Stop pretending, the fake heiress is actually a master of metaphysics.

The banquet will begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Gu family's hotel.

By 6:30, all sorts of luxury cars had already begun to park outside the hotel.

A group of impeccably made-up young men and women, dressed in suits and tuxedos, exchanged pleasantries while waiting for the true protagonists of the evening's banquet to make their appearance.

The banquet was held both to celebrate the safe discharge of the Gu family's troublesome young master from the hospital and to thank the young master's savior. Almost every famous family in Jinghai was invited.

The wealthy families in Jinghai were quite familiar with young master Gu Yuncheng, but what truly intrigued them was the young master's savior.

I heard that the young lady's surname is Shen, and she's a small-time live streamer on an online platform.

Immediately, many people began to discuss it.

Shen Leyao walked into the banquet at this moment.

Looking at the young masters and ladies from various high-society families at the banquet, she unconsciously straightened her back, trying her best to show her most beautiful side.

For the Gu family's banquet, she specially asked Madam Shen to buy her a custom-made dress from a high-end luxury brand. The exquisite pink tulle skirt was layered and paired with dazzling diamond jewelry, making her look like a princess from a fairy tale, delicate and beautiful.

A waiter led the way for her: "Miss Shen, your seat is this way."

The sound of "Miss Shen" immediately drew the attention of many people in the crowd.

Shen Leyao instantly became the focus of the entire banquet.

"Is this Miss Shen?"

"Oh? Is that her?"

Feeling the comments and attention, Shen Leyao became even more smug.

However, the next moment, she heard the ladies whispering:

"Miss Shen's taste is truly lacking."

"If I remember correctly, this dress was a runway piece from Dior a year ago, and the color is so tacky."

"Yeah, she's all grown up, why is she still dressed like a little girl?"

"And her jewelry was too flashy, she looked like a nouveau riche."

Shen Leyao pouted, about to retort defiantly, when she heard someone exclaim, "Look! Who is President Gu holding hands with?"

Under the dazzling lights, Gu Qiwen held Shen Nian's hand and slowly walked down the spiral staircase covered with a luxurious carpet.

Gu Yuncheng followed about two or three steps behind them, with a faint smile on his face.

The light fell on Shen Nian; her eyes were slightly lowered, and she was noble and beautiful, unlike anyone in the mortal world.

"What a nice view……"

Someone said, looking dazed.

"This is the real Miss Shen, isn't it?"

"I'm so envious. When has President Gu ever held another woman's hand?"

At this moment, both Shen Dahai and his wife, who entered the banquet a step later than Shen Leyao, and Pei Yuanzhi, who stood in a corner of the banquet, were stunned.

They never imagined that Shen Nian could show such a side of herself.

Shen Nian used to always wear faded and worn-out clothes, remaining unknown and unnoticed.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Shen Leyao was overwhelmed by a strong feeling of resentment and hatred.

This shouldn't be the case.

she thinks.

She should be the one in the spotlight, and she should be the one treated gently by President Gu.

Shen Nian was nothing more than a stepping stone and a supporting character in her life.

"Tsk tsk, both are Miss Shen, how come there's such a big difference?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Leyao could no longer contain her jealousy.

She lifted her skirt and walked towards Shen Nian's direction.

Shen Dahai and his wife exchanged a glance and followed him.

Shen Nian was holding a glass of red wine, standing coldly beside Gu Yuncheng and Gu Qiwen.

Too many people wanted to strike up a conversation with her; some were lusting after her beauty, some were trying to exploit her status for their own gain, and some were both. She saw through it all and was too lazy to deal with them, so she simply let these two people fend them off for her.

Gu Qiwen took her hand again and asked, "Are you cold?"

"No."

Shen Nian shook her head, assuming he was just acting, and let him lead her.

In fact, the two were not particularly intimate, but it was enough to scare away many people with ill intentions—after all, before this, the head of the Gu family had never shown any tenderness or consideration to any woman.

At the same time, the Shen family finally managed to squeeze through the crowd and reach the front.

Shen Nian lowered her head and took a sip of red wine, thinking to herself, "Here it comes."

The real show is about to begin.

Shen Dahai wore the same exaggerated smile he had at the hospital. He raised his glass and walked up to Shen Nian, saying in a kind tone, "Niannian, you look so beautiful today. Your mother and I were worried you'd be nervous in this kind of setting."

The warmth in his words left everyone present momentarily puzzled.

It wasn't until someone recognized him: "Isn't this General Manager Shen from Shen's Building Materials? What's he doing here?"

"Wait a minute, Miss Shen... also has the surname Shen."

Shen Dahai heard what he wanted to hear, paused, then slapped his forehead as if he had just remembered: "Look at me, I was too excited and forgot to introduce myself."

"Niannian is my daughter from the Shen family. We are all very proud of her for saving Young Master Gu."

These words caused a stir among all who heard them.

"So, Miss Shen who saved Young Master Gu is President Shen's daughter?"

"Shen's Building Materials? Never heard of it. It's probably not even among the top-tier buildings in Jinghai."

"The Shen family was originally just a nouveau riche, but now, their daughter has become Young Master Gu's savior, and the Shen family can be said to have climbed up the big tree of the Gu family."

For a moment, many people looked at Shen Dahai and his group with envy.

Many people have already come forward, ready to chat and make friends with Shen Dahai.

Feeling the gazes directed at him, Shen Dahai couldn't help but feel a surge of smugness.

He thought it was all thanks to the Gu family for hosting such a banquet.

This is not Gu's private hospital. The wealthy and influential people of Jinghai are all here. Even Gu Qiwen cannot directly lash out and have the security guards kick them out at will.

Thinking of this, Shen Dahai became even more unrestrained, smiling broadly as he said, "President Gu, considering that my daughter saved Young Master Gu, shouldn't the cooperation between the Gu family and the Shen family be put on the agenda as soon as possible?"

People around gasped.

The Shen family is probably the first to so bluntly demand cooperation from the Gu family.

But... well, who can blame them when their daughter is so capable and saved young master Gu?

The rest could only watch helplessly.

Gu Qiwen glanced at him and said coldly, "President Shen is joking."

"The Gu family has always only cooperated with capable and virtuous individuals."

"As for President Shen... I'm afraid he has neither, and is not suitable to cooperate with the Gu family."

Shen Dahai's smile froze.

He never expected that Gu Qiwen would slap him in the face so directly in this kind of situation.

He chuckled dryly twice: "Is Mr. Gu joking with me?"

"The fact that we were able to raise such a brave and righteous child as Niannian is enough to prove that our Shen family has excellent family traditions, isn't it?"

He looked at Shen Nian, who also had a cold expression, with a hint of threat in his eyes: "Nian Nian, say something for your father too."

How do your parents usually teach you?

Mrs. Shen, who was standing nearby, chimed in, "Shen Nian, it wasn't easy for your parents to raise you. Now that your father's company is in trouble, you can't just stand by and watch it die, can you? You should persuade President Gu to help your father."