10

Meng Yu steadied her breathing and quickly replied, “Thank you.”

The assistant standing behind Chu Xiujin stepped forward at just the right moment. He opened the ornate box in his hands, revealing a dazzling crown nestled inside.

The collective gasp from the surrounding guests was almost audible.

Everyone at this party was either wealthy or powerful, and certainly not short on worldly experience. Many immediately recognized the crown—it had once belonged to a queen of Western Europe and, after her passing, had been housed in a royal museum. A piece like this was considered priceless.

Yet here it was—purchased by Chu Xiujin and presented as a birthday gift to Meng Yu.

The room buzzed with amazement. Yan Wenwen stood frozen, staring with her hand over her mouth, speechless.

Wang Shuyuan, on the other hand, downed a full glass of champagne in one gulp. She set the glass down, took a deep breath, and muttered, “I’m going for a walk,” before turning to leave.

Yan Wenwen, still in a daze, gave a distracted reply.

Meng Yu, a lover of beauty, was no stranger to jewelry—though she rarely had the chance to wear anything particularly expensive. Those things simply weren’t meant for her.

But this crown… she had seen it before. Once featured in a luxury jewelry magazine, it had left a lasting impression.

Any woman would be moved by such a breathtaking piece, especially one this rare and brilliant. And yet Meng Yu kept her composure, managing to cling to a sliver of reason.

“Mr. Chu… this gift is far too extravagant. I couldn’t possibly accept it.”

Chu Xiujin replied calmly, “Just a small token. I hope Miss Meng won’t mind.”

Small? A token? This “token” could probably buy the entire Wang estate.

While Meng Yu stood there unsure how to respond, Qi Mei nudged her gently and whispered, “Since it’s a gift from Mr. Chu, you should accept it. Don’t let his kindness go to waste.”

Meng Yu took another breath and tried to keep her expression as composed as possible. “Thank you, Mr. Chu.”

“You’re very welcome,” he replied smoothly.

After speaking, Chu Xiujin’s gaze drifted briefly toward Xiao Qi. It was only a passing glance, but Meng Yu noticed it. She also realized Chu Xiujin didn’t recognize Xiao Qi—though she had no intention of introducing them.

Chu Xiujin may not have known who Xiao Qi was, but Xiao Qi certainly knew who he was—the man Meng Yu was about to marry. He’d heard the rumors about this new chairman of Beiyue, but the reality was far different from what he’d expected.

Having been with Meng Yu for years, Xiao Qi knew her well. She loved beautiful things, and that included people. According to the gossip, Chu Xiujin was supposedly plain-looking, maybe even unattractive. Xiao Qi had once comforted himself with the idea that even if Meng Yu married him, she wouldn’t truly be happy.

But now, faced with the real man—tall, refined, and far more handsome than expected—Xiao Qi felt a twinge of anxiety.

He furrowed his brows, lost in thought for a long moment, before finally turning to Meng Yu. “Can we talk?” he asked.

He didn’t make any attempt to lower his voice. Everyone nearby, including Chu Xiujin, heard him. Chu Xiujin gave him another glance—still calm, still unreadable—and said nothing. Just then, another guest came over to greet him, and he turned to engage in polite conversation.

Meng Yu had no idea what Xiao Qi was thinking, but she suddenly recalled something he once said—that he’d rather provoke the powerful Mr. Chu himself than give her up.

Whatever his plan was, Meng Yu had no interest in revisiting the past with him. She was about to decline when she noticed Wang Shuyuan approaching with a woman and a child in tow.

Wang Shuyuan had originally stepped out for some air, but on her way to the door, she saw a young mother and a little girl, around five or six years old, being stopped by the security guard. The woman looked anxious and was pleading with the guard. “I’m Vice President Xiao’s sister. I need to speak with him—it’s important. Please let us in.”

“Sorry, no entry without an invitation.”

“But that man earlier didn’t have an invitation either!”

“That man,” the guard replied, “is someone no one in Yancheng dares to turn away. Are you really going to compare yourself to him?”

As Meng Yu’s stepsister, Wang Shuyuan knew a bit about her past with Xiao Qi. She vaguely remembered that they broke up because someone from Xiao Qi’s past—his so-called white moonlight—had suddenly come back into the picture.

Was this woman her?

Wang Shuyuan stepped forward and told the guard, “She’s a friend of mine. It’s fine—let her in.”

On the way to bringing Ai Qing into the banquet hall, Wang Shuyuan had already begun asking a few pointed questions—and from the looks of it, this woman really was Xiao Qi’s so-called “white moonlight.”

Wang Shuyuan didn’t mind getting a front-row seat to one more dramatic scene.

Xiao Qi clearly hadn’t expected Ai Qing to show up.

“You should be in the hospital,” he said, frowning. “What are you doing here?”

Ai Qing gave a weak cough and replied, “I came to see Meng Yu.”

Wang Shuyuan turned to the others and offered an explanation. “She introduced herself as Vice President Xiao’s sister. I didn’t want to offend a guest, so I brought her in.” As she spoke, her eyes slid meaningfully toward Meng Yu.

Ai Qing looked far more frail than the last time they had seen her—her figure thinner, her face pale and bloodless. Rumor had it she was ill, and clearly, it wasn’t a minor illness.

Still, for someone in her condition, she didn’t seem content to rest in a hospital bed—she had deliberately come here, and specifically to look for Meng Yu.

“I’m sorry, Meng Yu,” Ai Qing said softly, her voice faint and trembling. “It’s my fault that you and Qi broke up.”

Meanwhile, Chu Xiujin’s presence continued to command the attention of everyone in the room. As the newly appointed chairman of Beiyue Group—already a figure shrouded in mystery and intrigue—his unexpected appearance had turned him into the unspoken center of gravity at the entire event.

Everyone’s attention was already focused on this corner of the room, so naturally, Ai Qing’s words didn’t go unheard.

Most of the guests knew that Meng Yu was soon to marry Chu Xiujin—yet now, out of nowhere, a woman had shown up and publicly brought up her past relationship.

“We weren’t what you think,” Ai Qing said softly. “Qi and I have always been like siblings. When he was young, my family helped him, and now he’s just returning the favor. Our relationship has always been open and honest—nothing like what you’re imagining. You two were together for so many years. To break up over something so small… it really isn’t worth it.”

If Meng Yu were to be blunt, she’d say Ai Qing’s words didn’t sound like an apology at all—they sounded more like a veiled accusation. As if she had overreacted, blown things out of proportion, and selfishly tossed aside years of love for nothing.

Ai Qing made it sound so simple: she and Xiao Qi were just “sibling-like,” just helping each other out. And Meng Yu? She was the petty one who couldn’t handle it.

As Ai Qing finished speaking, Xiao Qi frowned slightly and tugged her sleeve, silently signaling her to stop. This wasn’t the time or place for such a conversation.

But Ai Qing, seemingly unaware that Meng Yu’s fiancé was still standing right beside her, continued, “Xiao Qi has been suffering since the breakup. It’s been painful for him, and I couldn’t bear to see it any longer. That’s why I tried everything I could to see you today. I hope you can give him another chance. And if it’s really me you mind, I’ll go back to my hometown. I won’t ever appear in front of you again.”

Look at me, she seemed to say. I’m willing to disappear, just to make your relationship whole again.

Her self-sacrificing tone left no doubt—she was casting Meng Yu as the unreasonable one, the heartless woman who abandoned love and couldn’t forgive something so trivial.

Under different circumstances, maybe her words would have been seen as touching. But right now? Right in front of Meng Yu’s future husband? It was as if Ai Qing had told the entire room: Meng Yu is about to marry another man, yet she’s still entangled with her ex.

What was her fiancé supposed to think after hearing that?

Meng Yu looked at Ai Qing’s innocent, pitiful expression. She seemed so weak, so fragile—like a gust of wind could knock her over. Pale and thin, her sickly appearance alone was enough to stir anyone’s sympathy.

And yet, even in that state, she still had the strength to show up and selflessly “sacrifice” herself for Meng Yu’s sake.

The truth was, whatever history Meng Yu had with Ai Qing was already long settled. And whatever remained between her and Xiao Qi was no longer Ai Qing’s concern. But here she was—deliberately showing up to cause a scene at her birthday party.

Meng Yu took a deep breath, then turned to Chu Xiujin and said calmly, “If my personal matters have affected your mood, Mr. Chu, I sincerely apologize.”

Chu Xiujin responded evenly, “It’s not a problem. Would you like me to handle it for you?”

“…?”

Meng Yu blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected that answer. But the moment it sank in, she felt a subtle but powerful wave of relief.

His words made his position clear—not just to her, but to everyone watching. He wasn’t bothered by her past. He wasn’t embarrassed or upset. In fact, he was even willing to help her deal with it.

He still saw her as his future wife.

“Thank you,” Meng Yu said softly. “But I can handle it myself.”

“Alright,” he replied with a small nod.

If Chu Xiujin didn’t mind, then she no longer needed to hold back.

=^_^=

Author has something to say: Time to crush the drama and slap some faces.