Chapter 32: Family Banquet

Summer vacation officially began!

Xu Nanqiao prepared for college by finding several tutoring jobs. Su Mi stayed home to take care of her younger brother and sometimes accompanied her parents to various events to broaden her horizons, aligning with her character — the original Su Mi would not miss any chance to network.

In addition to these activities, she continued her regular weekly visits to send Xu Nanqiao to the Nanyuan estate.

Since the blackening value surpassed the 80% mark, it fluctuated between 78%-85%. Although the decrease was not significant, Su Mi was still pleased. After all, one sign of completing her task was to ensure that the antagonist’s blackening value was below 50% at future critical points in the main characters’ relationship. By this calculation, she was quite close!

Feeling motivated, Su Mi firmly refused Su Ciyu’s proposal to travel abroad. Time passed leisurely for more than half a month.

Su Mi waited and waited but never heard any news about Shen Han hosting a birthday party. She was puzzled as Xu Nanqiao’s birthday approached.

Finally, during a visit to Nanyuan, after their reading session, Su Mi secretly called Shen Han aside. Surprisingly, Shen Han always came downstairs after their reading sessions to have some desserts and fruits brought by the butler while listening to their chat. Shen Han was skilled at guiding conversations, sparking topics in just a few words, and sometimes, if the conversation went well, she would invite them to stay for dinner.

Su Mi naturally interpreted this as Shen Han’s changing attitude toward Xu Nanqiao. Indeed, Xu Nanqiao had significantly changed her view of Shen Han. When Su Mi probed, Xu Nanqiao’s latest assessment was that although Shen Han appeared aloof and cold, she was actually quite approachable and finally felt like a friendly elder sister.

Su Mi was satisfied.

However, she was not satisfied with the progress on the birthday party front. With Xu Nanqiao’s birthday next week, Shen Han had not mentioned anything about hosting a party.

Su Mi, acting suspiciously, pulled Shen Han into the dining room under the pretense of checking the dinner menu, ensuring Xu Nanqiao did not follow. She closed the dining room door and turned to face a smirking Shen Han, who seemed eager to see what she wanted to say.

Su Mi had thought carefully about how to broach the topic. She cleared her throat and indirectly asked, “Sister, have you ever… hosted a birthday party for someone?”

The answer should be no. In the original storyline, Shen Han only planned to surprise Xu Nanqiao with a birthday party, leaving all the arrangements to the original Su Mi. However, the original Su Mi, despite outward kindness, harbored long-standing jealousy toward Xu Nanqiao. Pretending to organize the party, she invited many classmates, brought the unprepared Xu Nanqiao to the event, and made her wear an ill-fitting dress without makeup. The high-society classmates outwardly wished her a happy birthday but turned to mock her behind her back. Initially unaware, Xu Nanqiao eventually noticed the odd behavior.

The original Su Mi, holding her hand, claimed it was a party specially organized by Shen Han and subtly threatened Xu Nanqiao with her job at Shen Han’s place. Xu Nanqiao felt humiliated and could only endure. Someone drugged her to make her embarrass herself, but fortunately, the male lead, who secretly cared for her, took her to the hospital before the drug took effect.

Throughout the party, Shen Han never appeared and only compensated Xu Nanqiao with money the next day, claiming ignorance of the events. To Xu Nanqiao, this was an insult, and she immediately returned the money.

In short, Shen Han had never hosted a birthday party. It was strange she hadn’t asked Su Mi to arrange it. Perhaps, in the original story, the original Su Mi volunteered.

Su Mi was unsure, so she came to test the waters.

Shen Han didn’t answer directly but asked, “Isn’t your birthday at the end of the year?”

Su Mi: …

Why bring me into this?

Undeterred, she continued hinting, “By the way, Xu Nanqiao’s birthday is next week.”

The two statements were close enough for Shen Han to understand her intent. Shen Han frowned slightly and asked, “So?”

Su Mi went straight to the point, “Would you like to host a birthday party for her?”

Shen Han pulled out a chair in the dining room and sat down leisurely. “Why should I host a birthday party for her?”

She used a statement rather than a question.

Su Mi was speechless. What a straightforward person!

Without enough evidence to support her “substitute theory,” Su Mi, though confident in her guess, didn’t judge based on speculation. She swallowed her frustration, walked to the dining table, and assumed a teacher-like role, earnestly explaining, “A birthday is an important day marking one’s birth, celebrated once a year. Hosting a party, inviting friends to celebrate, is meaningful.”

Shen Han smirked, “Thank you. I wouldn’t have known the meaning of birthdays without you.”

Su Mi was not dumb; she could tell Shen Han was being sarcastic.

“…”

She looked at Shen Han with a mix of doubt and confusion. Was Shen Han pretending, or did she really not intend to host a party for Xu Nanqiao? Had the plot’s compulsion failed?

Su Mi struggled for a moment, then tried one last time, “I think… Xu Nanqiao might look forward to someone celebrating her birthday.”

Shen Han asked, “Won’t her mother celebrate for her?”

Su Mi was momentarily stunned.

She muttered softly, “…Yes, her mother will.”

But considering Shen Han had no parents, it was understandable she overlooked this. Her previously enthusiastic mood deflated like a pricked balloon.

Su Mi bit her lip, quickly pulling herself together.

The silence didn’t last long. Shen Han took in Su Mi’s slightly aggrieved expression and, somewhat helplessly, gently pressed her into a chair next to her.

Her touch was light.

Lifting Su Mi’s face with two fingers, Shen Han scrutinized her for a moment, frowned, and said, “Why so aggrieved? It’s just a birthday.”

She paused, quickly found a reason, and said, “Didn’t you say in your messages that Xu Nanqiao is introverted and dislikes extravagance? If I host a grand party at Nanyuan, inviting many guests, will she really enjoy it?”

Shen Han’s calm and steady tone was convincing.

Su Mi was taken aback, quickly accepting this reason.

…That made sense.

She had been so focused on the original plot, forgetting that Shen Han had become more humane, no longer cold as before. Shen Han had learned a lot about Xu Nanqiao’s preferences through their interactions. So Shen Han would consider Xu Nanqiao’s feelings, not wanting to impose an extravagant party she might dislike.

Had her presence as a butterfly altered the plot?

If the plot deviated, would it impact critical points in the story?

She hesitated, and Shen Han released her face, adding:

“The Shen family banquet is in two weeks. You can take Xu Nanqiao to pick out a dress this weekend, then bring her to the banquet as a substitute birthday celebration, okay?”

This suggestion immediately translated to: replacing the party with a grander event.

A birthday party and a family banquet are both banquets. Moreover, a family banquet, being private, carried a different weight. Taking Xu Nanqiao along made Shen Han’s intentions clear.

Su Mi was surprised, “Really?”

Shen Han raised an eyebrow, “Why would I lie? Didn’t you want to celebrate her birthday? We’ll have a private celebration in a side hall, where she won’t feel awkward.”

Su Mi thought Shen Han even planned to host a private celebration for Xu Nanqiao in a side hall. The nature of this was entirely different!

What a great strategy, Shen Han.

Su Mi, her mood restored, was filled with excitement for her mission’s progress.

She smiled and gave Shen Han a thumbs-up, “Sister, you’re the best.”

Shen Han leaned back slightly, feeling helpless at Su Mi’s quick mood change, “What does that mean?”

Su Mi raised both thumbs, her face earnest, “You’re amazing!”

Shen Han smiled, nudging her chin, “Go check the kitchen for tonight’s menu. You can handle the surprise party with Xu Nanqiao. I won’t interfere.”

Su Mi nodded vigorously, “Got it, a secret surprise!”

In high spirits, she trotted off to the kitchen.

Leaving Shen Han puzzled: What surprise?

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After much persuasion, Su Mi succeeded in convincing Xu Nanqiao to attend the Shen family’s banquet.

She had asked Su Ciyu beforehand and learned that the banquet was not solely for family but also included close business partners and friends of the Shen family, making it a regular event for the Shen family. Su Ciyu would also attend.

On the weekend, Su Mi took Xu Nanqiao to the mall to pick out a suitable dress, giving it as an early birthday present.

On the day of the banquet, Su Mi picked up Xu Nanqiao early in the morning, first spending time playing with her younger brother.

Xu Yi, not afraid of strangers, happily allowed Xu Nanqiao to hold him, even giving her a kiss, saying, “Sister!”

Su Mi pretended to be angry, “Xu Xiao Yi, how many sisters are you going to recognize?”

Xu Nanqiao hugged Xu Yi, her heart melting from his cuteness. She curiously asked, “How many sisters has he recognized?”

Su Mi responded, “Does Shen Han count?”

Xu Nanqiao was surprised, “Huh?”

Su Mi recounted the incident, “That day, Xiao Yi could only say ‘sister’ but couldn’t say ‘Shen Han’ properly. He struggled with the ‘s’ sound for a long time.”

Xu Nanqiao laughed so hard her eyes crinkled. After catching her breath, she asked, “How did Shen Han react?”

Su Mi imitated Shen Han’s calm demeanor, lifting her head and putting on a straight face, “Like this — no reaction.”

Xu Nanqiao laughed until she leaned on Xu Yi, then straightened up to wipe her tears, “Su Su, you’re really getting good at mimicking your sister.”

Su Mi made a shushing gesture, “Don’t say that out loud.”

They played with Xu Yi all morning. In the afternoon, the stylist arrived to help them get ready. After changing into their dresses, they sat at Su Mi’s dressing table for makeup and hair styling.

Then they went with Su Ciyu in the car to attend the banquet.

Su Ciyu had informed them of the dress code beforehand, so they chose simple dresses that suited their age. Xu Nanqiao wore a light blue knee-length dress with layered tulle, her long hair tied up with a matching ribbon and a small blue gem at the corner of her eye. She repeatedly emphasized not being too extravagant during the styling process.

Su Mi insisted, “Today is an important day to celebrate your birthday, so you must look beautiful.”

When Xu Nanqiao’s styling was complete, Su Mi gave a thumbs-up, “Gorgeous!”

For herself, Su Mi wore a cute puffy dress, her light blonde hair styled in soft curls with colorful hairpins. When the styling was done, she playfully nudged Xu Nanqiao with her skirt, making Xu Nanqiao laugh and tug on her hair playfully.

The Shen family’s banquet was held in a private garden in the city named Huaiyuan. They arrived just in time. Following Su Ciyu past the entrance pool, they walked into the classical garden. It was filled with flowers, trees, winding paths, and bamboo groves with dotted lanterns. After passing through several courtyard gates, they reached the main banquet hall, which was the largest garden in Huaiyuan.

The garden had scattered flower trees and various plants, with platforms for placing drinks, and a small stream ran through the center. Su Ciyu came to socialize with business partners, reminding the girls, “The drinks here are not very strong, but still, drink sparingly. If you need anything, contact me or find Shen Han, okay?”

Su Mi obediently agreed. She wasn’t new to such gatherings, already familiar with some rules. Remembering the plot, she repeatedly reminded Xu Nanqiao, “Don’t drink anything out of sight.”

Xu Nanqiao, though puzzled, memorized it.

They wandered around the garden, occasionally stopping to eat some desserts. Su Mi looked for Shen Han but couldn’t find her due to the garden’s winding paths.

Instead, she saw someone familiar — a girl in a white silk dress crouching by the stream, looking at the water flow. Before Su Mi could approach, the girl turned around, seeing Su Mi, and smiled, “Su Mi! You’re here too.”

Their last meeting was also by the stream. After that day, Su Mi, feeling reassured since Shen Han didn’t make her delete Ren Yue’s contact, continued being online friends with her, occasionally chatting about their daily lives. Ren Yue loved watching little fish in the water, often sending Su Mi photos of them.

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Author’s Note:
Sorry for the cliffhanger. This is a chapter update. I returned home late after working overtime, but still managed to write 4000 words.

So please don’t wait until it’s fully updated! I’ll keep working hard (starry eyes).