Transmigrated as a vicious stepmother, I raised a child who became a heartthrob.

Jiang Zhuhua had come here to escape the hustle and bustle, but this person's sudden words caught him off guard.

"I just got divorced."

After realizing what was happening, Jiang Zhuhua went straight to the point.

"So what if you just got divorced? You're not going to stay with your ex-husband for years. Sister, you're young and beautiful, no one will say anything if you find someone else."

Shen Lin kept urging them on from the side, and Chu Lian raised his eyelids, lifted his head, and nodded as a greeting.

He turned around and put on a fake smile.

"Shen Lin, be normal."

When Chu Lian saw him walk into the crowd, he felt something was wrong. He never expected that this man would go crazy and actually drag people over.

"Hey, what's wrong with me? You two are such a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman."

Shen Lin rolled his eyes, completely lacking in decorum.

With a soft sigh, Jiang Zhuhua repeated the sentence once more.

"Just divorced, not going on blind dates."

Jiang Zhuhua spoke these words with exceptional seriousness, stating that now is not the best time to be in a relationship, whether from the perspective of work, life, or emotions.

"That's just how he is, don't mind him. My surname is Chu. Chu Lian."

Chu Lian was used to this man's occasional erratic outbursts and skillfully exchanged pleasantries.

"Jiang Zhuhua. I have long admired your name."

The name Chu Lian is indeed familiar, after all, he still has a place in the official novel more than a decade later.

This person is morally ambiguous; driven by self-interest, they can cooperate with the male and female leads, and also with the villain, Pei Hui. The key is: who their partners are? That's unimportant. What matters is getting the money.

"My name is Shen Lin. Are you really not going to reconsider?"

Shen Lin asked another question, seemingly still unwilling to give up.

"I'm not considering it. He's a good person, but he doesn't have any plans to get married right now."

Jiang Zhuhua smiled, and in an instant, his face seemed to melt away like ice and snow, his cool demeanor suddenly coming to life. Like the first flower blooming in spring.

"Alright! It'll be good to get to know him. He works in software development now. I work in shipbuilding. Maybe Mr. Jiang can even help me sell a ship in the live stream someday."

This person has no proper posture, and everything he says sounds like a joke.

Jiang Zhuhua wasn't angry or bothered by it. He simply smiled and said there was a chance to collaborate.

Neither of them showed any malice. Although Shen Lin was loud and boisterous and seemed a bit eccentric, he didn't actually cross any lines.

They chatted casually, and the atmosphere was quite relaxed and pleasant. Mainly, Shen Lin was incredibly talkative; he could talk about anything and everything, and even had friends from various industries.

Jiang Zhuhua hasn't visited Shen Zhaochun yet, but it won't be long.

The loudspeaker on the stage was tapped; the birthday celebrant was to go up and give a speech.

The hosts they invited were all celebrities in the entertainment industry.

It was a rather subtle situation. Their entire family was standing on top, while one of their biological children, Jiang Zhuhua, stood in the crowd, looking at them from behind the throng.

People around looked around but pretended not to see it.

"Good boy, what are you doing standing down there? Come up here. You're so inconsiderate."

Shen Zhaochun took the microphone and began to criticize in front of a group of people.

Just from this one sentence, everyone will have a preconceived notion: Jiang Zhuhua is immature. Jiang Zhuhua didn't say anything immediately.

Jiang Zhuhua walked straight to the stage, stood in a corner, and randomly chose a spot.

Jiang Xingjia thanked this person and that person. With the host's guidance, the scene became exceptionally lively.

Finally, there was a segment where family members would say a few words of blessing.

Most of them have prosperous businesses, harmonious families, and good health.

Finally, the microphone was handed to Jiang Zhuhua.

Jiang Zhuhua glanced down at the microphone and chuckled inwardly.

"Dad, we're not close. Our relationship isn't good either, so I don't know what kind of blessing to say."

How interesting, all three men chose to watch indifferently. Shen Zhaochun's accusations, made without any reason, were almost universally accepted as correct.

No one was worried about whether she had been wronged.

"Although you didn't raise me when I was young, and are only nominally my guardian, I will take care of you in your old age. This is just a small token of my filial piety."

Jiang Zhuhua said those things on purpose. Jiang Xingjia didn't seem to say anything from the moment she entered, but his coldness towards her was an implicit acceptance of the others' disdain.

As a father, at the very least, one shouldn't stand up and say nothing when others belittle their own daughter, treating her like a stranger, or even harboring a hidden hatred towards her.

After all, some strangers might lend a helping hand.

She came here today to make someone unhappy.

Yes, and by the way, sever ties.

"Jiang Zhuhua! What are you saying? Today is your father's birthday."

Shen Zhaochun's face turned ashen almost instantly. His tone was also warning.

The two brothers also looked grim, remaining silent and watching quietly. Jiang Xingjia did the same.

Shen Zhaochun was merely charging ahead in the battle.

Jiang Zhuhua's gaze swept across each of their faces. Jiang Molan was far more interesting than the rest of them. She glanced at Shen Zhaochun with a hint of mockery, and then looked at Jiang Zhuhua with a sarcastic expression.

I have this feeling that I don't like any of them.

“I know. Mom, if you hadn’t hurt me, I wouldn’t have thought of doing this on my birthday. That phone call you made to me that day really hurt me.”

Jiang Zhuhua sighed and pretended to be sad, but his act wasn't very convincing.

He gently tossed the microphone up and caught it, then placed it back to his mouth, making sure everyone could hear him. Even if there were other microphones on him, using a microphone would make his voice louder.

"Mom, don't worry. I will take care of you in your old age. Even though you really hurt me."

Jiang Zhuhua sighed heavily as he spoke, seemingly deeply saddened, while the audience watched this farce unfold.

Everyone knew in their hearts that the banquet was completely ruined. The rest was up to them to see how things unfolded before deciding what to do next.

"You didn't contribute a single penny to my company. And then you expect me to give way to my family? It really hurts me, Mom. And you two, brother, Mom always says the older one should give way to the younger. Why don't you give me any of your shares in the family business?"

Jiang Zhuhua wanted to tear off their pretenses in this kind of situation; she was shameless.

However, she found the family's behavior somewhat disgusting.

Jiang Zhuhua kept talking, a hint of excitement slowly appearing in his eyes. If anyone dared to make a move, he could at least stretch his muscles today.

It's not very convenient to wear, but it's exciting!