Su Xiyang's expression was gloomy, a clear sign of her bad mood. She hesitated at the entrance before finally leading Shen Fanyun through the gates.
Inside the brilliantly lit Su Family hall, dozens of guests milled about, clinking glasses and making merry in a lively atmosphere.
Shen Fanyun's gaze was drawn to the center of the hall, where an old man with a cane, white hair, and white brows stood. His strong and commanding presence instantly identified him as Old Master Su, the head of the Su Family and Su Xiyang's biological grandfather. The old man's complexion was rosy and he was full of vigor, not at all like someone in his seventies.
"Grandfather, our Xi Yan really knows how to pick her moments, bringing a boyfriend home on such an important occasion," Su Ziye said, twisting her graceful body as she suddenly raised her voice. "Is she trying to anger you, or does she really think this country bumpkin who popped out of nowhere is actually worthy of your approval?"
The previously lively hall fell silent as a wave of gazes turned in unison to land on Su Xiyang and Shen Fanyun, who was right behind her.
"Boyfriend? Isn't Su Xiyang the one Young Master Wang has his eye on?"
"Daring to snatch the woman Young Master Wang fancies... Does he not want to live?"
Everyone present had heard the rumors about Su Xiyang and Wang Yanwen. Setting all else aside, Wang Yanwen's family background and influence in Hangcheng City were virtually unrivaled. Countless young ladies from noble families, so-called heiresses, were desperate to get into his good graces. Consequently, when the news spread, many wealthy businessmen secretly complained about the Su Family's incredible luck, convinced Su Xiyang had simply stumbled into landing such an exceptional man.
Old Master Su had been overjoyed, wishing he could cut to the chase and have Wang Yanwen and Su Xiyang married within days. Unfortunately, Su Xiyang was unmoved, even declaring that she would rather die than marry him.
And now, not only had Su Xiyang forcefully rejected Wang Yanwen, but she had brazenly brought her own boyfriend to the party!
"This is going to be a good show."
"Hahaha, Old Master Su values his reputation above all else. For his own granddaughter to insist on causing such a scene on an occasion like this... Tsk, tsk."
Reveling in the drama, the crowd turned to size up Shen Fanyun, their gazes a mixture of pity and contempt.
Shen Fanyun stood there in a white suit and black shirt, one hand casually in his pocket. A collective thought passed through the crowd: relationship with Su Xiyang aside, the young man was strikingly handsome. His fair skin was masculine, not effeminate. With eyebrows as sharp as swords and eyes as deep as the sea, he had the undeniable air of a young master from a noble house.
Could he also be the scion of some great and wealthy family?
Su Xiyang started to explain her relationship with Shen Fanyun but then reconsidered. The last few days have already been so awful. What's one more problem? To hell with it. Let them think what they want.
"Hmph! Su Xiyang, what exactly do you think you're doing? You reject an ideal son-in-law like Young Master Wang, only to debase yourself by choosing this... thing?" Old Master Su was indeed furious, stamping his cane as his face grew dark. "Is this thing worth even one of Young Master Yanwen's fingers?"
Shen Fanyun shook his head helplessly. Who did I even offend? There's no need to be so demeaning at a first meeting.
"Old Master Su, please don't be angry. It's your own health that suffers. Why torment yourself over someone who isn't worth it?" Just then, another young man with a fawning smile sidled up to Old Master Su. "Old Master Su, I have here a Mountain and River Map that I carefully selected as a gift. I hope you like it!"
Judging by his position next to her, he had to be Su Ziye's boyfriend, also visiting for the first time.
Sure enough, as soon as Chen Feng finished speaking, Su Ziye immediately began to boast to Old Master Su about her boyfriend's humility and thoughtfulness. At this, Old Master Su's stern face finally softened.
"A Mountain and River Map? That's quite a treasure! Where did you obtain it, Chen Feng? I've heard that this painting alone is worth more than an ordinary person could ever imagine."
"Chen Feng is really sparing no expense to win Old Master Su's favor!"
The crowd gasped. The mere mention of the Mountain and River Map left them in undeniable shock. Even Old Master Su, a man who had seen his share of life's storms, was visibly moved. He immediately gave Chen Feng a look of admiration and fondness.
"They're both visiting for the first time. One treats the occasion with respect while the other arrives empty-handed. The difference between them is night and day."
"How can the gap between two people be so vast?"
After a burst of fawning chatter about Chen Feng, the guests turned their critical gaze back to Shen Fanyun, shaking their heads and sighing with open disapproval and contempt.
Shen Fanyun shrugged again. So they really have mistaken me for Su Xiyang's new boyfriend. And now they're comparing me to Su Ziye's boyfriend, Chen Feng.
To make matters worse, Chen Feng—a man he had just met and had no quarrel with—stuck his hands in his pockets and began to mock him with an arrogant air. "I was immersed in the classics from a young age and raised in a strict household, so naturally, I place great importance on propriety, righteousness, integrity, and honor. How can some crude vulgarian possibly compare to me? To even draw such a comparison is an insult to me, Chen Feng!"
Heh, this Chen fellow is really full of himself, isn't he?
In reality, the moment Chen Feng produced the Mountain and River Map, Shen Fanyun knew it was a fake. The mounting technique was all wrong; it was a 100% forgery.
I hadn't intended to expose him. But who would have thought this Chen Feng would pick a fight for no reason, like he has nothing better to do? Am I supposed to endure this? Of course not.
Shen Fanyun had many virtues, and one of them was his love for putting people in their place. Not only is this guy trying to pass off a forgery as a treasure, but he's also making snide remarks about me, calling me a crude person who isn't even worthy to carry his shoes?
"Am I not even offered a glass of water on my first visit?" Shen Fanyun asked, turning to Su Xiyang.
Su Xiyang snapped back to reality. "Oh, right. Sorry."
"You still want water? You're not welcome here. If you know what's good for you, scram," Su Ziye rebuked Shen Fanyun, her eyes full of disdain and arrogance.
"You should be more concerned about your boyfriend there," Shen Fanyun said calmly. "Presenting a forgery like this... Aren't you afraid of the humiliation when the truth comes out?"
His words sent the entire room into an uproar. Everyone exchanged uncertain glances, looking at each other in confusion.
A fake?
Chen Feng's face turned beet-red. He pointed a finger at Shen Fanyun, his tone explosive. "What the hell are you babbling about? You're slandering me... Damn it!"
Shen Fanyun raised an eyebrow, his tone indifferent. "Weren't you the one who claimed to come from a prominent family, brought up to value 'propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame'? Why then, does profanity spill from your mouth so easily?" He paused. "Or is your version of these virtues just a constant stream of obscenities?"
Chen Feng was left speechless. His face cycled through shades of red and white in an instant, a mask of pure mortification. Moments ago, he had been mocking Shen Fanyun as a crude lout unworthy of comparison. And now? Not only had he lost all composure, but he was also struck dumb, unable to form a single retort.