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“Mm, that’s right.”
“My precious daughter knows how to cook now?”
“She does.”
“When did she learn to cook?” Jiang Jingzhi asked in confusion.
Qu Muqing countered, “Then do you even know what she likes to do?”
At that moment, the morning sun was rising, and golden light gradually spread across the city skyline.
Over at Yuyuan, the two were still quietly enjoying a peaceful breakfast together.
Just as Qu Wanwan was about to clean up, Fu Ciyu stopped her.
“Let the staff handle it.”
“Then I’m heading out. I want to visit the gallery—I haven’t been there in a while.”
Qu Wanwan owned a small art gallery, and every painting inside was done by her own hand.
Hearing that, Fu Ciyu’s expression darkened. “Have the driver take you.”
“Alright.”
She had no idea why he suddenly looked upset, but she didn’t think much of it.
It wasn’t until she arrived at the gallery that Qu Wanwan finally understood why Fu Ciyu’s face had turned so grim at the mention of it.
Hanging on both sides of the gallery were two portraits—of Lu Yu!
Good grief! What on earth possessed her to paint that bastard?
She immediately called over the staff. “Throw those two portraits in the trash.”
“Wan-jie? You want to get rid of both?”
“Both rows. Tear them up and toss them. I never want to see them again.”
“Yes, Wan-jie.”
Annoyed, Qu Wanwan stormed into her office. How blind had she been to fall for a scumbag like Lu Yu?
The walls outside should’ve been covered in portraits of Fu Ciyu instead!
With that thought, Qu Wanwan prepared paper, brush, and pigments.
As memories of the first night she ever saw him floated back to her, her hand began to move instinctively across the canvas.
The sunset had slanted across his figure, casting long shadows. In those shadows, whenever he glanced up, the cold sharpness of his profile would come into view.
And that ascetic allure—his slightly open collar, revealing just enough to stir the imagination—
“Oh my gosh! This is so embarrassing—”
The more Qu Wanwan thought about it, the hotter her cheeks became. She was clearly getting lost in her own fantasies—
She kept painting all the way until afternoon, only stopping when she received a message from Shen Man.
Stretching her sore limbs, she glanced at the clock on the wall—already four in the afternoon.
“I forgot I had other stuff to do. Ugh, I’m so tired,” she muttered as she stood and poured herself a full glass of water, finishing it in one go.
The painting in her hand was now complete. She called over a staff member and instructed them to frame the piece and hang it in the very center of the gallery.
Right after, she sent Qu Muqing a message:
[Ge, I’ve got plans tonight, so I won’t be home for dinner.]
[Where are you going?]
[Peninsula Hotel.]
[Be careful.]
[Got it.]
After leaving the gallery, she headed straight to her personal stylist to get her hair and makeup done.
Last time, Shen Man had told her not to flaunt her wealth, to keep it low-key and dress plainly.
But when she arrived at the event, she realized—she was the only one dressed casually. Everyone else was dressed to the nines.
Afterward, Shen Man had smoothed things over for her, and she’d been deeply moved by it.
Looking back, she felt like a fool—getting sold off and still helping count the money.
At that last class reunion, Shen Man had drugged her drink and delivered her straight to Lu Yu’s room.
Just as Lu Yu started tearing at her clothes, Fu Ciyu had appeared.
“Hah. Shen Man—”
After getting styled, Qu Wanwan drove off in her eye-catching red Porsche, heading toward the Peninsula Hotel.
Peninsula Hotel – Suite 201
“Manman, didn’t you say Wanwan was coming? Why isn’t she here yet?”
The one speaking was their class president from university, Shen Jincheng.
Shen Man smiled faintly. “Wanwan said she’s already on her way.”
“She really knows how to make an entrance—keeping all of us waiting like this,” said the woman to Shen Man’s left with clear disdain.
“He Shan!” Shen Jincheng scolded lightly.
“Class President, if you like her, just say it. It’s not like she’s into Master Fu anyway.”
Shen Man listened, eyes gleaming with satisfaction—this was exactly the effect she wanted. She had already messaged Fu Ciyu, and he was sure to show up in half an hour.
“I heard Lu Yu’s coming too. Looks like tonight will be lively.”
A man seated to Shen Jincheng’s right glanced meaningfully toward the private room’s entrance and gave a subtle smile.
“He Ye, that’s enough,” Shen Jincheng warned, signaling him to look toward the doorway.
Everyone turned to see Qu Wanwan step in, dressed in a striking red gown. Her face was cold and elegant, her eyes glinting with sharp confidence, lips painted a sultry crimson—an image of deadly allure.
“Hello, everyone. Long time no see,” Qu Wanwan greeted the room with calm poise.
Shen Jincheng and He Ye were both stunned on the spot, asking uncertainly, “You’re Qu Wanwan?”
Qu Wanwan raised an eyebrow and smiled. “What? Don’t I look like myself?”
Shen Jincheng chuckled softly. “No, you look… very different.”
“Is this really the Qu Wanwan I knew?” Even He Ye couldn’t help exclaiming in awe.
Shen Man’s expression darkened. She had planned for Qu Wanwan to make a fool of herself tonight—yet instead, she had stolen the spotlight completely.
“Wanwan, come, sit over here,” she said, pointing to the seat on her right.
Qu Wanwan ignored her and walked straight over to sit on He Ye’s left.
Everyone was taken aback.
He Ye looked utterly baffled. “Qu Wanwan, why are you sitting next to me?”
Qu Wanwan smiled sweetly at him. “This seat’s nice, He Ye. You need to learn to be more accommodating to women.”
“Qu Wanwan, you—”
Qu Wanwan picked up the glass of juice on the table. “Thanks.”
Watching her down it in one go, He Ye could only sigh and fall silent.
He Shan sneered, “No wonder you’re not into Master Fu—looks like you’ve got plenty of backups lined up.”
Qu Wanwan replied coldly, “Watch your mouth.”
“What? Can’t take the heat for something you did?” He Shan scoffed.
Qu Wanwan leaned back against the sofa, her voice calm as she said, “He Shan, do you want the entire He Family to vanish from the capital overnight?”
He Shan’s face instantly changed. “Qu Wanwan! What are you trying to do?”
For Qu Wanwan to say something like that meant she had the power to back it up—with Qu Muqing and Fu Ciyu behind her, she could make good on the threat.
“I’m not trying to do anything,” Qu Wanwan said lightly. “Just telling you to shut your mouth.”
“You—”
“Wanwan, we’re all classmates here,” Shen Man stepped in, feigning the role of peacemaker. “No need to throw your weight around.”
Qu Wanwan turned her head and looked at her, her voice cool and steady. “What? He can talk down to me and I’m not allowed to talk back? What if it had been you he insulted?”
“Wanwan, I didn’t mean—”
“I came here to attend a reunion, not to be told how to live my life.”
“Alright, the food’s here. Let’s eat,” Shen Jincheng stepped in to ease the tension.
Just then, the hotel staff began pouring wine for everyone at the table.
When it was Qu Wanwan’s turn, the waiter’s expression clearly seemed off. Qu Wanwan kept her eyes fixed on his hands—her face darkened.
So that’s how it had happened in her previous life. She’d never known how she’d been drugged—turns out, this was it.
After filling her glass, the server gave Shen Man a long, meaningful look before leaving.
Shen Man raised her glass with a smile. “Come on, let’s have a drink. After all these years, our annual reunion is a chance to strengthen old bonds.”
Everyone lifted their glasses—everyone except Qu Wanwan.
He Ye, seated beside her, glared. “Qu Wanwan, what are you pulling now?”
Qu Wanwan scrunched up her little face and looked at him pitifully. “He Ye, since you’ve already come this far, just go all the way and drink it for me.”
“Qu Wanwan! Damn it! Why should I?!”
“So heartless. I’m a delicate girl—how could you expect me to drink? Besides, my ge(brother) won’t let me.”
He Ye was so angry he laughed. “Why don’t you ask someone else to drink it for you? Shen Jincheng would do.”
Qu Wanwan glanced at Shen Jincheng, frowned, and said, “He doesn’t have any business dealings with my family.”
One sentence left He Ye speechless.
Damn it. Fine—he had business ties with the Qu family, didn’t he? Fine—he’d drink it.