C31 Fang Lian

Yi Rui'er had prematurely torn the shoulder strap of the gown, thwarting Fang Fang's plans to feature it in an article. Consequently, on the day of the banquet, Yi Lanyou donned a spare gown from Lian Cheng's collection and attended the event.

Upon seeing Yi Lanyou's tasteful and elegant attire, Fang Fang nearly ground her teeth in frustration, especially when she thought about her own daughter, who was still bedridden. Nevertheless, since it was her birthday celebration, she forced herself to keep smiling. It was, without a doubt, the most bittersweet birthday Fang Fang had ever experienced.

Yi Lanyou took great pleasure in Fang Fang's discomfort.

The banquet was in honor of Fang Fang's birthday, and Yi Lanyou, as the newly emerged Eldest Miss Yi without the backing of a powerful family, found herself without conversation partners. She was content with the solitude, but her desire for peace didn't mean she would get it.

"Yi Lanyou," Fang Yuan, dressed in a peppermint-colored gown, approached aggressively with several young ladies from noble families.

Yi Lanyou couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Fang Yuan's short hair. In her past life, Fang Yuan had always been proud of her shoulder-length black hair. Now, seeing her with a bob cut was unexpectedly amusing. Yi Lanyou set her drink down on the table and commented, "Got a new haircut? It looks lively!"

"You!" Fang Yuan was seething. "How dare you! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be stuck looking like this!"

"What's wrong with how you look?" Yi Lanyou asked mockingly. "If you think you're ugly, maybe you should take it up with your parents. I'm pretty sure I haven't influenced your genetics."

"You!" Fang Yuan was livid, having previously underestimated Yi Lanyou's biting wit.

"Don't get too smug!" interjected a girl standing next to Fang Yuan, dressed in a low-cut gown with her hair parted down the middle. "You're just some nobody trying to pass off as the Eldest Miss Yi. Do you really believe you belong?"

"I know my origins. Does Miss Sun have any clue about hers?" Yi Lanyou quirked an eyebrow. Sun Xiao was adopted from an orphanage by Sun Detian, the CEO of the Sun family, over a decade ago. It wasn't a secret anymore. If someone else had brought it up, it might have stung, but Sun Xiao's behavior was tantamount to self-degradation.

"You!" Sun Xiao's face flushed to the roots of her ears at Yi Lanyou's words. The Sun family held some sway in Z City, and typically, no one dared to gossip about her past. She had nearly forgotten her own origins, but Yi Lanyou's comment made her feel as though her dignity had been attacked.

"You certainly have a way with words," the girl beside Fang Yuan remarked, arching an eyebrow. "I'm curious, what are Miss Yi's hobbies and interests?"

Yi Lanyou gave the girl a once-over, recognizing her as Qian Ning, the daughter of the owner of Z City's De Tian Law Firm. By all accounts, Qian Ning shouldn't have been at a gathering of this caliber, but she was adept at flattering and telling people what they wanted to hear. She had a knack for getting Fang Yuan and other wealthy heiresses to include her in their plans. Yi Lanyou recalled that in a previous life, Qian Ning had leveraged her extensive network to become one of Z City's leading attorneys. Yi Lanyou couldn't be bothered to engage with someone who clearly had nothing to gain from a spat.

Seeing Yi Lanyou's blatant disregard, Qian Ning clenched her fists in frustration. She loathed those who looked down on her, as if they were somehow superior just by virtue of their birth. What gave them the right to be so arrogant?

"Wow, Miss Yi really carries herself like a celebrity," chimed in the girl with her hair in a bun. "Where's Yi Rui'er, by the way? I haven't seen her around."

"Zhou Ke, you're out of the loop," Fang Yuan interjected. "Yi Lanyou is quite the strategist—skilled in setting people up and underhanded tactics."

"Tch, I have no respect for that sort of person," Zhou Ke sneered, her expression full of revulsion.

"Who can match Miss Fang's prowess in sneaking around?" Yi Lanyou scoffed coldly. "I still have no idea what you were up to, sneaking into my room in the middle of the night. Do you have some peculiar hobbies?" She then took two cautious steps back.

"Pooh!" Fang Yuan's face flushed with anger, her voice rising sharply, "Even if I had unusual hobbies, I certainly wouldn't seek out someone like you!"

"There's no need to broadcast it so loudly, even if you do have such hobbies!" Yi Lanyou quirked an eyebrow in response.

Fang Yuan suddenly realized that her outburst had made her the center of attention at the banquet. She quickly clamped her mouth shut, at a loss for how to begin explaining herself.

"Fang Yuan," a girl in a white formal dress approached, her elegant figure carrying a glass of red wine. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her phoenix eyes remained serene. Her makeup was delicate and refined, and a gentle smile graced her face—a picture of grace and gentleness.

"Sister," Fang Yuan's eyes brightened at the sight of her. She hastened forward, remembering her sister's promise to help her seek revenge.

"Mother was just looking for you. You should go to her now," Fang Lian said with a soft smile.

"Okay," Fang Yuan replied, recognizing Fang Lian's effort to divert attention from her. She turned and walked away, eager to escape the scrutinizing eyes of the crowd.

The other young ladies from noble families, who had accompanied Fang Yuan, took their leave to mingle elsewhere after exchanging pleasantries with Fang Lian.

Qian Ning, who had been making eye contact with Fang Lian, couldn't help but shiver. Despite Fang Lian's seemingly harmless demeanor, Qian Ning always sensed a façade, feeling an instinctive sense of danger whenever their eyes met.

After hastily departing, Qian Ning cast a glance back at Fang Lian and Yi Lanyou, who stood opposite each other. She huffed disdainfully. That Yi Lanyou had the audacity to look down on her—she would surely find a way to get her revenge!

In the end, only Fang Lian and Yi Lanyou remained.

To outsiders, Fang Lian was the epitome of a genteel and refined lady, but Yi Lanyou was well aware of the danger that lurked beneath Fang Lian's poised exterior.

Fang Lian always presented her most impeccable self to the outside world. However, when it came to the servants in her household, she was known to be cruel, often resorting to whipping them. Should anyone displease her, she would retaliate with chilling vengeance. Rumors circulated that she had once beaten someone to death, but the Fang family had swiftly handled the matter, keeping it from public knowledge.

Now, Fang Lian had sought out Yi Lanyou, who was acutely aware of the inherent risks. If she had her way, Fang Lian would be the last person she'd want to encounter.

In a past life, Fang Lian had never directly targeted Yi Lanyou, but Yi Lanyou understood that this was simply because Fang Lian had always looked down on her. Moreover, having been overshadowed by Fang Yuan throughout her previous existence, Fang Lian undoubtedly took pleasure in seeing her younger sister enjoy herself.