The hotel banquet hall was brightly lit, and the light from the crystal chandeliers reflected off the champagne glasses in the waiters' hands, giving them a golden glow.

Shen Qingge stood there, watching Gu Tingyu leave with Su Maiqi in his arms, her fingertips tightening slightly, her nails almost digging into her palms.

She could feel her heart still racing; Gu Tingyu's warning was still ringing in her ears.

His voice was as cold as ice, and his eyes were even colder, as if she were just an obstacle that could be crushed at any moment.

That look sent a chill down Shen Qingge's spine.

He was always like that, speaking the cruelest words in the coldest tone, as if he could see through all her thoughts.

She used to think he cared about her.

The boy who lent a helping hand when she almost fell into the water still had warmth in his eyes.

But now, only disgust and warning remain in those eyes.

Shen Qingge tried hard to suppress the bitterness in her heart. She couldn't admit defeat, she couldn't show vulnerability in such a situation.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Qingge raised her hand to tidy up the stray strands of hair around her ears, her fingers still trembling slightly.

She knew this was not the time to panic. This was Old Madam Liu's birthday banquet, and the place was full of wealthy and powerful people. Every move she made could be observed.

"It's okay, everything's normal," she told herself, forcing herself to calm down.

Her years of experience in wealthy families have taught her that she must never show weakness.

She picked up a glass of champagne, took an elegant sip, and casually glanced around.

Fortunately, not many people noticed what was happening here.

Everyone was immersed in the joyful atmosphere of clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, and no one noticed the little incident that was happening in this corner.

From the other end of the banquet hall, a pleasant laugh rang out.

Shen Qingge's gaze was naturally drawn to them, where she saw Su Wanyu standing with Haiyang, chatting and laughing.

Su Wanyu dressed up specially for today, wearing a dark blue fishtail dress with fine rhinestones adorning the hem, outlining her perfect curves.

Her neck was long and elegant, and a valuable diamond necklace sparkled under the light.

Her head tilted back and she laughed, her face radiant and captivating, her eyes carrying a hint of deliberate coquettishness.

The makeup artist put a lot of effort into her face, and the perfect makeup highlighted her radiance without being too heavy.

Haiyang, dressed in a well-tailored dark suit, with a gentle smile on his handsome face, was introducing the red wine in his hand to Su Wanyu.

His every move exuded elegance and nobility, displaying the demeanor of a wealthy young master.

Seeing this, a look of understanding flashed in Shen Qingge's eyes.

She knew Su Wanyu too well; the other woman's thoughts were crystal clear.

Haiyang, Haize's younger brother, is a genuine second-generation scion of a wealthy family, young, handsome, and rich.

These conditions are simply the best option for Su Wanyu right now.

Especially after she was blacklisted by the entertainment industry, being able to climb into a wealthy family like the Hai family was equivalent to finding the most solid backing.

"That's a good choice," Shen Qingge thought to herself.

This younger brother-in-law, Haiyang, has always been casual about relationships and is never short of female companions. Every time he attends a business party, he is always accompanied by a different socialite.

However, he is very carefree when it comes to relationships, never making promises to anyone, and has never had a romantic partner.

At this moment, Haiyang seemed to be just putting on an act. His smile was polite but distant, and his eyes kept drifting into the distance. He clearly didn't care about the beauty in front of him.

When he gets excited, he'll put on a gentle smile, but that smile never reaches his eyes.

But that's actually better. Shen Qingge knows perfectly well that in wealthy families, feelings are often the least important thing. What matters is the combination of interests, a powerful alliance.

She held her wine glass and walked slowly toward them.

Since Su Wanyu has taken a liking to the ocean, she might as well give her a push.

This is also an opportunity for her.

"Ocean, what year is this red wine? It looks good."

She walked over to the two of them and naturally joined the conversation. Her voice was gentle, and her manners were impeccable, just like a sister-in-law who cared for her brother-in-law.

Haiyang nodded politely to her, "Sister-in-law, this is a 99 Lafite. We were just discussing its aroma. This year's Lafite has a particularly good taste, with rich layers of aroma and a long finish."

"Oh? No wonder you and Wanyu were chatting so happily," Shen Qingge said with a smile. "She's quite knowledgeable about wine too. We went wine tasting together a while ago, and she spoke fluently about the characteristics of each region."

These words not only gave Su Wanyu face, but also cleverly narrowed the distance between her and Haiyang.

Sure enough, a hint of surprise flashed in Su Wanyu's eyes, but she then feigned modesty and said, "Well, I only know a little bit. Young Master Hai, on the other hand, is very knowledgeable; I was completely captivated by what he said about the characteristics of those years."

As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly, her long hair falling from her shoulder, making her skin appear as smooth as jade.

This angle is just right; it looks graceful without being too deliberate.

Shen Qingge looked at Su Wanyu's charming appearance and nodded inwardly.

Her years of experience in the entertainment industry have made this woman a master of psychological manipulation.

If she could really marry into the Hai family and become her sister-in-law, that would indeed be wonderful.

Two women, both in similar circumstances, both need to secure their place in a wealthy family.

They can join forces and support each other. Especially now that they both have joint businesses, if they can leverage the Hai family's resources, they might be able to build their own business empire.

This idea stirred a glimmer of anticipation in Shen Qingge's heart.

She knew Su Wanyu too well; this woman, like her, craved a sense of security.

After her setbacks in the entertainment industry, she must be hoping to find a stable support system.

"Wanyu, didn't you say you were also interested in jewelry design?"

Shen Qingge suddenly said, "Haiyang is in charge of this area at Canshiyuan, you two can exchange ideas more. He has a lot of insights into the jewelry market, maybe he can give you some inspiration."

"Really?" Su Wanyu's eyes lit up. "That's such a coincidence. Our main live-streaming area right now is jewelry, so if we could get some guidance from Young Master Hai, that would be perfect."

Haiyang smiled faintly: "If Miss Wanyu is interested, I can show you around the company anytime. We happen to have some new projects in the works recently, and perhaps we can find opportunities for cooperation."

Not far away, Haize held a glass of wine, looking over indifferently.

It's true that birds of a feather flock together. Looking at Su Wanyu, he saw her bright and beautiful face, elegant demeanor, and considerable charm.

But his eyes were too sharp, unable to conceal his desire for power and wealth.

A woman like that would be a good match for her cousin.

Haize held his wine glass, his smile growing ever deeper.

The lamplight stretched his shadow long and thin, making the dark light in his eyes appear even more profound.

This game among the elite has only just begun.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like