C11 To Face It Head on

Fu Yunyi's expression, as cool and detached as a light rain, materialized before him, fueling Shen Qingli's growing anger. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath.

Approaching a traffic light, Shen Qingli brought his car to a steady halt at the red signal. His muscular chest rose and fell with barely contained fury, his striking features set in an icy demeanor.

The LED screen atop the shopping mall broadcasted the grand wedding of the Shen and Fu families. The sight of Fu Yunyi, enveloped in a dreamy white veil, captivated him. Shen Qingli turned his head away sharply, catching a glimpse of her hand in Fu Guoyi's, as she gracefully proceeded down the red carpet towards him.

Echoes of Fu Yunyi's confrontation with the Shen family patriarch lingered in his mind: "Wouldn't you be delighted if Jianing were the one marrying Shen Qingli today?" she had challenged. "You've betrayed my mother's deep affection, and in doing so, you've shattered my reverence for you. Now, for the sake of profit, you've arranged my marriage to Shen Qingli without even inquiring about my wishes, all to strengthen your business ties with the Shen family. Isn't that absurd?"

Even after dozens of hours, Fu Yunyi's voice, quivering yet clear, still resonated in his ears.

Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Shen Qingli's knuckles blanched with tension. He swore bitterly, and without regard for the still-red light, he maneuvered his sports car into a smooth U-turn and sped away.

The company, a notable enterprise in City C, had drawn a sizable crowd to today's Homecoming Banquet. Fu Yunyi stood out in a simple yet elegant red fishtail dress, her curls artfully piled high, her makeup as radiant as a rose in full bloom—she was, without a doubt, the center of attention.

Cradling a glass of champagne, she sipped leisurely. After all, she thought, this life was hers to live, and she deserved moments of reprieve.

"Yo!" The shrill, all-too-familiar voice cut through the air. Fu Yunyi set her glass down, instantly aware that her nightmare had just begun.

Fu Jianing arrived alongside her companion, casting a jealous and scornful gaze over Fu Yunyi, scrutinizing her from head to toe before smirking sarcastically. "My dear sister, you're especially captivating today, far more feminine than usual."

With a suggestive arch of her eyebrows, Jianing teased, "Could it be that your brother-in-law showered you with too much affection last night, leaving you glowing so brightly today?"

"Jianing, you're so vexing!" her companion chided playfully, giving her a gentle shove, though her words were sharp. "The way you talk, it's as if our young mistress is desperately in need."

"Oh, but isn't that the truth..."

Their shrill laughter was like knives to the ears. Fu Yunyi remained silent for a moment, yet maintained a stunning smile on her face. "Even if it were a matter of indulgence, it's certainly better than obsessing over your brother-in-law every day, unsatisfied and yearning, right?"

Fu Yunyi's retort was cutting, "Don't you agree, my dear sister?"

Caught off guard and publicly shamed, Jianing's face turned beet red. "Fu Yunyi, you..."

"And you—"

Before Jianing could lash out, Fu Yunyi's piercing gaze shifted to the companion at her side. "If I'm not mistaken, you must be Miss Wang from Poli Jewelry, correct?"

Miss Wang's expression instantly stiffened. "What if I am?"

"It's nothing," Fu Yunyi chuckled, shaking her head dismissively. "I just recall you once sent a love letter to Shen Qingli. It's surprising to see two rivals in love getting along so well."

What?

Jianing looked at Miss Wang incredulously, who was now visibly flustered. "You... You're spouting nonsense!"

"Whether it's nonsense or not, we'll find out once we ask Shen Qingli, won't we?"

As her secret was laid bare for all to see, Miss Wang felt the burning stares of the surrounding guests. Her eyes turned malicious, and in a swift motion, she slapped Fu Yunyi across the cheek.

The slap was so forceful that even Jianing was taken aback, her eyes wide with shock.

"My bond with Jianing is as close as sisters; your words can't tarnish that."

Fu Yunyi was taken aback when Miss Wang struck her. She turned her head in a daze, her hair falling in disarray across her cheeks as she gazed blankly at the carpet.

Miss Wang's confidence soared upon seeing that the other woman made no attempt to fight back. "Fu Yunyi, don't get too proud just because you're married to Young Master Shen. Today is a significant day, and yet Young Master Shen didn't even bother to show up. What exactly are you so proud of?"

"You need to know your place in life," she continued. "Otherwise, you're just being delusional!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Fu Yunyi, unable to contain her anger any longer, raised her arm in defiance.

But before she could strike, Fu Guoyi, unbeknownst to them, had appeared behind the trio and quickly grabbed his daughter's arm. "Yunyi, you are a lady of high standing. What on earth are you doing?!"

Fu Jianing, seeing her father, quickly approached with a look of distress. "Dad, you're here."

Ignoring his younger daughter, Fu Guoyi bellowed at Yunyi, "What are you doing? How can you be so disrespectful to Miss Wang? Apologize at once!"

Apologize?