After meeting with Lawyer Xia, Su Miaomiao relaxed a lot.
No matter the outcome, she must express her sincere gratitude to Xie Yuan for such a great favor.
She had nothing particularly impressive at hand, except that her cooking skills, a true inheritance from her grandfather, were quite remarkable.
After asking Wang Zhong for permission, she inquired whether she could use the kitchen.
Wang Zhong paused briefly, then smiled.
"Madam, you are free to use any place in the manor at will."
Su Miaomiao loosely pulled up her chestnut curls and washed her hands before entering the kitchen.
The manor's kitchen was spacious and fully stocked with ingredients.
Having dined with Xie Yuan the night before, she noticed he only had a few vegetarian dishes, possibly out of respect for his Buddhist beliefs.
Therefore, she made a pumpkin and assorted mushroom stew, sweet and sour lotus root, jade green vegetable rolls, and a tri-color vegetarian platter.
In terms of both color and taste, she reached perfection.
While cooking, she recorded a video, securing material for her next release.
Meanwhile, Su Zhen, Liu Wan, and Su Niannian took turns bombarding her with calls and messages.
The trio, in rare agreement, insisted that she attend Su Niannian's engagement party no matter what.
They naturally used the old Su family house and the Louwai Building as leverage in their threats, which she could have easily refused.
But then something crossed her mind, and she agreed.
"Alright, I will be there on time tomorrow."
With the dishes ready, she checked the time; it was half-past six. Xie Yuan should be home soon.
She went back to her room for a shower and changed into a moon-white dress before descending the stairs, quietly sitting at the table.
Soon, she heard the sound of a car entering the manor.
Not long after, Xie Yuan came in pushing his wheelchair.
She stood up with a slight smile.
"Husband, you're back?"
The crystal chandelier above shone brightly, casting her face in a perfect light.
A few stray hairs from her loose bun added a touch of playfulness.
The dress ended just at her calves, hugging her perfect figure and revealing a dazzling stretch of leg.
The chilly manor felt warm in that moment.
"Yes!"
Xie Yuan, having cleaned his hands, wheeled over to the dining table and looked at the spread of dishes.
"Did you make this?"
"Yes, try it and see if it suits your taste."
Su Miaomiao's eyes curved in anticipation of praise.
Watching Xie Yuan taste each dish methodically and with ease,
"Not bad."
Receiving the big boss's approval, Su Miaomiao was very happy.
Perhaps it was just her impression, but it seemed like Xie Yuan had a good appetite today and ate quite a lot.
After dinner, Xie Yuan prepared to return to his study.
Su Miaomiao stood up and mentioned to him about attending the engagement party the next day.
Xie Yuan, after listening, nodded.
"Will you need to stay overnight?"
Su Miaomiao shook her head: "No."
She was simply going to make an appearance, nothing more!
"Wang Zhong will pick you up after it ends."
——————
The next day, Su Miaomiao woke up naturally and checked her phone to find that Su Niannian had called at least twenty times.
It seemed she was really anxious.
Without any rush, Su Miaomiao finished her breakfast and left the house close to noon.
Wang Zhong dropped her off at the hotel, and she went up the elevator in her high heels.
The staff led her to the entrance of the banquet hall, and she pushed the door open to enter.
Inside, the place was luxurious and imposing, the guests were gathered in small groups, toasting and chatting away.
For today's engagement party, Su Zhen had really spared no expense.
The banquet hall of a five-star hotel had been booked and lavishly decorated at great expense.
The Lu Family had quite a reputation in Shanghai City, and today's engagement party attracted many distinguished guests.
If they could use this opportunity to draw in investors, the Su Family might be saved.
Today, she wore a Hepburn-style little black dress—simple in design, without any superfluous decorations, perfectly outlining her slim waist.
Underneath the hem of the dress were her straight, slender legs,
Her hair was styled into a simple updo, adorned with a string of pearls around her neck.
Her elegance and presence instantly drew everyone's attention.
As she entered, a hint of amazement appeared in the eyes of the guests.
"Whose daughter is this? Why have I never seen her before?"
"She probably isn't from Shanghai's social circles. Could she be from Beijing?"
A wealthy lady glanced at Su Miaomiao and rolled her eyes.
"You don't know? She's the eldest daughter of the Su Family, the one with mental illness."
At this reminder, people vaguely recalled.
The Su Family did indeed have an eldest daughter with some mental issues, who had been abroad for treatment.
She had returned only a couple of years ago but had played so wildly overseas that the ladies and young women of Shanghai's society looked down on her.
This meant she seldom appeared at social events, thus the unfamiliarity.
Lu Zi'ang at the doorway was exchanging pleasantries with a few of Su Zhen's business partners. His gaze swept over to Su Miaomiao and immediately brightened.
He excused himself and walked over to her side.
"Miaomiao, I thought you weren't going to come," he said.
"Come, let me take you to see Niannian. She looks absolutely beautiful today."
Su Miaomiao pulled out a pristine white handkerchief, covered her mouth and nose, and frowned slightly.
"I was wondering where the stench was coming from. Stay away from me, I can find a place to sit by myself."
Lu Zi'ang had known Su Miaomiao for years and was aware of her difficult personality.
But what could he do when her face was exactly what all men desired? If it weren't for her being unclean, he really wouldn't have wanted to change his engagement plans.
He touched his forehead in resignation, letting out a bitter laugh.
"Miaomiao, even if I'm engaged to Niannian, our past remains. You don't need to be so distant," he said.
"I know grandfather is still in the hospital, and there's no solution for the medical bills. Just say the word, and I'll help you..."
He was speaking when Liu Wan and Zhang Wanqing approached.
"Zi'ang, Auntie is taking care of Miaomiao. You're the man of the hour today; don't forget who you are. Niannian should be out soon, why don't you go and give her a hand?" said Liu Wan, smiling gently and patting Lu Zi'ang on the arm.
With no other choice, Lu Zi'ang had to leave first.
Once he had gone, Zhang Wanqing rolled her eyes in disgust at Su Miaomiao.
"Miss Su, my Zi'ang is kind-hearted. Out of regard for the past, he wanted to help you and even introduced you to his uncle. Yet, you seem ungrateful."
"One should know their limits. Zi'ang is out of your league."
"It's better to keep your distance in the future, so we don't spread nasty rumors."
Zhang Wanqing and Lu Zi'ang were just two of the many mistresses and illegitimate children associated with the Lu Family that were best kept out of public view. If not for grandfather's intervention,
neither would've had the chance to set foot in the Lu household. Back in the day, to curry favor with her, and to please the old man,
She referred to her as "our Miaomiao," "our future daughter-in-law," with such warmth and affection.
Now they turned their backs, a rather comic turn of events.
While the guests' curious glances had yet to dissipate, Liu Wan stepped forward promptly and said loudly, deliberately.
"Miaomiao, the Lady of the Lu Family is just worried that people might misunderstand your relationship with Zi'ang."
"After all, when the old master arranged the marriage with the Lu Family years ago, he didn't specify who it was for. It wouldn't be good if it ruined the reputations of you and Niannian due to misunderstandings," she said.
The way she had married into the Su Family wasn't exactly honorable, and although it was never openly discussed, she had always been looked down upon by the ladies of high society.
She couldn't let Niannian end up the same way.
She walked up to Su Miaomiao, grabbed her hand with a smile, and spoke softly.
"Miaomiao, think about grandfather's old house and the Louwai Building... "
If Su Miaomiao just nodded, Su Niannian could become the perfect Mrs. Lu.
As for Su Miaomiao, her reputation was already bad enough, so what did it matter if people thought she was trying to steal her sister's fiancé?
With a fox-like glint in her eye, Su Miaomiao blinked and revealed a mischievous smile.
"I'll explain it clearly!"