When Shen Youjin arrived at Bai Beichen's villa, the melodious music was faintly wafting from inside, audible from afar.
Bai Beichen was dressed in a suit and standing at the door in person. The moment he saw her, he immediately stepped forward, his eyes shining with amazement.
"Sister, you look so beautiful tonight."
Standing under the night sky, Shen Youjin seemed to have the Milky Way wrapped around her. Her long, wavy black hair cascaded down her back, making her look gentle and noble.
"You're out here. Where are the guests?"
Bai Beichen was the host today, yet he was standing here waiting for her. She wondered what the Bai family would think of her.
"Sister is the most important." The moonlight shone down, illuminating her stunning face. Bai Beichen's voice carried a determination he didn't even notice himself. "I won't make the same mistake twice."
Shen Youjin was slightly stunned. She remembered the words she heard outside the door that day. Was this Bai Beichen's way of "atoning for his sins"?
"It's all in the past." She turned her head. "Let's go!"
Bai Beichen responded. The moonlight was beautiful tonight. He walked beside Shen Youjin, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Such a wonderful night belonged to her and him.
Even this short walk from the gate to the villa made him extremely happy.
He hoped time could slow down, slow down even more. He wanted to be immersed beside her forever.
The door of the banquet hall was pushed open. Everyone's eyes turned to the entrance, and there they saw Bai Beichen and Shen Youjin appear together.
Shen Youjin was wearing a dark blue tulle dress. The hem of the dress rippled with every step she took, like twinkling stars, arousing people's imagination.
And Bai Beichen, following beside her, was like a knight on a white horse, young, handsome, and absolutely loyal.
"Why is Shen Youjin here?" Mrs. Bai was holding Bai Ningxi's arm, her teeth almost grinding. "Who invited her?"
Bai Ningxi looked at that graceful figure from afar through the crowd and just gave a gentle smile. "Mom, this is a party for the young people today. Let Beichen do as he likes. It's not an engagement banquet."
Mentioning the engagement banquet, Mrs. Bai's attention immediately shifted to her. "How's it going with that young man from the Li family recently? When will the engagement banquet be held?"
Bai Ningxi was stunned for a moment and then continued to smile apologetically. "Mom, how can I, a girl, bring this up? Besides, we're still getting to know each other."
"There must be a result eventually." Mrs. Bai was silent for a few seconds. She didn't have the heart to push her daughter too hard, but still admonished her. "Don't be like your younger brother and act like a sycophant! There can't be two people in our Bai family who go after others."
Bai Ningxi knew her mother was in a bad mood after seeing Shen Youjin, so she immediately coaxed her and agreed with a couple of words.
Seeing her mother happy, she silently sighed in her heart.
She did want to pursue Li Nanchuan, but Li Nanchuan didn't give her any chance. Even having a few words with him alone was a matter of luck.
Looking at her silly younger brother's infatuation with Shen Youjin, his eyes would light up as soon as Shen Youjin appeared. He was almost putting a collar around his own neck. But she still envied Bai Beichen. At least Shen Youjin wasn't cold to him.
In the crowd, Shen Youjin quickly spotted Bai Wenjing.
Strictly speaking, Bai Beichen should call Bai Wenjing his aunt.
Bai Wenjing was from a side branch of the Bai family. Her family's business was just so - so. Marrying Fu Qingye's father was like a sparrow turning into a phoenix.
But life in a wealthy family might not be easy. Bai Wenjing's character was said to have become increasingly irritable, only being gentle in front of her husband.
Shen Youjin looked around. Fu Qingye wasn't here.
It made sense. This was Bai Beichen's show, and he definitely wouldn't give other men a chance.
She made an excuse and walked towards Bai Wenjing.
When Bai Wenjing saw her coming, she immediately put on the airs of a Mrs. Fu and began to size her up.
"Yo! Isn't this the illegitimate daughter of the Shen family? After seducing my son, are you now going after my nephew?"
Shen Youjin was taller than her, standing in front of her with a kind of condescending air.
Hearing this, she just smiled faintly. "Madam, those earrings on your ears are my mother's relics. How much do you want to sell them for?"
Bai Wenjing didn't expect her to be so direct, without any beating around the bush. This wasn't like Shen Youjin's style.
"I like these earrings very much. South China Sea golden pearls of this quality are hard to find. This isn't a matter that can be solved with money."
Shen Youjin knew her intention. She just looked around at the people nearby and said, "Mrs. Fu, if you don't want money, is there anything I can do for you?"
She wasn't stupid. Bai Wenjing must have obtained these pearls by some means, surely to humiliate her.
She might as well be straightforward. This was the Bai family's territory. She didn't believe Bai Wenjing would really ruin this party of the Bai family.
"Simple." Bai Wenjing reached out and picked up a glass of red wine. "I heard from my son that you have a good capacity for alcohol. As long as you drink this glass of wine, I'll return these earrings to you."
Shen Youjin looked at the glass of wine. Under the light, there seemed to be a flash of unmelted powder.
"Mrs. Fu, I've quit drinking."
Bai Wenjing scoffed at this. "You can drink outside, but not here?"
The noble ladies beside her also joined in the mockery. "Yes! Wenjing is also your elder. How can you refuse an elder's toast?"
Shen Youjin still maintained her smile on her face, but the words she said took on a slightly different meaning. "There are different kinds of elders. Since I can't meet the condition Mrs. Fu proposed, I won't force it."
"I just want to remind Mrs. Fu that these are my mother's relics. If they are transferred to someone else or there is any disrespect to the deceased, it might bring bad luck."
When her mother was alive, everyone despised her. But now, why didn't they mind wearing her mother's jewelry?
After saying that, she left, leaving Bai Wenjing standing there with an ugly expression, holding the glass of wine.
"What bad manners! Wenjing, why do Qingye and Beichen like a girl like this?"
Bai Wenjing tightened her grip on the glass. She had come here originally wanting to humiliate Shen Youjin, but Shen Youjin didn't give her any chance.
This was strange. In the TV dramas, didn't people try their best to get back their mother's relics?
Why did Shen Youjin give up so easily?
Shen Youjin didn't look at her again. She sat alone on a sofa not far away.
Did these rich people think everyone was a fool?
There were countless ways for her to get back what belonged to her. But if they thought they could trample on her dignity, they were just dreaming.
If her mother were alive, she would surely be heart - broken to see her acting like this for a pair of earrings. She couldn't let her mother down.
The previous piece of music ended, and a new piece started playing. It was one of her favorite piano pieces, "Für Elise".
As she listened, Bai Beichen came in front of her. The corners of his peach - blossom eyes were slightly upturned. When he smiled, his eyes were like spring water, captivating people's hearts.
"Sister, may I have the honor of dancing the first dance of the night with you?"