As the two of them descended hand in hand, the room fell utterly silent.
Lin Siya was dazzling and radiant, while Yuan Xin's composure radiated quiet power.
Black and white — one fiery, one serene — standing side by side like living contrasts.
Every eye in the hall was drawn to them, unable to look away even for a second.
If Lin Siya's smile could blind people, Yuan Xin's faint, calm curve of the lips was a spring breeze — soothing, natural, unshakably poised.
Around them, every glittering gown, every jewel and high-end dress paled in comparison. In the presence of these two, all that glamour turned meaningless. Their brilliance didn't need embellishment.
"Xin, everyone's staring at you," Lin Siya whispered, leaning closer.
Her voice carried a faint, jealous bite she didn't even notice herself.
"If I'd known it'd be like this, I'd have told you not to come."
Change her image, she'd said earlier — what a stupid idea.
Now everyone's eyes were glued to Yuan Xin. Couldn't they at least consider the woman standing beside her?
Then she realized — the ones staring weren't just men. Those heavily made-up, expensively dressed women? Their faces were flushed, their gazes soft and starstruck.
That only made Lin Siya's chest tighten. Seriously? Even the women? You little vixens…
Yuan Xin smiled faintly, her voice a gentle murmur.
"They're looking at you too, Siya."
"But more of them are looking at you," Lin Siya muttered, eyes narrowing slightly.
Those little demons aren't even subtle, she thought. They're worse than the men!
If looks could slap, half the room would've been sent flying.
"Xiaoyu, what was going on earlier?"
Yuan Xin's calm voice snapped Li Xiaoyu out of her daze. She'd been watching the pair, the pieces in her mind finally clicking into place — and now that she thought about it… oh no.
So that's why Yuan Xin always cooked soup to bring to Siya when she worked overtime. Why she once stormed into a client's office with the whole company to defend her. Why Huan Yuan Pharmaceuticals even exists.
She felt her heart skip. Holy crap. This isn't business. This is full-on "President Yuan avenging her wife" mode!
"Xiaoyu?"
Li Xiaoyu coughed into her hand, trying to compose herself. Her earlier anger returned — not as fierce, but still simmering.
She was no homewrecker, and yet a child had just called her one in public. A grown-up's insult wouldn't have bothered her so much, but kids? People believed kids. To everyone watching, she probably looked like some shameless mistress now.
Straightening her back, she retold what had happened earlier — and with each word, her tone grew sharper.
"Whatever the case, President Gu owes me an explanation."
Gu Yan's brows never relaxed once.
Beside him, Jian Jia had already drawn Gu Rui protectively into her arms, her face anxious. She tugged at Gu Yan's sleeve, whispering nervously.
Gu Yan turned, saw her pale expression, and squeezed her hand.
"Don't worry, Jia Jia. I'm here. No one's going to hurt you or Rui."
The bystanders, however, exchanged looks — some pitying, some incredulous.
Hurt them? they thought. Your son literally accused her first.
Li Xiaoyu let out a short, humorless laugh.
"President Gu, from the way you say it, it sounds like I'm the one bullying you."
Gu Yan ignored her, his cold eyes turning instead toward Lin Siya.
Lin Siya lifted her chin slightly. Tch. What are you looking at, you smug bastard.
"Lin Siya," Gu Yan said tightly, "I thought the past was behind us. I didn't expect you to still hold a grudge."
He wrapped an arm protectively around his wife and child. Jian Jia's eyes glistened with moved tears, while Gu Rui puffed up indignantly.
"You're a bad woman!" he shouted at Lin Siya. "My dad doesn't want you! Leave us alone and stop trying to break up our family! Or else—" he clenched his little fists— "you'll end up just like last time!"
He was so proud — the little hero who had "saved" his parents' love three years ago.
Lin Siya watched him calmly, a faint smirk playing at her lips. How was I ever so stupid — letting myself get cornered by a brat like this?
Back then, she'd been too proud, too sheltered. She'd tried to fight a child head-on. But no adult ever wins that battle. Even if the kid had slapped her twice, everyone would've said she must've done something wrong first.
She didn't even bother responding.
Instead, she took a glass of red wine from a passing tray, swirled it gently, and took a slow sip. Her every movement was smooth, elegant — the kind of grace Jian Jia could never imitate no matter how much she practiced.
Her voice, when she spoke, was lazy and cold.
"President Gu, by 'the past,' do you mean the time you abandoned your fiancée at your own wedding to run off with your mistress and your illegitimate child?"
Her tone was soft, but her words cut deep.
Standing beside Yuan Xin, her fingers tightened around hers — drawing quiet strength from that warm, steady hand.
"You're right about one thing," she continued with a half-smile. "It was very like you — dumping your bride mid-ceremony because you 'fell in love' with someone else. Truly admirable courage, President Gu. It takes a special kind of man to risk his reputation so selflessly for 'true love.'"
"Lin Siya, shut up!"
Gu Yan's face darkened as Jian Jia's tears spilled over. He pulled her close, his voice low and furious. "If you dare hurt them again, you'll regret it — just like last time."
"Oh?" Lin Siya laughed, a clear, ringing sound. "Big words, President Gu."
Her gaze slid briefly toward Jian Jia's pale, trembling face and the boy's glare. Her amusement faded into boredom.
"Relax. I'm not here to make trouble for your family. I'm the general manager of Huan Yuan Pharmaceuticals — a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen trusted by the government itself. You think I'd ruin the country's image by doing something as… morally corrupt as you?"
Her words were light — but the implication landed hard.
Li Xiaoyu couldn't help herself — she burst out laughing, loudly. "Morally corrupt," indeed. Everyone knew what she meant.
Gu Yan's expression turned thunderous. Jian Jia sobbed harder, clutching her son. "Miss Lin," she cried, "whatever you think of me, please don't take it out on Rui! He's only seven! If you want Gu Yan, you can have him — I'll leave!"
She tried to pull free, but Gu Yan held her tighter. Gu Rui's eyes reddened. "Mommy, don't go! I don't want to leave Daddy!"
He turned on Lin Siya, voice breaking with anger. "You evil woman! You'll never break up my parents!"
Lin Siya didn't even look at him.
That silent disregard startled him more than any shout could have.
Three years ago, she'd screamed and argued. Now she didn't even see him — as if he were air. And that, somehow, frightened him.
Her tone, when she finally spoke, was almost casual.
"So, President Gu's son is seven now, huh? Funny — I thought he was still four."
Her smile widened slightly. "Don't worry, President Gu. I'm not interested in you anymore. I'm only here because President Qin invited me personally. You know how it is — who'd dare refuse a man like him?"
The name dropped like a stone in water. The crowd stirred.
President Qin — that President Qin — the powerful businessman whose network stretched across half the province. The one even the Gu and Lin families avoided provoking.
A moment later, a familiar voice came from the crowd, warm and amused.
"Miss Lin, I heard someone here was badmouthing me?"
A tall man stepped forward, smiling as he approached. His gaze flicked briefly toward Yuan Xin. "And this must be President Yuan."
Yuan Xin inclined her head slightly. "President Qin. Thank you for your past kindness to Siya."
He laughed. "Kindness? Not at all — Miss Lin's talent won me over. She doesn't need anyone's help."
Then, curious, he added, "Though I must admit, I've always wondered what kind of person President Yuan must be — to make someone like her so loyal. She's had countless offers, yet never once considered leaving Huan Yuan."
Yuan Xin smiled, eyes glinting faintly. "That's something only Siya can answer."
Lin Siya's lips curved. "If President Qin insists on knowing, I'll tell you. I don't mind being honest about my lowest point."
Her voice softened, her usual confidence fading into something rawer.
"To be honest… Yuan Xin found me on an overpass."
The crowd fell still.
"My shoes had broken. She bought me a ten-yuan pair of plastic slippers. Called a cab for me when I couldn't walk. I didn't have my keys — she found a locksmith. My apartment was filthy — she hired cleaners. I owed her thousands when I joined Huan Yuan."
Her eyes lowered; a faint shimmer caught the light. "She pulled me out of the dark that night. So tell me, President Qin — how could I ever leave Huan Yuan after that?"
For a moment, there was only silence.
Even President Qin, usually unflappable, blinked — clearly shaken. He had imagined many possibilities behind Lin Siya's loyalty, but not this. Not a story that raw, that human.
Around the hall, people exchanged glances — thoughtful, subdued.
To stand there now, at the height of her success, and speak so openly about her own despair…
It was clear: this was not the same woman from three years ago.
President Qin nodded slowly. "You're right — you'd have no reason to leave."
Then he smiled and gestured toward the upper floor. "President Yuan, Miss Lin — shall we continue this conversation in private? I have a few cooperation proposals I'd like to discuss."
Yuan Xin inclined her head again. Together, she and Lin Siya followed him upstairs, with Li Xiaoyu tagging along, grinning knowingly.
As they passed, she murmured under her breath, just loud enough for Gu Yan to hear:
"Careful, President Gu. President Qin can't stand homewreckers. His mother was one of the victims, and his father? The same kind of man you are."
Gu Yan's face turned an even darker shade of black.