A French kiss that stretched on for three minutes— The kiss left Wen Xi breathless. His grip on her free hand was firm, sending a wave of weakness through her limbs. Through the ethereal white veil, she gazed at Lu Qinghan as an unfamiliar thrill, something she had never felt before, began to blossom in her chest. He stood there in an impeccably tailored white suit, so handsome and sharp he seemed to radiate a light of his own, dazzling her. “Shuyu, you’re too tense,” Lu Qinghan murmured, his arm still around her waist. He smiled down at her, the sound of her sister's name a soft whisper. That single name—*Shuyu*—extinguished the nascent thrill in Wen Xi’s heart, turning it to ice. She was Wen Xi. Tonight… was nothing but a dream. After the ceremony came the reception toasts, for which Wen Xi changed into a pale pink gown. Ou He shadowed her every step. Though she had bristled at the intimacy between Wen Xi and Lu Qinghan, the partnership with the Lu family was clearly more important. “Touch up her makeup. And make the foundation thicker!” Ou He commanded the moment Wen Xi emerged from the dressing room in the pink gown. The makeup artist, who knew neither Mu Shuyu nor Wen Xi and couldn't tell them apart, frowned slightly at the demand. “Her makeup is flawless, it hasn’t smudged at all. Besides, Miss Mu has excellent skin. A lighter touch would be far more flattering.” Without the veil to obscure her features, Wen Xi’s delicate face was on full display, and Ou He was terrified she’d be recognized. “Just do as I say,” she snapped. “You’re paid to do a job, so do it!” The makeup artist had no choice but to comply, moving to apply more makeup to Wen Xi’s face. She couldn’t understand the bizarre whims of the wealthy—to take such a flawless complexion and insist on ruining it. The resulting makeup was heavy and theatrical. While Wen Xi was still beautiful, her own features were buried, her unique style erased. She sat before the vanity, staring at the stranger in the mirror as her hands slowly clenched into fists in her lap. In the hallway, Ou He walked a step ahead of Wen Xi, her voice a low hiss. “Wen Xi, you’d better behave. If I find out you’ve tried any clever tricks, if you let anyone find out the truth, I swear you will regret it.” Wen Xi kept her gaze lowered. “I understand, Mrs. Mu.” When they re-entered the banquet hall, the guests had already begun their meal. Lu Qinghan had also changed, now wearing a charcoal-gray suit. The transformation was striking; the brilliant white had been replaced by a quiet sophistication that made him look more reserved, almost scholarly. Seated at the main table were Lu Qinghan’s father, Lu Tingwei, and several of his uncles. His mother was in the hospital and couldn't attend, and the Lu family patriarch, having already met the bride, had retired to rest due to his age. “Qinghan, bring Shuyu over to toast your elders,” said an elegantly dressed woman in a white suit and a string of pearls. Her every move exuded grace. This was Lu Qinghan’s aunt, Lu Jingrong. Years ago, Lu Jingrong had married the eldest son of the Qin family from Beicheng and had one son: Qin Siyan, a senior from Wen Xi’s own university. Qin Siyan was also here today. The moment Wen Xi saw him, the fragile calm she’d been clinging to shattered, replaced by a surge of panic. *What if he recognizes me?* As Lu Qinghan led her toward the table, they overheard Lu Jingrong gently chiding her son. “Siyan, when are you going to bring a nice daughter-in-law home for me? My standards aren’t high. She doesn’t need to be wealthy, just a nice girl from a respectable family.” Qin Siyan shot his mother a look, a low chuckle escaping him. “Mom, this is my Fourth Brother’s engagement party. Can you stop putting me on the spot?” As he spoke, he looked up at the approaching couple. His eyes landed on the woman in the pale pink gown, and a slight frown creased his brow. He’d only met Mu Shuyu once before, but the bride standing before him seemed nothing like the brazen, overbearing woman he remembered. In fact, there was something familiar about her… something that reminded him of… Wen Xi?