World 1: Damp, retired third-generation x Original Female Lead’s poor colleague

“You really think you’re something? Tonight’s charity gala is only for the elite families of Shen City. Just because you’re kept by some old man doesn’t mean you can climb your way to the top and become a phoenix.”

Chen Manzi shot Fu Yu a scornful glare.

Everyone immediately understood from her tone: Fu Yu must be the mistress. Chen Manzi clearly looked down on her.

“Fu Yu, the only reason we ever treated you nicely was because of Manzi. Don’t think you can benefit just by tagging along with her.”

“You’re just a hanger-on at best. You really think you’re something special?”

“Stay away from our Manzi. Don’t drag us into your mess. Being with an old man—how can you even stand it?”

“Look at her—of course she can only get old men. A woman with no looks and no figure like her, she’ll be tossed away the moment he gets bored.”

Laughter erupted around them.

Fu Yu curled her lips coldly.

Right now, she couldn’t directly touch the protagonist or alter their career path.

But if some people insisted on seeking death, they had no one to blame but themselves.

“You’re laughing? You’ve got some nerve.”

Chen Manzi barked, “Security, throw her out! She’s disgusting!”

“Who dares touch her?”

A sharp voice came from the stairs.

A woman in stilettos descended gracefully.

“Aunt Xun!”

“Chairwoman!”

The crowd, who had just been fawning over Chen Manzi, instantly scattered and respectfully bowed to Aunt Xun.

Chen Manzi didn’t even look up.

In her past life, she never got along with Aunt Xun.

She couldn’t stand Aunt Xun’s cold, untouchable, career-woman aura—like she was above everyone else.

A childhood friend nudged her arm.

“Aunt Xun is known for being ruthless. You’d better control that temper of yours. If she locks onto you, you’re done. Even the Chen family might not save you.”

“I don’t care. I’ve got—”

“Got who? Gu Huai? Do you even know what your precious Gu Huai is doing right now?”

Gu Huai was desperately trying to push through the crowd to introduce himself to Aunt Xun, but he couldn’t get close.

Chen Manzi’s smug expression froze.

Aunt Xun, exuding power, stood protectively next to Fu Yu.

“You were the one bullying our Fu Yu just now, weren’t you?”

Our Fu Yu?

The crowd was stunned.

Wasn’t Fu Yu just Chen Manzi’s lowly assistant? A nobody? Why did she matter to Aunt Xun?

Chen Manzi lifted her chin. “Yeah, I said it. What? She threw herself at an old man, and now she’s mad because I called her out?”

Before she could finish, Aunt Xun slapped her hard across the face.

“What the hell do you think you are? How dare you touch someone of mine in front of me?”

“Teach these foul-mouthed brats a lesson.”

“Yes, Chairwoman.”

A row of bodyguards stepped forward and slapped each of the girls ten times.

They had laughed so arrogantly before—now they were crying just as hard.

People started realizing something wasn’t right.

Fu Yu clearly held serious weight in Aunt Xun’s eyes.

“We’re sorry! We were just joking. Miss Fu, please don’t take it seriously.”

“Yes, we didn’t recognize your status. Please, Miss Fu, don’t hold it against us.”

Don’t hold it against them?

They should count themselves lucky Fu Yu’s current character arc was “Obedient Good Girl,” and she couldn’t break character—yet.

“You all called me a mistress. Did you find that amusing?”

“Heh… so funny… so very funny…”

The few socialites who mocked her the most gave awkward, forced laughs.

“Enough.”

Aunt Xun’s red lips parted slightly. “The Sun family, the Li family, the Yu family… you all can leave Shen City. I don’t want to see any of you again.”

Aunt Xun was the heiress of the Liao family, a woman with immense power—and a devilish nephew.

Her word in Shen City was law.

“Aunt Xun, we were wrong…”

But Aunt Xun wasn’t going to give them a chance to repent.

Words spoken lightly had already caused harm. What use was a meaningless apology?

“Aunt Xun…”

The bodyguards dragged the terrified socialites and heirs out of the venue.

Fu Yu watched coldly and summoned her system.

[System, activate the Repairer skill.]

As a career-type Repairer, Fu Yu could eliminate any character other than the protagonist—or alter their story paths.

[Skill loading. Please issue your command.]

“Since they love talking trash, they don’t need their mouths anymore. They worship money so much—fine. Turn them into the kind of people they most despise. Let them feel what it’s like to be mocked and looked down upon.”

The system gulped.

There was a saying in the system world:

“If you mess with anyone, don’t mess with Fu Yu.”

Her nickname? The Killer Blade—merciless and deadly.

Fu Yu hooked her arm through Aunt Xun’s.

Aunt Xun, burning with fury, glared at Chen Manzi like she was planning a fate worse than death for her.

“Our Fu Yu is truly…”

Before she could finish, Gu Huai finally squeezed through the crowd, respectfully presenting his business card to Aunt Xun, completely missing the mood.

“Chairwoman Liao, I’m Gu Huai, general manager of GuXiao Tech—a startup drone company in Shen City. We specialize in AI algorithms. I wonder if you might be interested in—”

For the first time, Chen Manzi felt ashamed of Gu Huai’s groveling.

She yanked his arm and dragged him out of the venue.

“You—”

Aunt Xun was about to order someone to chase them, but Fu Yu gently stopped her, giving one last meaningful glance in their direction.

---

Outside the venue…

“Manzi, why’d you pull me away? I finally had a chance to speak with Chairwoman Liao. If she invested—”

“Investment, investment! I’ll invest in you! Why did you have to bow and scrape like that in front of them? It was humiliating!”

“My company is in a funding round. This is just temporary. Give me three years. When we go public, I’ll make sure you become the most envied CEO’s wife in your social circle.”

“You always know how to sweet-talk me.”

Chen Manzi’s mood lightened a little—but one thing still bothered her.

Why did the always-strict Aunt Xun favor Fu Yu so much?

What was so special about her?

Could Aunt Xun really take down the Chen family for Fu Yu?

Ridiculous. The Chen family was a prestigious name.

Just now, Aunt Xun only punished those minor families—she didn’t dare touch the Chen family!

“Are we going back in?” Gu Huai asked cautiously.

“What’s the point? That trashy party’s not worth it.”

Chen Manzi dragged Gu Huai away. “You want investors? I’ll introduce you to my dad’s friends. Maybe one of them will back your company.”

Gu Huai’s eyes lit up. A faint, smug smile tugged at his lips.

“Really? Manzi, you’re my lucky goddess.”

Just then, a flurry of compliments erupted at the entrance.

“President Huo, welcome.”

“It’s an honor to see you, President Huo.”

“Huo Hanting!” Gu Huai exclaimed. “Manzi, I have to speak with him—”

But when he turned around, Chen Manzi was gone.

She’d dashed out the back door, clutching her chest in panic.

That was close. If Huo Hanting had seen her…

What if he fell for her at first sight again, broke off his engagement, and came after her like before?

Just the thought gave her chills.

She had no intention of getting involved with Huo Hanting ever again.

---

Back at the banquet…

Huo Hanting arrived and immediately sensed the strange tension in the air.

“Aunt Xun.”

“Hanting, you’re just in time. That Chen family daughter dared to insult our Ah Yu. Looks like the Chen family’s luck is about to run out.”

Earlier, Aunt Xun hadn’t punished the Chen family—not because she was sparing them, but because they didn’t deserve to be let off so easily.

“The Chen family?”

In this life, Huo Hanting had barely any impression of Chen Manzi.

His assistant whispered the whole story into his ear.

“Heh.”

Huo Hanting’s expression darkened.

They must be tired of living.

The assistant wiped sweat from his brow and explained the Chen family’s current situation.

“Looks like I don’t even need to get involved. Spread the word—no one is to help the Chen family. Anyone who does is going against me.”

“Yes, sir!”

A few rich second-generation heirs exchanged nervous glances.

Aunt Xun and Huo Hanting both backing Fu Yu so fiercely—could it be…?

“Ah Yu, I’m sorry I’m late. You’ve been wronged.”

Huo Hanting wrapped his arm around Fu Yu’s waist, raised his wine glass, and said:

“Everyone, tonight’s banquet is to introduce you to my new wife—Fu Yu.”