The atmosphere at the scene immediately froze. Mu Wan’s meaning was clear—if they didn’t apologize, things wouldn’t end today. The situation had escalated and became somewhat awkward. Kuang Shuyu, noticing the commotion, stopped dancing with Yuan Weiwei and walked over. After hearing the full story, he shot a harsh glare at his friends. Then, he turned to Mu Wan with a guilty expression.

“Wan wan, they were just talking carelessly after drinking. Don’t take it to heart. I’ll apologize on their behalf.”

Kuang Ye’s brows furrowed deeply as he shot a cold glance at Kuang Shuyu. He had always been the one to let Mu Wan suffer. His words became less polite.

“You’re apologizing for them? Do they not have mouths of their own, or are they toddlers who can’t speak?”

“You’re just playing the good guy, taking the blame for them.”

“But Mu Wan was slandered in public by them—does she not even deserve an apology?”

There were many witnesses to what had happened, aside from Mu Wan and Kuang Ye.

“That’s right, it was clearly their fault, but now it feels like Mu Wan is the one in the wrong.”

“Mu Wan just wants an apology, is that too much to ask?”

“Earlier, people said Mu Wan was spoiled and willful, and that it was only because of Kuang Shuyu’s good character that he tolerated her. But now, with how he’s handling the situation, it’s obvious he just wants to sweep things under the rug, without caring about Mu Wan’s grievances. If I were her, I’d be just as spoiled and willful.”

The gossip grew louder, and Kuang Shuyu found himself increasingly embarrassed. He glanced at Kuang Ye, but ignored him, instead turning back to Mu Wan.

“Wan wan, since it’s the Yuan family’s birthday party, let’s not make a scene. Would it be alright if I have them apologize to you privately later?”

Mu Wan had caught the disdain Kuang Shuyu had shown towards Kuang Ye and felt utterly displeased. This fake had the nerve to look down on the real thing. She looped her arm around Kuang Ye’s, supporting him.

“Didn’t my fiancé make himself clear enough?” She pointed at the group of men behind her, enunciating each word. “I want them to apologize to me in person.”

Her boldness left Kuang Shuyu speechless. The group of young men glared at Mu Wan, their faces twisted with frustration, as if they were the ones who had been wronged.

Mu Wan suddenly found the whole situation tiresome and pulled Kuang Ye to turn and leave. The crowd thought she might go tell her parents. Some were hesitant to joke about family businesses, so they hurriedly spoke up.

“Sorry.”

Mu Wan turned around, and the man who spoke shrunk his neck before quietly apologizing again and quickly left. Once the first person apologized, the rest quickly followed suit, all apologizing to Mu Wan. She nodded but didn’t say whether she forgave them or not. She just walked away with Kuang Ye.

As the last person apologized and left, the two people who had been wronged walked away as well, leaving behind only a few people who had tried to mediate, standing awkwardly.

Kuang Shuyu lowered his head, his expression cold and dark. Yuan Weiwei, noticing he hadn’t returned after a while, came over to find him. Seeing the odd atmosphere, she asked what had happened.

Kuang Shuyu looked up and gave a bitter smile.

“It’s nothing. I just saw them arguing and wanted to step in to avoid disturbing the guests, but it seems like I’ve made things worse.”

Yuan Weiwei didn’t think much of it.

“Brother Shuyu, you’re just too kind. You always think of others. Let’s go back and dance.”

“Yeah.”

As time passed, the party gradually began to wind down, and Mu Wan was preparing to slip away with Kuang Ye.

She looked at Kuang Ye’s hand, and her earlier wariness eased a little. The party was over, so his hand should be fine by now, right?

“Ah Ye, I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be back soon, so don’t wander off, okay?” Mu Wan reminded him.

Kuang Ye couldn’t help but laugh at the way she spoke, as if he were a child.

“Jie, I’m 23, not 13. I won’t get lost.”

Mu Wan: “…”

The phrase “23, not 13” reminded her of Kuang Xingran’s vulgar words. She pinched Kuang Ye and said in a queen-like tone, “Stinky Xiao Didi, be obedient.”

Kuang Ye: “Yes, ma’am.”

Mu Wan then turned to go to the restroom, thinking to herself how effortlessly Kuang Ye switched between calling her Wan wan, Jiejie, and even “Miss.”

After finishing in the restroom, Mu Wan was about to head toward the front door to meet up with Kuang Ye. As expected, and yet not expected, she ran into Kuang Shuyu again.