Last year, the gift Su Wan prepared for Su Qin caused quite a stir.

She had given Su Qin a fake designer bag, tossing it at her in front of everyone—not because the guests were sharp-eyed enough to spot the counterfeit, but because Su Wan had openly mocked Su Qin to their faces.
“You’re like this bag,” she’d sneered. “Beautiful, maybe, but fake all the same, unfit for the spotlight.”

Humiliated, Su Qin had covered her face, crying pitifully and making herself the object of sympathy.

The guests understood the private conflicts within prominent families, but Su Wan’s overt insult had been excessive, shifting their sympathies toward Su Qin.

Would this year be another spectacle?

Su Wan’s gift was brought in by her driver, and after whispering instructions to a server, she had them fetch the present.

“Actually… you can just give me the gift in private, sister,” Su Qin said hesitantly. “Having you here at my birthday is enough to make me happy.”

Had she been speaking to the original Su Wan, this would’ve worked flawlessly.

But Su Wan was unmoved, giving her a slow, teasing smile. “I suppose that could work.”

Su Qin’s smile froze.

She’d only been trying to sweet-talk her, not expecting Su Wan would really take her up on it. If the gift wasn’t opened publicly, how could she garner sympathy?

Keeping her gentle smile, Su Qin continued, “But since it’s a gift from you, sister, it must be something special! I’d love to share it with Dad and Aunt Su too. If you don’t mind, we can open it here.”

Su Wan shook her head internally.

She’d never seen someone so shameless.

If Su Qin wanted her to open the gift in public, she should just say it directly. No need for the roundabout flattery that only revealed her intentions.

Li Yang frowned. “Su Wan, if it’s another useless trinket, let’s skip the display.”

Su Qin quickly interjected, “Brother Li Yang, you shouldn’t say that. Every gift from my sister is precious to me; I treasure each one.”

Just then, a server carefully wheeled in several elegantly wrapped boxes on a cart.

Judging by their size, they were likely clothes or jewelry.

Some of the guests, expecting a dramatic turn of events, were starting to look disappointed.

It seemed Su Wan hadn’t changed and was sticking to her old ways.

Su Qin relaxed when she saw the familiar packaging and sizes, but kept her calm exterior, smiling sweetly, “They do look quite lovely.”

Su Xiaoqing, who had been talking with business partners, walked over to stand quietly behind Su Wan, clearly ready to support her daughter.

Facing her stood Su Ming, each of them drawing a distinct line between the two sides.

With a cold expression, Su Xiaoqing asked, “What’s going on? Su Ming, I could hear you yelling from across the room. Is this the proper way to act in front of so many guests?”

Su Ming looked uncomfortable, called out so suddenly.

He cleared his throat and muttered awkwardly, “Nothing. Just a father trying to mediate between his daughters; isn’t that normal?”

Su Xiaoqing wanted to retort that his blatant bias hardly counted as mediation.

But, unwilling to air more grievances in front of the guests, she swallowed her words to give Su Ming some face.

Still, she couldn’t hold back a cold scoff.

Su Ming felt awkward and waved Su Wan over. “Come, let’s see what our wonderful daughter has prepared.”

Su Wan watched his performance, feeling only amusement.

As a father, Su Ming never thought to protect his daughter from embarrassment; instead, he seemed eager to use Su Wan’s supposed humiliation to boost Su Qin’s image and give himself confidence before Su Xiaoqing.

It was as if he believed that as long as Su Wan was disgraced, Su Xiaoqing would be humbled and he, Su Ming, would remain the powerful head of the household.

Did he even remember that the wife and daughter he was disregarding were his own family?

Calmly, Su Wan said, “Twenty-four years old, and also Su Qin’s twenty-fourth year in this family. Naturally, this gift should be memorable. It’s something I’m sure you’ll all appreciate, chosen specifically to be exactly what you desire and need.”

Su Qin, puzzled, asked in a soft, sweet voice, “Something I want? What could it be?”

Su Wan handed her the first gift box and motioned for her to open it.