I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

Fang Yutong wore a beige fitted dress, the style of which was low-key and did not steal the spotlight. Her makeup was soft and innocent, and her eyebrows and eyes still had that innocent and weak look. She perfectly concealed all her sharpness and looked pure and harmless.

The Liang family is already in the top circle, so they are naturally qualified to attend the He family's banquet. It's just unexpected that he would bring Fang Yutong along.

Shu Zi raised an eyebrow, casually picked up the lemonade beside her, and lightly tapped the side of the glass with her fingertips.

A few days ago, Fang Yutong and Liang Zihao's rumored relationship dominated the trending searches. Even though her studio issued a lukewarm clarification statement, controversy surrounding her continued to rise online.

However, her die-hard fans are extremely loyal and tenacious in controlling the comments, and with Liang Zihao sparing no expense to protect her, the whitewashing hashtags have never stopped.

Because of this scandal, the Liang family's stock price fell continuously, and the drop was quite significant.

As for why the fall was so severe... Shu Zi glanced at the calm-looking man beside her.

The culprit is probably here, and her father might be helping her too.

Lan Manwen had mentioned to her that Tomato Media had already spoken with Fang Yutong, intending to reduce resources and handle the situation quietly to avoid trouble.

But no one expected that Liang Zihao would simply spend a huge sum of money to acquire Tomato Media.

This is definitely a classic domineering CEO protecting his wife script.

Nowadays, the entire media company revolves around Fang Yutong, with everyone praising her and showering her with compliments.

However, I heard that the consequence of this incident was that Liang Zihao's card was suspended by his father, and he was also severely beaten.

However, given Liang Zihao's limited intelligence, he is probably still in the dark and doesn't understand why his father is angry.

But Liang's father was clear-headed and understood everything perfectly.

Shu Zi took a sip of lemon water and gently swirled the liquid in the glass. However, Liang Zihao would soon find out why, since she was now fully aware of what Fang Yutong had done.

At the other end of the crowd, Fang Yutong seemed to sense something, her gaze piercing through the crowd and landing precisely on Shu Zi.

She had some suspicions during the show, but when she asked her agent to investigate Shu Zi, they couldn't find anything unusual. But the more they did that, the more something seemed off.

Until she met Liang Zihao by chance, and learned from him that Shu Zi was actually the eldest daughter of the Shu Group.

And it wasn't until this morning's live stream that she learned that Shu Zi was actually A Ci, a mysterious and unparalleled top painter in the art world.

She finally understood why Shu Zi, who seemed to be indifferent and unambitious, was always full of confidence and composure.

Any one of her identities could easily crush her already struggling self.

A deep sense of resentment surged within me. Why are some people born to have everything, to be glamorous and dazzling, without any effort?

Fang Yutong is smart enough and patient enough.

She was well aware of the current situation; publicly severing ties would be pointless, only backfire and ruin her future.

The best option now is to remain quiet and keep a low profile, without showing off.

Their eyes met across the distance.

Fang Yutong was the first to raise a gentle and polite smile, nod slightly, and maintain a polite distance, striking the perfect balance.

There was no hostility, no provocation; to outsiders, it was just a polite gesture between ordinary acquaintances.

Shu Zi raised an eyebrow, nodded, and calmly looked away.

Tsk, just a few days ago this person was practically slicing her into sashimi with his eyes, and now he's all smiles and gentle breezes.

She knew that Fang Yutong probably already knew about her identity as the eldest daughter of the Shu family from Liang Zihao.

But she was certain that Fang Yutong wouldn't dare to say it, nor would she.

The pros and cons are vastly different, and a wise person would never do something foolish that would ruin their future.

Beside her, Fang Ran gently nudged Shu Zi's arm, her tone carrying a hint of cold sneer:

"See? She's pretending to be well-behaved now, but she wasn't like this when she leaked your apartment address."

"Otherwise what?" Shu Zi shrugged, her tone nonchalant. "If things really escalate, who will lose face?"

She casually twirled the glass, the clear liquid swirling gently, then set the glass down with a crisp "click".

"Liang Zihao is head over heels in love and insists on protecting her, but his father is very shrewd and has probably already started cleaning up the mess."

Fang Ran raised an eyebrow: "Did Gu Yan and your family manipulate the Liang family's stock price?"

Shu Zi simply tilted her head and chuckled, neither confirming nor denying.

Gu Yan and her father didn't tell her anything, but that didn't mean she wouldn't investigate on her own. If she did investigate, they wouldn't deliberately hide it from her.

What happened this morning might have been an accident, but the stalker incident might not have been.

Although her previous apartment couldn't compare to Yunqi Platinum, it was still one that Lan Manwen had carefully selected, so its privacy wouldn't be too bad. In addition, she has always been cautious and low-key, so unless someone deliberately leaked the information, it would be impossible for her illegitimate child to find her.

Considering Fang Yutong's sudden "concern" for her at the company last time, which was already suspicious, and coupled with Gu Yan's attitude towards Fang Yutong, it's not hard to guess that Fang Yutong was behind this.

As for whether Liang Zihao was involved, judging from the current state of Liang's company, he was most likely kept in the dark and innocently used by Fang Yutong.

Furthermore, she stated that she would handle the matter herself, which made Gu Yan and her father loosen their grip slightly and not pursue the matter to the bitter end.

Otherwise, given Gu Yan and her father's methods, it wouldn't be as simple as just a stock market crash.

Fang Ran glanced at Fang Yutong and raised an eyebrow. She was smart enough to know that provoking Zizi now would only bring trouble upon herself.

Fang Ran looked at Shu Zi again and casually suggested, "Should I have someone ask her to leave? She's in the way."

"Need not."

Shu Zi shook her head slightly, a faint cold light flashing in her eyes. Tonight was He Yuzhuo and Fang Ran's show, and she didn't need to let someone as insignificant as Fang Yutong spoil the evening's fun.

Besides, she said in a gentle tone, "Let her jump around a little longer, it won't be long anyway."

"What are you thinking about now?" Fang Ran asked curiously.

Shu Zi smiled faintly, a sly look on her face. "You'll find out when the time comes."

Fang Ran chuckled knowingly; she knew Shu Zi all too well.

Her daughter Zizi looks gentle and easygoing, but she never lets herself suffer the slightest grievance.

Fang Yutong is only now learning to show weakness and back down; it's far too late.

Fang Ran had just finished speaking with Shu Zi when He Yuzhuo turned his head and glanced at her: "Want to go in for a look around? There are still a few elders we need to greet."

She's the leading lady tonight; she can't stay on the terrace forever.

Fang Ran nodded, took his arm, and looked at Shu Zi: "I'll come see you again later if I have time."

He Yuzhuo gestured with his chin toward Gu Yan, then turned and led Fang Ran into the banquet hall.

As soon as the two left, the terrace became quiet.

A gentle evening breeze rustled the greenery beside the railing, while delicate piano music drifted from the banquet hall. Warm yellow lights streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the terrace in a gentle and languid atmosphere.

Shu Zi leaned against the cold railing with one hand, her gaze drifting aimlessly to the neatly trimmed garden landscape below.

Gu Yan stood quietly half a step to her side, neither too close nor too far, his posture relaxed, his gaze always lightly fixed on her profile.

Not long after, two young men in well-tailored suits walked out of the banquet hall together, probably because it was too stuffy inside and they came out for some fresh air.

Their gazes unconsciously swept across the terrace, and soon, they all fixed their eyes on Shu Zi.