The family had urged her several times, and after Grandma touched up her makeup, she finally allowed Aunt Wang to wheel her out.
"Wan should be here by now. Don't keep her waiting."
Aunt Wang teased from the side, "You only have eyes for the fourth young lady. There are so many distinguished guests here today." Grandma's eyes sparkled with pride. "How could any of them compare to my granddaughter? By the way, did you prepare the stock transfer documents?"
"Everything's ready. The transfer can be processed tomorrow. But Madam, if you give all your shares to Miss Wan, the family might cause trouble again."
"Hmph! Just because they don't love Wan, does that mean no one else can? Besides, once a daughter is married off, she's like water spilled on the ground—what does it have to do with them? And after seeing how those blind fools are being manipulated by Su Ning'an today, do you really think Wan would get anything in the future? I'd rather transfer my assets to her while I'm still alive."
"Miss Wan is truly blessed to have a grandmother who cares for her so much."
Listening nearby, my heart ached. Grandma was wonderful, but I would never again be able to enjoy her kindness.
Aunt Wang took a shortcut to the banquet hall with the wheelchair. Before we even got close, I heard a cold, low voice:
"Still haven't found her? How many days has it been? How could a living person just disappear?"
"Master Lu, we've searched everywhere. Unless..."
The voice abruptly cut off as the master and servant noticed Grandma's group approaching and immediately fell silent.
I found it strange. What was he looking for? Could it be me? That didn't seem possible. We had only met a few times, after all. Lu Shiyan had never shown any interest in me—why would Lu Yanchen go out of his way to search for me? I must be overthinking it.
The heavy snow fell like a dense net under the streetlights. Lu Yanchen, dressed in a black suit, had his dark hair and shoulders dusted with snow. His sharp eyes were as cold as ever, but when he saw Grandma, he lowered his head slightly and spoke respectfully:
"Madam."
Grandma studied him for a long moment, seeming uncertain. "You're the Lu family's... that child."
Anyone who saw him would instinctively think of his status as an illegitimate son.
"Your humble junior, Lu Yanchen, has come to offer birthday wishes. A'Ji."
Shen Ji, standing behind the wheelchair, stepped forward with a wooden box. Bowing respectfully, he said, "Madam, this is a genuine thousand-year-old wild ginseng. Please take it to nourish your health."
The Su family lacked no treasures, but a genuine thousand-year-old wild ginseng was rare. Grandma didn't refuse.
"You're very thoughtful."
Aunt Zhang quickly stepped forward to accept it. "Thank you, Mr. Lu."
"It's cold and slippery outside. Young Master Lu, why not go inside to warm up?" Grandma's attitude toward him wasn't as hostile as it was toward Lu Shiyan.
"I dislike crowds. I only came to offer my respects. Now that my wishes have been delivered, I won't intrude further."
After a few polite words, Lu Yanchen added, "By the way, I didn't see Miss Wan in the hall earlier. I heard she left the banquet and hasn't returned to the Lu residence these past few days. Has she come back to Madam's side?"
"Wan sent me a gift today, but I haven't seen her yet. She must have been delayed by something."
Aunt Zhang added, "Miss Wan has always been filial. No matter where she is, she returns every year for Madam's birthday. She's probably on her way. Since you're already here, Mr. Lu, why not stay and share in the celebration? Have some cake before you leave."
For some reason, Lu Yanchen, who had been about to leave, changed his mind. "Then I'll trouble you."
The two wheelchairs moved toward the hall one after the other. Lu Yanchen, being reclusive, didn't show himself in public. Instead, he had Shen Ji push him to a dimly lit corner.
Watching his gloomy, handsome face, I grew suspicious. Had he deliberately been probing for information about me?
But we had no connection. He had mentioned my whereabouts several times—was that just a coincidence?
The hall was bustling, filled with smiling faces offering birthday wishes to Grandma, who responded warmly to each one.
Her eyes scanned the crowd—she was looking for me.
And so was Lu Shiyan.
I lingered near Lu Shiyan and overheard my mother complaining quietly:
"This Su Wan is really too much. It's so late, and she still hasn't arrived! How could she disregard her elder's birthday like this?"
"Mom, Sister must have been delayed by something. Should I ask my friends in Yuncheng to check if they've seen her?"
My mother patted Su Ning'an's hand. "You're the only one who puts my mind at ease."
Lu's father approached Lu Shiyan and nudged him lightly with his elbow, whispering, "Haven't you made up with Su Wan yet? Where is that girl?"
Lu Shiyan visibly panicked. How could he tell his father that after I disappeared, we had lost all contact?
"She's on her way. She'll be here soon."
"Good. Go wait for her at the entrance—it'll show sincerity."
"Alright."
Lu Shiyan headed for the door, noticing Lu Yanchen sipping tea in the corner. Their eyes met briefly, but Lu Shiyan, suppressing his anger, didn't greet him before stepping outside.
He was convinced I was just delayed by traffic. I wouldn't miss Grandma's birthday.
To make me feel guilty, he deliberately stood under the streetlamp, letting the snow pile up on him.
If I returned and the first thing I saw was him waiting for me, covered in snow like a snowman, my heart would ache too much to stay angry.
He knew me too well—he had always known how to manipulate me.
In the past, after we fought, he would deliberately catch a cold to make me worry. I'd rush to his side without hesitation, fussing over him, completely forgetting our earlier argument over Su Ning'an.
But this time, his ploy wouldn't work.
I stood nearby, watching coldly to see how long he could endure.
Every thirty seconds or so, he checked his watch. After fifteen minutes in the snow, he reached his limit.
How could he know that, years ago, to pray for that protective charm for him, I had knelt and bowed through the snowstorm?
That day, the wind and snow were so fierce they blinded me. Even bundled up, I was frozen to the bone, my face stinging as if cut by knives. That very night, I came down with a high fever—something he never knew.
I had endured an entire day in the freezing cold, while he couldn't even last fifteen minutes before retreating to the hall.
Su Ning'an hurried over to brush the snow off him, but Lu Shiyan immediately pushed her away. With so many eyes watching, he was careful to maintain boundaries with her.
No one thought much of it. My mother checked the time—the cake-cutting had been scheduled for seven.
Leaning close to Grandma, she whispered, "Mom, it's getting late. Let's cut the cake. The guests are hungry."
Grandma's gaze swept the crowd once more, still not finding me. Her expression darkened.
"Wait a little longer. Wan will be back soon. She promised to celebrate my birthday with me."