Ye Ziyu linked arms with Di Mingjue, and the two walked downstairs under everyone's gaze.
The cake had already been brought up by the servants. Ye Qianzhi handed the knife handle to Ye Ziyu, casting a few more glances at her dress.
The dress looked familiar, yet he couldn't quite pinpoint what was different.
"Come, let's cut the cake together to welcome Ziyu's return," Ye Qianzhi beckoned to the other members of the Ye family.
The four sons of the Ye family gathered around the cake. Shen Meixiu coldly glanced at Ye Ziyu opposite her.
She had truly underestimated her!
She thought changing into a different gown would be enough, but she hadn't expected her to have it altered.
As the cake was cut, fireworks lit up the sky.
Ye Ziyu nestled in Di Mingjue's embrace, with the three children chattering excitedly about the cake in front of them.
Shen Meixiu approached Ye Ziyu, looking at the gown she wore and confirming it was the one Ye Qianzhi had given her.
"Good craftsmanship."
Ye Ziyu turned to Shen Meixiu beside her. "I've studied it."
Shen Meixiu's face was grim. She hadn't made Ye Ziyu look embarrassed; instead, she had given her an opportunity to flaunt her abilities.
The cake was placed on a plate. Ye Ziyu handed it to Shen Meixiu, "Auntie, would you like to try?"
With guests present, Shen Meixiu smiled and extended her hands.
Her fingernails brushed against the cake tray. Ye Ziyu let go once she was sure Shen Meixiu had a firm grip.
The moment Ye Ziyu released her hold, the cake tipped forward, falling towards Shen Meixiu.
The greasy cream splattered onto her chest. Shen Meixiu excitedly raised her hands and turned to face the guests below.
A wave of gasps swept through the crowd as they examined Ye Ziyu.
"Don't blame her, I wasn't holding it steady," Shen Meixiu explained.
She took the tissue paper handed to her by Ye Jiaxu and carefully wiped the cream off her dress.
Di Mingjue pulled Ye Ziyu aside. They subtly switched positions. He watched Shen Meixiu awkwardly wipe her stained clothes in front of the guests.
A show of dominance?
It was so crude that it was obvious.
"Go upstairs and change," Ye Qianzhi ordered with a stern face.
Shen Meixiu's gaze swept past the crowd and landed on Ye Ziyu. Ye Ziyu stepped forward and took Shen Meixiu's arm. "Let me accompany you upstairs."
"Alright." Shen Meixiu linked arms with Ye Ziyu, and they disappeared into the crowd as if they were mother and daughter.
Upon reaching the second floor, Shen Meixiu immediately flung Ye Ziyu's arm away once they were out of earshot.
"The cake was deliberate!" Ye Ziyu exclaimed, looking at Shen Meixiu's unmasked face.
She put on two different personas, one in public and one in private.
Shen Meixiu glanced at the cream on her chest and stated frankly, "You present yourself too well; as your aunt, I felt obligated to help you."
Ye Ziyu had Ye Qianzhi's affection. Even if she caused a huge mess, Ye Qianzhi would still protect her.
Shen Meixiu circled Ye Ziyu, her fingernails hooking onto the modified gown. "A few snips with scissors and you bring it out to show off?"
The shoulder strap, snagged, sprang back. Ye Ziyu, sensing Shen Meixiu's malicious intent, reached out and removed her hand.
"Aren't you afraid I'll tell Ye Qianzhi?" Ye Ziyu asked.
Shen Meixiu listened, then threw her head back and laughed. "Would you?"
As an illegitimate child returning to the Ye family, even living peacefully was difficult. Moreover, she wanted to disrupt the Ye family single-handedly.
By then, even Old Mrs. Ye would likely step in to have her removed.
Catching a glimpse of movement at the top of the stairs, Shen Meixiu quickly linked arms with Ye Ziyu again. "Let's go, accompany me to change."
With Shen Meixiu's peculiar behavior, Ye Ziyu instantly understood.
Someone was coming upstairs!
Di Mingjue, worried about Ye Ziyu being alone with Shen Meixiu, had slipped away from downstairs to come up.
He watched as Ye Ziyu was pulled into a room by Shen Meixiu, and then stood at the top of the stairs, waiting.
This scene was precisely what Ye Shaoting saw. He hadn't seen Di Mingjue downstairs, so he had specifically come up.
"Waiting for Ziyu?"
Di Mingjue nodded in response.