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

The young woman had a slender and graceful figure. Her champagne-colored dress shimmered softly in the night. Her profile was fair and beautiful, and her temperament was clean and noble.

The two exchanged a glance, both understanding.

Everyone in the Beijing social circle knows Shu Zi, but they rarely see her at such social events. Today, she is even more dazzling than the rumors suggest.

One of the gentle and refined young men hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't resist and stepped forward.

"Miss Shu."

The man was polite, his tone gentle and restrained, and his manner perfectly measured. "Long time no see."

He is the young master of another real estate family; I had met him once before at a high-society dinner party.

Shu Zi turned her head upon hearing the voice and gave a polite, slight nod: "Hello."

Simple distance, polite yet maintaining a sense of separation.

The man looked at her with a hint of admiration in his eyes: "The last time we met was at the winter party last year. Miss Shu hasn't changed much. You look beautiful tonight."

Shu Zi was just about to politely reply with a thank you when the man beside her moved slightly first.

Gu Yan took a half step forward without making a sound, naturally creating a small gap between the two of them.

He stood tall and straight, exuding a cold and oppressive aura. He didn't deliberately put on a cold face, but he naturally possessed an aura that kept strangers at bay.

He lowered his gaze to the man, his tone flat but his voice cold: "What is it?"

Two simple words, without any aggression, yet they abruptly cut off any chance for small talk.

The boy paused, then subconsciously looked at Gu Yan.

Everyone in the industry knows that Gu Yan is fiercely protective of Shu Zi, and it's obvious what he's thinking. But two years ago, he suddenly went abroad, and everyone assumed that the two had lost contact or that he never had any intention of being with her. Now it seems...

A hint of embarrassment flashed in the man's eyes, and he forced a smile: "N-nothing, just came over to say hello."

He dared not linger any longer. After exchanging a few polite words, he turned and left hastily with his companions, not daring to look back at them again.

The terrace has returned to quiet.

Shu Zi glanced sideways at the indifferent-looking man beside her and gave a soft scoff.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

Gu Yan lowered his eyes, his dark gaze locking onto her, his tone frank and straightforward: "No need for small talk."

"They were just being polite."

Shu Zi poked his arm with her fingertip, her tone light and airy, with a hint of teasing:

"Gu Yan, aren't you being a bit too possessive? I haven't even said yes yet!"

"Nuonuo".

Gu Yan chuckled softly, the chill emanating from him instantly dissipating. He slightly turned his head, his gaze fixed intently on her, making no attempt to conceal his feelings.

"It's precisely because you haven't agreed yet that I need to hurry up and make a good impression."

"What if someone takes advantage of this? Wouldn't I fail the exam?"

Shu Zi was amused by his twisted logic and couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up: "You're quite good at making excuses for yourself."

"Um."

His throat bobbed slightly, and his voice was very low, only the two of them could hear it:

"Only for you."

A gentle evening breeze ruffled the stray hairs at Shu Zi's temples. Her ears felt slightly hot, and she subconsciously turned her head to avoid his gaze, pretending to look nonchalantly at the distant night.

"Nonsense."

Gu Yan looked at her reddened ear tips and a faint smile curved his lips.

On the other side of the terrace not far away.

Fang Yutong inadvertently witnessed this scene.

She looked at Gu Yan, who was cold and taciturn in front of outsiders, but treated Shu Zi specially. She watched Shu Zi being calm and carefree, being favored, and doing whatever she wanted.

Her hands clenched unconsciously.

Liang Zihao, who was standing next to her, noticed her change in expression, followed her gaze, and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Fang Yutong quickly looked away, lowered her eyelashes, and said softly, "It's nothing, just a breeze."

She dug her fingertips into her palms, the pain keeping her conscious.

Just bear with it a little longer.

She didn't believe that Shu Zi could always be so glamorous and dazzling.

This is the terrace.

Shu Zi's phone vibrated slightly.

She looked down and unlocked the screen; it was a compressed file sent by Assistant Liu.

Liu Zhu was one of her father Shu Baizhou's secretaries.

Shu Zi glanced lightly at the line of text on the document and tapped the screen with her fingertip.

He then turned off his phone and casually looked up.

Qiao Yueke and Huo Fei arrived just then.

Qiao Yueke, dressed in a light apricot-colored evening gown, skipped and waved from afar, calling out, "Zizi! I've finally found you!"

Huo Fei followed behind, his posture languid and unhurried, his gaze following Qiao Yueke.

Running up to him, Qiao Yue smiled and greeted Gu Yan, "Brother."

Gu Yan nodded slightly and exchanged a glance with Huo Fei.

"I just ran into Ranran and Yuzhuo at the banquet hall," Qiao Yueke said, grabbing Shuzi's arm. "The two of them were surrounded by a group of elders toasting them, and they couldn't get away at all."

Shu Zi glanced at the banquet hall and clicked her tongue, "It's really tough on her. She usually hates these kinds of occasions."

Qiao Yue nodded in agreement, then suddenly remembered something and leaned closer to Shu Zi, whispering, "Hey, has anyone arrived yet?"

Shu Zi knew she was referring to the illegitimate daughter that Fang Ran's father had brought home some time ago.

"He didn't come." Shu Zi said calmly, "Uncle Fang wouldn't be so disrespectful to Ranran in this kind of situation."

"That's good." Qiao Yue breathed a sigh of relief. "I was just afraid that guy would come and disgust people."

"Don't worry," Shu Zi patted her hand, her tone light, "If she dares to cause trouble, I'll punch her all the way to the Pacific Ocean to feed the fish!"

Qiao Yue glanced at Shu Zi's slender arms and legs, and nodded: "Sister, I believe you."

Gu Yan listened from the side, a helpless smile flashing across his eyes. He looked at Shu Zi and said, "Let's go in, the ball is about to start."

Shu Zi hummed in agreement, and the four of them walked together into the banquet hall.

The four returned to the banquet hall, where the atmosphere had changed.

The air was filled with the sweet scent of champagne, mixed with various perfumes. The sounds of conversation and laughter around us were more relaxed than before, and there was a hint of ambiguous atmosphere that was hard to define.

Gu Yan, along with Shu Zi, Huo Fei, and Qiao Yueke, stood at a spot not too far from the dance floor.

Shu Zi was quite satisfied with this spot; she could watch the excitement without being the one being watched.

With a quick glance, she pinpointed Fang Ran's location.

Wow, she was being held in He Yuzhuo's arms, talking to some elders on the other side of the dance floor.

The smile on his face was the quintessential "Fang-style social smile," so perfect it could be printed directly on a business card.