The night of the charity gala arrived sooner than Qingxue anticipated. She stood in her room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The emerald gown Xu Meilin had chosen for her fit perfectly, hugging her figure and highlighting her natural beauty. Her hair was styled elegantly, with loose curls framing her face, and a delicate diamond necklace sparkled around her neck.
She felt like a stranger in her own skin.
A knock at the door broke her thoughts. "Come in," she called.
The door opened to reveal Xu Meilin, her face lighting up as she took in Qingxue's appearance. "You look stunning, my dear. Everyone will be captivated by you tonight."
"Thank you," Qingxue said softly.
Meilin stepped closer, adjusting a stray strand of hair. "Remember, this is your debut into our world. People will watch you closely—some out of curiosity, others to judge. Keep your head high, and don't let anyone make you feel less than you are. You're my daughter, and I'm proud of you."
Qingxue's chest tightened at the genuine warmth in Meilin's voice. For a moment, she allowed herself to believe that she belonged here.
The grand ballroom of the Xu family estate was dazzling, its crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the polished marble floors. Guests in elegant attire mingled, sipping champagne and exchanging pleasantries.
As Qingxue descended the sweeping staircase with Xu Meilin and Xu Zhaoyang by her side, the room seemed to hush. All eyes turned to her, whispers rippling through the crowd.
"She's the real daughter?"
"She's beautiful."
"What about Yanran?"
Qingxue ignored the murmurs, keeping her posture poised and her expression calm. She could feel Yanran's gaze on her, though she didn't turn to meet it.
"Smile, Qingxue," Meilin whispered. "Let them see your confidence."
Qingxue obeyed, offering a polite smile as they reached the floor. Almost immediately, people began to approach, offering congratulations and introductions. She did her best to keep up, her head spinning with the names and faces of powerful businessmen, socialites, and investors.
Yanran soon joined the conversation, her presence as radiant as ever. She was dressed in a flowing white gown, her appearance angelic as she seamlessly charmed the guests.
"Sister," Yanran said, slipping an arm through Qingxue's. "You're doing so well. I'm impressed."
"Thank you," Qingxue replied, her tone neutral.
Yanran turned to the group they were speaking with, her smile never wavering. "I've always admired how quickly Qingxue adapts. It's such a drastic change for her, coming from… simpler circumstances. But she's adjusting wonderfully."
The subtle jab stung, but Qingxue kept her composure. "Life teaches you to adapt quickly when you face real challenges," she said, her voice calm but firm.
The group exchanged awkward glances, sensing the underlying tension. Yanran's smile tightened slightly, but she recovered with practiced ease.
As the night wore on, Qingxue found herself standing alone by the refreshment table, taking a moment to catch her breath. The endless parade of conversations and veiled comments was exhausting.
"Enjoying the party?"
She turned to see Zhang Tianhao standing beside her, holding two glasses of champagne. He offered one to her with a smirk.
"It's… overwhelming," Qingxue admitted, accepting the glass.
"I'm not surprised," Tianhao said, leaning casually against the table. "These events are all about appearances and politics. You handled yourself well, though. Better than most would in your position."
"Is that a compliment?"
He chuckled. "Take it however you like. But don't let them intimidate you. You've got more spine than most people here."
Before Qingxue could respond, Yanran appeared, her expression as flawless as ever. "Oh, Tianhao, I didn't realize you'd be keeping Qingxue company. I hope you're making her feel welcome."
Tianhao's gaze flicked to Yanran, his smirk growing sharper. "I think Qingxue's doing just fine on her own."
Yanran's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she turned to Qingxue. "Sister, Mother is looking for you. She wants to introduce you to some important guests."
Qingxue nodded politely. "Excuse me," she said to Tianhao, her tone cool.
As Yanran led her away, her grip on Qingxue's arm tightened slightly. "Careful, sister," Yanran murmured, her voice low enough for only Qingxue to hear. "Tianhao isn't someone you should trust so easily."
Qingxue glanced at her, her expression unreadable. "I'll keep that in mind."
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of introductions, strained conversations, and silent battles of will. By the time the gala ended, Qingxue felt like she had run a marathon.
As she retired to her room, she couldn't shake the feeling that the night had been more than just a public debut. It had been a test—a carefully orchestrated event designed to see if she could hold her own in the world of the Xu family.
And while she had survived the night, she knew this was only the beginning.