The conversation between Lin Che and Fu Rong flowed far more smoothly than she had expected.
At some point, her initial tension faded without her even realizing it. Fu Rong was easy to talk to—surprisingly so. He never pressed, never dominated the conversation, and whenever she spoke, he listened with genuine interest.
When he smiled, his eyes curved upward into soft crescents, bright and warm, the kind of smile that made people instinctively want to look at him longer than necessary.
Lin Che found herself laughing.
It startled her at first. The sound slipped out naturally, light and unguarded, and for a brief moment she even forgot where she was.
The crystal glasses in their hands clinked gently as they spoke, the sound clear and crisp amid the background music. Fu Rong said something amusing again, and she laughed once more, covering her mouth instinctively.
Around them, the ballroom continued to glitter.
But the air had subtly changed.
From several corners of the room, gazes lingered—sharp, assessing, and unmistakably jealous. The sight of Fu Rong standing so close to an unfamiliar woman was enough to unsettle many carefully laid expectations for the evening.
On the other side of the hall, Gong Rui hadn't looked away even once.
His attention was completely fixed on Lin Che.
Madam Gong noticed, of course. The slight tightening of her lips betrayed her displeasure, though she quickly masked it. Beside Gong Rui, Ming Mimi followed his line of sight at last, her brows knitting faintly in confusion.
When her eyes landed on Lin Che, recognition dawned.
She had seen her earlier—when the woman first entered the ballroom. At the time, Ming Mimi had thought little of it. Beautiful women appeared at events like this all the time. But now, watching Gong Rui stare so openly, so intently, something clicked into place.
Her fingers tightened around his sleeve.
"Rui," she said softly, tugging at his arm to pull his attention back. "Do you think… maybe we shouldn't announce it today?"
Gong Rui blinked, momentarily pulled out of his thoughts. "Announce what?" he asked, genuinely confused.
He had not been given any information beforehand that it was going to be announced today so he turned towards his mother in question.
Before Ming Mimi could respond, Madam Gong spoke.
"Why wouldn't we announce it today?" she said lightly, though it was clear she had been listening the entire time. Her tone was pleasant, but her eyes were sharp. "This is the perfect occasion."
She had also not planned on announcing it today yet seeing all the attention Lin Che was getting, she had to cut off any possibilities of Going Rui going back to her in the future.
If Lin Che still didn't understand after this then she would be labeled as a shameless woman.
She wanted to deal with that woman once and for all!
Ming Mimi's lips parted slightly. "Auntie Gong, I just think—"
"We must announce it," Madam Gong interrupted smoothly. "The sooner, the better."
There was intent behind her words—intent that Ming Mimi caught instantly.
She glanced at Gong Rui and noticed the fleeting tension that crossed his face. It was subtle, gone almost as soon as it appeared, but she saw it. And something about it unsettled her.
"Auntie Gong," Ming Mimi said again, her voice gentle but firm, "Rui and I aren't in a hurry. It wouldn't hurt to wait a little longer."
Madam Gong turned to her, smiling warmly.
"My dear," she said, patting Ming Mimi's hand, "there are too many… distractions tonight. Announcing it now ensures that no one with ill intentions gets any ideas."
The meaning beneath those words was unmistakable.
Ming Mimi fell silent.
Madam Gong gave a satisfied nod, then straightened her posture. "Come," she said. "It's time."
She turned and began making her way toward the main dais, where the microphones and lights were already prepared.
A few subtle gestures were enough to signal the musicians to soften their playing.
The music faded gradually.
Conversations slowed, then stopped.
"All eyes, please," someone announced politely.
Madam Gong stepped forward, her expression composed, dignified, and faintly emotional. She took the microphone, pausing just long enough for the room to settle into silence.
"Thank you all for coming tonight," she began. "Your presence means more to our family than words can express."
She inhaled, as if steadying herself.
"Twenty years ago," she continued, her voice softening, "the Gong family suffered an unimaginable loss. My son—our son—was taken from us."
A ripple of murmurs passed through the crowd.
"For two decades," Madam Gong said, her eyes glistening, "we searched. We never stopped. No matter how hopeless things seemed, we believed—deep in our hearts—that he was still alive somewhere in this world."
Some guests exchanged glances. Others listened intently, moved by the emotion in her voice.
"There were nights I couldn't sleep," she went on. "Days when I blamed myself. I asked myself again and again what I had done wrong as a mother."
She pressed a hand lightly to her chest.
"But heaven showed us mercy."
Her gaze lifted toward Gong Rui.
"After twenty long years, our son has finally returned home."
Soft gasps filled the hall. A few women discreetly dabbed at their eyes. This was after all a very well known story throughout the capital.
It was said that when second madam lost her child, she almost went mad from the stress.
Now that he had been found, everything seemed to be working well.
"This party," Madam Gong said, "is not merely a celebration. It is gratitude. Gratitude to fate, to heaven, and to everyone who stood by us during those dark years."
She stepped back slightly as her husband came forward.
Mr. Gong cleared his throat, his voice deep and steady. "The Gong family is fortunate," he said. "What was lost has been found. What was broken has been mended."
He bowed lightly to the guests.
"This is a blessing beyond measure."
Applause rose throughout the ballroom.
Madam Gong returned to the microphone, her smile widening.
"And tonight," she said, her voice ringing clearly through the hall, "to commemorate our son's return, we are delighted to share some very good news with all of you."