Ning Nanxue held the teacup and looked at Mrs. Li, speaking modestly, "Mrs. Li, you're too kind. I just know a little bit about Impressionism and said a few words casually. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble."

"Why are you making trouble? You've really helped me." Mrs. Li waved her hand and looked at Ning Nanxue. She said directly, "Nanxue, to be honest, I've heard all the gossip about you. Before today, I had some thoughts about you."

She paused, then said apologetically, "But after meeting you today, hearing what you said in the exhibition hall, and seeing how you look now, I now realize how outrageous those rumors were."

Jiang Tingchen reached out and covered the back of Ning Nanxue's hand on her leg, and smiled at Mrs. Li: "Aunt Li, Xue'er has always been like this. She has her own principles and disdains to associate with villains."

Mrs. Li nodded, her gaze fixed on their folded hands, her smile deepening. "Tingchen is right. Nanxue, you just said in front of so many people that the painting was fake, offending Miss Xu and embarrassing Mr. Fu. This kind of courage and honesty is not something you can find in ordinary girls."

She put down her teacup, leaned forward slightly, and lowered her voice: "Everyone says you're desperate for Fu Chen and have become abnormal. But what I saw today is a girl with a clear mind, insight, and backbone. I think those rumors are probably deliberately spread by someone to smear you, and they have changed their meaning."

Ning Nanxue felt the warmth from Jiang Tingchen's palm, and the turmoil in her heart caused by the past slowly subsided.

She met Mrs. Li's inquiring gaze without dodging or offering explanations. She simply stated in a declarative tone, "People change. Things I once thought were insignificant now matter to me. Things I once held onto, I now know aren't worth it. What others think and say is up to them. All I know is that I can't let my daughter die in obscurity, and I can't live my life in obscurity either."

Her voice was steady and her eyes were clear.

After listening to this, Mrs. Li had a different opinion of Ning Nanxue.

These words were so measured, explaining her changes and showing her attitude, without even a hint of complaint or complaint. How could this be a woman ruined by love?

"Good girl, it's good that you think so." Mrs. Li's eyes showed more appreciation and a bit of tenderness. "Women, after all, have to stand on their own feet. You are more insightful than many people. Those self-righteous people out there really underestimate you."

She glanced suggestively in the direction of the ballroom.

Jiang Tingchen held Ning Nanxue's hand, feeling the chill on her fingertips. He gently replied, "Aunt Li, you're too kind. Xue'er just shared what she saw, and she didn't want to spoil the fun for you and Uncle Li because of this."

"No, why would it be stirred?" A deep male voice came from the door. Mr. Li came in at some point with two gifts in his hands, which he handed to Jiang Tingchen and Ning Nanxue.

"I just heard a few words outside. Tingchen, Nanxue, you are both good children. When I, Old Li, judge people, I first look at their character and secondly their ability. Nanxue has both character and ability in what happened today."

He walked over to sit next to Mrs. Li and continued, "In this world, there are always people who want to take the wrong path. We old couple may not have much ability, but we can still manage our business and prevent those with bad intentions from muddying the waters."

He looked at Ning Nanxue, his eyes full of the approval of an elder: "Nanxue, just do what you think is right. If you need our help in the future, as long as it does not break the rules, just tell us. We trust you and Tingchen."

Mrs. Li also said, "That's right, Nanxue. Some people try their best to climb up, but their roots are crooked, and even if they climb up, they can't stand firmly. We in the Li family won't let people like that step on others to climb up, and we won't have close ties with them."

Mrs. Li's words were not light, and it was clear that she wanted to take sides between Fu Chen and Ning Nanxue.

Ning Nanxue felt a little warm in her heart. For so long, she had suffered so much cold stares and misunderstandings. Mr. and Mrs. Li's attitude made her tense heart relax a little.

She looked up at the two elders, her voice filled with genuine gratitude: "Mr. Li, Mrs. Li, thank you. I will remember your trust."

At this time, in the hall, Fu Chen also fell into silence.

The Li family has considerable influence in the circle, and their attitude can influence many people.

Just now in the exhibition hall, he didn't say anything because he didn't want to quarrel with Ning Nanxue on the spot, and also because he was not sure whether the painting was authentic.

But now the Li couple's attitude towards Ning Nanxue has changed so quickly, which makes him very unhappy.

He took a sip of wine and said in a calm voice, "The Li family is not stupid. They must have their reasons for doing this."

"Thoughts? What thoughts?" Xu Zhiru's voice was a little shrill, with tears in her eyes. "Did they also believe Ning Nanxue's lies? Ah Chen, you can't just ignore me! I lost such a big face today, all because of Ning Nanxue! Look how proud she is now!"

She pulled Fu Chen's sleeve, her eyes full of grievance.

Fu Chen pulled his arm out and looked at her sideways.

Xu Zhiru's crying appearance used to make him feel responsible, but now, coupled with the embarrassment in the exhibition hall and the pressure brought by the Li family's attitude, he just felt annoyed.

After a moment of silence, he whispered a reminder: "This is the Li family's place, be careful."

"How should I notice?" Xu Zhiru's eyes were red. "Ah Chen, can't you see? Ning Nanxue has changed! She now has Jiang Tingchen and the Li family backing her up. She just wants revenge on us! She wants to destroy me, and she wants to destroy you too!"

Fu Chen's gaze turned to the direction where Ning Nanxue left.

An inexplicable feeling flashed through his mind, but it quickly faded. He had to admit that Xu Zhiru's words made some sense.

Ning Nanxue and Jiang Tingchen joining forces, plus the Li family, will be a problem.

"I know," Fu Chen's voice deepened, "This matter is not that simple."

"What should we do?" Xu Zhiru asked anxiously, "We can't just watch her act so arrogantly! Ah Chen, you have to think of a solution!"

Fu Chen did not reply immediately, but just looked into the distance with a heavy look in his eyes.

Ning Nanxue and Jiang Tingchen's influence seemed to be greater than he thought.

The Li family’s attitude is a signal that things will be even more troublesome in the future, and their previous plans will have to be scrapped and redone.

At this time, a man dressed as a waiter quietly approached and whispered something to Fu Chen.

Fu Chen nodded and said to Xu Zhiru, "Azhao is here. He's waiting for us in the lounge."

Hearing her brother's name, Xu Zhiru seemed to have grabbed a life-saving straw and immediately became energetic: "Azhao is here? That's great! He must have a way to deal with that bitch Ning Nanxue!" She hurriedly pulled Fu Chen, "Let's go over there quickly!"

Fu Chen glanced at Ning Nanxue and the Li family who were talking and laughing over there, and without saying anything else, followed Xu Zhiru towards the lounge.