I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

Shu Zi's mind went blank for a moment, and she stood there stunned. By the time she came to her senses, the tips of her ears were already burning red.

"No! That's a foul!"

She hastily turned her head to dodge, her slender body nimbly slipping out from under his arm, her skirt brushing against his suit sleeve, stirring up a very light breeze.

She didn't dare turn around, her back ramrod straight, her tone stiff, yet revealing her barely concealed panic: "Let's hurry, don't be late."

It is full of flaws.

Gu Yan chuckled softly, the laughter lingering in his throat, magnetic and alluring.

He watched the girl flee hastily, her ears turning red with shyness, and then slowly followed after her.

He caught up with her in a few strides, then deliberately slowed his pace to stay beside her, his breath still very close to hers.

"Yes, ma'am."

He tilted his head, his gaze fixed on her slightly flushed profile, his voice trailing off in a soft, ambiguous tone.

"My dear examiner."

The evening breeze seeped in through the crack in the entryway door, gently lifting the champagne-colored hem of her skirt and brushing against the sleeves of their pressed-together clothes.

As the last rays of the setting sun slanted in, two figures intertwined and clung tightly together on the ground.

Silent and tender, yet turbulent beneath the surface.

The black Bentley downstairs was already waiting quietly. Gu Yan opened the car door for her, his palm protecting the top edge of the door, carefully avoiding the car frame.

The car drove smoothly through the traffic, the interior quiet yet intimate.

Shu Zi turned her head to look out the window, but her gaze kept involuntarily drifting towards the man beside her.

Gu Yanzheng looked down at his phone, his profile was cold and smooth, his jawline was clear and sharp, and the light fell on his thick eyelashes, casting a light shadow, quiet and alluring.

Noticing her gaze, Gu Yan suddenly looked up, his deep eyes meeting hers before she could look away, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"Examiner Shu, how many times have you been stealing glances at me on the way here? Shouldn't you give me some extra points for making a good impression?"

Caught red-handed, Shu Zi's heart skipped a beat.

She immediately straightened her back, turned her head, looked straight ahead with a serious expression, and spoke in a hard tone, stubborn to the end:

"Who's looking at you! I'm looking at the night view."

Gu Yan chuckled softly and stopped teasing her.

The vehicle slowly drove into the He Family Hillside Manor.

As night deepened, the courtyard lights shone brightly, the crystal lamps reflecting a warm glow, the garden was lush with greenery, and the melodious sound of a piano drifted on the breeze.

The guests were dressed in fine clothes, chatting and laughing, creating the atmosphere of a top-tier celebrity banquet.

The Bentley came to a stop.

Gu Yan got out of the car and went around to the other side to open the door.

A cool evening breeze ruffled the stray hairs at Shu Zi's temples.

He reached out his hand; his palm was clean and warm.

In the past, Shu Zi has always been calm and composed when attending such occasions, and has never needed anyone to take care of her.

At that moment, she did not push his hand away, but calmly placed her hand in his palm.

Their fingers touched lightly, their warmth mingling.

The moment they stepped into the banquet hall side by side, the surrounding conversations subconsciously quieted down a bit.

The heirs of two of Beijing's top wealthy families sat side by side, which was already the focus of the entire event.

Everyone wore polite smiles and nodded in greeting.

The guests present were all prominent figures in Beijing. Everyone knew Shu Zi, the eldest daughter of the Shu family, and everyone knew Gu Yan, the next head of the Gu family.

The young woman had fair skin, delicate features, and a champagne-colored dress that accentuated her slender figure. She possessed the composure and pride that comes with being born into a top-tier aristocratic family.

The man was aloof and noble, with an upright posture and a distant and indifferent temperament, yet his eyes were fixed on the figure of the girl beside him.

The two of them standing together were so perfectly matched it was almost blinding.

Not far away on the terrace, Fang Ran leaned against the railing, her wine-red halter dress bright and alluring, exuding captivating charm.

He Yuzhuo stood beside her, his hand casually resting on her waist, protecting her subtly yet obviously.

Upon seeing the two people enter, Fang Ran raised an eyebrow and walked over with a glass of champagne.

Her gaze first landed precisely on the teardrop-shaped diamond on Shu Zi's collarbone, her pupils contracted slightly, and her tone carried a hint of surprise: "This necklace?"

Shu Zi was slightly taken aback, and subconsciously raised her hand to touch the chain: "What's wrong?"

Fang Ran's eyes were filled with complex emotions as she stared at the clear teardrop-shaped diamond. She chuckled softly, her tone tinged with regret:

"The top charity auction in Suzhou last month featured a unique teardrop diamond clavicle necklace as the finale piece. That's it."

"I saw it at first sight and bid against others for several rounds, but in the end, an anonymous buyer snatched it up with a higher price. I was depressed for several days."

She glanced up at Gu Yan, who stood calmly to the side, and instantly understood. She raised an eyebrow and teased, "So it was you, Gu Yan, the anonymous big shot."

Upon hearing this, Shu Zi was completely stunned.

She turned to look at Gu Yan, her eyes filled with surprise: "You mean... this was prepared at the last minute?"

Gu Yan's expression was calm, without the slightest concealment. He glanced down at the stunned girl beside him, his tone still nonchalant:

"Um."

Shu Zi: "..."

Do I look like an idiot to you?

You call this a temporary item, a one-of-a-kind piece you bought half a month ago?

This person is too lazy to even come up with a decent reason for lying.

Fang Ran watched with amusement, hiding her smile with her champagne glass, and deliberately fanned the flames: "Wow, Gu Yan, you can lie without batting an eye."

"I remember when you bought this necklace, you negotiated the price down three times over, not giving an inch. That was quite a big spender."

He Yuzhuo rubbed his temples helplessly and whispered, "Stop joking."

But the indulgence in his tone clearly indicated his tacit approval of Fang Ran's teasing.

Gu Yan was exposed to his face, but he showed no embarrassment. Instead, he calmly met Shu Zi's accusing gaze and a very faint smile with a hint of indulgence appeared on his lips.

"It's not exactly a lie."

He spoke calmly and seriously, trying to justify himself with a peculiarly logical statement: "As far as I'm concerned, anything prepared for you, no matter when it was prepared, is considered a spur-of-the-moment decision."

Shu Zi's pupils dilated in shock. Good heavens, this twisted logic left her completely bewildered.

She gave Gu Yan a thumbs up.

"Hey, by the way, where's Qiaoqiao?" Shuzi asked Fang Ran. "Why hasn't she come yet?"

Fang Ran shook her head. "I don't know, they should be here soon."

As she spoke, she glanced towards the doorway.

Then, raising an eyebrow, he said to Shuzi, "Zizi, look over there."

Shu Zi followed Fang Ran's gaze.

Two figures slowly walked into the banquet hall.

The man, dressed in a custom-made dark suit, with a flippant and nonchalant air, was none other than Liang Zihao. Beside him nestled a woman with exquisite makeup and a gentle demeanor…

It's Fang Yutong.