Chapter Eighty-Four: The Rear Guard Has Fallen!

“What if I like him, but he doesn’t like me?”

“Actually, you already have the answer in your heart, don’t you?”

“Yes, I’ve known all along. I’m just afraid he’ll turn me down, and in the end, we’ll both be left in an awkward situation.”

“So it’s not that you don’t like him, but that you don’t dare to like him?”

Shangguan Renran joined their conversation. She was just as new to relationships as the rest of them; she didn’t know whether to encourage her to pursue bravely or to advise her not to chase after someone who might never reciprocate her feelings.

Xia Wanqing fell silent, because Shangguan Renran had spoken her mind.

“Ye Zuo is indeed a great guy, just a bit cold. If he falls for you, he’ll definitely treat you well. But if he doesn’t, Wanqing, you’ll end up hurting. I can only lay it out for you; as for what you choose, that’s up to you.”

“I agree with Muya.”

“Forget it, let’s talk about something else. Have you heard that the Bai family and the Jun family have fallen from grace?”

Shangguan Renran shook her head. She hadn’t heard, nor did she know what had happened.

Ouyang Muya, however, was aware—she’d heard the company executives discussing it, but she didn’t know why.

“Seriously, Renran, it’s all because of your man!”

“Huangpu Shenqing? Why?”

“No idea. I just heard they offended the Huangpu Group—oh, wait, now it’s the Lianran Group. Do you think the new name has something to do with you?”

Shangguan Renran ate her bowl of grilled meat and rice, her expression unreadable as she glanced at them.

“No way, Renran, your man is really something!”

Ouyang Muya smiled and picked up her spoon to continue eating.

“Hmph, that’s not the point. What I meant was, remember before? The Bai family invested so she could get cast in roles. Now that they’ve fallen, you should see her on our set—she’s practically keeping her head down, and apparently, she’s deep in debt now! Serves her right for acting arrogant in front of me.”

“Alright, Wanqing, eat up,” Muya urged.

Finally, Xia Wanqing stopped talking and quietly ate her meal, only to realize her favorite rice cakes were gone—completely gone.

“Shangguan Renran, did you seriously steal my favorite rice cakes?”

“Well, if you keep talking and don’t eat, of course I’ll help you with them.”

Rice cakes were a shared favorite between Shangguan Renran and Xia Wanqing, a must-have dish they always fought over.

“Heh, thanks for eating my share as well.”

“You’re welcome.”

“You… Muya, did you see that?”

Shangguan Renran stuck out her tongue playfully—this was the time she’d eaten the most rice cakes when the three of them were together.

Xia Wanqing glared at her, feeling utterly defenseless.

Ouyang Muya looked on in silence, used to their antics.

That night, back in her room, Shangguan Renran asked Mr. Huangpu about what Xia Wanqing had said earlier—was it true?

Huangpu Shenqing replied, “Yes, it’s just some old grudges. You don’t need to worry about it, Ranran.”

Ranran replied, “Alright then.”

Huangpu Shenqing messaged, “Tomorrow I’ll pick you up. We’re going to a birthday banquet.”

Ranran asked, “Whose birthday is it?”

Huangpu Shenqing replied, “My eldest brother’s, in Country G.”

Ranran exclaimed, “Country G?”

She wasn’t fond of that place.

Huangpu Shenqing reassured her, “Don’t worry. When the time comes, you can return all the fear you suffered.”

Reading his message, she immediately called him.

“Ranran.”

“Mr. Huangpu, are you taking me to bully someone tomorrow?”

“Sweetheart, you could say that.”

“What about the royal family?”

“Whatever makes you happy, Ranran.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I never lie to you.”

Wonderful—tomorrow, she could help Ye Xin get her revenge!

Lying in bed, Shangguan Renran thought that even if she disliked that country, she’d gladly go for revenge. Otherwise, wouldn’t Ye Xin’s gunshot have been in vain?

With that thought, she drifted into sleep.

In her dream, she fired a shot at Qian Suyin, and she felt no fear at all—for she believed Suyin deserved it.

When she woke the next morning, she realized it was just a dream, and almost felt it was a pity.

October 15th was the birthday of General Lin Yan of Country G, his thirty-third. Every renowned family from various countries had been invited.

Of course, the Shangguan family no longer participated in such events—they’d long since retreated from the public eye.

Numerous politicians had also received invitations.

Lin Yan’s birthday banquet was no longer just a birthday celebration.

Set for six in the evening, it would be held on a private island in Country G.

There was a vast area set aside for planes to land, though a few guests arrived by car.

It was no exaggeration to say that everyone at this banquet was either wealthy, powerful, or influential—if not all three.

In years past, these events were always attended by the previous generation. When Xia Wanqing learned Shangguan Renran was going, she made her own father give her his invitation so she could represent the Xia family. Her father was more than happy to pass the responsibility on.

As a result, Gong Yi and Ouyang Mufeng were also going to offer their congratulations to Lin Yan, having received invitations from their respective families. They could have requested additional invitations, but found it troublesome, and their parents weren’t fans of such ingratiating events, so the invitations were simply handed to them.

Ouyang Muya, knowing they would all be present, naturally joined as well.

In the film industry, only the most famous stars were granted invitations—like the award-winning actor Ye Ziyan.

Zhen Mi and Shang Mingcheng were also among the invitees.

And so, this large group set out to choose outfits for the banquet.

It was quite a spectacle—a hundred percent head-turning rate, with every one of them stunningly attractive.

Originally, Huangpu Shenqing intended to take Shangguan Renran to the company to pick dresses, and have them delivered. But when Shangguan Renran learned that Xia Wanqing and the others would be going too, she agreed to go with them.

Huangpu Shenqing, not wanting those women to monopolize Renran, called Ouyang Mufeng and the others to join.

And thus, this dazzling scene came to be.