Night Fire Lingering

"I don't want to show it to you."

Wen Yan hid her hands behind her back, her bright almond-shaped eyes showing a hint of girlish stubbornness.

"It's no use showing it to you."

—It cannot heal my wounds.

—It cannot make up for the harm you have caused me.

The guests around me looked at each other.

Suddenly, a lady laughed and said, "Muzhi, I just asked you if you were with the young master of the Gu family. What did you say?"

Isn't this a lie?

"Really? You misheard. I just happened to run into Brother Ci, so we came in together." Wen Muzhi's face was extremely ugly, and his smile was barely holding on.

Wen Muzhi arrived early and waited at the door for Gu Yanci to come in together. Naturally, others would assume they came together, and she wanted the outside world to think that she and Gu Yanci had a close relationship.

But to everyone's surprise, Wen Yan asked the question so bluntly, and Gu Yanci answered directly!

The others remained silent, but their gazes towards Wen Muzhi held a deeper meaning.

Regardless of how Wen Yan got to her position, she is a respectable and dignified Mrs. Gu, recognized by her family. What's the difference between Wen Muzhi's petty tricks and those sluts outside who dream of climbing into their husbands' beds to get ahead?

Suddenly, a clear male voice broke in: "My second sister and brother-in-law have a great relationship! I don't know who's spreading these rumors!"

When Wen Muzhi saw Wen Junming suddenly appear out of nowhere, he was so angry that he wanted to curse, but he forced himself to hold it in.

Wen Yan looked at Wen Junming strangely, and the latter raised his chin arrogantly at her, as if to say, "You don't need to thank me."

Wen Yan: ……

No, where did you see that Gu Yanci and I have a good relationship?

Gu Yanci glanced at Wen Junming, but did not refute his words. His gaze then seemed to fall back on Wen Yan.

"Junming, what brings you here?" Wen Muzhi wanted this guy to get lost. "Didn't Dad hire a tutor for you? Shouldn't you be in English class right now?"

Wen Junming, who had recently dyed his hair a granny gray color, grabbed a handful of hair and said, "I can't understand that bird language, so I might as well come and watch you guys film something."

Wen Muzhi tried her best to be a gentle older sister and instructed, "Junming, you will be starting work in a few years, so you should study hard."

Wen Junming looked at Wen Muzhi with an expression that seemed to ask, "What are you thinking?"

“Our family is so rich, why should I work? There are so many spoiled brats in the world, why can’t there be one more like me? Could I even afford a meal after working for a month? Would I work at our family company? Ask Dad if he would dare let me go. Isn’t he afraid I’ll cause trouble?”

Wen Muzhi: "..."

Wen Yan: "..."

Wen Yan had always known that her half-brother was a good-for-nothing, but she never expected him to be such a self-aware fool!

Even a good-for-nothing like him would call in outside help. Wen Junming looked at Gu Yanci and asked with great confidence, "Brother-in-law, don't you think so!"

Gu Yanci nodded for the first time ever, indicating his approval.

He genuinely approves.

The Gu family is large, with more than ten cousins ​​of his generation. Eight out of ten are good-for-nothings who only know how to spend money. Gu Yanci's only requirement for them is:

Spend your money quietly and avoid trouble!

Hearing Wen Junming call him "brother-in-law" repeatedly, Wen Muzhi was so angry that he almost lost control of his emotions. He then turned to Wen Yan with concern: "Yan Yan, your injury hasn't healed yet, so it's best to stay home as much as possible. It would be bad if you accidentally bumped into something again."

In Wen Muzhi's opinion, Wen Yan shouldn't have shown up today!

Luo Beiqing almost swore, but who was responsible for Yan Yan's injury?

A cold smile flashed in her eyes, and she suddenly said, "Wen Muzhi, your dress looks the same style as Yan Yan's?"

Those around them were initially drawn to Wen Yan and the others' words and actions, and since the moon-white color wasn't particularly eye-catching, and Wen Yan and Wen Muzhi were wearing completely different jewelry, they hadn't noticed. But after Luo Beiqing's reminder, they realized it was indeed exactly the same!

Why do I feel like Wen Yan looks better in this outfit?

It's true that matching outfits isn't scary; it's who looks worse who feels embarrassed!

"What a coincidence." Wen Muzhi only realized then that her attention had been on Gu Yanci.

“What a coincidence. Yan Yan’s outfit is an antique haute couture piece from 1998 that I’ve collected. There are only five sets in the world. Besides the one I have, I know the owners of the other four sets. As for yours—” Luo Beiqing immediately smiled, “May I ask where it came from?”

Wen Muzhi's face was more unpleasant than ever before, but he forced himself to remain calm: "Miss Luo, what do you mean by that?"

"Don't you understand? Antique haute couture has traceable origins, but what is this piece of yours?"

The guests then took a closer look and discovered that Wen Yan's dress indeed had a better sheen, more fluid pleats, and the pearls and diamonds complemented each other perfectly. Wen Muzhi's, on the other hand, seemed somewhat like a poor imitation.

"This outfit was borrowed from my agent. I... I don't really know where it came from," Wen Muzhi said, somewhat flustered.

This outfit is indeed a high-end replica of an antique she bought. Although it's a replica, it still cost her a lot of money. The seller clearly said that there was absolutely no trace of forgery!

"You've certainly mastered the art of shifting blame in the entertainment industry!" Luo Beiqing said pointedly. "Wen Muzhi, mind your own business and stop staring at others all the time!"

Luo Beiqing was determined to embarrass Wen Muzhi!

An announcement came from inside the venue that the auction was about to begin.

Luo Beiqing and Wen Yan sat down, not even bothering to glance at Wen Muzhi.

Wen Muzhi was so angry she was almost crying. She didn't dare look at other people's reactions, let alone Gu Yanci. She felt utterly humiliated and wanted to tear off her clothes immediately, but she had no other choice.

She dislikes dealing with Luo Beiqing the most!

Wen Muzhi was both jealous of and looked down on Luo Beiqing.

She was jealous of Luo Beiqing's parents who loved her unconditionally. Even though Luo Beiqing was a girl like her, her parents didn't try to have a son, which gave her the confidence to be arrogant and domineering.

They looked down on her spoiled and arrogant nature, her complete lack of socialite etiquette and elegance, and how she was out of place among them.

"Big sister, our seats are over there." Wen Junming pointed to the right side, and then turned his head to look. Gu Yanci's seat was right between Wen Yan and Wen Mu.

Just as Wen Muzhi was feeling pleased that she was sitting close to Gu Yanci, Wen Junming had already sat down in her assigned seat and turned to Wen Muzhi, saying, "Sister, I want to sit with brother-in-law!"

Wen Muzhi: "..." I really want to curse!