C24 Lanyou Deliberately Provoked Others

At the turn of the second-floor staircase, Yi Lanyou's lips quirked upward. The thought that those two would actually heed her advice was laughable!

Fang Fang's motives couldn't have been clearer, yet Yi Rui'er and Fang Yuan remained clueless. Recalling how she'd been duped by these fools time and again in her past life, Yi Lanyou was filled with irritation. She was frustrated with her past naivety and foolishness.

With her arms folded across her chest, Yi Lanyou descended the stairs. Fang Fang caught sight of her and called out, "Lanyou, you're here! Perfect timing. Your custom-ordered gown has arrived. Try it on and see if it's a good fit."

"Gown?" Yi Lanyou feigned excitement as she hurried down the stairs. "What gown?"

"In three days, you'll be introduced to our family friends. This gown was made especially for you," Fang Fang explained, handing over the sapphire blue gift box to Yi Lanyou. "Go on, try it on in your room and see if it fits."

"Sure!" Yi Lanyou replied with a smile, taking the box and heading back to her room.

As Yi Lanyou left, Yi Rui'er grew increasingly incensed. "That illegitimate child couldn't possibly know how to wear an evening gown. She's probably never worn one in her life!"

"Exactly!" Fang Yuan chimed in, unable to hide her admiration for the gown—it was an AK design, after all, a brand the Fang family would never buy for her.

"The worse she wears it, the better," Fang Fang mused, pouring herself another cup of floral tea, relishing the thought of Yuan Hui's daughter embarrassing herself.

Yi Lanyou locked her door and slipped into the opulent gown, an exquisite piece from AK. It was the epitome of luxury. The dress not only elevated her aura but also accentuated her fair complexion, making her skin appear even more delicate. In her previous life, the sight of this gown had left Yi Lanyou breathless. At the banquet, her entrance captivated everyone, and the admiring glances thrilled her.

However, within an hour, the gown's shoulder strap snapped—just like that, without any apparent cause. The slightly ill-fitting dress then slipped down to her waist in front of everyone, leaving her upper body exposed, with only a chest patch for modesty, as she stood there, the center of attention.

It was her first official debut, and what a stir it caused!

The Eldest Miss Yi couldn't stand being overshadowed. At her stepmother's birthday party, she donned an extravagantly luxurious gown, stealing the spotlight with a deliberately provocative bare-chested display. Everyone sneered at her for resorting to the vulgar tactics of the destitute at such a high-society event.

Yi Lanyou stood there, the object of ridicule, as if she were a clown in a circus. That scandal would haunt her for a lifetime.

As she gazed at her reflection in the full-length mirror, Yi Lanyou couldn't help but smile. The gown was truly magnificent. If it weren't slightly too large, prone to slipping off, she might have believed it was tailor-made for her.

She let down her casually tied ponytail, her hair just brushing her shoulders. With a few strokes, she arranged her sideburns to drape elegantly over her collarbones. Without a touch of makeup, she radiated a natural allure. Removing her jade bracelet and setting it on the table, Yi Lanyou stepped out in her matching 10cm high heels.

When she reappeared on the ground floor, Fang Fang was taken aback. It took her a moment to muster a forced smile. "Lanyou, you truly are a natural beauty," she said, though her heart wasn't in it.

"Really?" Yi Lanyou, seeing Fang Fang's pained attempt at a smile, felt a surge of satisfaction. Turning to Yi Rui'er and Fang Yuan, whose faces were twisted with envy, Yi Lanyou twirled on the spot before lifting her chin and asking with a playful smirk, "Yi Rui'er, do you think I'm beautiful?"

Yi Rui'er's fists were clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. Through gritted teeth, she managed to utter a single word, "Beautiful!"

Yi Lanyou laughed with delight at her cousin's begrudging admission.

Yi Rui'er and Fang Yuan watched, fuming, as Yi Lanyou reveled in her triumph. They were determined not to let her outshine them at the upcoming banquet in three days—absolutely not!

Sensing she had made her point, Yi Lanyou's smile faded as she turned to Fang Fang and inquired, "Auntie, at your birthday banquet, wouldn't wearing such a gorgeous dress be a bit too much?"

"How could it possibly be unsuitable?" Fang Fang immediately exclaimed, "Birthdays come every year, but that day marked your debut in high society, making you the star of the show."

"Really?" Yi Lanyou glanced at Yi Rui'er, her tone laced with a challenge, "So I'm the star?"

"Absolutely," Fang Fang replied, noticing the growing envy in Yi Lanyou's eyes. She quickly hatched a new scheme. Drawing Yi Lanyou closer, she feigned surprise, "Oh, it looks like the stitching on this shoulder strap is coming loose." She didn't miss the chance to scowl and grumble, "This is unacceptable from AK. Even if it was a rush job, they shouldn't be shortchanging customers like this! This gown cost me 750,000 yuan!"

"750,000 yuan?" Yi Lanyou's lips curled into a smirk. Fang Fang had really spared no expense for her!

"That's so pricey!" Yi Rui'er and Fang Yuan were astonished. Seeing Yi Lanyou's smug smile, they were even more resolved not to let her wear that dress to the banquet in three days.

"Indeed!" Fang Fang chuckled. Having invested so much, she was determined to see her plan through. "Lanyou, take off the dress and I'll have the maid mend the stitching. Everything has to be perfect for such an important day!"

"Okay." Yi Lanyou promptly returned to her room to remove the dress, then neatly folded it and brought it downstairs. Fang Fang accepted the dress and summoned the maid, "The shoulder strap here is a bit loose. Please tighten it."

The maid examined the delicate hand-stitched seams and paused, seeing no issue.

"Make sure it's fixed properly. It would be terrible if it came apart while being worn," Fang Fang instructed, tapping her fingertip on the strap for emphasis.

The maid caught on immediately, gave Yi Lanyou a quick look, and nodded, "Of course, Madam." She then carried the gown away.

"Make sure it's done quickly!" Yi Lanyou observed Fang Fang's maneuver with a hint of mockery in her eyes. Fortunately, Lian Cheng had taken her to buy a new dress today; otherwise, it would have been quite embarrassing.

Hearing Yi Lanyou's whispered advice, Yi Rui'er's anger flared even more. That wretch!

Before she knew it, dinner time had arrived. After being notified by the maid's knock, Yi Lanyou slipped her jade bracelet back on and made her way to the dining room. Yi Haoen and Yi Weihai were already seated. Yi Lanyou exchanged greetings with them before taking her own seat. No sooner had she settled in than she heard Yi Rui'er and Fang Yuan returning from outside, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

"Where have you two been playing? Go wash your hands; it's time to eat," Fang Fang called out with a warm smile.

"Okay, Mommy."

"Understood, Auntie."