Chapter 53: Angry Yan Ruyue.

Unlike personal debts that money can’t settle, setting up a venue was a breeze with the power of cash. In just a few hours, everything was perfectly arranged.

In the grand hall, Yu Mulian paced back and forth, directing the maids to meticulously decorate.

The setting sun streamed in, its warm glow reflecting off the marble floor, mingling with the golden light cascading from the crystal chandeliers above.

Champagne-colored tulle wrapped around the pillars, with pearls dangling at the ends, swaying gently in the breeze.

Fresh white roses adorned the velvet guest chairs, and silver tableware gleamed like starlight on the long tables.

Yu Mulian tirelessly repeated, “Make sure the cutlery is perfectly aligned! Hey, that cloth needs to go higher! There’s dust here—clean it now!”

Upstairs.

Lu Zhao was being “handled” by four maids.

“I can do this myself.”

“Do you really need to polish that?”

“Hey, where are you touching? Don’t!”

His protests didn’t faze them; the maids continued with cheery smiles, preparing his outfit and makeup for the evening.

Compared to his intense struggle with the maids, Yu Baiwei’s side was much calmer.

Liu Yu stood behind her, a gentle smile on her face, coiling Yu Baiwei’s hair as delicately as if it were silk.

Normally makeup-free, Yu Baiwei now wore flawless, refined makeup.

In the mirror, her porcelain skin glowed with a soft, honeyed sheen, like dew on magnolia petals at dawn.

Her eyeliner traced a faint pink arc, reminiscent of a spring breeze caught in the eaves.

Her small lips, coated in peach gloss, were softened by the lip brush into the hue of rain-soaked cherry petals, rippling in watery light.

Her almond eyes showed faint discomfort, but meeting Liu Yu’s gaze in the mirror, they softened into joy and warmth.

“You’re stunning, Miss. Even more than Madam back in the day,” Liu Yu said, her smile brimming with satisfaction.

“Aunt Liu…” Yu Baiwei’s eyes lowered.
“It’s all fake, just a show for the Mu family. I…”

Noticing Liu Yu’s expression, she felt a pang of loss.

Was it guilt for wasting their emotions? Or sorrow for this sham?

Probably both.

Liu Yu pressed her shoulders, her smile taking on a strange curve as she met Yu Baiwei’s eyes in the mirror.

“Miss, back then, Madam and Brother Ming’s engagement was fake too, but the old lady forced it to become real.”

Yu Baiwei’s eyes widened, not grasping her meaning.

“Aunt Liu… what are you saying?”

“I mean…” Liu Yu’s tone dropped, laced with a hint of seduction.
“Happiness must be fought for. Men need to be secured with some… tactics. Do you understand, Miss?”

Her gentle smile returned, as if nothing had changed.

But in that moment, Yu Baiwei saw a shift in the mirror—Liu Yu transformed from a loving angel to a devil whispering temptation.

The stark contrast left her dazed.

She snapped out of it only when Liu Yu told her to change.

“Aunt Liu, what you said just now…” Yu Baiwei looked at her as if seeing her for the first time, a trace of unfamiliarity in her gaze.

Liu Yu smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Miss, don’t wait until you’ve lost everything to regret not being a bad woman.”

So that’s how it was…

Yu Baiwei understood something—something her parents might not even know.

Liu Yu had been cryptic but held nothing back, just to make her see.

Even dirty tactics were better than future regrets.

“Thank you, Aunt Liu,” Yu Baiwei said sincerely.

Liu Yu shook her head.
“No need, Miss. I’ve said it—you’re my child. I’m always on your side.”

Yu Baiwei hugged her gently, the strangeness in her eyes replaced by deep reassurance.

Seeing Lu Zhao again, she understood Liu Yu’s words better.

His tailored suit made him look dashing and noble, the light makeup forced on him by the maids adding a roguish charm.

She admitted she was a bit mesmerized.
Liu Yu patted her shoulder.

Meeting Liu Yu’s encouraging gaze, she coughed lightly.

In a fitted, pure white evening gown, Yu Baiwei walked to Lu Zhao and offered her arm.

Knowing what it meant, he took it without hesitation, and they descended the stairs together.

“This kid’s really handsome. Way more than I was back then,” Yu’s father remarked, his eyes full of nostalgia as he watched Lu Zhao’s back.

Liu Yu stepped forward, adjusting his collar and planting a light kiss on his cheek.
“Brother Ming, you’re plenty handsome. Have some confidence.”

“Jade, not here… sigh…”

“Thank you all for joining us at the Yu family for my daughter’s engagement banquet. Now, please welcome the couple!”

Lu Zhao and Yu Baiwei were halfway down the stairs when Yu Mulian’s voice echoed.

Yu Baiwei’s steps faltered.

Lu Zhao glanced at her slightly parted lips.
“Nervous?”

“Me? Nervous? You’re the one who’s nervous!” she retorted defiantly.

“Heh, sure, sure. I’m the nervous one, okay?”

“Hmph.”

As they descended, Yu Baiwei felt the gazes below—admiration, envy, awe, but mostly blessings.

It felt… surprisingly nice.

A faint smile curved her lips.

Standing beside her mother, she listened to the formalities.

Suddenly, she felt Lu Zhao’s arm stiffen.
Puzzled, she turned to him.

His handsome face was pale, his eyes trembling with panic.

“?”

“Hey, what’s wrong?” she whispered in his ear.

Lu Zhao turned stiffly, hissing through gritted teeth, “Why’s she here?”

Yu Baiwei followed his gaze, and her mind went blank, a chill creeping up her spine.

Yan Ruyue listened boredly to Yu Mulian’s pleasantries.

As close family friends, she naturally attended Yu Baiwei’s engagement.

Her impression of Yu Baiwei was vague—just someone who existed, maybe trailed behind her once? She couldn’t recall.

When she heard “please welcome the couple,” she perked up, curious to see who Yu Baiwei’s man was and how he stacked up against Lu Zhao.

With a hint of anticipation, Yan Ruyue thought she’d misseen when Lu Zhao appeared.

Rubbing her eyes, she looked again—it was him!

The makeup and clothes couldn’t hide his face, his build, or that rare, unshakable calm no other man had.

When their eyes met across the venue, his shock and unease confirmed it.

Yu Baiwei’s so-called fiancé was her daughter’s boyfriend, Lu Zhao.

Fury surged from Yan Ruyue’s core.

That bastard—talking about keeping things “normal,” no more crossing lines.

So what the hell was he doing now?!

Was her daughter not good enough? Or was she* not enough?
And now he’s here as this woman’s fiancé?

Her face darkened, but she forced herself to stay calm—causing a scene here would embarrass everyone.

The glass in her hand creaked under her angry grip.

If not for the last shred of reason reminding her of the occasion, that glass would’ve shattered.

“Alright, let the banquet begin!”

As Yu Mulian’s voice rang out, Yan Ruyue couldn’t hold back anymore, searching for a chance to confront Lu Zhao.

She needed to ask this man what the hell he was playing at.