With things having reached this point, no one remained in the dark about what kind of people the Guan family truly were. The original sympathy and warmth from the crowd vanished instantly, replaced by looks of disdain and contempt.
Guan Baocheng and Guan Ruirui stood by, nearly coughing up blood from sheer frustration. They had no idea what kind of madness had suddenly possessed Bai Shuqin.
Tears streamed down Guan Ruirui's face as she desperately tried to explain, "It's not like that... my mother is talking nonsense. We didn't treat my sister that way..."
However, before she could finish, a sneer rang out from the crowd. It was the girl in the black dress who had first mocked her for acting like a princess.
"Enough. The Guan family's schemes are loud enough to be heard all the way in Jing City, yet you're still standing here putting on an act?"
Several more bursts of laughter erupted around them, filled with mockery and scorn. Guan Ruirui had never suffered such humiliation in her life. Unable to bear it, she ignored Bai Shuqin and Guan Baocheng, covered her face, and shoved her way through the crowd to flee.
She hadn't run more than a few steps before she slammed headlong into someone.
The impact sent Guan Ruirui staggering backward until she fell onto the floor. Subconsciously looking up, she saw a tall, slender figure standing against the light. He was as upright as a stalk of pine or bamboo, yet he seemed to radiate a bone-chilling coldness.
As his features came into focus, Guan Ruirui felt her heart skip several beats.
He was handsome, his features carved with sharp precision. Compared to Jiang Huai's refined beauty, this man was colder and more domineering. When his dark, deep eyes landed on her with indifferent stillness, it felt as though she could be swallowed whole by his gaze.
Guan Ruirui sat frozen on the ground, staring dazed, even as she heard the hushed, surprised whispers around her.
"Isn't that Young Master Chu? It's him, right? His presence is terrifying."
"I heard Young Master Chu hates attending these kinds of banquets. Why is he here?"
"Oh no, is there something wrong with my dress? They say Young Master Chu hates flashy clothes. I hope he doesn't see me."
Only then did Guan Ruirui realize that the man before her was none other than the Young Master of the Chu Family, Chu Beihe one of the Four Great Families of Hai City.
Rumor had it that Young Master Chu was mysterious and despised being photographed. There was very little information or imagery of him on social media.
This was Guan Ruirui's first time seeing him in person. Compared to him, even Pei Yuancheng couldn't hold a candle to the man's sleeve.
The scene felt like a fated encounter between a hero and heroine in an idol drama.
In this banquet hall filled with guests, she was like a weak, helpless little rabbit, while he stood tall and magnificent before her. It felt as though he might lean down at any moment to scoop her up in a princess carry.
Imagining the scene, Guan Ruirui instantly forgot the shame that had made her want to flee. Instead, she looked at him with a shy, helpless expression. Seeing him finally raise his hand, her heart trembled with excitement, and she immediately reached out toward him.
Chu Beihe looked at the reaching hand and merely furrowed his brow deeply.
If the setting hadn't been inappropriate, he would have taken off his suit jacket the moment she brushed against him.
Enduring his internal discomfort, he had just raised his hand to pull out a handkerchief to wipe the scent of her perfume off his suit when he saw her reaching out for him.
Did she break her leg from a simple fall?
Does she really expect me to pull her up?
His deep, black eyes swept coldly over her diamond-studded manicured nails. Chu Beihe's frown deepened. He turned to a waiter standing nearby, showing not a shred of chivalry as he spoke.
"Aren't you going to help her up?"
The waiter was stunned for a moment before snapping to attention. He and a colleague hurried forward, grabbing Guan Ruirui by both arms and hoisting her up, effectively ending her wait for a CEO-style princess carry.
Guan Ruirui: "???"
This isn't how the script is supposed to go!
Watching from the sidelines, Lu Xuexi's eyes flickered. She clearly hadn't expected Chu Beihe to show up personally either.
However, she calmed down when she remembered the relationship between Chu Beihe and Jiang Huai. Chu Beihe was likely only here out of respect for Jiang Huai.
Chu Beihe walked right past the hoisted Guan Ruirui and approached Jiang Xuxu. He spoke succinctly.
"Congratulations, Miss Jiang. I'm late."
Though it was only a few words, calling her "Miss Jiang" was a public acknowledgment of Jiang Xuxu's identity as the eldest daughter of the Jiang Family.
Chu Beihe represented the Chu Family. With this gesture, no matter what lingering doubts the guests had about this new Miss Jiang, the top social circles of Hai City would have to accept her status from tonight onward.
Jiang Xuxu looked at the golden-glow big shot and gave a small smile.
"You're not late. Young Master Chu arrived at just the right time."
Saying this, she turned back to Guan Baocheng. Her smile faded, and her voice became cool and distant.
"The Guan family raised me for eighteen years. By the most generous calculations, the cost did not exceed five million. I have already transferred five million in maintenance fees to your card."
Guan Baocheng's eyes turned cold, but the surrounding guests were in disbelief.
Five million to raise a child might sound reasonable for an average family. But in the eyes of this crowd, five million was a pittance. Given the Guan family's wealth, spending only five million on a child proved how poorly they had treated her over the years. Disdain for Guan Baocheng intensified.
Jiang Xuxu continued, her almond-shaped eyes locked onto Guan Baocheng as she spoke with calm composure.
"Furthermore, I have already died once in Guan Ruirui's place. The debt of being raised has been repaid. From this moment on, I owe the Guan family nothing."
Guan Baocheng's pupils shrank violently, and the muscles in his cheek twitched. He could no longer maintain his hypocritical facade.
Jiang Yucheng felt a pang of heartache, realizing his daughter must have suffered terribly in the Guan family. He followed her words with a cold, declarative statement.
"From this day forth, the children of the Jiang family have absolutely no relation to the Guan family. Out of consideration for the fact that you raised Xuxu, the Jiang family will not move against the Guan family. However, if the Guan family ever dares to use the Jiang name to show off outside, do not blame the Jiang family for taking action."
With that, he gave a chilly command, "Butler, see the guests out."
Guan Baocheng and Bai Shuqin were practically chased out in disgrace. As they passed Jiang Xuxu, she spoke in a voice only the three of them could hear.
"I forgot to tell you, your Fate Swapping ritual didn't succeed at all."
Bai Shuqin whipped her head around, her face twisted in disbelief as she glared with pure venom.
Jiang Xuxu didn't care if she believed her or not. She would believe it soon enough.
"The calamity that originally awaited Guan Ruirui will find her again very soon. If you want to save her, have Guan Ruirui bring Grandmother's Bracelet to see me personally."
Guan Baocheng looked at Jiang Xuxu with a sinister gaze, while Bai Shuqin's eyes were filled with malice.
However, before they could lash out, the butler stepped in firmly and escorted them out.
The banquet continued.
Jiang Xuxu was personally led by Old Master Jiang to greet several elders. When she returned, she was surprised to find that Chu Beihe still hadn't left.
To be precise, his arrival tonight had been a surprise to everyone.
Jiang Xuxu could tell that this Young Master of the Chu Family wasn't the type to enjoy these kinds of parties. Driven by curiosity, she asked him directly.
Chu Beihe seemed to have expected her question. His phoenix eyes swept coldly over toward Jiang Huai on the other side of the room. His voice was low and calm as he replied.
"He said... I should take responsibility for you."
Jiang Xuxu had just picked up a glass of champagne. Upon hearing this, her hand jerked violently, nearly splashing the drink all over him.
She turned her head, her eyes widening in disbelief as she looked at him. Her expression seemed to scream:
Take responsibility for what?
What do I have that you need to take responsibility for??
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