The woman on Du Chengrong’s arm was the Du family’s Fifth Mistress, recently a favorite target of Hong Kong paparazzi!

It was Vivi.

She was Xia Ziyu.

Looking at photos was one thing, but seeing her in person, Xia Xiaolan was surprised. She whispered to Du Zhaohui:

“The plastic surgeon you hired was skilled. Just for this alone, Xia Ziyu should truly thank you.”

Xia Xiaolan had seen many surgically enhanced faces. In thirty years, various cosmetic procedures would become prevalent, with beauty clinics as common as supermarkets. Fashionable women in big cities wouldn’t dare greet people without their annual Botox injections or nose fillers.

These minor procedures weren’t even considered plastic surgery anymore, just “cosmetic enhancement.”

Though she’d seen many enhanced faces, Xia Ziyu had even undergone facial bone restructuring, yet it looked remarkably natural.

No exaggerated large eyes or high nose bridge, nor a chin sharp enough to stab someone.

Traces of her original features remained, preserving some personal characteristics while increasing refinement. Had plastic surgery in the 1980s already become so sophisticated?

Du Zhaohui felt quite guilty, unable to tell if Xia Xiaolan was being sarcastic.

“…We hired a doctor from Japan, and the results were decent.”

After the surgery, he felt nothing special, but this look was carefully crafted for Du Chengrong, and the old man approved.

Xia Ziyu walked in high heels, one arm linked with the old man, the other holding a small purse subtly positioned in front of her stomach.

Hmph, if she was so concerned about the child in her womb, she should have stayed home to rest, instead of coming to show off.

Du Zhaohui leaned closer:

“Look at the table beside us. You know Liu Tianquan, right? Next to him is Fourth Mistress Liu Keying. Watch her expression now.”

What expression?

Liu Keying stared at Xia Ziyu as if she wanted to devour her alive, constantly eyeing her stomach.

Liu Keying would be the first to oppose Xia Ziyu having a safe delivery!

The Du family’s mess of affairs made Xia Xiaolan feel frustrated.

Why did women need to rely on men?

So many women surrounding one man, begging for his favor… No matter how many times Xia Xiaolan was reborn, she could never accept this. Instead of fighting for a man’s attention, she could create her opportunities!

Just as Xia Xiaolan was about to speak, Du Chengrong brought Xia Ziyu over.

This table seated Du Chengrong’s friends, so naturally, he came to greet them first.

Xia Ziyu wore a smile, her fingers white-knuckled around her purse, yet her expression carried an air of arrogance.

After so long, she finally met Xia Xiaolan again!

How much had she suffered for this day?

Earlier, upon learning Xia Xiaolan would attend the Spring Banquet with Du Zhaohui, Xia Ziyu had already dressed up but immediately changed to even more expensive jewelry.

Meeting Xia Xiaolan again was something she’d long anticipated.

This wealth Du Zhaohui gave her was her turn of fortune!

Looking at Xia Xiaolan, wearing non-designer clothes.

Neck, ears, and wrists all bare.

Only a small diamond ring on her finger, probably not even two carats… How shabby. Just her face with light makeup showed outstanding beauty, which particularly irritated Xia Ziyu!

She touched her fingers, wearing a complete set of ruby jewelry that Du Chengrong had given her the day they discovered her pregnancy.

Any single piece from her set was worth more than everything Xia Xiaolan wore combined!

So what if Liu Fen remarried a mayor?

Through Liu Fen’s connections, Xia Xiaolan and Liu Yong did some business, becoming among the first wealthy people in mainland China.

While their earnings might seem astronomical to salaried urban workers, how much did that wealth amount to in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, Xia Xiaolan would realize she was just a frog in a well.

Even a mayor’s influence meant nothing in Hong Kong!

Xia Ziyu scrutinized Xia Xiaolan from head to toe, her eyes filled with complex emotions. Today was Chengrong Group’s Spring Banquet – this was her territory now.

Even if Xia Xiaolan knew her true identity through Du Zhaohui, what of it?

Would Xia Xiaolan dare expose her in this setting?

Xia Ziyu smiled at Xia Xiaolan, who glanced at her before looking away.

— Sure enough, Xia Xiaolan was avoiding confrontation!

Xia Xiaolan had no idea how rich Xia Ziyu’s internal drama was.

From Xia Xiaolan’s perspective, she could hardly imagine a woman being so proud of becoming an old man’s concubine. Why should she look more at Xia Ziyu? Looking too long at her face would only spoil her appetite later.

“Why are you sitting at this table?”

Du Chengrong asked Du Zhaohui, who replied shamelessly: “Isn’t it good that I’m helping you entertain guests?”

The whole table laughed, using this to praise both Du Chengrong and his son.

“Like father, like son!”

“Mr. Du, Zhaohui’s mainland project is very successful…”

“Mr. Du has worthy successors, unlike us. Our younger generation only knows how to waste money, each one more skilled at spending than the last. Ask them to earn money, and we have to clean up after their every little mistake!”

“Most envious of Mr. Du, with two capable sons and a new young wife—”

Since they mentioned Du Zhaoqi, Du Chengrong simply beckoned him over to greet the uncles.

With the two brothers Du Zhaohui and Du Zhaoqi standing on either side, Xia Ziyu had no place to stand.

Xia Ziyu stepped back voluntarily: “Young Master brought a companion, and you need to socialize with both sons. Young girls would find such business talk boring – why don’t I help entertain this lovely guest on your behalf?”

Her eyes flashed coquettishly as she directed these words at Xia Xiaolan.

She was the hostess, and Xia Xiaolan was the guest.

In today’s setting, with Xia Xiaolan not knowing anyone else, given her competitive nature, she must be feeling quite uncomfortable!

Xia Ziyu confidently made this suggestion, expecting Du Chengrong to readily agree.

But Du Chengrong patted her hand, “I know you want to help, but Miss Xia is a Du family guest, not Zhaohui’s companion. You’re young and inexperienced – what could you discuss with Miss Xia? Go sit with your Second Sister at the other table.”

Xia Ziyu’s triumphant satisfaction turned to shock.

A blush spread from her ears across her entire face.

Du Chengrong said she was young and inexperienced, unfit to keep Xia Xiaolan company.

Du Chengrong knew her true identity – she was Xia Xiaolan’s older cousin!

If she was young and inexperienced, what did that make Xia Xiaolan?

Recently, Du Chengrong had treated her very well, showering her with gifts, not minding her previous deceptions. Xia Ziyu thought she held some special meaning in Du Chengrong’s heart.

Who knew he would smash her dignity in front of so many people?

— Anywhere else would have been fine, why did it have to be in front of Xia Xiaolan?