After drinking one glass, Jiang Shiyu reached for a second, only to find that there was no fresh juice among the drinks and beverages at the venue.
She put down her empty glass and was about to pick up some fruit wine when a server approached, holding a glass of fresh juice.
"Madam, your fresh juice."
It was handed directly to Jiang Shiyu, and the server turned to leave.
Jiang Shiyu was puzzled, looking at the fresh juice in her hand, which was the same as before.
What was going on?
Why was there no fresh juice at the venue, yet the server kept bringing her juice?
Before she could ponder further, her peripheral vision caught sight of the lower floor.
Fang Yuan arrived fashionably late.
She wore a velvet evening gown that fit her elegantly, her long hair curled into large waves and draped over her back. Her makeup was exquisite and glamorous. The moment she appeared, she became the center of attention.
Fang Yuan scanned the room, her gaze precisely locking onto a man.
Then, holding up her skirt, she walked directly towards him.
The man was nearly six feet three inches tall, with an exceptionally handsome face. Even standing among a crowd of dignitaries and influential figures, he was the most striking presence. The moment she saw him, it was as if the surroundings dimmed, and all the light seemed to converge on him.
"Mr. Murong, long time no see…" Fang Yuan's face flushed, unable to contain her inner joy. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as she walked towards Murong Cheng, stopping directly in front of him.
Knowing he disliked strong, pungent perfume, Fang Yuan had not worn any, only a faint baby-scented body balm.
"Mr. Murong, good evening. You look even more handsome than usual tonight."
Fang Yuan couldn't conceal the admiration in her eyes; it was almost overflowing.
If not for the many people present, she would have clung to Murong Cheng.
The man subtly took half a step back.
"Mm, thank you."
His tone and expression were exceedingly cold.
Those around them, seasoned individuals who had navigated society's complexities, understood the situation.
They tacitly acknowledged it but did not break the silence.
"I didn't expect to run into Mr. Murong here… Is your wife not accompanying you?" Fang Yuan deliberately glanced around Murong Cheng's side.
Not seeing Jiang Shiyu, she covered her mouth and feigned surprise, saying, "Is she unwell? Why isn't she attending such an important banquet?"
The dignitaries present had all watched the court broadcast.
Who didn't know that Jiang Shiyu had sued her own sister-in-law?
There was internal strife within the Murong family, so it was normal for Murong Cheng not to have Jiang Shiyu by his side today.
Fang Yuan deliberately brought up the matter, clearly intending to escalate the conflict and use it to put Jiang Shiyu down.
"You're being too nosy. My wife and my family matters are not for you to comment on or dictate."
A hint of coldness flashed across the man's stern, defined face.
Seeing his cold expression, Fang Yuan immediately lowered her head, feigning hurt, and said, "I didn't know. I was just asking out of concern. After all, Zhi Xia is my colleague, and I was worried about her, so I asked a few more questions."
"Since she's your colleague, and you don't have her contact information, why are you showing fake concern to me?"
Murong Cheng was famously known as the "Cold-Faced King of Hell," yet he showed no mercy even to a young woman.
In front of so many people, he gave Fang Yuan no room to save face, directly exposing her petty stratagem.
Although accustomed to it, the surrounding dignitaries and influential figures couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety for Fang Yuan.
If they didn't know Murong Cheng, hadn't they heard the rumors about him? Yet she had walked right into it.
"I…" Fang Yuan's delicate face turned pale, her red lips parted slightly, wanting to say something, but looking at the cold man before her, she couldn't utter a word.
"Please don't be angry. I was just asking out of concern and had no other intentions. Mr. Murong, please don't misunderstand me. I was just worried that if Mr. Murong didn't bring her out, others might get the wrong idea." Fang Yuan quickly tried to defend herself.
Her image in Murong Cheng's mind was already poor, and her words were only making it worse.
Seeing Fang Yuan on the verge of tears from distress, the people nearby could only sigh at the unrequited affection and couldn't help but speak up for her.
"President Rong, she's just a young girl. She seems to admire you and considers you an idol. There's no need to take it so seriously."
The surrounding people chuckled. After all, Fang Yuan's background was not simple; her father was a renowned entrepreneur, making her a proper wealthy young lady. It was a good opportunity to do her a favor.
However, the coldness in Murong Cheng's eyes did not diminish in the slightest. He glanced at Fang Yuan's face and said, "My wife is pregnant. Isn't it quite normal for me not to bring her to banquets?"
His tone was light, but it struck Fang Yuan's heart like a hammer blow.
"Pregnant? Jiang Shiyu is pregnant?" It was like a bolt from the blue. Fang Yuan was caught completely off guard and stood frozen.
"Since you and my wife are so close, she will invite you when the child is born."
After speaking, Murong Cheng excused himself, citing an urgent matter, and left.
Fang Yuan stood alone, feeling like a buffoon.
Her hands hung by her sides, clenched tightly into fists.
Unresigned, she was unwilling. Why could Jiang Shiyu marry Murong Cheng? Why could she be pregnant with Murong Cheng's child? Everything she dared not even dream of, Jiang Shiyu had achieved!
Jiang Shiyu sneezed.
Although she could only see the scene below from afar and couldn't hear what they were saying,
Judging by Fang Yuan's expression, she had clearly been rebuffed.
This man was quite sensible…
Jiang Shiyu's smile didn't last long; she soon couldn't smile anymore.
Because she saw Murong Cheng put his arm around a female celebrity's waist.
The popular actress Su Miaomiao, with her stunning beauty and fair skin, and her figure, needless to say, her slender waist and voluptuous curves were truly captivating. Not only men but even women would involuntarily swallow their saliva.
Murong Cheng!
Jiang Shiyu was so angry she almost crushed the glass in her hand.
What was this man doing, putting his arm around a female celebrity's waist!
He was finished!
Jiang Shiyu angrily gulped down the juice in her glass.
She didn't notice the man subtly raising his eyes and glancing in her direction upstairs.
After Jiang Shiyu finished drinking and looked again, she saw that Murong Cheng's hand had still not let go.
"What a playboy!" Jiang Shiyu gritted her teeth and muttered.
"Miss Jiang, what a coincidence. Since Ah Cheng didn't bring you, how did you end up here?"
A familiar voice sounded from behind her.
It was Song Yu, dressed in a qipao, smiling with a look of dignified grace.
Seeing Song Yu, a surge of anger welled up in her heart.
"What a coincidence, Madam Song." Jiang Shiyu narrowed her beautiful eyes. "I heard your daughter has gone mad and is mentally unstable. Why aren't you at home taking care of her, Madam Song, but instead came to the banquet?"
Song Yu was stunned, not expecting Jiang Shiyu to be so direct and sarcastic.
A hint of anger flashed in her eyes.