Chapter 53

The moment the wheelchair came to a full stop, applause erupted with perfect synchronicity. It was a gesture of both welcome and encouragement.

The adjustable microphone had long been prepared; as Jian Shenyao stepped aside, Xu Liqing personally stepped forward to adjust the height to the perfect position.

This celebration was hosted by the real estate subsidiary of the Jian Group. Many guests hadn’t expected Jian Xiyan to attend at all, or perhaps thought she would merely make a brief appearance, waving to the crowd before leaving.

Despite such thoughts, no one wanted to miss the opportunity. What if Jian Xiyan actually showed up?

There were almost no guests absent or late for tonight’s celebration, unless they were truly tied down by business or, like Director He, had more important social engagements and arrived later.

The applause lasted for a long time. Jian Xiyan’s expression was much the same as when she attended past events—calm, composed, and elegant. Except, tonight, she was sitting in a wheelchair.

However, based on her complexion and her attire, if one didn’t look closely, they wouldn’t think she looked like a seriously injured patient; she looked more like she was simply being lazy, finding a chair to rest on for a moment.

The front rows were mostly occupied by business tycoons and shareholders of the Jian Group. The celebrities and artists instinctively stood toward the back, with Jiang Wanru choosing a corner where the lighting was dim.

In stark contrast to where they stood, the light on the stage was brilliant. The spotlight focused on the crown of ​bailiantales.com​Jian Xiyan’s head; her every move was clearly visible.

Lian Qinghe leaned in and whispered into Jiang Wanru’s ear: “She looks like she’s recovered quite well. Except for not being able to stand, everything else looks fine.”

Jian Xiyan hadn’t spoken a word since being pushed out, but her gaze and her reaction to the warm applause from the audience made one thing clear: she was exactly the same as before.

The same steady confidence, the same elegant composure—she was the same Jian Xiyan who could control the entire room.

Jiang Wanru’s eyes never left the stage as she gave a soft hum of agreement to Lian Qinghe’s remark.

“What are you looking at? So intently?”

Lian Qinghe followed Jiang Wanru’s gaze, which naturally landed on Jian Xiyan. But the initial curiosity had passed—was there a need to keep staring?

“Wanru…”

Jiang Wanru turned her head and said softly, “Look further back.”

Lian Qinghe instinctively turned around. Aside from the waiters, there was no one.

Jiang Wanru sighed helplessly: “On the stage. Behind her.”

Lian Qinghe squinted, thinking Jiang Wanru didn’t know who it was. She explained, “That’s Jian Xiyan’s wife, Lin Feiruo.”

Jian Xiyan had married discreetly two years ago. Although there was no grand wedding, she had brought Lin Feiruo to many social functions; the guests tonight were quite familiar with her.

“Look more closely.”

Lian Qinghe knit her brows. “What’s there to look at? A married person…”

She suddenly stopped, her gaze focusing on Lin Feiruo. She scrutinized her repeatedly, even tilting her head.

Jiang Wanru curved her lips. “Recognize her?”

“It seems… I’ve seen her somewhere.”

Lian Qinghe searched her memory but couldn’t match her with anyone specific. She gave up. “I see so stolen content many people every day; maybe I saw her at some social event. Or maybe I saw her online.”

Jiang Wanru didn’t offer any more hints, but she continued to look toward the stage.

As an actress, she was skilled at capturing a person’s characteristics—physical traits, vocal habits, or other details difficult for others to notice.

She had seen some blurry photos online before, but they left her indifferent. Seeing the person in the flesh today, the image was much more three-dimensional and vivid. Even from this distance, Jiang Wanru’s memory was stirred.

However, Lian Qinghe had a point; they encountered so many people that memories could overlap or be mistaken. Based on just these few glances, Jiang Wanru wasn’t 100% confident that Lin Feiruo was the person she saw at the film set that day.

They were speaking in low voices, but Jiang Wanru was currently the most popular actress in the industry, and peers nearby kept casting glances their way.

Jiang Wanru had to drop the topic and wait patiently for Jian Xiyan’s upcoming speech.

The microphone height was comfortable, but the distance was a bit far. Jian Xiyan tilted her head slightly; before she could speak, Lin Feiruo instinctively moved the microphone closer for her.

She gave Lin Feiruo a small smile—the curve of her lips was tiny, and her profile was turned toward the audience—but everyone still felt the sense of “mutual understanding” between them.

After moving the mic, Lin Feiruo stepped a few paces away, leaving the center of the stage entirely to Jian Xiyan.

“I am very happy to be here with all of you today. I know you have all been very concerned about me lately. A while ago, the doctor instructed that I avoid contact with too many people, so I declined many visits. I would like to formally say thank you to all of you today.”

These words were both polite and sincere. While she didn’t elaborate on the specifics of her injuries, she didn’t avoid the topic either. She didn’t deny that she had been too injured to see guests, but she cleverly signaled that even while at home, she was fully aware of outside developments.

Naturally, another round of warm applause broke out from the audience.

Jian Xiyan smiled, her face wearing the appropriate composure that everyone found familiar and admirable.

Once the applause died down, she continued: “Because of this accident, some of the Jian Group’s operations were indeed affected, but they returned to the right track very quickly. This is not only due to the hard work of all the employees but also thanks to the trust and support of my Second Uncle and the shareholders—and, of course, all of our partners.”

She slowly swept her gaze across the crowd, showing both the aura of a leader in control and the approachability of one boosting morale.

Lian Qinghe couldn’t help but lean into Jiang Wanru’s ear again: “She speaks with quite a bit of presence. This recovery speed is practically a medical miracle.”

Jiang Wanru glanced at her, signaling her to be quiet.

Lian Qinghe raised an eyebrow and was about to make a face when she was interrupted by a gaze from a diagonal angle.

She looked closely, and a fire started in her heart.

The King of Grease, Xie Dicheng! That shameless man actually dared to look over?

Jiang Wanru saw her expression change and was about to turn her head to see what was happening, but Lian Qinghe suddenly cupped her face and turned it back: “Don’t look. It’s an eyesore.”

Hearing that, Jiang Wanru guessed who it was. She had no interest in looking, but she also didn’t want Lian Qinghe to stay angry.

“Forget it. Someone like him isn’t worth getting angry over.”

Jian Xiyan’s voice rang out again: “The protagonist tonight is the New City project. We are honored to have you here and would like to ask you for your valuable opinions on the new project.”

In the audience, a President Li took the opportunity to ask: “Will you be here all night, President Jian? If we have ideas, can we talk to you in person?”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone waited for Jian Xiyan’s answer. Whether they could talk in person was secondary; the key was how long she would stay tonight. They had seen many people show their face at the start and then vanish. Jian Xiyan’s state tonight was indeed impressive, but not enough to completely dispel previous concerns.

Jian Xiyan, as if she had long expected the question, said firmly: “I stolen contentwill be here the whole time.”

This answer caused a minor stir in the audience; many people exchanged glances. It truly exceeded expectations.

Jian Shenyao, listening from below, narrowed his eyes and turned to ask Xiao Ning: “Did she get a nerve block?”

“Miss Jian said tonight would be busy. Pain medication alone wouldn’t be enough.”

Jian Shenyao looked at the stage; from this angle, he could only see Jian Xiyan’s profile. Right now, there wasn’t much difference from her usual self, but he wondered how she would hold up if she insisted on staying all night. Tonight was her first time attending such an event since her injury. He wasn’t entirely sure how it would go, which was why he’d made a special trip back.

He looked again at Lin Feiruo on the stage. Though she had retreated to a corner, she remained on stage in case Jian Xiyan had an emergency. He was quite satisfied with Lin Feiruo’s performance today; compared to her previous lack of presence, she now looked like someone who belonged by Jian Xiyan’s side.

At that moment, Xu Liqing signaled that Director He was on the phone and wanted to speak with him.

Jian Xiyan spoke for quite a while on stage, interrupted several times by applause. By the time Lin Feiruo pushed her away, Lian Qinghe realized nearly half an hour had passed.

“She’s actually got some stamina. If I were up there, I couldn’t necessarily talk for half an hour even if I could walk and jump.”

Jiang Wanru, expressionless, dryly undermined her: “Half an hour wouldn’t Read on BaiLianTalesbe enough for you to talk; you’d need at least an hour and a half.”

Just as Lian Qinghe was about to retort, she noticed many people approaching them. As Jian Xiyan left the stage, she formally announced the start of the cocktail party, which meant the free social hour had begun. Many people came to strike up conversations with Jiang Wanru—besides the CEOs asking for autographs for their children, there were many peers from the industry.

Lin Feiruo pushed Jian Xiyan into the lounge and told Xiao Ning to lock the door. She brought a pre-prepared warm towel and handed it to Jian Xiyan: “Wipe your sweat first.”

Jian Xiyan had maintained her elegant smile the whole time, only showing a hint of endurance once she heard the door lock.

“Does it hurt?” Lin Feiruo looked her over, focusing most on her leg.

“It’s not pain, just a bit…” Jian Xiyan knit her brows, a stark contrast to her demeanor on stage.

Lin Feiruo crouched beside her, anxious: “What is it then?”

“Maybe I haven’t spoken at such a high intensity for a long time. My heart rate is a bit abnormal.”

Lin Feiruo also knit her brows, imagining the level of endurance and suffering behind that powerful presence on stage. In her distraction, her hand suddenly felt warm. Lin Feiruo looked down to see a fingertip quickly withdrawing.

Jian Xiyan had patted her hand a few times. “I’ll be fine after a little rest.”

Jian Xiaomin knocked, saying she was there to help. As soon as Xiao Ning opened the door, a figure in a light blue dress squeezed in quickly.

Lin Feiruo stood up and looked at Xiaomin, unable to help but laugh: “Is this it?”

The original princess dress was a bit too childish, so Xiaomin had the designer work through the night to complete this “modified elder-child” version. It had a lower requirement for her figure, and the temperament wasn’t as jarring. It was a creative innovation that fit Xiaomin’s lively personality unexpectedly well.

But Xiaomin was clearly not as confident as usual; hearing Lin Feiruo’s words, she immediately became nervous: “What? Is it no good?”

Lin Feiruo praised her: “It looks very nice, don’t worry.”

She wanted to say more, but she felt her phone vibrate. She pulled it out and looked at it, immediately furrowing her brow.

[1314. I’ve arrived.] [Mingli. I’ll be here all night.]

Sent in two messages again, using ambiguous code. Disgusting!

Lin Feiruo exited the message directly and put her phone back in her pocket.

Xiaomin asked curiously: “Sister Feiruo, who was that from?” She couldn’t remember seeing Lin Feiruo with such a look of utter disgust.

Jian Xiyan also looked over, though her look wasn’t so gossipy; she seemed to be simply asking if it was something important.

Lin Feiruo said quite calmly: “A scam text.”

Perhaps because Xiaomin was also frequently harassed by such things, she let out a very disgusted “Ugh” upon hearing those words.

They chatted with Jian Xiyan for a while, seeing that her condition was stable. Suddenly, Xiaomin looked at Lin Feiruo and began to act shyly.

“Sister Feiruo, can I ask you for a favor?”

Lin Feiruo’s eyelid twitched; her intuition told her it wasn’t anything good. But Xiaomin looked very nervous and uneasy, so she couldn’t bring herself to refuse immediately. “What is it?”

“Can you accompany me to find Jiang Wanru?”

“I don’t follow celebrities. If I go and say the wrong thing, it’ll be so embarrassing.”

Lin Feiruo thought Xiaomin wanted her to make up the numbers of a superfan group, knowing she’d blow her cover. Xiaomin placed great importance on meeting Jiang Wanru tonight; she didn’t want to mess it up.

To her surprise, Xiaomin became even more nervous, her tone turning into a plea: “But if I go by myself, I’ll be scared. Accompany me and give me some courage.”

Lin Feiruo looked at her in disbelief. After a few seconds, she finally determined that Xiaomin wasn’t joking. She looked over at Jian Xiyan and was enlightened by the faint smile on her lips.

She finally knew what Jian Xiyan meant by the words she hadn’t finished earlier.

Jian Xiaomin successfully “borrowed” Lin Feiruo from her sister’s side. After dawdling and then rushing, they squeezed their way in front of Jiang Wanru.

“Teacher Jiang, hello.” Xiaomin had held it in for a long time, only to manage that one greeting.

Lin Feiruo felt a wave of disbelief again and couldn’t help but look at her.

Jiang Wanru looked over, her gaze lingering for a moment on Xiaomin’s dress before she smiled at her. She doesn’t put on airs, Lin Feiruo thought. She has much better manners than Yan Shan.

In the next second, she felt Jiang Wanru looking at her.