Volume 1, Chapter 4: Seeing your ex-boyfriend and you don't even say hello?

Suddenly finding the piano too loud, everyone called for the pianist to stop and leave.

Qiao Nian’an rose gracefully, about to walk down from the stage.

The people inside the private room froze the moment they saw her.

“Oh! Isn’t this our once high-and-mighty Miss Qiao, who disappeared for seven years? What is she doing working as a waitress in a place like this?” Wen Yusi’s voice rang out loudly, dripping with mockery.

Qiao Nian’an felt her body stiffen, even a tingling numbness on her scalp.

Everyone stared at her, dumbfounded.

After all...

Qiao Nian’an’s face had been renowned in high school as the most beautiful and pure school belle.

Even now, without a trace of makeup and dressed as a waitress, her radiant, youthful face was the brightest in the crowd.

So many years had passed, and everyone else had changed somewhat.

Only she remained as fresh and elegant as the girl they remembered from their school days.

“Huh? Even the heiress from the Hong Kong circle came to our reunion!”

“What heiress from the Qiao family in Hong Kong? Her family went bankrupt six or seven years ago and even owes a billion yuan! Her father became an economic criminal and then committed suicide!”

“Heiress? Have you ever seen a true heiress working as a waitress in a place like this?”

“Wen Yusi used to chase after Qiao Nian’an all the time. Her father was the Qiao family’s driver. When the Qiao family fell on hard times, it was the Wen family who reported them.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Yusi frowned deeply and shot a fierce glare at the speaker.

The others fell silent instantly.

Everyone knew that during the Qiao family’s bankruptcy, Wen Yusi was the harshest in mocking them. She could talk endlessly about their downfall.

Qiao Nian’an was that dazzling flower; Wen Yusi was just a leaf. Wherever they were, Qiao Nian’an always overshadowed Wen Yusi.

While licking Qiao Nian’an’s boots, Wen Yusi hated her deep down.

All eyes in the room settled on Qiao Nian’an.

“Miss Qiao, are you really working here... serving alcohol?”

“But as far as we know, in places like this, if you pay enough, you can outsource the night’s entertainment, right?”

“Look at Miss Qiao’s figure, tsk tsk, wearing a tight skirt, her body is really something!”

“Wearing such a short skirt—who is she trying to attract?” Wen Yusi sneered at Qiao Nian’an. “Could it be that she’s fishing to lure Fu Yunzhen? Back then, she dumped him for being poor, never realizing she was blind. That poor boy she discarded like trash has now transformed into the crown prince of the Beijing circle, a tech prodigy in North America. She…”

Before Wen Yusi could finish, a glass of wine was thrown in her face.

Wen Yusi screamed.

“Qiao Nian’an, who do you think you are? How dare you throw wine at me?”

“You should know that spreading malicious rumors comes with a price!”

What kind of reunion was this? It was just an excuse to gather and ridicule her!

After all, her former glory was something they could never touch in their lifetime.

Yes, she was an heiress, but she never bullied anyone. Instead, whenever they asked for help, she always lent a hand—financially.

Even those who deceived her, as long as they asked to borrow money, she lent it willingly. After all these years, not a single penny was ever paid back.

Yet, years later, those she had helped were now stabbing her in the back.

Qiao Nian’an didn’t need friends.

Having been through so much, she no longer cared about their mockery.

No one, no thing, could hurt her anymore.

She turned and left the private room.

Upon opening the door, a sharp, faint woody scent greeted her.

Before her eyes were a pair of polished men’s leather shoes, leading up to long, strong legs clad in an expensive, tailored black suit.

A tall figure loomed over her.

Her gaze fell on the pale wrist bone peeking from his pocket, adorned with a faded red string bracelet.

Without a glance, Qiao Nian’an knew exactly who this man was.

Lowering her head, she tucked her hair to cover half her face.

She never expected to meet him again in such a place, at her most vulnerable moment...

Earlier, on the stage, the way he looked at her was like countless nights before—devouring her with his gaze.

She could tell he desired her.

After steadying her emotions, she lifted her eyes slightly. His features, reflected by the light, were cold and piercing, gradually sinking into her beautiful pupils.

The man’s profile was resolute and heroic, his black eyes deep and intense.

He exuded a restrained, aloof aura, the oppressive presence so profound it could drive one mad.

Qiao Nian’an’s slender form trembled inexplicably.

She shivered slightly and turned around to make way for him to enter the room.

Fu Yunzhen was no longer someone she could look up to.

Now, he stood at the pinnacle of the pyramid.

No longer the poor boy she teased until he lost control, cornered and desperate for her.

Qiao Nian’an almost wanted to flee.

Unnoticed by others, the corners of Fu Yunzhen’s eyes darkened with an unhidden crimson when he saw Qiao Nian’an.

“Why are you working as a waitress? You spilled drinks all over me and ruined my three-million-yuan gown!”

Wen Yusi rushed forward as Fu Yunzhen returned, scolding, “Yunzhen, look at what this arrogant waitress has done to me...”

Fu Yunzhen frowned slightly at Qiao Nian’an, his thin lips pressed into a cold, hard line.

Jealousy and rage deepened in Wen Yusi’s eyes. Furious, she grabbed a bottle and smashed it against Qiao Nian’an’s waist.

Sudden pain struck, and Qiao Nian’an, caught off guard, collided with the cart, spilling the precious wine onto the floor, shattering it.

Looking at the broken bottles and spilled wine, her vision darkened.

This was going to bankrupt her!

“What are you waiting for? Get down on your knees and clean this up, or you’ll ruin Mr. Fu’s good mood!” Wen Yusi sneered, unable to hide her gloating as she looked at Qiao Nian’an’s pitiful state.

Qiao Nian’an lifted her eyes, meeting Fu Yunzhen’s gaze. Even though only her eyes were visible, in that moment, Fu Yunzhen recognized her.

His thin lips parted slightly, a fleeting pain flickered in his deep eyes before it ignited into mockery.

He reached out and grabbed her slender arm, pulling down her mask.

“Qiao Nian’an, seeing your ex-boyfriend and not even saying hello?”