s played us this way. However, I will never be your aunt. I wouldn't demean myself like that."Upon finishing her words, tears like pearls rolled down her cheeks, leaving her looking pitifully distress...Zhao Xianrou finished speaking, then turned around and returned to the classroom, completely ignoring these people.

Wei Xinyi watched the slender figure leave, her eyes flickering. Today's play was orchestrated by her deliberately.

Since the news broke that Zhao Qianrou was not biologically related to the Zhao family, she kept her distance from everyone, even Yang Ziyue. This actually made Yang Ziyue pay more attention to her.

Wei Xinyi thought the other party was playing hard to get, which increased Yang Ziyi's favor for her. It also forced her foster father to make a decision sooner. After all, a marriage between their families wasn't child's play, so she further tested the other party. Now it seemed that the other party no longer desired what didn't belong to them, then she would take action.

That day, when Qian Rou returned to Zhao's villa, she went straight to see Zhao Fenglin and told him everything the classmates had said. Finally, she added:

"Father, I'm now the adopted daughter of the Zhao family, and it's no longer suitable for me to marry into the Yang family. Lianyi needs to return to Mo City as soon as possible to adjust to everything here. This will be beneficial for her, and I will do my best to help her then."

Zhao Fenglin looked at his adopted daughter's sincere face, a faint smile on his lips and said:

"As for a child's words, you needn't take them to heart. If Yang Ziyue is unwilling to be betrothed to you, I think it's unnecessary to force this alliance with them. Being so picky and choosing from options as if my daughter Zhao Fenglin were merely a cabbage"

This made Lianrou feel much better, but she still said:

"I know I can't influence my father's decision, but I'm telling you what I've seen and heard so you can make a more informed judgment. I hope Li will be happy in the future, and that being exchanged wasn't our fault."

Zhao Xianrou lowered her eyes and said, so she missed Zhao Fu's complex gaze towards her.

"I know, you don't have to worry about these things. Study hard. You may not be my biological daughter, but you are my adopted daughter."

Thank you, Father!

Zhao Xianrou's eyes welled up with tears, she lowered her head in response, and then left the study.

That night, Zhou Mengyu learned about Xianrou's visit to her husband. Her face was pale, and after a long time, she finally spoke:

Is she still not planning to be honest with us

"Just wait a little longer! The news that she's not our biological daughter has already spread, and she's in the spotlight right now. We can't consider this much right now."

Zhao Fenglin said expressionlessly.

"Doesn't this child coming to you just test you, even force you to make a decision sooner She learns quickly."

"In this situation, she must be desperate to grasp at anything that proves we still care about her."

Zhao Fenglin loosened his tie and directly stated the tender thoughts in Xiao Xin's mind.

"I know! But the Yang family is pretty level-headed, though."

Zhou Mengyu didn't want to say more about delicate matters and directly changed the subject.

Yang Jun, that old fox in the political arena, wouldn't be in a hurry. Although the marriage between the two families had been discussed, it hadn't been formally betrothed yet. This meant there was room for maneuver.

Moreover, the Yang family has never met Lian Yi, so they cannot judge if she is suitable to be their daughter-in-law. Therefore, the "dragging" tactic is the best way to respond.

Zhao Fenglin spoke as he unbuttoned his sleeve cuffs. Zhou Mengyu stepped forward and removed the pair of blue sapphire cufflinks, nodding in agreement:

"I think this is just right, it gives Ripples an opportunity to grow."

"That's right, our child finally came back. I wanted her to spend more time with us!"

As time passed, a year later the gossips about Zhao Xianrou gradually faded away. After all, she had been a diligent student for the entire year and avoided Yang Ziyi's company altogether. Even when they met, she would simply offer a polite greeting and pass by, leaving those who were waiting for a scandal with nothing to talk about.

Wei Xinyi is frequently seen around Yang Ziyix. She takes advantage of being in the same class as Yang Ziyix, appearing open and aboveboard. Some have already noticed this, and it's because the Wei family has intentions. They tacitly approve of Wei Xinyi's actions, while Yang Ziyix, who is teased about this, remains unresponsive.

This year, apart from attending school, Zhao Xianrou returned to the Zhao family villa every day off. It was no different from the previous seventeen years, which made some gossipers realize that the Zhao family still acknowledged Xianrou and that their legitimate daughter had yet to come to Shanghai. As things stand now, Zhao Xianrou seems to be slightly ahead.

Senior year ended in such a bizarre way. Yang Ziyix chose to enter the National Defense University, while Wei Xinyi chose medicine, preparing to become a military doctor, thus bringing her closer to Yang Ziyix. She figured being close would help her win him over. Meanwhile, Zhao Xianrou majored in business management, clearly intending to join the Zhao family enterprise after graduation.

After the results were released, everyone successfully entered their chosen universities. Finally, led by the class monitor, they had a gathering at a nice hotel.

After all, it was the last gathering before everyone went their separate ways, so no one missed it. The classmates you have now will be your resources and connections in the future, and no one would want to miss that.

Over one hundred people were having a lively party in the hotel ballroom. When it was time to leave, the male students were quite drunk, swaying as they walked, while the female students had flushed cheeks. They all got into their respective cars and drove home.

Three cars were left waiting for their passengers, one each for Yang Ziyì, Wei Xīnyī, and Zhao Xiāoróu.

The driver waited for the person to be picked up, but couldn't wait any longer and went into the hotel. He asked around and found out that Yang Ziyixing had a very poor tolerance for alcohol and got drunk after just one cup. Wei Xinyi supported him away, while Zhao Xianrou suffered an allergic reaction after drinking fruit wine containing mango ingredients, so she went to rest in the private room of the hotel and didn't appear for the second half of the gathering.

Three drivers weren't fools; they seemed to have caught wind of something and immediately contacted their bosses before going to the room with the staff to look for someone.

The result was somewhat unexpected. Yang Ziyue and Zhao Xianrou were actually in the same room together. It was obvious at a glance that everything that could happen had happened.

Zhao Xianrou was very embarrassed. When she saw the person coming, she grabbed the sheet and covered herself up, then said with red eyes:

"Help me contact my father, I need to call the police!"

And the other party, Yang Ziyixiao, was pressing his temples with a headache at this time. Hearing Zhao Xianrou's hoarse voice, he finally looked up and saw only hatred and disappointment in her eyes.

He subconsciously frowned, some fragmented images flashing before his eyes, making him realize that this matter was serious, he had been tricked.

Wei Xinyi, who was found in the next room, was still unconscious. After being woken up, she looked at her driver and asked in surprise:

"How are you here"

He then looked around, his eyes flashing, and said while rubbing his head:

"What's wrong with me Why am I so dizzy"

"Miss Wei, I'll send you home first! The party is over."

"Is it over"

Immediately, Wei Xinyi saw her father's assistant arrive and give her a look. She obediently nodded, staggered to her feet, and left the hotel room.

On the way back, Wei Xinyi's car just brushed past Zhao Fenglin and his wife's car.s.While Guo Chang'an continued to search for Jiang Yiy's regulars, he also kept an eye on the entertainment city, hoping to catch sight of that Audi car again.That day, he saw Ginger Lulu driving the...