Best friend turned enemy? Marrying the villain, if she runs, I'll run too.

Meng Yurou looked at Meng Deqian with a pitiful expression.

"Sister, today is our shared birthday, and when Dad hosted the banquet, he said it was to celebrate the birthdays of both of his daughters. If I don't attend, people might misunderstand that there's discord in our Meng family, which wouldn't be good for the Meng family, would it?"

Meng Deqian was naturally distressed. "Xiao Tang, what Yu Rou said makes sense. Although you two sisters aren't blood relatives, it's a kind of fate that you were born on the same day, month, and year..."

"My life's destiny of twenty-five years has been stolen. If you want it, Dad, how about I give it to you?"

Meng Deqian: "..."

"Besides, isn't that slap enough proof that Meng Yurou and I are not on good terms? Or, dear sister, do you think one slap isn't enough, and you want the guests to see more clearly just how deep the hatred between you and me really is?"

As she spoke, Meng Tang flexed her wrists. "It's rare for someone to make such a kind request that's hard to refuse, so it's not that I can't grant your wish."

Seeing that Meng Tang still wanted to make a move, Meng Yurou fearfully hid behind Meng Deqian, looking as delicate and frail as could be.

"Dad, I really didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to celebrate my birthday with my sister, but it seems like she has a big misunderstanding about me and isn't very welcoming. In that case, I think I'd better not go up."

Seeing Meng Yurou so submissive, the guilt that had arisen in Meng Deqian's heart for the love he had owed Meng Tang for more than twenty years was instantly dispelled by his heartache for Meng Yurou's understanding nature.

Although Meng Tang was her biological son, it was Meng Yurou who raised her for twenty-five years.

In addition, Meng Tang did a lot of stupid things after being brought back, causing unrest in the family. Meng Deqian thought more than once that he should have just not brought her back in the first place.

So, once again, unsurprisingly, he sided with Meng Yurou.

"It's just a matter of going on stage together. After you two sisters are introduced, the stage will be yours, Xiaotang. Just consider it giving your father some face..."

But before Meng Deqian could finish speaking, Meng Tang suddenly jumped down from the steps, and Song Guanting, who had just walked over, seemed to have anticipated her childlike behavior.

At the same time, a hand reached out and supported her arm.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Meng Tang took out her phone and shoved it into his hand.

"Honey, my dear father said that he will hold my hand and lead me onto the stage to introduce me to all the guests. That's a very important moment."

"So when I go on stage later, you stay in the audience and take lots of pictures of me. Make sure they're beautiful. This is the first time I've celebrated my birthday in my 25 years of life, so it's something to remember and cherish!"

Song Guanting's expression was originally indifferent, but when he heard the second half of the sentence, he couldn't help but frown.

First time celebrating my birthday?

Although Meng Tang was switched at birth by the nanny, going from being the Meng family's daughter to the nanny's daughter, she probably hasn't had a very good life these past few years.

Compared to Meng Yurou, that fake heiress, she is definitely much worse.

However, Song Guanting really didn't expect that the nanny would treat Meng Tang so badly, not even celebrating her birthday.

Song Guanting frowned, but didn't say much. He could see through his wife's purpose in running over, handing him the phone, and saying those words.

A cold, authoritative gaze, carrying the oppressive aura of someone in a superior position, fell upon Meng Deqian.

"It's rare for my father-in-law to go to such lengths."

Although Meng Deqian felt sorry for Meng Yurou, he was still clear about what was more important.

The most important thing today is to please Song Guanting and facilitate cooperation with Best Inc.

Since Song Guanting had spoken, Meng Deqian naturally stopped insisting on bringing Meng Yurou onto the stage.

He smiled lovingly and said, "Although the baby was switched back then, it wasn't our wish, but as a father, I still feel indebted to Xiaotang over the years. As long as Xiaotang is happy, I will be content."

As he spoke, Meng Deqian personally took Meng Tang's hand, looking every bit the loving father.

For the sake of the 30% stake, Meng Tang suppressed her disgust, put on a fake smile that couldn't be more fake, and climbed onto Meng Deqian's arm.

She's the most professional when it comes to acting.

Meng Yurou was unwilling to give up and wanted to say something more: "Dad..."

"Alright, Yu Rou, you've been with the Meng family all these years, so I'm sure all the guests here recognize you. Today, Xiao Tang is the star of the show, so you can just watch from the audience."

It was supposed to be a birthday celebration for two people, but one of them didn't even get a chance to go on stage. Wasn't that just showing all the guests that Meng Yurou was a lowly adopted daughter who couldn't be presented to the public?

But Meng Deqian no longer cared about her and instead led Meng Tang onto the stage.

As the spotlight shone on Meng Tang, who was wearing a black strapless dress that perfectly accentuated her exquisite figure, she looked stunning.

Her sweetness is tempered with a touch of mature allure unique to women, and her every move exudes elegance.

There was no trace of the timid, hesitant, and insecure demeanor she had when she was first recognized by the Meng family.

Is it really true that wealth nourishes people?

Clearly, Meng Tang wasn't like this before she married into the Song family!

Meng Yurou gritted her teeth in jealousy, staring intently at Meng Tang, who was the center of attention on the stage.

All the spotlight and attention should have belonged to her at this moment, but now, Meng Tang has stolen it away!

That damned Meng Tang, she'll pay for this!

"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my daughter's birthday party. Let me formally introduce you to my biological daughter, Meng Tang."

"She is also the wife of Song Guanting, the president of Best Inc. Today, I am very pleased that my son-in-law personally accompanied Xiaotang to celebrate her birthday. Seeing how harmonious the couple is, I, as their father, am at ease!"

It is said that no businessman is without cunning, and Meng Deqian certainly maximized his profits at this birthday banquet.

Although Song Guanting only made a brief appearance and did not express any particular opinion to Meng Deqian, he was able to establish, with just a few words, the unbreakable in-law relationship between the Meng and Song families.

The Song family did not look down on Meng Tang as much as the outside world claimed; otherwise, Song Guanting would not be here today.

Of course, Meng Deqian's purpose was not to help Meng Tang prove that she and Song Guanting were a harmonious couple, but purely to take this opportunity to climb up the social ladder to the Song family.

Let everyone know that the Meng family's backer is the Song family, and that Song Guanting, the future head of the Song family, is his son-in-law.

With this relationship in place, in the future, business leaders will naturally give Meng Deqian face more or less because of the Song family.

"Your father-in-law's scheme is so outrageous, it's like the beads are about to hit your face. How can you tolerate this, Guanting? This is unlike your usual style of not tolerating even a grain of sand."