The Foolish Wife Turned Scheming After Her Recovery - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: “We’re a couple, I swear :)”

Fu Shuang’s birthday banquet wasn’t exactly small, but it wasn’t huge either. It was held at Shenglang Grand Court, a five-star hotel owned by the Shengtian Group. That day, the hotel canceled all business bookings and dedicated itself entirely to serving its big boss.

Fu Shuang’s brand was in the fashion industry, which inevitably intersected with the entertainment world. The mix of rich family and celebrity circle—two heavy-hitting tags—turned what was supposed to be a low-key birthday party into a hot spot for paparazzi, all hoping to strike gold with some spicy gossip.

As hosts, Fu Shuang and Lu Zhusheng arrived early to greet the guests. Fu Shuang had just turned fifty this year, but time had left hardly any marks on her. Instead, it only seemed to have softened her aura, making her look more graceful and poised.

Time never defeats a true beauty.

That phrase seemed to come to life on her.

The banquet hall was the largest and most luxurious in Shenglang Grand Court. Fu Shuang had personally overseen the planning since a month ago.

Thick Roman columns were wrapped in layers of champagne roses—real ones, flown in from overseas that very morning. If you looked closely, you could still see crystal-clear droplets clinging to the petals. Between the roses, strands of shimmering silk draped elegantly, each decorated with full, pearly-white Australian pearls. Even the carpet underfoot was handcrafted in Italy—priceless.

The banquet hall was already buzzing with guests, many of whom were familiar with the couple. They knew Fu Shuang wasn’t usually extravagant, and her previous birthdays were never this opulent, so they quickly realized this party was more than just a celebration.

And they were right. Fu Shuang’s birthday party was not just about celebrating—it was her way of telling everyone close to her: Even if her daughter’s a bit “slow,” she’s still not someone just anyone can approach. People might mock Lu Zhili behind her back, but when faced with her in person, they’d still bow and scrape—even if she was “just a fool.”

Beneath the crystal chandelier, the crowd mingled, toasting and chatting in dazzling attire. Only in the southwest corner of the banquet hall, out on the terrace, stood two figures who weren’t taking part in the merriment inside.

“Big sis, how much longer are you gonna stand here and stare?” Xie Yanqing asked. She wore a light pink spaghetti-strap gown, with a classic Burberry scarf wrapped around her shoulders to keep out the terrace chill.

Lu Zhili was leaning against the terrace railing, staring unblinkingly at the banquet hall entrance. She wore a dark halter-neck evening gown, the chest area layered with intricate lace that faintly revealed the pale fabric underneath. Her long, straight black hair draped like silk down her back, and her bangs nearly covered her eyebrows—only her sharp, focused eyes were visible.

Only now, those eyes looked a little dim. She turned to Xie Yanqing, who looked tired, and said sulkily and a bit aggrieved, “If you don’t want to wait with me, then just go inside. It’s fine.”

Come on, give me a break!

Xie Yanqing internally screamed. She’d only asked because she was cold—and now she was the bad guy?

“Big sis, are you like, super sensitive?”

“Huh?” Lu Zhili turned in confusion, just about to ask what she meant when she caught a glimpse—out of the corner of her eye—of a familiar figure at the door. She whipped around to confirm who it was.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message.

No need to check—it was Yu Yao!

Lu Zhili’s face instantly lit up. She grabbed the hem of her floor-length gown in both hands and hurried toward the entrance.

“Big sis, wait for me!” Xie Yanqing chased after her, tossing her scarf to a nearby waiter as she passed.

Lu Zhili dashed through the hall, ignoring everyone trying to greet her, her eyes locked on the banquet entrance.

So just like that, in full view of nearly everyone, Lu Zhili ran straight for the door, with Xie Yanqing—looking every bit like a kindergarten teacher chasing a runaway kid—hot on her heels.

Xie Yanqing swore this was the first time in her life she had been the center of attention in such a chaotic, embarrassing way.

Thankfully, most of the guests were business partners of her aunt, and didn’t really know her. Even if she embarrassed herself tonight, no one would remember her name.

But Lu Zhili was a different story. Although many of the guests had never seen her before, everyone in Yanjing’s upper class knew the story: the Lu family’s eldest daughter had been in a car accident and become “a fool.” And anyone who could sprint through such a high-profile event and not get kicked out—well, it was obvious who she was.

Xie Yanqing was terrified her cousin would embarrass herself at this high-society party, but neither Lu Zhili nor her mother Fu Shuang seemed to care.

Fu Shuang’s assistant, seeing the scene unfold, stepped forward and hesitantly asked, “President Fu, should we take Miss Zhili to the lounge to rest?”

But Fu Shuang smiled, seeing the uncontrollable joy on her daughter’s face. “No need. It’s just a party,” she said lightly.

Not worth asking her daughter to restrain herself for something like this.

As long as she could shield her daughter, then nothing her daughter did would ever be called embarrassing.

Inside, the guests had all kinds of thoughts, but Lu Zhili only had one goal: Yu Yao, who had just reached the entrance.

Yu Yao handed her gift to a nearby attendant and presented her invitation. Before she could even speak, a sudden stir rose from inside the banquet hall.

She looked up—and the first thing she saw was those dazzling, shining eyes. The naturally upturned corners were made even more striking with eyeliner, her thick lashes curled upward, and under the outer corner of her right eye, a small beauty mark added to the impact.

No matter how many times she saw Lu Zhili, Yu Yao found herself stunned every time. And right now was no exception.

Lu Zhili stopped just a few steps away from her and, suddenly a bit shy, straightened her rumpled gown. Then she walked toward Yu Yao—elegantly, though still quite fast.

Xie Yanqing had just caught up and was about to breathe a sigh of relief—only to see her cousin had simply switched from running to speed walking.

What’s the difference?! Just keep running! 🙂

Lu Zhili practically skipped toward the door, admiring Yu Yao’s outfit as she walked.

That soft mint-green spaghetti strap dress? The very one she had picked out.

Its layered chest fabric sparkled subtly under the lights. The dress was somewhat revealing, so Yu Yao had thrown on a gray-and-white faux fur stole. Her striking red hair was tied up with a few wisps dangling—currently a trendy “messy-chic” style—giving her a laid-back, casual elegance.

Seeing her dressed like that, Lu Zhili felt fully recharged. Deep inside, a satisfying pleasure welled up.

If she had normal intelligence, she’d realize it was the joy of control and possession being fulfilled.

But at this moment, she didn’t know any of that. All she knew was—Yu Yao valued her. She had worn the dress she chose.

Lu Zhili beamed. “Yu Yao! You finally came!”

The dress wasn’t super long, so with heels, the hem just grazed Yu Yao’s ankles. Still, for grace’s sake, she lifted the skirt slightly as she stepped forward.

“Did you wait long? Sorry—the traffic was terrible.”

Lu Zhili immediately looped her arm around hers and shook her head. “Not long at all. I only just started waiting. It’s a little cold out here—let’s go inside.”

Xie Yanqing, having just caught up, overheard her cousin telling a blatant lie.

“…”

I swear she’s a fake fool. 🙂

“If standing on a freezing terrace for half an hour doesn’t count as waiting, then I’ve got nothing to say.”

Though she didn’t speak loudly, both Yu Yao and Lu Zhili heard her. Lu Zhili puffed her cheeks and glared at her, clearly displeased she’d brought that up in front of Yu Yao.

Xie Yanqing zipped it instantly. She wasn’t about to mess with her cousin today. After all, her cousin was at the prime age for tattling—and one complaint to Aunt Fu, and there’d go her allowance for the year.

Yu Yao and Xie Yanqing had met briefly before, so after a polite greeting, they didn’t talk much. Lu Zhili, meanwhile, chattered non-stop.

“There’s a dessert section with amazing little cakes! I’ll take you there now—or is there something else you want? I can have Aunt He prepare it for you!”

This was Lu Zhili’s first time hosting a friend on “her turf,” so she wanted everything to be perfect.

Her overwhelming enthusiasm might’ve been too much for some—but not for Yu Yao.

Xie Yanqing noticed it and wanted to steer the conversation elsewhere, worried Lu Zhili’s enthusiasm might overwhelm her guest.

But she didn’t expect this: while Lu Zhili’s intensity might unsettle others, Yu Yao was not one of them.

Ever since finding out Lu Zhili was “slow,” Yu Yao had completely let her guard down. What others found domineering, she found fresh and oddly comforting.

This kind of “forceful care” was something Yu Yao had never experienced—and now that she had, it wasn’t bad at all.

Xie Yanqing lagged a few steps behind, watching the way the two of them shut out the world around them. A deep frown crept across her face.

Something’s off. Really off.

She’d thought her cousin just wanted to be friends with Yu Yao. But now, something deeper was stirring between them.

Zhili… didn’t just like Yu Yao as a friend.

It was a different kind of affection—charged with control and possessiveness—the kind lovers have.

Meanwhile, the two “main characters” up front had no idea what was going through her head. Yu Yao listened quietly as Lu Zhili introduced the party, occasionally asking a few questions. The atmosphere was light and pleasant.

But just as Lu Zhili tried to lead her toward the refreshments again, Yu Yao gently stopped her. “Shouldn’t we greet your parents first? It feels a little rude to head straight for the food. Don’t you think?”

Her gentle, almost coaxing tone made Lu Zhili feel pampered. She nodded quickly and cheerfully linked arms with Yu Yao again.

Trying to ease any nervousness, she added, “Don’t worry, Yu Yao—my mom and dad are really nice. They already like you a lot!”

Following behind like a stealthy stalker, Xie Yanqing nearly facepalmed.

Why do those words sound exactly like something a nervous boyfriend would say before introducing their girlfriend to their parents?!