Zhou Yun looked up at Ji Chu, who was protecting Zhou Jin. The tall and upright man had Zhou Jin in his arms, and she leaned against him like a little bird. The girl with slightly red eyes looked even more pitiful.
Zhou Yun felt it was ironic, but she just stared at the man in front of her, as if trying to see into his heart.
"Xiaoyun probably didn't have time to introduce me to her friends. I don't think she did it on purpose. My parents were looking for Xiaoyun, and when I saw her here, I came over."
Zhou Jin's soft and gentle voice rang out. She knew about the relationship between Zhou Yun and Ji Chu, and she also knew that Zhou Yun had been deceiving Ji Chu all along.
She simply wants to reclaim everything that belongs to her. Zhou Yun is just a tool kept by the Zhou family; why should they take away her love, family, and property?
Today's banquet was originally a welcome party hosted by her parents. She didn't expect Zhou Yun to come, and to come so naturally, even overshadowing her.
People around her were praising Zhou Yun for being obedient and sensible, or saying that she was capable and competent. Why should all these praises belong to Zhou Yun?
A fierce glint flashed in Zhou Jin's lowered eyes, but her gaze instantly turned pitiful as she looked up. "Brother Ji Chu, don't blame Xiao Yun. She's probably been busy with family matters and company stuff lately, so she doesn't want to talk to me. I understand, but I just don't want our sisterly bond to falter."
This statement is essentially saying that when Ji Meng targeted Zhou Jin, Zhou Yun did not stop Ji Meng's actions.
Ji Chu tightened his grip on Zhou Jin, his eyes instantly turning cold. "Zhou Yun, is that how it is?"
The color drained from Zhou Yun's face instantly, and a dense, throbbing pain shot through her chest, making her feel as if she had been doused with ice water.
A pair of alluring fox-like eyes gazed at Ji Chu with a deep, enigmatic look. She smiled, but there was no warmth in her eyes. After a long while, she softly uttered a sentence, "Ji Chu, is this the kind of person I am in your heart?"
The man's pupils contracted slightly. He didn't look at Zhou Yun, but instead lowered his head and gently comforted Zhou Jin, "Xiao Jin, let's go. Your uncle and aunt are waiting. Don't be sad because you're not feeling well, okay?"
"Hmm... I understand, Brother Ji Chu..." Ji Chu's palm warmed Zhou Jin's palm. As the two turned around, Zhou Jin glanced meaningfully at Zhou Yun, his smugness undisguised.
"You! You're dreaming if you want to be my sister-in-law!" Ji Meng was about to jump up when Ji Chu turned around and gave her a murderous look, which made Ji Meng shrink back in fright.
"Mengmeng, forget it." Zhou Yun's smile was pale as she pulled Ji Meng back. "Since there's no trust left, saying anything more is pointless."
As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Zhou Jin on the stage, her expression turning even colder. "If she wants to take it back, fine, but we'll see if she can handle it."
Shi Wan looked at Zhou Yun in surprise, her eyes revealing admiration.
Ji Meng looked at Zhou Yun with delight, "Sister Xiaoyun, I thought you still had feelings for the Zhou family. They did such a thing and you still returned their things to them. You've done more than enough."
"Sister Xiaoyun, if you need any help, I can help too..." Shi Wan said softly, swirling the wine glass on the table.
"Wanwan, Ji Chu will take action against the Zhou family. Neither of you are suitable." Zhou Yun calmly raised her eyes to look at Ji Chu, who was standing in front of the stage.
His gaze... More than ten years ago, he looked at the girl under the locust tree in the same way, while I was still the third person hiding in the corner watching him.
Shi Wan looked worriedly at Zhou Yun, who was staring blankly at Ji Chu, sighed, and remained silent.
After a series of tedious remarks, the host on stage got down to business: "Ahem... Next, please welcome our protagonist for today, Ms. Zhou Jin."
Most of the guests below were unaware of the Zhou family's background and were curious about the girl on stage, occasionally whispering among themselves.
Mr. Zhou cleared his throat twice on the stage, and the hall fell silent instantly. “Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my daughter’s birthday banquet. On behalf of myself and my family, I extend our sincerest welcome and heartfelt thanks.”
"This is Mr. Zhou's daughter, who was sent abroad for training when she was young. She has only recently returned to China. I hope you will all take good care of her in the future."
Everyone looked at Zhou Yun, who was standing in the corner, with suspicion, and the audience immediately began to murmur among themselves. Suddenly, someone asked, "Isn't Zhou Yun related to the Zhou family?"
"That's right... Wasn't Zhou Yun the one who managed everything in the Zhou family before?"
"I heard that Zhou Yun played a significant role in the Zhou family's rise to become one of the top ten wealthy families in Kyoto in the past two years."
"Haven't you heard? Zhou Yun was adopted by the Zhou family to provide a kidney for the person on stage. They said she was training abroad and had been sick while waiting for a kidney transplant."
"No way? If that's true, Zhou Yun is really in a terrible situation. What kind of family would do something like that?"
"The Zhou family is really unethical. Their adopted daughter worked so hard for them, and they turned around and bit her. Back then, the Zhou family was almost bankrupt. If it weren't for their connections, would they still be among the top ten in the capital?"
"The person on stage looks petty and narrow-minded; she can't compare to Zhou Yun at all."
Several companies that had worked with Zhou Yun were commenting on Zhou Jin below. Seeing the discussions about her below, which were mostly praising Zhou Yun, Zhou Jin's originally smiling face instantly turned pale.
Mr. Zhou chuckled awkwardly twice, "I'm sure everyone is most familiar with Xiaoyun from our Zhou family. Xiaoyun's parents passed away early, and my wife and I had to raise her when she was young. I never imagined that everyone had misunderstood..."
Before Zhou's father could finish speaking, a murmur of disapproval arose from the audience.
"Isn't this just saying that Zhou Yun isn't the Zhou family's biological daughter?!"
"Look at that little white flower on the stage, so pitiful. If it weren't for Zhou Yun, would the Zhou family rely on her? They would go bankrupt sooner or later."
The audience members were all comparing Zhou Yun and Zhou Jin, each offering their own opinions.
Zhou Jin bit her lower lip tightly, her nails almost digging into her palm. She suppressed her unease and embarrassment, striving to maintain a dignified smile.
The audience.
"Great job, Zhou Yun!" Chu Ningxuan whistled at Zhou Yun.
Zhou Yun ignored Chu Ningxuan, reached out and drank the last of the red wine in her glass in one gulp, a mocking smile appearing on her lips.
"What's wrong?" Ji Meng looked at Chu Ningxuan and Zhou Yun with a puzzled expression.
Shi Wan glanced at the situation on the stage with a nonchalant air, and smiled meaningfully, "To win someone over, you must first win their heart."
"Isn't this young lady very superior? Has she forgotten who gave the Zhou family their current status? She's gotten so smug that she's forgotten her place and thinks it's all her due."
"Sister Xiaoyun is making Zhou Jin see clearly what she has to offer in comparison to Sister Xiaoyun."
Shi Wan casually stroked the rim of her wine glass, her smile deepening in her eyes.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Ji Meng hadn't reacted yet when Zhou Yun picked up her wine glass and gently clinked it against Shi Wan's.
"Ah! Sister Xiaoyun!" Ji Meng's raised voice drew the attention of those around her, who realized something was wrong and immediately lowered their voices.
"Did you hire all these people who are making a fuss?" he said, giving the crowd a meaningful look.
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