Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I was changing my daughter’s diaper when I heard the news that Qin Shuang was back.

My hands froze. “Is she going to be at the gathering tonight?”

Lu Huaixu kept his head down as he fastened his cufflinks. A fleeting glint in his eyes made me squint.

“Yeah. She’s Xue Feng’s childhood friend, so tonight is basically a welcome-home party he’s throwing for her.”

“Are you coming?”

He asked out of habit.

Since giving birth to our daughter, I had barely gone out with him to see anyone, so he didn’t ask with much expectation.

But this time, though I was prepared to give my usual “no,” the words slipped out of my mouth as if possessed.

“I’ll go.”

Lu Huaixu was slightly stunned.

However, he had always been a composed man and rarely let his emotions show on his face.

“Alright. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

***

When Lu Huaixu and I entered the private lounge, the room fell silent for a moment.

Once we were seated, an elegant girl with long hair sitting at the center of the group tilted her head to look our way.

“Lu Huaixu, long time no see.”

Her voice was bright and airy, her expression poised and graceful.

Lu Huaixu glanced at her and smiled, then reached out to wrap an arm around my shoulder.

“Qin Shuang, don’t you recognize your sister-in-law?”

Qin Shuang let out a soft “oh.” “Sorry, I didn’t recognize her just now. Hello, Sister-in-law.”

I gave a faint smile and nodded. “Hello.”

Before I could finish, Qin Shuang turned her head away, the corners of her eyes seemingly tinged with red.

“You can’t blame Qin Shuang for not recognizing her immediately. Li Zhining has… indeed changed quite a bit.”

Xue Feng, a wealthy socialite, looked over nonchalantly, his gaze sweeping over my face with indifference.

Qin Shuang was his childhood friend; he had never liked me.

My face burned instantly, and I subconsciously tugged at the hem of my clothes.

After having the baby, my weight had ballooned from 96 pounds to 130. The slender figure I once had had turned thick and sturdy, and my face had rounded out significantly.

This was the reason I had been reluctant to leave the house these past few years.

“You brat, watch your mouth!”

Lu Huaixu picked up a lighter from the table and tossed it at Xue Feng.

Xue Feng glanced at me and drained his drink in one gulp. “Fine, fine. My mouth ran away with me. I’ll take a penalty drink!”

Everyone began chatting at once, asking Qin Shuang about her life over the last few years.

She was now a well-known photographer; not long ago, a series of her works themed around Africa had won an international award.

“To think, back in the day, Qin Shuang used to follow Lu Huaixu around all day with a camera. Now, she’s not just a great photographer, but a major influencer too. She just opened an account and already has over a hundred thousand followers!”

“Qin Shuang has really transformed over the years. I almost didn’t recognize her at first glance today. I thought, ‘Where did this top-tier beauty come from?’ Haha!”

Qin Shuang listened to the flurry of compliments with a faint smile.

A lady’s cigarette was held casually between her fingertips, and her waterfall of wavy hair draped over one side. Her exquisite leather jacket accentuated her graceful figure, making her look both cool and sophisticated.

I looked down at myself.

Flat loafers, wide-leg pants, and an ill-fitting, loose blazer-the only thing even remotely formal I could find after scouring my entire wardrobe before leaving.

In front of this group of stylish, refined young men and women tonight…

I felt like a joke.