Chapter 54: Broken.

Yu Mulian led her daughter and “future son-in-law” through the crowd, introducing them one by one.

Lu Zhao maintained a stiff smile throughout, barely registering what was being said.

Yu Baiwei’s face carried a hint of embarrassment, her eyes occasionally flicking toward Yan Ruyue.

But Yan Ruyue didn’t even glance her way.

Already harboring resentment toward Yan Ruyue, Yu Baiwei’s anger flared.

You’re jealous? You? What right do you have? Your status is even shadier than mine!

With that thought, she deliberately pulled Lu Zhao closer, acting like a genuinely smitten couple.

Lu Zhao’s eyes widened, his look screaming, “Sis, what are you pulling now?”

At the same time, he felt a chill down his neck.
Earlier, he’d only occasionally sensed Yan Ruyue’s gaze—now it was constant.

Finally, Yu Mulian led them to Yan Ruyue.

Guilt-ridden, Lu Zhao avoided her eyes.

Yan Ruyue, having suppressed her initial fury, smirked with interest at his guilty demeanor.

“Come, Ruyue, let me introduce you. This is my daughter’s boyfriend, Lu Zhao. Lu Zhao, you should call her… uh…” Yu Mulian paused, stumped.

By seniority, Lu Zhao should call her “Auntie,” but since Yu Baiwei called Yan Ruyue “Sister,” what was the right term?

This was the awkward part of him being younger.

Yan Ruyue smiled faintly.
“Lu Zhao, heh, just call me Aunt Yan.”

“Oh, haha, that works. It’s not official marriage yet, so Auntie’s fine,” Yu Mulian said, not minding the detail but worried Yan Ruyue might feel “Auntie” aged her.

Yu Mulian missed the subtext, but Yu Baiwei caught it loud and clear—a jab.

You call me Auntie, she calls me Sister. So, an old cow eyeing young grass? Shameless.

To irk Yu Baiwei, Yan Ruyue conveniently ignored that she, too, was in the “old cow” category.

Yu Baiwei’s mouth twitched, but she kept her smile.

“Heh, Sister Ruyue’s joking. You’re so young—no one would guess you’re Qingxin’s mom, right?”

She wasn’t backing down either.
This was her home—let this woman walk over her?

Mentioning Yan Qingxin was a deliberate reminder: Lu Zhao’s her boyfriend. You’ve got no place throwing shade.

She’d already cleared things with Yan Qingxin, so she had the upper hand.

But Yan Ruyue didn’t know that.
Her phoenix eyes narrowed.

You dare mention Qingxin? She adores him, and this is how you treat her?

Her chest heaved under her gown, like a balloon inflating and deflating.

Yu Mulian, oblivious to their verbal sparring, sensed an odd tension but couldn’t pinpoint it.

Lu Zhao’s back was drenched in cold sweat.

Honestly, he was scared of Yan Ruyue.
Her initial impression had been too intense.

He could already imagine the “lesson” she’d give him when they met again.

His body trembled—not from excitement; he wasn’t into that.

It was pure instinct, urging him to flee.

Yu Baiwei, holding his hand, noticed and subtly stepped between them.

This small move reignited Yan Ruyue’s suppressed anger.

She saw Lu Zhao’s guilt and fear—he should feel that way.

But… You dare stand in front of him? You?

Crack—

The glass in Yan Ruyue’s hand finally gave out.

The sound drew every eye.
Yu Mulian looked at her, confused.

“Sorry, Aunt Lian. My hand’s been acting up lately.”

“Oh? Oh, it’s fine. You’re bleeding! Someone, quick!”

Two maids hurried over—one to clean the shards, the other to take Yan Ruyue to another room for bandaging.

Yu Mulian turned to the crowd.
“No worries, everyone, carry on.”

She glanced at Yan Ruyue’s retreating figure, puzzled.
Ling Chenxi wasn’t here—who could’ve upset her?

Weird kid.

“Xiao Wei, go check on her. See what’s wrong.”

Yu Baiwei hadn’t expected such a strong reaction but nodded.

Yu Mulian went to tend to other guests.

Lu Zhao stared at the bloodstains on the floor, dazed.

Last time she cut her hand was at that Goose City gathering… also because of him.

By custom, the host should check on an injured guest.

But Yu Baiwei knew about Lu Zhao and Yan Ruyue, and his fear suggested he was wary of her.

“I’ll go check…”

“No, I’ll go. I… need to see her.” Lu Zhao’s eyes held complex emotions.

The panic and unease had vanished the moment he saw the blood.

He didn’t know why, but something felt wrong inside.

Yu Baiwei was surprised but didn’t stop him.

They reached the door just as the maid came out.

“Bandaged?” Yu Baiwei asked.

“Yes, Miss. After bandaging, President Yan said she wanted to be alone.”

“Alright, you can go.”

Lu Zhao stopped Yu Baiwei from entering.
“Miss Yu, I’ll go in alone.”

“You…” She looked stunned.
“By yourself? You sure?”

Given Yan Ruyue’s earlier state, she worried the woman might get physical.

Lu Zhao gave a reassuring smile.
“No problem. This is your house—what could she do?”

“Well… true.”

Yan Ruyue quietly studied the bandage on her hand.
The last one had just come off, and now a new one.

“Sigh…”

Her brows furrowed, her expression complex as she closed her eyes.

The door creaked open.

Her eyes snapped open, a mix of surprise and understanding.
She wasn’t sure if Lu Zhao would come—maybe she hoped he would.

Seeing him dressed up, her eyes rippled.

She’d never seen him like this… but it was for another woman!

The thought made her emotions spiral again.

Her injured hand clenched, fresh red seeping through the bandage.

Lu Zhao hurried over, leaning to check her hand.

“What are you doing? Relax.” His tone mixed reproach with an unclear trace of concern.

His worried look eased her taut nerves, and her hand slowly unclenched.

“Why…” she whispered.

“Hm?”

“I said, why*?!”

Yan Ruyue’s head snapped up, her eyes burning with accusation.