Rebirth: My Mother is a Virgin Mary

As dusk slowly fell and the lights came on, the century-old art gallery in the city center lit up quietly like a huge night pearl.

At the entrance, the scarlet carpet spread out like a flowing river of fire. The crystal lamp posts on both sides cast spots of light like broken diamonds, reflecting the flowing pearls on the ladies' long skirts and the gleaming cuffs of the gentlemen's suits. The fragrance of clothes and hair flowed silently.

In front of the towering signature wall, countless names are perched on it like inky butterflies, including political dignitaries, business celebrities, top stars... each one carries the weight and expectations of tonight.

Entering the hall, a giant crystal chandelier casts down a waterfall of light from the dome, which complements the mirror-like obsidian floor. The shadows of the glasses interweave, the amber wine shines brightly, the melodious string music gently wraps around the warm fragrance of the delicacies, and the crisp sound of the knife and fork touching each other is like the softest footnote to this feast.

Everything is so harmonious and beautiful...

"Burp~" Xin Zhuizhui's burp broke the atmosphere.

Xiao Wan looked around, afraid of suddenly attracting other people's attention, "Sister, you are too wild. If my aunt sees you, I'll definitely pull your ears."

"I'm almost starving to death, what's the point of maintaining my image!" Xin Zhuizhui stuffed another piece of Black Forest cake in one gulp.

I gently wiped the chocolate from her mouth. Two hours ago, Xin Zhuizhui had just stepped off the plane and before she could even utter a complete sentence, she was taken to the studio by the driver and assistant to do her hair styling.

"Huh... Actually, I could eat a little more, but my skirt is too tight." Zhui Zhui twisted her body uncomfortably.

"Then who do you blame? Your aunt has always made clothes according to your usual size. Who knew you suddenly gained so much weight?" It's no wonder Xiaowan complained. Everyone who knows Zhui Zhui will notice that her face has become rounder when they see her for the first time.

Zhui Zhui's eyes fell on me, and I raised my hands in surrender: "Okay, I'll take the blame."

Before Zhuizhui returned to Canada, she pestered me to make dumplings for her. Since there was no time, I made her three jars of hot sauce. That stuff is definitely a great accompaniment to rice. Canada is a food desert. Xin Zhuizhui relied on dry bread and pasta to finish all three jars of hot sauce. Of course, the best reward was the weight she gained.

Before the dinner officially started, guests gathered in groups of three or four to chat. Although this was a charity dinner, the guests knew that this was definitely a great opportunity to make friends with celebrities from all walks of life.

"So you're here." Wen Lingyu came over with a glass of wine in his hand. "I was wondering why we couldn't find the three ladies who were supposed to be the protagonists."

"I'll secretly add a meal." Zhui Zhui whispered, "It's ours anyway."

"I've never seen you say hello to me in these occasions before, but this year is very different~" Zhui Zhui's eyes swept back and forth over Wen Lingyu, "You even changed your clothes to new ones. Tsk, it's obvious that you have other intentions."

"Of course." Wen Lingyu was looking at me, I was looking at the crystal chandelier, Xiaowan and Zhuizhui were covering their mouths and laughing.

Zhui Zhui is completely adept at handling herself in the celebrity circle, and Xiao Wan has also gradually become adept at it after her return. It was my first time attending such an occasion, and it would be unrealistic to say that I wasn't nervous.

Fortunately, I know how to pretend and I don’t look nervous on my face.

Xiaowan and Zhuizhui were socializing, while Wen Lingyu and I were standing aside talking.

"Are you okay?" Wen Lingyu asked me softly.

"It's good. It's not as oppressive as I imagined."

He touched my head and said, "I knew you could do it."

"Oi!" I quickly dodged, "I've been blow-drying my hair for two hours, don't even think about ruining it!"

Wen Lingyu said nothing, just smiled indulgently.

Xiaowan and Zhuizhui naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity to introduce me to everyone. Everyone knows that the Mu family has adopted a goddaughter who is held in the palm of their hand, and they protect her tightly, mysteriously and low-key. Today, they finally got to see it.

The styling that my aunt took great pains to make for me played a huge role at this moment. The saying “respect the clothes first, then the person” is not without reason.

At first, I was a little nervous. After all, the people I was facing were not ordinary people. I had seen some of them, either on TV or in magazines. Now these well-known figures stood in front of me and talked to me in a friendly manner, some even with a little flattery. For a moment, I actually felt a sense of giddy.

No wonder everyone wants to climb up, it feels good.

Someone offered me a toast with ill intentions. I was about to refuse when Wen Lingyu took the glass and said, "She has a bad stomach. I'll take her place."

Everyone present knew this young master of the Wen family. To make him willingly refuse the wine, this goddaughter of the Mu family was indeed very capable. Looking at the attitude of the two young ladies of the Mu family in protecting her, they were even more curious about this goddaughter.

A sharp and abrupt "bang" attracted everyone's attention. Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw the wine glass shattered to the ground, and dark red wine drops scattered everywhere, flashing a sharp light under the light.

The owner of the wine glass was now standing there in panic and helplessness, his hands shaking uncontrollably and his eyes filled with shock and at a loss.

Zhuizhui frowned unhappily and said to Xiaowan, "In an occasion like today, your future uncle's state is not right."

Hmm? My eyes returned to him. This man was Shen Yuefeng's brother, the one he had originally planned to introduce to Xiaowan?

The sound of the broken wine glass attracted many people, including Mu Zijin who was helping his parents entertain guests on the second floor.

"What's wrong?" This was the host of the banquet, and no one dared to disrespect him.

He gently put his arm around my shoulders and asked, "Are you okay?"

I pushed him away calmly, "Are you okay? ! It wasn't me who broke the glass."

A girl rushed out from the crowd and stood in front of the man, saying with concern: "Arui, are you okay?"

I followed his gaze and looked towards us. The moment our eyes met, there was the sound of a wine glass falling to the ground. The wine splashed onto the girl's white skirt as the glass broke.

He broke two wine glasses in succession and looked so out of control. Anyone would think he was really ignorant. This was a loss of face for my master.

Mu Zijin remained calm: "Find someone to clean up and take the two guests to change clothes."

The corners of his mouth formed a strange arc. It was really... unexpected...

"Baby Lin..." Zhui Zhui said weakly, "Why do I feel that the girl looks a bit like you... Not like you, but... she's imitating you..." Zhui Zhui shook his head, "Maybe it's my illusion, she looks several years older than you."

Mu Zijin and Wen Lingyu looked at each other. As both men and both rivals in love, they understood too well what the look that man gave A Lin meant.

"Do you know Shen Borui?" Mu Zijin asked me.

"Shen... Bo... Rui?" I thought carefully, "I don't know him. But... I have seen this name."

"Because he is Shen Yuefeng's brother?" Zhui Zhui asked.

"But I didn't mention his name to A Lin?" Xiao Wan asked puzzled.

"Hiss..." I stroked my hair, looking a little unnatural, "He... should have written me a love letter."

"What?!" Four faces were shocked.

"Yeah." When I went back to high school during the summer vacation, Sister Yingying gave me a stack of various love letters. I read every one of them. There was one that was the most eloquent and well-written. It left a deep impression on me. It was signed "Shen Borui".

"In high school," I added, "maybe it's just the same name. After all, I've never met him in person."