."

"Tingchen, we are relieved to hear you say that."

Everyone raised their glasses, and the private room became lively again.

Ruan Ning remained seated, her face devoid of any smile.

These relatives never care how she is doing.

No one cared whether she was wronged.

All anyone cares about is whether she can maintain the marriage and allow them to continue relying on the Fu family.

Xu Jianye put down his wine glass, put on a helpless expression, and spoke.

"Since that's the case, I'll just say it directly."

"Tingchen, you know our family's past. When Ningning's mother was alive, Ruan's company was a well-known name in Haicheng. Our two families were well-matched back then, which is why you and Ningning got married."

"Since Ningning's mother passed away, problems have arisen in the company's management, and the company's business situation has continued to deteriorate in recent years. The cash flow of several projects I am currently managing has broken down, and the company could face a major crisis at any time."

"Tingchen, do you think you could come up with some funds to invest? It would help my father-in-law get through this difficult time and also strengthen the relationship between our two families."

His words were sincere.

Ruan Ning's fingers clenched tightly, her heart turning ice-cold.

So that's where they were waiting for her.

She never expected Xu Jianye to ask for investment in public.

Everyone in the private room turned their gaze to Fu Tingchen, waiting for his answer.

It turns out that this family gathering was actually a pre-planned extortion scheme.

All the small talk beforehand was just a prelude.

The ultimate goal was to publicly demand investment from Fu Tingchen.

Before Fu Tingchen could answer, Lin Xiyue couldn't wait any longer. "Brother-in-law, I also have a small favor I'd like to ask you for."

She lowered her eyes slightly, feigning shyness.

"I want to study at a top art school in Country A, but my family is short of funds and can't afford the expenses. Could my brother-in-law sponsor my studies abroad? When I return home after completing my studies, I will definitely remember your kindness and repay you properly."

Upon hearing this, a fire suddenly ignited in Ruan Ning's heart.

The father demanded investment, and the stepsister demanded financial aid for studying abroad.

These two important matters were clearly related to her, and the three of them had discussed them privately without asking for her opinion.

They even brought it up in front of a large group of relatives.

They scheming against her with a clear conscience, using her as a stepping stone to climb into a wealthy family.