Of course, everyone understood who these friends of “Tangtang” he was referring to.

For a moment, countless gazes fell upon Yan Fei and Xu Yi, their expressions unclear, yet seeming to be mocking the two.

Old Master Gu and Old Madam Gu led Shen Li to the center of the banquet hall.

Of course, based on today’s scenario, wherever Shen Li was, that would be the center.

The Gu family’s Shen Li was definitely the center of attention tonight.

…

The atmosphere gradually became livelier, and the banquet hall quickly returned to a more festive atmosphere again.

However, within this lively atmosphere, while some people were laughing heartily, there were others who were not so happy.

Yan Fei stood rooted to the spot. Almost subconsciously, her gaze followed the figure that was being surrounded by the Gu family members. Her mind continued to feel muddled.

She could not understand how the young miss that the Gu family had gone through so much trouble to find could have ended up being Shen Li!

If she had known this… If only she had known earlier…

How could she have said those words in public and turned herself into a laughing stock?!

Without even looking closely, she knew just how many people were secretly watching her make a fool of herself!

Yan Zhen grabbed her handbag and walked over. When she brushed past Yan Fei, her footsteps paused slightly. Then, she snorted and turned her head to look at her.

“How wonderful.”

Instantly feeling extremely embarrassed and humiliated, Yan Fei gritted her teeth.

Yan Zhen sized up her expression.

“Hey, why do you look so unhappy? Didn’t Old Master Gu invite all ‘Tangtang’s friends’ to have a good time? It sounded as if you and this young miss of the Gu family are quite close. So, why are you making such a face?”

These words finally provoked Yan Fei.

She suddenly turned her head to look at Yan Zhen. Her usually gentle and generous mask had been torn off, and her eyes were filled with hatred and resentment.

“How are you better than me?! The matter between you and Zhong Haoqi hasn’t even been settled yet!”

Hearing her mention Zhong Haoqi, Yan Zhen’s expression changed.

However, she did not get angry. Instead, she sneered.

Then, she tilted her head slightly and looked behind Yan Fei.

“Dad.”

Yan Fei’s whole body stiffened!

Yan Zhen glanced at her, feeling happy.

“Did you hear that? She has caused you so much trouble, yet she still doesn’t know how to repent!”

The matter between her and Zhong Haoqi had been bad, but she had not offended the Zhong family because of it.

On the other hand, Yan Fei… Old Master Gu’s displeasure had been very obvious!

She held her handbag as she sauntered around for a while before sneering.

“So, this is your good daughter.”

Of all the people she had to offend, she had managed to offend the most precious one in the Gu family!

Without even mentioning Old Master Gu, just judging by the attitudes of those few masters earlier, it looked like she, Yan Fei, would not be able to have a good life in the future!

It would be fine if this misfortune were to fall upon her alone, but if she were to implicate the Yan family–

Yan Fei clearly realized this as well. She hurriedly turned around and saw that Yan Baocheng’s face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it.

She had never seen him show such an expression to her. She could not help but become nervous.

“Dad–”

“Go over now and apologize to Shen Li!”

Yan Baocheng’s tone was determined.

Yan Fei choked and her lips turned pale.

In the current situation, what was the use of her apologizing for the past? She was now being looked down upon and being ridiculed by others!

She stood rooted to the ground without moving.

Yan Baocheng’s brows were tightly knitted together. His lowered voice was filled with surging anger.

“Are you not going? If you’re not going, then take yourself back home right now!”

There had been so many people in the banquet hall, yet she had to jump out to involve herself!

To think that he had thought that she was obedient and sensible in the past. Who would have thought that she was so inconsiderate and had even caused so much trouble!

Yan Fei had never been scolded like this by him before. Her eyes immediately turned red.

Many people around were paying attention to the situation here. Those gazes made Yan Fei feel extremely uncomfortable.

She wished that nothing had happened tonight and that she had never ever come here!

Yan Zhen looked in another direction and said in a sympathetic tone, “That’s the only child of the fourth young miss of the Gu family. She’s the proper young miss of the Gu family. Why would you feel wronged by apologizing to her?”

She had not even looked at her own background.

Yan Fei’s face was white as snow.

“Besides, didn’t you see that the eldest Miss Xu has already lowered her head? Even if you want to ride on someone’s coattails, you should look more carefully or you will implicate the Yan family for no reason.”

Yan Fei finally could not take it anymore. She turned around and quickly left.

“You–”

Yan Baocheng had originally wanted to force her to apologize, but he never would have guessed that she would really leave just like that!

His expression was extremely unsightly as he said coldly, “Useless thing!”

…

“Eh, is the Second Miss Yan leaving?”

Gu Siyang glanced in that direction.

Shen Li looked in the direction he had pointed out and indeed saw Yan Fei’s back view as she left in a sorry state.

She took a sip of peach juice, not feeling particularly surprised by this result.

After that, she seemed to have sensed something and turned her gaze slightly, just in time to meet the gazes of Sun Shiqi and the others.

Almost at the moment their eyes met, a strong sense of unease and nervousness flashed across their faces. Then, they immediately lowered their heads in guilt and did not dare to look at her again.

The corners of Shen Li’s lips curved slightly.

…

The atmosphere in the banquet hall was resplendent and lively.

However, Xu Yini remained standing where she was, feeling as if her entire body had turned cold.

She looked wooden, as if she had lost her soul. Her mind seemed to be filled with a lot of thoughts, yet it also seemed to be blank.

Right at that moment, Lu Huaiyu turned around to leave.

Subconsciously, she raised her head and saw him walking towards Shen Li.

The girl that she had once thought was so lowly that she belonged in the mud, the girl that she once could not even bother to spare a glance at, was now shining brilliantly and dazzling.

Now, Lu Huaiyu was walking towards her. His steps were slow and firm, just like every time before.

This was the person that he had always chosen.

“Miss Xu.”

A voice sounded, and Xu Yini came back to her senses.

“… Third Master Gu?”

Gu Tingyun’s smile was gentle as he looked at her.

“It was me who insisted on inviting you here this time. I didn’t expect such a misunderstanding to happen. How about this, allow me to bring you to Tangtang so that you may explain things clearly? It’s better to settle your grievances than to let them fester. What do you think?”

Xu Yini did not know what he meant, but seeing that he seemed to be somewhat apologetic, she subconsciously nodded her head.

Today’s situation did not look good for her and the Xu family.

Gu Tingyun’s brows relaxed before he led Xu Yini over.

At that moment, Lu Huaiyu had just arrived beside Shen Li and his burning gaze fell on her. However, just as he was about to speak, he heard a voice come from behind.

“Tangtang.”

He raised his eyebrows slightly and turned around to look. He saw Gu Tingyun walking over with Xu Yini.

Shen Li felt a little strange when she saw this.

“Third Uncle?”

Gu Tingyun had a faint smile on his face,

“Tangtang, actually, I was the one who invited Miss Xu here. I thought that there was some misunderstanding between the two of you earlier and I could use this opportunity to clear the air. After all, friends are hard to come by, right?”

Shen Li looked at him hesitantly. What did he mean?

Then, Gu Tingyun looked at Xu Yini.

He smiled warmly.

“Well, now, about the scandal between Tangtang and George, and the scandal between Tangtang and Lin Fengmian… You can start to explain about them now.”