Chapter 324

"Go apologize." Bai Lian's expression was stern, her attitude resolute, exuding the aura of the Bai family's eldest daughter.

Just now Yan'er misspoke; she surely ought to apologize; she harbors no bias.

Bai Yan'er well knows her own status, but she never expected her always‑loving elder sister Ah Lian to treat her this way for a stranger.

Her feelings were hurt and resentful; she glared at the snowy white figure standing at the edge of the pavilion.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said those things."

Having stood here too long, the chill seeped in; Jiang Zhi felt a faint coolness, pulled her fox‑fur shawl tighter, and gave an indifferent "hmm".

A clear, light tone.

Bai Yan'er disliked her affectation; although she herself was only a branch of the Bai family, many people outside still envied and fawned over her.

She had seen all the noble young ladies of the southern city, but this girl before her was unknown to her, so she was certain the person had no status whatsoever.

Bai Yan'er swallowed her resentment, planning to repay the humiliation she had just suffered.

Seeing this, Bai Lian breathed a sigh of relief, stepped forward and said, "I'm Bai Lian; these two are my younger paternal and maternal cousins. They have offended you, and I am truly sorry."

Jiang Zhi gave a faint nod: "It's fine."

As the words fell, her throat felt slightly itchy; she lifted a handkerchief to her lips and coughed lightly a few times.

Wang Guan Jia hurriedly said beside her, "Miss Jiang, let's go to the main hall; it's too cold here."

Jiang Zhi agreed, stepping away at an unhurried pace to leave.

Bai Lian said, "We also need to go to the main hall; Miss Jiang, if you don't mind, may we accompany you?"

Wang Guan Jia didn't have a good impression of these young ladies, his face cold as he wanted to say something, but Jiang Zhi spoke first: "All right."

Bai Lian walked at her side, while the two girls followed behind, with Wang Guan Jia between them.

Jiang Zhi was not a talkative person; rather, the girl beside her spoke the most.

"Your surname is Jiang; are you from the Lingcheng Jiang Clan?" Bai Lian blurted out, then immediately felt embarrassed and said, "Sorry, seeing you gives me a feeling of having met too late; my question overstepped."

Jiang Zhi shook her head to show it was fine and replied, "I am not from the Lingcheng Jiang Clan."

Bai Yan'er, upon hearing that, thought.

The only prominent Jiang clan is the Lingcheng Jiang Clan; aside from that, they are all minor families.

But someone who could obtain an invitation to the Qiao family's birthday banquet ought not be so ordinary.

There was only one possibility: she might be the female companion of some wealthy magnate. Put nicely, she's a companion; put bluntly, she's a mistress brought to show off for her patron.

No wonder she is so disagreeable on sight.

Bai Lian didn't probe deeper, chatting with her about recent interesting matters.

At the final parting, she still wanted to set a time to go out shopping together.

Jiang Zhi politely declined: "Let's talk about it later."

She followed Wang Guan Jia to sit on an inconspicuous corner sofa; the people in her view were dressed splendidly. This birthday banquet was not merely for Old Lady Qiao; the Qiao family went all out, mainly to win over Fu Shao Huai.

After Fu's mother passed away, the Fu and Qiao families hardly interacted; in Fu Shao Huai's generation, he is someone who never recalls old ties, cold‑blooded and ruthless.

The phonograph played a lilting tune, the crystal chandelier spun and flashed brilliant light, the whole hall was decorated in resplendent gold and jade, radiant and colorful.

At the entrance gathered many press reporters, holding cameras, vying to capture a sensational headline for tomorrow's paper.

When Fu Shao Huai appeared, the atmosphere exploded like a grenade; the guests fell silent in unison and all turned their gaze toward him.

Meanwhile, Wang Guan Jia was anxiously urging Jiang Zhi to eat something.

Before coming, she hadn't eaten dinner; Wang Guan Jia worried she might feel unwell.

"Have a piece of pastry, Miss Jiang." Wang Guan Jia presented a plate of snacks to her, "I know this pastry shop; it's a famous snack house in the East Suburb District, and you've eaten it at home."

Jiang Zhi wasn't hungry; coming by car made her a bit dizzy, she had little appetite, yet she lifted a finger, took a piece, bit a small mouthful—rich milky aroma, crisp outside, tender inside, not cloyingly sweet.

While tasting the pastry, she glanced toward the crowd.

The female lead Bai Lian was being led by the Bai family toward Fu Shao Huai's direction, while the surrounded Fu Shao Huai wore a conspicuous military uniform that accentuated his tall, straight figure; his handsome looks made the surrounding girls blush.

The male lead at this time was merely an inconspicuous figure, coming as an adjutant to a certain general, standing in the corner watching this scene.

At this birthday banquet, the most excited member of the Bai family wanted to use the occasion to move up their marriage agreement.

Fu's father, who also arrived in the main hall, had recently been indulging in drink and lust; his face was sallow, he looked decadent and as if he had aged decades, his former bearing gone.

"Rest assured, this marriage was originally decided by me; today I announce that the Bai and Fu families' marriage agreement is moved up!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd whispered among themselves, envying the Bai family's good fortune from the heart.

Bai's father smiled, pushed his daughter Bai Lian before Fu Shao Huai, and said: "Fu Shao Huai, do you still remember my daughter Bai Lian? You used to play together when you were young."

Bai Lian felt embarrassed and sad, but for the Bai family she forced a smile and greeted: "Brother Fu Shao Huai, long time no see."

Fu Shao Huai absentmindedly turned the thumb ring on his thumb, eyelids lowered, cold and gloomy, presenting an aura that kept strangers away.

Seeing this, Bai's father felt resentful but dared not say anything.

Beside Fu's father stood a seductive woman, her voice soft and coquettish, making one's bones go soft.

"Master Fu truly is graceful and elegant; just one glance at this servant and I can't help but feel my heart stir."

She obviously didn't know Fu Shao Huai's methods, thinking that no one could resist her seduction, she strode forward confidently in high heels, extending her fingers painted with bright red nail polish, and tapped his chest.

"Master Fu~"

Before her finger could touch the man's chest, a cold, hard, deep gun barrel was pressed against her brow.

Fu Shao Huai's lips curled into a bloodthirsty, icy arc: "If this weren't Madam Qiao's birthday banquet, I would surely shoot through your brain and chop off your hands."

His words were brutal and bloody, making people shudder.

The woman fainted and was dragged away.

Fu's father had drunk a lot, and pointing at him furiously he shouted: "Monster! You are nothing but a monster! Why didn't you die with that lowly woman? Monster! Monster!"

Fu Shao Huai waved his hand.

The several subordinates standing behind him covered Father Fu's mouth and dragged him away from the main hall.

Those nearby who saw this scene did not dare to stop it, nor dare to speak further, for fear of bringing trouble upon themselves.

Father Bai's face turned ashen, his body swaying as he retreated a few steps, looking at Fu Shao Huai in disbelief.

After seeing his methods clearly, Bai Lian was also very afraid.

In his memory, the man's childhood appearance faintly appeared; although he was cold and taciturn, he never imagined he would now be so dangerous and terrifying.