Stepdaughter of a wealthy family? The little darling of a Beijing tycoon

Meanwhile, inside a high-end shopping mall in the city center.

Shen Xinyi intimately linked arms with Lu Manman, the daughter of the Lu family, as the two strolled side by side in the luxury goods section, laughing and chatting, appearing very close.

In order to climb into the top-tier network of the Lu family, Shen Xinyi deliberately tried to get close to and please Lu Manman, accommodating and catering to her in everything she did. Over time, the two became inseparable best friends in the eyes of others, getting along exceptionally well and comfortably.

Since receiving that huge sum of money from Lin Wanqing, not only did it help the Shen family fill the company's hole, but the remaining money also ended up in Shen Xinyi's hands.

During this period, she spent lavishly and extravagantly, wearing only top-tier brands for everything from food and clothing to housing and transportation. She lived a life of luxury and splendor, showing no trace of the Shen family's previous hardship.

Looking at Shen Xinyi's extravagant spending, Lu Manman's eyes were filled with genuine envy. She couldn't help but sigh softly, "Xinyi, your parents spoil you too much. They give you more pocket money than I do. On the other hand, my parents have always favored my older brother and would never indulge me like this."

His tone betrayed an undeniable sense of loneliness and helplessness.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xinyi immediately smiled gently and generously, taking the opportunity to build rapport: "Manman, we're best friends. Pick whatever you like, I'll give it to you."

"I can't accept this," Lu Manman quickly waved her hand to decline, then smoothly brought up the important matter, "By the way, your eighteenth birthday celebration is in two days. Which friends did you invite?"

Shen Xinyi replied casually, "I didn't invite many people, just a few close friends. Most of the rest are my older brother's business partners. I didn't ask about the details of these social engagements. My brother just told me to dress up nicely and make a confident appearance."

"I really envy you," Lu Manman said sincerely.

Having spent time together, she had already witnessed firsthand the extreme favoritism and doting that Shen's brothers showed to Shen Xinyi.

As long as Shen Xinyi asks, no matter how expensive the item or how difficult the matter, her brothers will do their best to get it for her and present it to her, spoiling her like a precious jewel.

This kind of pure sibling affection was something Lu Manman had never experienced before.

She also has an older brother, Lu Ze, the heir of the Lu family, but the two have always maintained a distant and polite brother-sister relationship, without any intimacy or warmth between them.

Born into a top-tier wealthy family, she understands the rules of the game better than anyone else.

The family's resources, power, and favor will always be tilted towards the male offspring who inherit the family business.

These heiresses from wealthy families, seemingly born into luxury and enjoying fame and fortune, basking in the glory and status brought by their families, appear to have endless splendor, but in reality, their fate has already marked the price.

The family raised and supported them, providing them with a comfortable life, but never so that they could be carefree.

When they reach a suitable age, their marriages and lives will become bargaining chips for family alliances, used to consolidate their brothers' power, expand their family's network, and maintain the balance of interests among wealthy families.

This is the inherent fate and tragedy of daughters of wealthy families.

Having enjoyed the family's glory, one must accept the family's arrangements with equanimity, and when it is necessary to make contributions, sacrifice oneself for the greater good.

A fleeting, unnoticed sadness crossed Lu Manman's eyes, her heart filled with envy.

She wished she could be like Shen Xinyi, wholeheartedly loved and protected by her family, without becoming a pawn in a game of power, and without being forced to act against her will.

Shen Xinyi, who was standing to the side, took in her expression and smiled even more gently, but secretly she was pleased with herself.

She wanted to leverage Lu Manman's envy and goodwill to firmly grasp the Lu family's connections, paving the way for her coming-of-age ceremony and future advancement.

Seeing Lu Manman's wistful expression and deep envy in her eyes, Shen Xinyi was secretly delighted, but on the surface she remained gentle and harmless, and gently patted the back of her hand to comfort her.

"Don't say that, Manman. You come from such a good family, and you're the daughter of the Lu family. So many people are envious of you."

She seemed to be offering comfort, but was actually deliberately steering the conversation, slowly turning the topic to Lu Ze: "I heard that Brother Lu Ze will also be making time to come to this coming-of-age ceremony, is that right?"

When her older brother was mentioned, Lu Manman's expression was calm, and she nodded slightly: "Yes, my brother is currently here handling a project. I mentioned your coming-of-age ceremony to him, and he promised to come over."

That short sentence made Shen Xinyi's heart beat a few beats faster.

Her fingers tightened slightly as she gripped the luxury shopping bag, and her smile grew even more shy and gentle.

She went to great lengths to get close to Lu Manman, trying her best to please and accommodate her, all for the sake of more than just making a friend from a wealthy family.

The real target has always been Lu Ze.

Everyone in Beijing knows that Lu Ze, at a young age, has taken control of most of the Lu family's businesses. He is ruthless and extremely shrewd, and is the undisputed next leader of the Lu family.

Compared to the declining Shen family, which relies on sponging off their parents and arranged marriages to maintain its dignity, the Lu family is a truly top-tier wealthy family standing at the pinnacle of the pyramid.

As long as she can get close to Lu Ze and catch his eye, even if it's just a little bit of his favor, Shen Xinyi's life will be completely rewritten.

No longer do I have to live in Shen Jingshu's shadow, worry about the decline of the Shen family, or carefully calculate money and connections.

She could instantly become the enviable Mrs. Lu, truly standing at the very top of Beijing's high society.

As her thoughts raced, Shen Xinyi suppressed the surging ambition in her eyes and said softly, feigning shyness, "Actually, I've always admired Brother Lu Ze. He's so talented at such a young age, but I've never had the chance to get to know him. This time, I'm truly fortunate to have him attend my coming-of-age ceremony."

Lu Manman, unaware of her hidden thoughts, simply took it as ordinary admiration for her brother and casually laughed, "It's no big deal. We're friends. It's only right that he comes to support you at your banquet. On the day of the banquet, I'll put in a good word for you."

"Thank you so much, Manman!" Shen Xinyi immediately smiled, revealing a pure and sincere expression, showing complete trust in her best friend.

But deep down, she had already planned everything.

On the night of her coming-of-age ceremony, she will wear her most gorgeous dress and a full set of diamond jewelry specially made for her by her mother, Lin Wanqing, to show Lu Ze her most gentle, obedient, and perfect self.

She wanted to completely overshadow everyone else, especially her older sister Shen Jingshu, who had long been abandoned by the Shen family and was cold and devoid of any family affection.

She wanted Lu Ze to remember her name and her beauty.

Looking at her bright smile, Lu Manman felt much of her worries dissipate, and she sighed softly, "You have such a good personality, and you're so gentle and beautiful. It's your good fortune that my brother could come to your banquet."

Shen Xinyi nestled close to her side, her voice soft and sweet: "It's all thanks to you. I'll have to follow you around more often from now on."

The two strolled side by side through the dazzling array of luxury shops, one genuinely befriending and filled with envy, the other feigning closeness and calculating every step.

Sunlight streamed through the mall's floor-to-ceiling windows, casting their shadows together. They appeared intimately close, but their thoughts were already worlds apart.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, with her exquisite makeup and designer clothes, Shen Xinyi's eyes flashed with a determined glint.

This coming-of-age ceremony for her eighteenth birthday was more than just a celebration of her adulthood.

It was also the key move that allowed her to climb into the upper class, curry favor with the powerful, and rewrite her destiny.

And Shen Jingshu?

The older sister who was abandoned by her parents and shunned by the Shen family was nothing more than an insignificant supporting character in her grand life.

She had already begun to imagine that after she dazzled everyone at the banquet and was looked at differently by Lu Ze, everyone would know that the most dazzling and promising daughter of the Shen family had always been her, Shen Xinyi.