Wen Qing and Shen Yichen stood beside Mr. and Mrs. Bai like loyal pillars of support, their expressions carefully arranged for the public eye. Tonight was supposed to be perfect.
Wen Qing's heart pounded with restrained excitement. The day had finally arrived. The day Bai Zhiqi would fall from the pedestal she had built as the mysterious veiled musician. The public adored that masked persona — admired the elegance, the sorrowful melodies, the untouchable purity.
But tonight, the veil would be torn away.
Let them see her real face.
Let them see Bai Zhiqi.
Wen Qing almost smiled at the thought.
Bai Lanyue stood a little further away, watching the large screen where carefully selected photographs of Bai Zhiqi were displayed — images from years ago, frozen smiles, calculated innocence. Each slide had been chosen deliberately. Each angle curated to stir whispers rather than admiration.
The guests were already murmuring.
"She disappeared for years…" "I heard she was involved in that incident." "Such a disgrace to the Bai family…"
The sound of quiet judgment flowed like soft music to Bai Lanyue's ears.
Annoyance flickered in her eyes as she looked at her sister's face glowing on the screen. But it lasted only a second. She masked it effortlessly, replacing it with a gentle, forgiving smile.
Inside, however, satisfaction bloomed.
This was the stage she had prepared.
Let them despise her first. When Bai Zhiqi arrives late — flustered, confused, stripped of her mysterious timing — the criticism will be merciless.
Bai Lanyue lowered her lashes slightly, playing the role she had perfected over the years.
The white lotus.
Soft. Kind. Forgiving.
Shen Yichen's mother approached her then, dignified and sharp-eyed.
Bai Lanyue immediately adjusted her expression, warmth flooding her features.
"Auntie, you're here," she said sweetly, stepping forward as if genuinely touched.
Mrs. Shen's lips curved faintly. "I didn't want to come. After all, you're throwing this banquet for Zhiqi. But I couldn't turn you down."
The words carried subtle disapproval.
Bai Lanyue sighed lightly, her voice trembling just enough to sound sincere. "Thank you, Auntie. Although my sister went down the wrong path… she is still my sister. I truly care about her."
She turned her gaze toward the screen again, as though burdened by helpless affection.
Mrs. Shen clicked her tongue softly. "Thank goodness my son didn't end up with her. Otherwise, it would've been a disaster."
A faint glimmer passed through Bai Lanyue's eyes.
"Although Shen Yichen once liked my sister," she said gently, lowering her voice as if embarrassed, "feelings change. In the end… he chose me."
It was subtle. Not boastful. Just enough to imply victory.
"Lanyue."
Wen Qing approached quickly, her smile slightly tighter than before. "Hello, Auntie."
Mrs. Shen acknowledged her with a nod.
Wen Qing leaned closer to Bai Lanyue, her voice dropping. "It's time."
Bai Lanyue's heartbeat steadied.
Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
"Auntie, I hope you enjoy the night," she said softly before turning toward the stage.
Each step toward the podium was measured. Calm. Elegant.
Behind the calm exterior, calculation pulsed sharply.
She had deliberately given the veiled musician the wrong arrival time. By the time Bai Zhiqi appeared, the banquet would already be underway. The guests would interpret it as arrogance. Disrespect. Guilt.
And when the criticism reached its peak—
She would reveal her identity.
Bai Zhiqi, your time to shine is over.
Bai Lanyue stepped onto the podium. The microphone felt cool beneath her fingers.
She looked at the crowd.
So many familiar faces. Business elites. Media representatives. Socialites.
All waiting.
"Good evening, everyone," she began, her voice clear yet touched with faint vulnerability. "Thank you all for coming to my sister's birthday banquet."
The words were gentle.
The atmosphere was not.
She could see the displeasure in their eyes. The suspicion. The judgment.
Perfect.
"I know my sister has made mistakes in the past," Bai Lanyue continued softly. "And she has paid dearly for them. Although Su Yiren is still missing, and the matter once pointed toward my brother… the authorities have cleared him. He is not the criminal."
A calculated pause.
"My only regret… is that after everything, my sister disappeared. For so many years, we had no news of her."
Her lashes trembled slightly. Not enough to cry. Just enough to gain sympathy.
The guests began murmuring again — this time with pity.
"So…"
"Starting without me?"
The voice rang from the audience — calm, steady, unapologetic.
Every head turned at once.
And there she stood.
Ji Lanxue.
Her gown was a deep crimson — not the bright red of celebration, but the darker shade of dried roses and sealed promises. The silk was structured, almost armor-like in the way it held its shape. It did not flutter nervously; it moved with intention.
The square neckline framed her collarbones sharply. The bodice hugged her torso with quiet precision. No excessive embellishment. No desperate glitter. Just clean lines and contained power.
At the waist, the fabric cinched before flowing outward in restrained waves. Under the chandelier light, the crimson deepened into burgundy, nearly black in shadow.
A thin gold thread traced the hem and sleeves — subtle, deliberate. A signature.
The sleeves were long, fitted to her wrists. No softness. No vulnerability displayed freely.
This was not a guest arriving late.
This was someone stepping onto a battlefield disguised as a celebration.
Her heels struck the floor with calm certainty.
The hall, once filled with whispers of judgment, fell into stunned silence.
On the podium, Bai Lanyue's fingers tightened slightly around the microphone.
For the first time that evening—
The script trembled.