Volume One, Chapter 13: The Peril of the Anniversary Celebration

Over the next few days, Gu Xingnian hardly left her home, immersing herself in her small laboratory to conduct her research.

On Saturday night, the Fu family’s private dock was brilliantly illuminated, as bright as daylight.

A colossal five-deck luxury yacht lay quietly moored, its hull gleaming pure white, radiating a pearlescent sheen under the spotlight.

This was no ordinary vessel; it was a symbol of the Fu Group’s power and wealth.

Tonight marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Fu Group’s founding, and the celebration was held aboard the yacht named “Star.”

Luxury cars streamed continuously along the dock, their doors opening to reveal the most prominent business magnates and social elites of Sea City and across the nation.

Guests, guided by their gilded invitations, boarded the yacht in an orderly fashion.

“Have you heard? President Fu has really spared no expense this time—there’s going to be a five-million-firework display!”

“Five million fireworks? My goodness! I heard Actress Jiang loves fireworks. President Fu is lavishing his wealth just to win her smile!”

“But the key is, President Fu is rumored to make an official announcement tonight. I even heard the Fu family’s old patriarch is on board. I wonder which young lady it is?”

“I think it must be... Jiang Kexin.”

“Who else could it be? Not long ago, Young Master Fu personally flew abroad for the birthday banquet of his beloved. This is clearly the treatment of a future CEO’s wife!”

The guests murmured excitedly, their faces alight with anticipation as, led by attendants, they entered the “Star.”

Inside, the entire banquet hall was decorated like a dreamlike palace, every detail reflecting the host’s immense wealth and refined taste.

A colossal crystal chandelier hung from the soaring ceiling, its dazzling light reflecting off the mirror-like marble floor.

The air was filled with a blend of high-end fragrances and fresh flowers.

Soft classical music flowed through the spacious hall, as waiters gracefully carried trays laden with champagne and exquisite delicacies, weaving elegantly through the crowd.

Suddenly, a commotion arose at the entrance. The murmuring crowd fell silent, all eyes turning toward the doorway.

Fu Beichen appeared.

He wore a bespoke white suit, perfectly tailored to his form; every line was smooth and precise—too much would feel cumbersome, too little would lack spirit.

Handsome.

But not in a gentle or harmless way; his beauty was sharp, aggressive, and distant, with sharply defined brows slanting toward his temples, exuding a fierce aura.

Arm in arm with him was the popular leading actress, Jiang Kexin.

Jiang Kexin was dressed in a custom-made red strapless gown that accentuated her snow-white skin, with a priceless diamond necklace shimmering at her neck.

Her makeup was exquisite, lips curled in a poised smile, eyes gleaming with pride and triumph.

In this moment, she was the queen of the room.

“President Fu, good evening.”

“President Fu and Miss Jiang make such a perfect match!”

“President Fu is truly lucky. Miss Jiang looks more radiant than ever!”

“A match made in heaven—talent and beauty combined!”

Compliments and praise surged like a tide.

The elite stepped forward to greet them with respect, their eyes filled with recognition of the future mistress of the Fu household.

Jiang Kexin responded elegantly, a surge of uncontrollable vanity welling inside her.

Tonight’s glory surpassed any award she had ever received.

As Jiang Kexin basked in the adulation, the music abruptly ceased, and the hall fell silent once more.

Someone else had arrived.

This arrival caused even greater sensation than the entrance of Fu Beichen and Jiang Kexin.

Lu Lie appeared, arm linked with a stunning woman clad in a golden backless gown, gracefully entering the hall.

The gown was a flowing silk satin, shimmering with a high-end metallic luster. Under the lights, the skirt spread like molten gold, unfurling slowly.

If Jiang Kexin was a radiant red rose, this woman was a noble golden tulip.

Her features were exquisitely refined; her deep black eyes seemed to captivate the soul. Cascading chestnut hair spilled casually over her shoulders, emphasizing her porcelain skin.

Her exposed skin was delicate and pale, her shoulder blades shaped like butterfly wings, alluring with every subtle movement.

The dress perfectly traced her curvaceous figure, every curve just right, breathtaking.

What was even more impossible to ignore was the dazzling sapphire necklace at her neck, sparkling mesmerizingly in the light.

That was no ordinary jewel—it was a treasured heirloom of the royal family of F Country, symbolizing supreme honor and favor!

“Oh my, who is this beauty? She’s stunning!”

“That figure... simply flawless!”

“My goodness, that necklace looks like F Country’s ‘Heart of the Emperor’! It’s priceless!”

“Who exactly is she?”

“This must be President Lu of the legendary Bluebird Technology. So handsome! Could she be his fiancée?”

The room erupted in whispers. All eyes were drawn to Gu Xingnian—astonishment, envy, jealousy—all swirling together.

Even Fu Beichen was taken aback by her breathtaking and fiercely striking beauty.

He had known Gu Xingnian for some time, but never had he seen her so dazzling, so aggressively beautiful.

Was her splendid attire for Lu Lie’s sake, or for her own?

Fu Beichen quickly composed himself, smiling warmly as he approached.

“President Lu, welcome,” he said, extending his hand, his gaze locked on Gu Xingnian’s face.

Yet he saw no trace of emotion there.

Jiang Kexin also approached, her smile strained, politely extending her hand. “President Lu, hello!”

Lu Lie glanced at her but made no move to shake her hand, ignoring her completely.

“Hungry? Let me take you somewhere to eat,” Lu Lie said gently to Gu Xingnian, his tone full of affection.

Gu Xingnian nodded.

“Excuse me,” Lu Lie nodded to Fu Beichen, then linked arms with Gu Xingnian and gracefully departed.

Jiang Kexin’s face instantly turned ashen.

She was the reigning leading actress, the future Mrs. Fu—the complete disregard was a humiliating disgrace!

“Beichen, what does President Lu mean by this? How did Gu Xingnian get involved with him? Doesn’t she know her place?” Jiang Kexin whispered sharply.

Fu Beichen frowned, about to respond when two business partners approached, warmly greeting him.

“President Fu, hello.”

“Congratulations, President Fu.”

“Kexin, go have some refreshments over there. I’ll come find you shortly,” he said softly.

Though displeased, Jiang Kexin swallowed her resentment, nodded, and turned toward the dessert area.

Her sharp eyes locked onto Gu Xingnian’s figure with venomous intensity.

Lu Lie’s phone rang, and he whispered something into Gu Xingnian’s ear. She nodded, and he turned to leave.

Unbothered by the surrounding commotion, Gu Xingnian walked to the dessert table, picked up a delicate macaron, and took a gentle bite.

“Hm, not bad,” she murmured.

The towering champagne pyramid, with its crystal-clear glasses stacked high, reflected the dazzling crystal chandeliers—a feast for the eyes.

Gu Xingnian stood nearby, holding a glass of juice, boredly watching the liquid swirl.

Suddenly.

Without any warning.

The symbol of luxury and celebration—the champagne tower—emitted a piercing creak as it began to tilt.

Before anyone could react, it crashed down with a thunderous roar!

Its target was precisely where she stood!

“Ahhh!”

Screams shattered the once-elegant atmosphere.

Countless glass cups fell like hailstones, shards catching the light like deadly shards, flying densely toward Gu Xingnian!

Too close.

She was far too near that deadly tower!

Gu Xingnian’s mind went blank; her body stiffened, paralyzed by overwhelming fear.

Jiang Kexin’s eyes widened with excitement, eagerly awaiting to see Gu Xingnian’s delicate face and pale back torn to shreds...

But then, a tall, cold figure flashed swiftly across the scene...