"Yuanyuan is my foster sister, and she used to be the eldest daughter of the Wen family. My current father, Wen Honggang, is her biological father," Liang Xinwei said, her voice light and casual, as if she were chatting about everyday matters. "Although she doesn't live with the Wen family anymore, she was once a pampered young lady. Her arrogant nature is likely ingrained in her bones; it’s something she just can't seem to change.
"When we were little, Dad loved me more than her, so she would often play 'disappearing acts' to get his attention. She found great satisfaction and joy in watching everyone panic while searching for her.
"Over time, she developed this habit of vanishing whenever she was unhappy. But a few days later, she would always reappear, perfectly fine, acting as if nothing had happened while everyone else was worried sick.
"This time, she’s definitely just playing 'disappearing' again because she’s in a bad mood. She just wants Hanyi to go look for her."
As she spoke, Liang Xinwei squeezed Fu Hanyi’s hand, as if meeting me had caused him some great injustice.
Fu Hanyi, as was his custom, kept his face impassive, revealing no emotion.
I, on the other hand, was fuming, burning with the urge to slap this white lotus across the face. How could someone be so shameless, spewing such vicious slander without even a change in expression? The whole Wen family was blind, completely deceived by her hypocrisy.
The police officer, however, seemed skeptical. "Is that so?"
Liang Xinwei asked, "Besides the phone, you haven't found any other clues, have you?"
"Not yet," the officer replied.
"Then that proves it. She just deliberately dropped her phone to leave a trail, just to make everyone worry," Liang Xinwei said with a sigh. "I really didn't expect that even after all these years, she still hasn't outgrown this habit of disappearing whenever she likes. But she will come back."
The officer frowned slightly. "Why are you so certain?"
Liang Xinwei offered a sweet smile. "Because in a few days, it will be Great-grandfather's ninetieth birthday. The Wen family will be hosting a grand celebration. Great-grandfather dotes on her, his eldest great-granddaughter, the most. No matter how much of a tantrum she throws, she will eventually return to wish him a happy birthday."
Tears welled up in my eyes. Liang Xinwei was right—Great-grandfather was the one who loved me the most in the Wen family. This white lotus had snatched everything else away from me, but she had never been able to take away my place in his heart. It was just a pity that Great-grandfather was now advanced in age; although he loved me, he drifted in and out of clarity, and was no longer able to intervene in the affairs of the younger generation.
A few days ago, when he was lucid, he had called me. "Yuanyuan," he had said, "I’m living one day at a time, and I’m afraid this will be the last major birthday I ever celebrate. You must come back to wish me a happy birthday."
"I will, Great-grandfather. I promise," I had assured him.
But now, I was going to break that promise. I was already dead; I could never return to celebrate his birthday again.
"She’s probably hiding somewhere, secretly reveling in the fact that everyone is running around in a frenzy over her," Liang Xinwei added venomously.
After listening to Liang Xinwei’s speech, Fu Hanyi stood up. "Countless crimes are committed every day, and I hope the police force won't be used as a diversion for the bored games of a spoiled young lady. And, of course, I hope you won't waste my time. This Miss Wen has absolutely nothing to do with me!"
Seeing how cold-hearted Fu Hanyi was, the officer said no more. "Very well. We will contact the Wen family to investigate further."
"On the day of Great-grandfather's birthday, my sister will definitely return," Liang Xinwei said, offering Fu Hanyi further reassurance with a confident tone as they left the station.
But after Fu Hanyi dropped Liang Xinwei home, he sat alone in his car for a long time. He picked up his phone several times, only to put it back down, until finally, he narrowed his eyes and hissed, "Wen Yuan, you’d better not show up at that banquet."
His fierce expression made it seem as if my appearance would be a waste of his concern, or as if he would strangle me the moment he saw me.
But I wouldn't let him down. I was already dead; there was no way I could show up at Great-grandfather’s birthday party in two days.
Yet, when my soul awakened, I found myself right at the villa where the banquet was being held. Perhaps heaven was granting me mercy, letting me wish Great-grandfather a happy birthday one last time.
The villa was draped in lanterns and festive decorations, bustling with guests. Since it was his ninetieth, the Wen family was going all out. I floated in the air, watching Great-grandfather, who sat there in his Tang suit with a kind and gentle expression. My heart was filled with warmth, but also deep sorrow. I never imagined that our phone call that day would be our final farewell.
Great-grandfather sat in a rosewood armchair as the younger generations took turns paying their respects. When it was time for the great-grandchildren, it was Liang Xinwei who stepped forward with tea to offer her wishes.
She had replaced me, the eldest great-granddaughter, once again. Furthermore, she was accompanied by Fu Hanyi, the titan of the city, which made her glow with prestige. The two-carat diamond ring on her finger blinded everyone in the room.
"How beautiful. I’ve never seen such a huge 'pigeon egg' before."
"Master Fu is truly generous to our Xinwei."
"Our Xinwei is both talented and beautiful—she's the number one socialite in the circle, and President Fu is the number one tycoon. They are a match made in heaven. Since they are such a perfect fit, it's only natural for Master Fu to treat her with true sincerity."
"Even though she’s an adopted daughter, she’s much more accomplished than the real one."
"What 'adopted'? Xinwei is the true lady of the Wen family, the pride of the Wens. The real daughter is nothing..."
The guests whispered among themselves, showering Liang Xinwei with praise while I was treated with nothing but disdain.
The Wen family was equally deferential to Fu Hanyi, treating him like an honored guest. Wen Honggang, in particular, kept shaking Fu Hanyi’s hand, unable to let go, his face practically collapsing from the width of his grin. "Master Fu, your presence at the old master’s birthday celebration truly brings such luster to the occasion!"
If it were just the Wen family, their wealth and status would be nothing compared to Fu Hanyi’s. By getting engaged to him, the Wen family had finally climbed into the true upper echelons of society.
"Chairman Wen is too kind," Fu Hanyi replied with a flat, polite gesture before presenting a gift to the old master. "Happy birthday, Old Master. May you enjoy longevity and prosperity, and may your days be filled with laughter and peace."
The old master accepted the gift happily. "Thank you, Master Fu."
Next, it was time for Liang Xinwei to offer the tea. She knelt before Great-grandfather, the cup in her hands. "Great-grandfather, your great-granddaughter Liang Xinwei wishes you a life as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity as towering as the Southern Mountains."
The old man, who had been smiling, looked startled upon realizing it was Liang Xinwei. "Why is it you? Where is Yuanyuan? She promised me she would come to wish me a happy birthday."
He did not take the tea, but instead craned his neck to scan the crowd. When he didn't see me, his joyous expression darkened instantly.
"Did you not let Yuanyuan through the door?" Great-grandfather’s tone suddenly sharpened. Although he was no longer in charge of the Wen Corporation, he remained the most respected figure in the family. As his temper flared, the atmosphere in the room turned cold.
Standing to the side, my grandmother, Wu Guizhen, furrowed her brows with great displeasure. "Why? Haven't the police found that wretched girl yet?"
Her words were dripping with disgust, and it was clear she held no love for me. Hearing this, I realized the police must have called the Wen family to inquire about my situation. Liang Xinwei would have explained my relationship with the family, and the police would have had to follow protocol. But I could tell from Wu Guizhen’s tone that no one cared about my disappearance at all. Five days had passed, and no one had even bothered to check back with the police to see if I had been found.
I had been missing for five days; my body must have started to rot by now.
"What police?" Great-grandfather’s face changed dramatically as he looked at Wen Honggang, who stood by his side. "Honggang, what is going on?"
"Grandfather, don't worry. The girl is just throwing a little tantrum..." The man in the tailored suit gave a dismissive, brief account of my disappearance, speaking as if he were discussing a complete stranger. "She probably just went out of town to clear her head. She’ll be back in a few days, so please, don't worry."
"That girl has had a temper since she was little. She played this disappearing act once when she was a child, too, and reappeared after a few days. Everyone was as anxious as ants on a hot pan, and she acted like nothing had happened." The one belittling me was my aunt, Wen Jiayu.
She didn't stop there, but went on to praise Liang Xinwei. "That time, she almost ruined her brother's project. Thankfully, it was Xinwei who saved the day, otherwise, the Wen family would have suffered a huge loss. Xinwei is truly talented and capable; if only Wen Yuan had half of her ability, it would at least give the Wen family some face."
"Forget about saving face—it would be good enough if she didn't lose face for the family. I heard she’s been working at a nightclub lately..."
It was my second aunt speaking, but before she could finish, Wu Guizhen interrupted her. "What kind of day is this to bring up such sordid matters?"
It was Great-grandfather’s birthday, and with so many guests present, she didn't want the family’s dirty laundry aired, even if she hated me. The second aunt wisely shut her mouth.
"What nightclub?" Great-grandfather had heard her, however, and his voice dropped into a stern, angry tone. "What kind of filth are you all trying to smear on Yuanyuan?"
"Grandfather, Wen Yuan is your favorite; who would dare smear her?" Wen Jiayu quickly tried to smooth things over. Seeing that Liang Xinwei was still kneeling, she reminded him, "Grandfather, Xinwei's arms are getting tired. Please, take the tea."
"Exactly, just drink the tea, Grandfather. Wen Yuan is just acting out; she’s not worth your anger," my second uncle added.
Great-grandfather suddenly looked at Liang Xinwei, raised his cane, and pointed it at her accusingly. "Liang Xinwei, it was you who hid Yuanyuan again, wasn't it!"
Fu Hanyi, who had been silent until now, raised an eyebrow.