Jiang Nuan was pulled along by Ye Anran, and people around her bombarded her with questions.
"Mrs. Mu, how did you and the Ninth Master meet?"
This was the most familiar question Jiang Nuan had heard this year.
Jiang Nuan answered them as usual.
"We met on the road." Her reply was concise and her demeanor was extraordinary.
Ye Anran looked surprised, "Really?"
Jiang Nuan nodded, her tone decisive, "Yes, we just met on the road."
After all, when chatting, it was fine to be casual.
Ye Anran looked envious, "It's truly fate. The Ninth Master dotes on you so much; his eyes are filled with love for you."
"I also think it's fate," Jiang Nuan did not deny this statement. Mu Jiuchen truly loved her.
"By the way, Mrs. Mu, I heard you and the Ninth Master have three children. Did you have them before you were married?" A girl in black asked with a sarcastic smile.
These were the only rumors people knew, and the questions always revolved around these few points.
Jiang Nuan, growing impatient, looked at the girl with the mocking smile and asked, "We have a marriage certificate. Does that count as having children out of wedlock?"
Upon hearing this, the woman chuckled awkwardly, "I was just curious?"
Jiang Nuan's smile remained gentle, but the smile in her eyes was cold. "Asking such a question while addressing me as Mrs. Mu, this is the first time I've heard of it."
Jiang Nuan's smile did not reach her eyes. Her voice was neither hurried nor slow, pleasant and melodious, yet it carried a distinct sense of danger.
The woman became utterly embarrassed, her face flushing an unnatural red. She had intended to make Jiang Nuan look foolish but ended up humiliating herself.
"I apologize, I overlooked that point." The woman was adaptable and knew that Jiang Nuan was not to be trifled with easily.
The name Mu Jiuchen resonated with power across the land. She could not afford to offend him, yet she was jealous of Jiang Nuan's good fortune. Women at their level often harbored such a sense of unwillingness; desirable men were like coveted treasures.
Jiang Nuan smiled indifferently and said to Ye Anran, "Miss Ye, tonight is your banquet. Everyone is waiting for you."
Ye Anran was the protagonist, and Jiang Nuan wished to rest for a moment. As the guest of honor at this welcome banquet in Modu, Ye Anran was expected to perform on stage.
Ye Anran took Jiang Nuan's hand and looked at her, smiling happily, "Nuannuan, come with me."
Jiang Nuan slowly nodded. Her fingers traced Ye Anran's pulse, which was steady and strong, unlike someone who had been injured. Jiang Nuan frowned slightly. Yesterday, Jiang Muyu had said that Ye Anran had been in a car accident, causing her amnesia. However, this pulse did not seem like that of an injured person. How strange!
Jiang Nuan looked at the smiling Ye Anran doubtfully, allowing her to lead her towards the elevated stage. At the foot of the stairs leading to the stage, Ye Anran smiled happily at Jiang Nuan, "Nuannuan, wait here for a moment. I'll dance for everyone."
Jiang Nuan nodded and pointed to a table nearby, indicating she would wait for her there. Only then did Ye Anran ascend the stage.
The host saw Ye Anran approaching and introduced her to everyone. "Now, please welcome Miss Ye Anran to perform a dance." The host's voice boomed. The boisterous crowd immediately quieted down. Those engaged in conversation and laughter stopped, holding their wine glasses and looking at Ye Anran on the stage.
Ye Anran bowed to everyone, her smile beautiful. Under the gaze of all, she had finally become the center of attention. Ye Anran's smiling gaze swept towards Jiang Nuan in the audience. At this moment, she was even more radiant than Jiang Nuan.
She took the microphone from the host and spoke in a gentle voice, "Dear friends, uncles, and aunts, good evening everyone. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to gather here. I am very happy to meet you all and wish you all a pleasant evening here tonight."
Ye Anran appeared shy and, after speaking, handed the microphone back to the host. On the stage, the electrifying music began to play, and the brilliant lights illuminated Ye Anran in her red attire, making her as beautiful as a painting. She slowly extended her arms, her supple and agile body moving as if rehearsed countless times. Her exhilarating dance moves, interpreted through her graceful and skillful actions, displayed a myriad of postures. Amidst the joyous music, her ever-moving delicate hands weaved like a soaring dragon. Her dancing was exceptionally commanding, resembling a returning queen.
As her passionate dance unfolded, warm applause erupted from the audience. Ye Anran's gaze found Mu Jiuchen, who stood out from the crowd. He was the tallest person in the room, easily visible. She offered him a gentle smile. However, Mu Jiuchen, who was looking for Jiang Nuan, completely missed Ye Anran's tender smile. It was Jiang Nuan who, following Ye Anran's gaze, looked at Mu Jiuchen and suddenly understood. Ye Anran's target was likely Mu Jiuchen.
Jiang Nuan felt a pang of discomfort. The troublesome man who attracted attention made her feel unhappy. Her man was too outstanding. Even though women worldwide knew he was married, many still desired to get into his bed.
"Sister, you're here?" Jiang Muyu, wearing a white ruffled dress that made her look years younger, smiled at Jiang Nuan. Her eyes held a newfound sincerity.
Jiang Nuan nodded at her and asked in a low voice, "Is it true that Ye Anran was in a car accident, as you said yesterday?"
Jiang Muyu did not suspect anything and reiterated, "Sister, it's absolutely true. She was brought back because of amnesia."
Jiang Nuan pondered. The car accident, the amnesia – it all seemed completely disconnected from Ye Anran on stage. Were they not the same person? Jiang Nuan was startled by her own thought but couldn't explain it away.
"Sister, what's wrong?" Jiang Muyu couldn't help but ask, seeing Jiang Nuan deep in thought.
Jiang Nuan shook her head, "It's nothing, just asking."
"Oh! Sister, look how well she dances. I heard she's a special recruit from a foreign dance academy, the Black Swan superstar last year, very popular abroad. This dance is called [The Return]. Doesn't she dance it with such power?" Jiang Muyu had always envied those with privileged backgrounds. Ye Anran's ability to go abroad was entirely funded by her family.
Jiang Nuan looked at the dancing Ye Anran on stage and nodded slightly, "She dances very well."
"Hehe… I also want to become more accomplished. Sister, I've enrolled in a dance class and practice for two hours every day. I've lost a lot of weight recently." Jiang Nuan looked at her. Although she had lost weight, she still appeared heavier than when Jiang Nuan had last left. She could relate to gaining three kilograms over the new year; she herself had been successfully fattened up by Mu Jiuchen this past year.
"Practice your dancing well. Since you've mended your ways, don't let your second grandfather and the others control you. Think about Jiang Muyan's fate, and you should also conduct yourself properly." Jiang Nuan warned her in a low voice, both as a reminder and a warning. If they were destined to be family, and Jiang Muyu was willing to be a good person, then she was naturally her sister.
Jiang Muyu's face instantly turned pale. It turned out that her sister knew everything she had done before.
"I'm sorry, Sister. I will behave myself." This was all she could say.
Jiang Nuan cast a casual glance at her and then stopped speaking. Some things were best left unsaid.
After another round of applause, Jiang Nuan stood up, preparing to look for Mu Jiuchen. As she passed by the woman who had tried to humiliate her earlier, she suddenly fainted in front of her.