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

Ever since Shen Jingshu entered the scene, she has been completely relegated to a supporting role, with all the limelight, attention, and favor stolen away.

She was unwilling to end her life in such a pathetic manner.

Taking advantage of the fact that everyone's attention was focused on cutting the cake, she was determined to regain all face and embarrass Shen Jingshu in front of everyone!

Shen Xinyi picked up the cake knife, smiled sweetly at the camera and guests, and said softly, "Thank you all for coming to my coming-of-age ceremony today, uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters. I'm very happy. Thank you also to my sister for taking the time to celebrate my birthday with me."

As she spoke, she feigned intimacy and turned to look at the audience: "Sister, would you come up on stage and cut the cake with me?"

Everyone turned to look at Shen Jingshu, waiting for her to go on stage.

Shen Jingshu wanted to politely decline, but with all eyes on her, she didn't want to offend the birthday girl too much, so she slowly got up and calmly walked onto the stage.

The light shone on the two people, who stood side by side, creating a striking contrast.

Shen Xinyi wore an extravagant diamond-studded dress, deliberately sweet, but with a calculating look in her eyes;

Shen Jingshu was dressed in a pure white haute couture outfit, exuding a cool and elegant aura, like the moon.

One is vulgar, the other elegant; one is restless, the other tranquil; the difference in quality is immediately apparent.

The two of them held the cake knife side by side and pretended to cut the first piece of cake together.

Just as the blade fell and everyone's eyes were focused on the cake, a calculating glint flashed in Shen Xinyi's eyes.

With a slight twist of her wrist, she used the action of cutting the cake to quickly pick up a large chunk of cold cream with her fingertips and, taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, smeared it on Shen Jingshu's cheek!

She's very shrewd.

As long as cream is smeared all over Shen Jingshu's delicate cheeks, neck, and white dress, even the most beautiful temperament and stunning appearance will be instantly ruined and left in a sorry state.

At that time, all the audience will see is Shen Jingshu with a face covered in cream and acting disheveled.

And she remained a clean, beautiful, gentle, and generous birthday celebrant.

The tide turned in an instant!

The expected chaotic scene did not occur.

Just as the cream was about to touch her cheek, Shen Jingshu seemed to have anticipated her movements, turning her head slightly and shifting her body slightly to the side.

The speed was not fast, but just right, barely avoiding all the cream.

"Clatter—"

A large dollop of snow-white cream, completely and firmly, was flung back onto Shen Xinyi's cheeks, neck, and pink haute couture dress.

White cream mixed with gold icing smeared half her face, ruining her delicate eye makeup. Her expensive pink dress was covered in mottled milk stains, making her look disheveled and unbearable to look at.

The entire venue fell into a deathly silence!

All the applause, smiles, and chatter instantly froze.

The air was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Shen Xinyi stood frozen in place, her face feeling cold and sticky, her mind completely blank.

She raised her hand blankly, touched the soft, wet cream covering her face, and looked at her disheveled state, completely dumbfounded.

How could this happen?!

She was clearly trying to mess with Shen Jingshu!

Why was she the one who ended up making a fool of herself?!

Lin Wanqing, sitting in the audience, turned deathly pale instantly, stood up abruptly, and looked panicked.

Shen Mobai and Shen Yifan froze instantly, their smiles vanishing completely, replaced by embarrassment, awkwardness, and ashen faces.

Just moments ago, Shen Xinyi was radiant, elegant, and sweet; now, she looked exactly like a clown who had failed in her attempt to be funny and was covered in dirt.

Compared to Shen Jingshu, who stood upright, dressed in clean and spotless clothes, with a calm and aloof demeanor, the contrast was glaringly obvious.

After a brief silence, the entire hall erupted in a burst of suppressed laughter.

The guests exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and anticipation.

"How... how did I get all this smeared on my face?"

"Looks like he was trying to tease his sister on purpose, but he messed up, didn't he?"

"He made such a mess of his birthday party; he's too impatient."

"Her scheming was too obvious, which made her look inferior."

The whispers weren't loud, but they clearly reached Shen Xinyi's ears, each word like a slap across her face.

She felt feverish all over, so embarrassed she could hardly breathe, her eyes instantly reddened, filled with shame, anger, and anxiety, tears welling up in her eyes.

She was unwilling to accept it, and choked back tears as she tried to explain, "I...I didn't mean to...it was my sister—"

"Not on purpose?"

A clear, calm voice gently rang out, tender yet incredibly penetrating, silencing all the other whispers in the room.

Shen Jingshu looked down at her disheveled and flustered appearance, her expression calm and composed, and spoke softly:

"The cake knife is in your hand, the cream is on your fingertips, and the whole process is your own doing."

"With a hundred eyes watching, is your sister trying to shift the blame onto me?"

With just two simple sentences, clear and articulate, neither humble nor arrogant, he instantly shut down all her room for defense.

Everyone suddenly realized.

Yes!

She held the knife, and she made the action herself. The whole thing was clear, and she can't blame anyone else at all.

It was purely a case of being too clever for one's own good, and reaping what one sows.

Li Beichen sat in the audience, his eyes turning cold as he watched, a mocking smile curving his lips.

This young lady of the Shen family is narrow-minded, petty, and full of resentment.

Compared to Jing Shu, who is calm, insightful, and composed, he is far inferior.

Lu Ze, who was standing to the side, completely lost the last trace of polite goodwill he had for Shen Xinyi, leaving only indifference and estrangement.

Narrow-minded, prone to public mischief, unable to accept defeat, and prone to scheming.

A girl with such a shallow mind would find it difficult to even gain a foothold in ordinary wealthy circles, let alone climb the social ladder by attaching herself to the Lu family.

Shen Xinyi was rendered speechless by the rebuttal, her face covered in cream and tears, standing awkwardly in the center of the stage, enduring the mocking and scrutinizing gazes of the entire audience.

This highly anticipated and meticulously prepared coming-of-age ceremony.

She schemed and plotted, trying to crush Shen Jingshu at every turn.

But from beginning to end, she lost completely and utterly.

On the stage, the lights were soft and gentle.

Shen Jingshu stood upright in the breeze, untouched by dust, silently watching the farce unfold before her, her eyes devoid of any emotion or pity.

She chose this path herself, she orchestrated this scheme herself, and she should bear the embarrassment herself.

The awkward standoff on stage lasted for several seconds.

The subtle smiles and scrutinizing gazes that filled the room felt like countless needles, pricking Shen Xinyi all over.

She stood there, half her face covered in cream, her exquisite makeup ruined, her expensive pink dress mottled and filthy. Her once well-behaved and gentle facade had shattered completely, leaving only dishevelment, shame, and an exposed narrow-mindedness.

Lin Wanqing could no longer sit still. She hurriedly lifted her skirt and rushed onto the stage, taking out tissues and frantically wiping the cream off her face. While wiping, she hurriedly tried to smooth things over, saying, "The kids are just playing around. Don't overthink it. It's just the two sisters being mischievous."

These words are weak and powerless.

Everyone present was a shrewd person who had been in the elite circles of society, and they all saw clearly the little gesture of deliberately raising his hand and smearing cream.

This wasn't playful banter; it was clearly a case of trying to cause trouble in public, and a failed scheme backfiring.

The mockery in everyone's eyes did not diminish, but out of consideration for the Shen family's reputation, they reluctantly looked away and pretended nothing was wrong.

Shen Xinyi kept her head down, biting her lip tightly, her eyes red-rimmed, forcing back tears, afraid to let them fall.