A beautiful summer night

Zhou Yu hasn't been home for three days.

Xia Wanzhi lived in the studio all day long.

Xia Wanzhi truly understands how unbearable it is to live under someone else's roof.

"Zhizhi, it's normal for young people to argue, but if there's a way to back down, just take it. Zhou Yu hasn't been back for days, what kind of situation is this?" At the dinner table, Zhou's mother softened her voice and spoke to Xia Wanzhi with a serious expression.

Xia Wanzhi nodded obediently: "I understand, Auntie."

"There's a banquet tomorrow night. You and Zhou Yu should go together. Everyone's watching, so you and Zhou Yu should make sure you both look presentable." Zhou's mother put down her chopsticks and carefully instructed Xia Wanzhi.

Yes.

To the outside world, she was still Zhou Yu's fiancée and the future daughter-in-law of the Zhou family.

The Xia family has fallen on hard times, and others can laugh at and ridicule her to their heart's content, but the Zhou family cannot.

The Zhou family values ​​their reputation and, more importantly, their image within the industry.

Zhou's mother had some concerns and did not take the initiative to cancel her marriage with Zhou Yu. Firstly, Zhou Yu insisted on marrying her, and secondly, the Zhou family could not be seen as heartless and ungrateful.

The Zhou family needs to let others know that they have done their utmost for Xia Wanzhi.

Ultimately, if this marriage is to be called off, it must be Xia Wanzhi who takes the initiative to do so.

It seems that Zhou's mother's attitude towards her has changed drastically because she is planning how to force her to speak up.

“Zhou Yu didn’t tell me.” Xia Wanzhi sat up straight, and basic manners made her put down her chopsticks and listen attentively to Zhou’s mother.

“He’s been busy with social engagements these days and has been staying out.” Zhou’s mother sighed and said, “I’m not trying to criticize you, but Zhou Yu is completely devoted to you, so you should cherish that. Otherwise, over time, you’ll drift apart and your relationship will easily fall apart.”

Xia Wanzhi's eyes flickered slightly, but she remained silent.

There was a hidden meaning in Zhou's mother's words.

Or rather, it's a kind of hint.

Xia Wanzhi smiled after regaining her senses and picked up her chopsticks again: "Okay, Auntie."

Sure enough, Zhou Yu came to pick her up from the studio the next afternoon.

Xia Wanzhi was still painting with her paint palette when Zhou Yu stopped outside the glass door and waited for her quietly for a few minutes.

She doesn't like anyone trespassing on her space when she's painting, and Zhou Yu knew she would get angry, so he didn't dare go in and disturb her.

It's been almost two months since the Xia family's incident. He quietly looked at Xia Wanzhi now and suddenly remembered that Xia Wanzhi was actually a spoiled young lady.

At least in the past, Xia Wanzhi would never swallow her anger.

He knew that Xia Wanzhi had suffered during her stay at the Zhou family's house, and he felt sorry for her. But more than feeling sorry for her, he wanted to see Xia Wanzhi show her vulnerability to him.

But Xia Wanzhi never showed weakness to him even once.

She could humble herself to beg Xie Qiyan, but when facing him, she was never willing to let go of her pride.

Xia Wanzhi didn't keep Zhou Yu waiting long. She took off her apron, washed herself quickly, and came over: "Shall we go now?"

"Go do your makeup and change clothes first. We'll be entering at 7 PM." Zhou Yu looked at Xia Wanzhi, twirled his fingertips, and slightly raised his wrist to tuck her hair behind her head.

"Let's go then." Xia Wanzhi had already turned around, and Zhou Yu's hand was still hanging in mid-air.

Xia Wanzhi is a natural beauty.

She was already exceptionally beautiful even without makeup, and when she dressed up and wore a formal gown, everyone else had to make way for her beauty.

She is 168 cm tall, and now, wearing high heels, she is almost as tall as Zhou Yu next to her. The light pink dress with a hollow design perfectly showcases her beautiful figure with a 3:7 ratio.

The dress was chosen by Zhou Yu; it was a light and simple design with a slit at the hem, revealing glimpses of a pair of slender, white legs beneath.

More and more eyes were focused on Xia Wanzhi, and Zhou Yu felt increasingly uncomfortable.

He knew Xia Wanzhi was beautiful, but when she stood beside him dressed so elegantly, his confidence suddenly took a hit.

This wasn't the first time Xia Wanzhi had attended such a banquet, and she saw many familiar faces. With the four major families of Beicheng all gathered together, almost everyone would gravitate towards these families.

Xia Wanzhi glanced at Xie Qiyan, who was also in a high position but was standing alone with a wine glass in his hand, and raised her eyebrows slightly, feeling inexplicably pleased.

I'll teach you a lesson in ruthless and merciless methods.

No one came over to offer a toast at the banquet.

It's one thing if no one toasts you, but for a big CEO like you, you don't even bring a female companion.

It's pathetic, pitiful, and lamentable.

Xia Wanzhi smiled with delight, but before she could enjoy her happiness for long, she saw a familiar face walking towards her with a glass of wine in his hand.

Xia Wanzhi held her breath slightly, her inner alarm bells ringing loudly.

Don't come over.

Just as she was about to step back, Zhou Yu gently placed his hand on her back and led her forward with a smile: "President Jiang, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Jiang Baichuan slightly raised his wine glass, exuding an air of extraordinary elegance: "Nice to meet you. I've come to have a drink with Miss Xia."

Zhou Yu paused, his smile becoming slightly stiff: "It's Zhizhi's honor."

Xia Wanzhi was reluctant, but she clinked glasses with Jiang Baichuan. Because she could tell that he had designs on Yun Li, she said bluntly, "I don't think I know you very well."

Jiang Baichuan replied calmly, "How could we not be familiar? I'm your older brother from the Jiang family."

Xia Wanzhi's smile crumbled little by little.

Damn it, Jiang's brother.

This person only came and went briefly; to be precise, he came to annoy her on behalf of Xie Qiyan.

As she peered through the crowd and met Xie Qiyan's gaze, Xia Wanzhi made no attempt to hide her resentment and dissatisfaction.

“There are fewer people now, let’s go toast President Lu and President Qu.” Zhou Yu put his arm around her back and walked forward, with a strong sense of purpose.

The four major families in Beicheng are the Lu, Jiang, Qu, and Xie families. Tonight's banquet is an opportunity for many people to make connections with them.

But as soon as they reached the two families, they saw Jiang Baichuan leading Xie Qiyan to stand in front of them and offer them drinks.

Instead of offering a toast, they started chatting casually.

Zhou Yu gripped his wine glass tightly and silently took a step back, not daring to step forward.

Xia Wanzhi blinked.

Well, the leaders of the four major families in the North City are all here, and not only are they here, they're also chatting together.

Indeed, no one was foolish enough to dare to step forward.

Compared to Zhou Yu's inner tension, Xia Wanzhi appeared calm and composed, instead giving Xie Qiyan and Jiang Baichuan, who were standing side by side, a meaningful look as she repeatedly examined their backs from top to bottom and bottom to top.

Who says you can only bring a female companion to a banquet?

A male companion is also acceptable.

Who says Xie Qiyan has no companion?

It now appears that she was Jiang Baichuan's male companion.

Xia Wanzhi was lost in thought until Zhou Yu led her to the front, at which point she hurriedly suppressed her elation.

"Mr. Lu, I brought my fiancée to offer a toast." Zhou Yu leaned slightly forward, adopting a humble posture as he spoke.

Xia Wanzhi nodded slightly in agreement.

He glanced sideways and met Xie Qiyan's eyes, who had been toasting but hadn't left and was standing to the side watching the commotion.

Xie Qiyan scoffed lightly.

I don't know if others heard it, but Xia Wanzhi did.

"Zhizhi, Zhizhi?" Zhou Yu chatted with someone for a few minutes, but when the other person brought up Xia Wanzhi, Xia Wanzhi was lost in thought and didn't react. He lost face and suppressed all kinds of dissatisfaction.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you clearly." Xia Wanzhi smiled apologetically.

“It’s alright. I heard that Miss Xia is a dream artist. I wonder if you have time to come to the Lu family to paint a picture for my daughter?” The speaker was Lu Beiting, the top director of the Lu family. He didn’t smile, but his tone was gentle. “Children have all sorts of strange dreams. If possible, Miss Xia, please add my wife’s contact information.”

Nothing is more gratifying than business coming your way. Xia Wanzhi was flattered and nodded with a smile, "Of course, it's my honor."

As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to hear a sneer.

Xie Qiyan, who is diagonally opposite.

She was happy, but it seemed someone else was unhappy.

Xie Qiyan is one.

Zhou Yu is one of them.