Today was Su Qin’s twenty-fourth birthday. Her father had spared no expense, inviting all the notable figures he could gather—wealthy elites, political leaders… almost half of high society was there.

Su Qin’s father was busy chatting with business partners, completely forgetting his eldest daughter.

Su Xiaoqing felt a surge of frustration and was about to take Su Wan forward, but Su Wan stopped her, calmly shaking her head. “Mom, go ahead and greet them. I’ll sit here for a bit.”

Her feet ached from standing in high heels for so long.

Su Xiaoqing, worried for her, agreed, “Alright, go rest in the corner. I’ll come back soon.”

The two completely ignored Su Qin, who stood awkwardly nearby, her expression turning somewhat uncomfortable.

She looked at them with teary eyes.

Su Wan finally turned, surprised, and asked, “Oh, you’re still here?”

Someone nearby couldn’t help but laugh.

Pretending to act warm and close—that was a role for an illegitimate child. Whether the legitimate wife acknowledged it or not was up to her.

Next to Su Wan’s poised elegance, Su Qin’s forced gestures seemed even more out of place.

Everyone present was sharp enough to see through things.

Over the years, Su Qin had caused no small amount of trouble for Su Wan and her mother. Their coldness toward her didn’t seem out of place; in fact, a few wives who knew their husbands’ infidelities were satisfied to see it.

An illegitimate child would always be just that; this pitiful act only worked on gullible men.

Who was she putting on a show for now?

Ugh!

Feeling the uncomfortable tension, Su Qin managed to keep her composure, gave an awkward greeting, and left.

After she left, Su Wan went straight to a corner seat and leisurely watched the scene unfold.

Her cool, reserved aura, paired with her excessive beauty, left young men around her awestruck, unable to look away.

Some were so smitten they ignored her married status, their gazes eager as they greeted her and struck up conversations.

Li Yang, that fool—like the pig-headed fool who couldn’t appreciate a rare fruit—had no idea what he had. To ignore such a beauty at home in favor of someone as plain as Su Qin… his taste was terrible.

Su Xiaoqing was conversing with business partners, but out of the corner of her eye, she glanced toward Su Wan, her face alight with satisfaction.

After tonight, Su Wan would likely have suitors lined up, all from good families.

Su Wan’s father would have no trouble finding her a man who was kind and considerate.

As for Li Yang, he could go wherever he pleased!

With nothing better to do, Su Wan chatted pleasantly with her admirers. The quality of men at the event was notably high.

Each was attractive and well-mannered; Su Wan was delighted by a joke one told and laughed heartily.

Already beautiful, her pure, genuine smile was like melting snow, captivating and mesmerizing everyone around her.

Li Yang entered, and his sharp eyes caught sight of her laughing.

His expression grew darker and colder, his handsome face as icy as frost, scaring off several acquaintances who had been about to approach.

Su Wan was enjoying her conversation when she noticed the man across from her suddenly staring behind her.

A cool voice sounded above her, “Is this the reason you came early?”

Su Wan paused mid-toast with her champagne.

She turned, squinting against the bright lights, and greeted him lazily, “Good evening.”

Her tone was nonchalant, her expression relaxed and carefree.

Su Wan had never displayed such charm before. As Li Yang looked down at her, his heartbeat skipped for a moment.

“…”

Perhaps embarrassed by his lapse, he quickly turned away, saying coldly, “I had no idea you had such a talent for attracting admirers.”

Su Wan smiled slyly. “There’s plenty you don’t know about.”

Li Yang was momentarily stunned. “…”

Sensing the tension, the people around them quietly stepped away.

A scene like this wasn’t the kind to escalate in public.