Chapter 8: Meeting Ruan Ruan

People came and went, exchanging pleasantries and laughing with ease.

“Weiwei, are you ready?” Kong Xian glanced back at her daughter, who sat upright on the sofa, proud and confident like a princess.

As the heroine of the story, Ruan Wei’s beauty was striking enough to turn heads.

Ruan Wei rose from the sofa, took Kong Xian’s arm, and descended the stairs together. With her makeup done, her already petite face looked even more delicate and beautiful, her fair skin glowing warmly under the lights.

As soon as she came down, many people gathered around to greet and chat.

Ruan Wei followed behind Kong Xian, her finely made-up eyes gazing toward the entrance. After a moment, she withdrew her gaze, her voice hesitant, “Mom, this is a welcome banquet for my sister’s return. If I show up, won’t it make her feel uneasy?”

Kong Xian noticed Ruan Yingzhe heading toward them. She raised her hand to gently arrange the loose strands of hair beside her treasured daughter’s ear. “Weiwei, what are you talking about? You are the little princess cherished by the Ruan family. If she feels upset seeing you living well, it only shows she’s narrow-minded and envious. Don’t take on blame that isn’t yours.”

When Ruan Yingzhe arrived, he met Kong Xian’s gaze and looked away guiltily before turning to Ruan Wei. “Weiwei, I just got word that Miss Nan Youxu of the Nan family is almost here. She’s been insisting she wants to see Ruan Ruan—she’s terribly excited. When did you become so close with Miss Nan?”

The crowd was stunned upon hearing Nan Youxu’s name.

Wasn’t it true that the Nan family never attended these elite gatherings? How did the Ruan family manage to invite Nan Youxu?

At the mention of Nan Youxu, Ruan Wei’s eyes lit up.

Nan Youxu! Among young jewelry designers nowadays, she was hailed as a genius. At just eighteen, she was already the exclusive designer for top international luxury brands. Every piece she designed was a limited edition—impossible to get, no matter how hard one tried.

Coincidentally, Ruan Wei was deeply interested in jewelry design. Just a week ago, she had sent her own sketches to Nan Youxu’s email.

Could it be that Nan Youxu liked her designs enough to come meet her?

Ruan Wei’s whole expression brightened. She suppressed her excitement, and under everyone’s gaze, spoke in as calm a voice as she could manage, “A few days ago, I sent Miss Nan my design sketches. Perhaps she found them acceptable and decided to come meet me…”

At this, the onlookers’ eyes grew nearly red with envy.

“Mrs. Ruan, your precious daughter just keeps getting more brilliant! It’s one thing to always be top of her class, but every time I see her name, it’s on renowned academic journals or national competitions. And now her jewelry sketches have caught Nan Youxu’s eye!”

The speaker was Shen Yun, a wealthy lady who often socialized with Kong Xian.

Kong Xian broke into a radiant smile at Shen Yun’s words, pride glowing in her features.

Her daughter was indeed far more accomplished than most.

“But…” Seeing Ruan Yingzhe go off to mingle with others, Shen Yun lowered her voice and leaned close to Kong Xian’s ear, “I don’t understand, with Ruan Wei so outstanding, why did you bring that illegitimate girl back? She grew up motherless and fatherless, uncouth and ill-mannered—who knows what trouble she’ll cause now that she’s home!”

Kong Xian curled her lips and suppressed the emotion in her eyes. “No matter what, she’s still Yingzhe’s child. We couldn’t let her wander outside forever. As long as she doesn’t go too far, our Ruan family is willing to keep her around.”