As Mu Xia was lost in thought, a few socialites drifted over, their smiles practically dripping with honey. “Miss Mu, I feel like we just clicked. Would you mind if we became friends?” “Miss Mu, you have an incredible figure. Do you have any secrets for staying in shape?” “Let’s add each other on social media. Since you’re back in Jingdu, we should definitely get together sometime.” Their faces were soft, their tones friendly, as if they genuinely wanted to befriend her. But Mu Xia saw right through them, recognizing the calculating intent that lay beneath the surface. She played the part of the naive newcomer, nodding with a guileless expression. “Of course… I’d love to make some new friends here.” And so, Mu Xia found herself at the center of a buzzing circle of socialites, their chatter animated and bright. Upstairs, Situ Qingshan was finally revived and her eyes fluttered open. The first thing she saw was Mu Xinyue holding her hand, her face a mask of worry. Beside her, Situ Hai was clearly distracted, his mind elsewhere, showing no concern for her whatsoever. Hate flared in Situ Qingshan’s heart. It was all that bitch Mu Xia’s fault. Her arrival had stolen the affection that had once belonged to her. Rage and self-pity churned within Situ Qingshan, and tears streamed down her face. “Mother…” “Darling, you’re awake! Don’t cry, please don’t cry…” Mu Xinyue’s heart ached for her. Seeing that Situ Qingshan was conscious, Situ Hai immediately announced his departure. “There are still so many guests downstairs. Now that you’re awake, pull yourself together. I’m going back down to see to them.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned and hurried away. The moment the door clicked shut, Situ Qingshan’s patience finally snapped. She snatched a pillow and hurled it at the door. “Mother! Did you see him? I can’t take it anymore! I want Mu Xia gone—now!” Mu Xinyue’s eyes glinted with resentment. This was supposed to be her precious daughter’s birthday party, yet Mu Xia had stolen the spotlight. Taking a deep breath, Mu Xinyue forced herself to calm down and soothe her daughter. “Darling, don’t be rash. If something happens to her right after she’s returned, your father will suspect us immediately. You know how he is—a complete chauvinist who can’t stand being disobeyed. You have to keep your composure!” “Then what do we do?” Situ Qingshan wailed, burying her face in her hands. “My birthday party is completely ruined! Everyone’s going to go home and laugh at me. Those women, they love to talk trash behind my back!” Just as Mu Xinyue was about to speak, Situ Qingshan’s nanny knocked and entered, holding up an envelope with a triumphant smile. “Wonderful news, Madam, Young Miss! It’s wonderful news!” Situ Qingshan turned her face away, utterly disinterested. “There’s no good news, only terrible news! Today is the worst day of my life!” Not only had Mu Xia stolen her thunder, but she had also fainted in public. Who knew what those socialites would say about her now? Mu Xinyue was more composed. “What is it?” she asked the nanny. “What’s in your hand?” The nanny hurried over, her voice bubbling with excitement. “A package just arrived for the Young Miss. It has the emblem of the Royal Coffee Academy on it.” “Really?” Mu Xinyue quickly took the envelope from the nanny’s hands. She tore it open, scanned the contents, and then grabbed Situ Qingshan’s hand, her face alight with joy. “Shanshan! It really is wonderful news! You won the Elite Barista Competition!” The Elite Barista Competition was a global event organized by the world’s top baristas. By tradition, the winner would become the new brand ambassador for the Ye Group’s Midnight Cafe. Just participating was an honor, but for her daughter to win—it was a monumental achievement! Hearing this, Situ Qingshan’s mood lifted. She took the document and read it over and over. In addition to the congratulations, it was an invitation to the awards ceremony next week at the Nanshi Grand International Hotel. As was tradition, Ye Sijue himself would be there to present the award and announce the new brand ambassador for Midnight Cafe. A genuine smile finally broke through Situ Qingshan’s gloom. Mu Xinyue beamed. “Master Ye will definitely remember you from the party tonight. When you show up at the ceremony, he’s sure to see you in a new light.” Situ Qingshan clutched the paper, her voice filled with renewed excitement. “You’re right! He’ll have a strong impression of me! And once I’m the brand ambassador, that’ll shut up all those socialites who were gossiping about me!” She would be the center of attention again. Perhaps she could even make herself unforgettable to Ye Sijue. “This is truly wonderful news!” Mu Xinyue slid the jadeite bracelet from her own wrist and pressed it into the nanny’s hand. “You were the bearer of good tidings. This is your reward.” The nanny instinctively tried to refuse. “Madam, I couldn’t possibly. I just brought up a package… This bracelet must be worth hundreds of thousands, right?” Mu Xinyue held her hand firm. “It’s worth more than that. You could get a million dollars for it at any reputable shop. Of course, this isn’t just a reward. I also need you to do something for me.” The greed in the nanny’s eyes was unmistakable. She secured her grip on the bracelet. “What is it? Just say the word, Madam. I’ll do anything you ask.” “Keep an eye on Mu Xia. Report any unusual behavior to me, immediately.” “Yes, Madam! I’ll watch that country bumpkin like a hawk!” At the nanny’s words, a shadow of doubt crossed Mu Xinyue’s face. Was Mu Xia really just from the countryside? The people she’d sent to pick her up still hadn’t returned, nor had they sent any word. Besides, the pickup location Mu Xia had given was on Nandao Island, which was hardly the countryside… When Mu Xia had provided the address, Mu Xinyue hadn’t thought much of it. She assumed that after ten years, the girl had probably left her village to find work on Nandao Island. But now, she realized she should investigate what the girl had actually been doing for the past decade, and where she had been. That air of composure and elegance… it wasn’t something a girl raised in a village could possess. The thought prompted Mu Xinyue to caution her daughter. “Shanshan, I have a feeling that girl is not as simple as she seems. Until I have a plan, don’t do anything rash. We don’t want to tip our hand and create more problems.” “I know, I know.” Situ Qingshan agreed verbally, but inwardly, she scoffed. What was so complicated about a girl from the countryside? She had inherited her birth mother’s good looks, but what else? Could she have inherited her mother’s intelligence as well? Intelligence and talent weren’t inherited; they were cultivated. She, Situ Qingshan, excelled in her studies and in all the refined arts expected of a socialite. After all, a fortune had been spent on her training. That country girl was probably lucky if she could afford a regular high school education. Was she really supposed to be threatened by a village girl? Tonight was just a miscalculation on her part. “Mother, I have an idea. I want to invite Mu Xia to the awards ceremony with me. When she’s there, she’ll be so out of her depth. She’ll finally understand that the distance between us is more than just a stone’s throw.” Mu Xinyue considered it. The plan had merit. “Excellent. And don’t just invite her. Have your father come along, too. Let him see with his own eyes that between his two daughters, your value and your future prospects far exceed Mu Xia’s!” Mother and daughter were both buzzing with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the moment they would see Mu Xia utterly humiliated. A country girl with nothing but a pretty face wouldn’t last long in Jingdu.