CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52: THE RADIANCE FADES

Zhuang Xiaoxi answered the phone and walked towards her, "Zhizhi, Aunt just called. The banquet is about to start, and she wants us to go back."

Su Lingzhi clutched the enamel pendant tightly, struggling to calm her emotions, she held onto Zhuang Xiaoxi’s hand and stepped into the venue.

Most of the guests had already arrived.

"The Su Family has always been low-key, why such a grand fête for the Su Family’s heiress this year?"

"I heard that the Su Family found their true heiress and is specially hosting a recognition banquet for her, ready to make it public."

"Who is the true heiress? Can’t be that blind girl, right? I just saw Mrs. Su supporting her."

"It’s that Tong Yan, a sixth-tier actress."

Chu Qingxuan looked from afar at the person being supported as she entered, her eyes suddenly paused, and she walked over dazedly, "Ling...zhi? Is it you?"

Her eyes were covered with white gauze, at a quick glance, one really couldn’t recognize her.

Hearing the voice, Su Lingzhi nodded, realizing who she was.

Chu Qingxuan asked worriedly, "What happened to your eyes?"

Zhuang Xiaoxi frowned at the cool-tempered person in front of her, "She’s not in a good mood now and doesn’t want to reminisce with you, could you leave us alone?"

Chu Qingxuan stepped aside, worriedly watching their departing figures, silently following them.

Then they sat down together in a less crowded area.

Zhuang Xiaoxi said, "Didn’t you say..."

Chu Qingxuan explained, "I mean no harm, Lingzhi helped me greatly. I will just watch over her quietly and won’t disturb her."

Upon receiving the Su Family’s invitation, she was a bit puzzled. Just now at the venue, when she saw Tong Yan, who claimed to be the lost heiress of the Su Family, she understood the purpose of her invitation.

The Su Family, mainly engaged in real estate and film, is a famous wealthy family in the capital.

Back when she gained fame wearing lingzhi’s designed dress at the Lyrae model interview, Tong Yan grew envious, seeing her as an obstacle to her stardom.

Her invitation was merely to prove that she was superior, someone she couldn’t afford to provoke, and henceforth, she should yield to her.

But seeing Lingzhi at this event too, does it indicate that Tong Yan also warned her?

Seeing Lingzhi’s current condition, Tong Yan must be very smug.

Here, too, are investors whom the Su Family invited.

The purpose of this banquet is clear; Tong Yan aims to claim resources leveraging her heiress status.

The entertainment circle is deep, as is the modeling industry.

Chu Qingxuan knows that her popularity relies entirely on the fame of Lyrae and Lingzhi. Without that show, she would still be an unknown model.

As she pondered this, she noticed Tong Yan walking hand in hand with Mrs. Su.

"Zhizhi."

Su Lingzhi responded, "Mom, I don’t want to go on stage later; you and Tong Yan go up instead."

Du Qin noticed her troubled expression and agreed.

"Then rest here with your friends; I’ll come over in a bit."

Watching them step by step ascend the stage hand in hand, Chu Qingxuan couldn’t shake off the call "Mom" that echoed in her mind.

Rumor has it that the Su Family has only one heiress; if Tong Yan is true, then Lingzhi...

Understanding dawned, Chu Qingxuan looked at Su Lingzhi with a complex expression, unsure of what to say.

Perhaps as her friend mentioned earlier, remaining silent now is the best consolation.

Du Qin and Su Yao took Tong Yan onto the stage, drawing the attention of all the guests.

The waiter pushed a large cake onto the stage.

Su Yao held the microphone, saying, "Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend our daughter’s birthday party..."

Discussions began to arise below, "Isn’t this Tong Yan? How is she the Su Family’s heiress?"

"Yes."

"..."

As waves of voices murmured below, Su Yao quickly regained control of the scene, "In the past, we failed to keep Yanyan by our side, it was the Su Family’s neglect. We will strive to make amends in the future..."

Someone watching uttered lightly, "Seems those who bullied Tong Yan in the past will suffer now."

"Certainly, who would have thought she was part of the Su Family?"

"..."

After Tong Yan made a wish and blew out the candles.

Su Yao and Du Qin stepped off the stage, and someone came to notify, "Madam, there’s a guest from England looking for the young lady outside."

Du Qin asked, "What’s the name?"

"Rika."

Hearing it’s Rika, both Du Qin and Su Yao were momentarily stunned and quickly said, "Invite her in promptly."

An elite English noble lady’s sudden visit left the Su Family in no position to delay.

This fashion industry’s eminent figure, a blend of nobility and elegance, upon entering, dazzled the hall, immediately garnering everyone’s attention.

"Isn’t this the Crown Princess of Lyrae? How did the Su Family manage to invite her?"

The audience was captivated by Rika’s presence, their gaze shifted from the cake-cutting Tong Yan.

Su Yao and Du Qin hurried to greet her.

The trio had never met each other before; Su Yao and Du Qin knew her only because of Su Lingzhi, "Mrs. Rika, what brings you here?"

Rika beamed a bright smile, faintly exuding a commanding aura, "You must be Lindie’s parents?"

Du Qin nodded, "Please come in."

"I’m sorry, I hope I’m not disturbing your event."

"No disturbance at all, we apologize for our inattentive welcome."

Rika glanced around the room, "I came to see Lindie today, where is she now?"

Du Qin responded, "I’ll take you to her now."

Having said that, they guided her through the crowd.

Soon, Rika spotted Su Lingzhi, her eyes covered with white gauze, with two slender girls beside her, sitting quietly in a corner, seemingly abandoned by the crowd, out of place with the lively atmosphere.

Rika approached her tenderly.

Seeing this, Zhuang Xiaoxi and Chu Qingxuan stood up shocked, opening their mouths, momentarily lost for words.

Du Qin said, "Zhizhi, Rika has come to see you."

Upon hearing this, Su Lingzhi stood up in disbelief, "Mrs. Rika?"

Immediately, her hand was gripped by Rika, the familiar scent of female perfume enveloped her.

"Lindie, it’s me."

"Madam, why have you come?"

Rika didn’t speak Chinese, so Su Lingzhi conversed in English.

Rika gazed at her with concern, gently touching her head, "How did you become like this and didn’t tell me?"

The guests’ attention shifted towards them.

...

At this moment, the true heiress of the Su Family suddenly dimmed in comparison.

On stage, Tong Yan stood alone, seeing all eyes diverted from her, her expression instantly darkened.

After pondering a moment, she descended the stage, moving through the crowd towards them, taking Su Lingzhi’s hand and addressing her, "Sister."

Not just her voice, but even the way she looked at Su Lingzhi was unusually affectionate, as if they shared a deep sisterly bond.