After Xu Nuan gets out of the car, she fixes her dress before looking at the lavish hotel where the banquet of the 35th anniversary of Gu Corporations was held.

" Xingren sure knows how to spend money on useless things." she shakes her head as this was something expected of Gu Xingren. Who blamed her for not walking properly after pushing Xu Nuan on the road, what can be expected from her?

Today's banquet was on the ground floor so she doesn't need to take the elevator today, unlike last time. She stood at the entrance of the banquet hall without stepping inside and watched the bustling crowd with waiters walking through while holding drinks and snacks to serve to the guests.

" Seems like many people have come for today's banquet." She pursed her lips seeing this many people. Is it too late to ditch this party?

However, as she was thinking about the idea to skip this party, she heard a deep-excited voice of Grandfather Gu, " Xu Nuan, my girl. You're finally here. Do you know I was waiting for you since the party started?"

She was startled upon hearing his welcoming words as he approached her with Yuhan following him. It was her first time hearing such a friendly tone from Grandfather Gu.

" Ah, Grandfather." she greeted politely while smiling awkwardly.

" You look beautiful." she heard Yuhan say.

Her brows raised in surprise with his sudden complement. " Well, it's nothing new."

He couldn't help but chuckle at her shameless acceptance of the compliment.

" Come it, why are you standing outside? You're still on time. The main part of the party hasn't started yet." Grandfather Gu said while pulling Xu Nuan inside the banquet.

'It would have been better if it had been ended already.' she sighed as she followed him inside the party which was no less than hell for her.

-

Gu Xingren was chatting with Yuhan's mother and Grandmother Gu when they noticed Grandfather Gu who was holding onto Xu Nuan's hand like a kid.

Xingren couldn't help but feel uncomfortable at the closeness he was showing to Xu Nuan in front of everyone. There were many guests, who were there solely attending the party because of Grandfather Gu.

The current CEO of the company is Gu Zhang but the goodwill and business relations of Grandfather Gu were the reason for everyone's interest in Gu Corporations. And if he is showing his closeness to Xu Nuan, everyone will think that he favors the adopted daughter more than the biological one.

Grandmother Gu noticed the dull expressions of Xingren seeing the old man holding Xu Nuan and introducing her to other guests, her expressions turned dark seeing how he was disrespecting Xingren.

She was the one who prepared everything and he didn't introduce her to other guests for once, yet he was introducing Xu Nuan who has nothing in her background to show it to others.

-

" Mr. Cu, this is my granddaughter Xu Nuan. She is working as an artist manager in a big entertainment company. I can't believe that she grew up so much to work independently without anyone's help." Grandfather Gu introduced Xu Nuan to one of the businessmen while boasting about her achievements.

Xu Nuan who was standing beside him bit her lower lip upon hearing his boastful words. Her ears turned red due to embarrassment, when he saw the man staring at her with a surprised smile, she felt even more embarrassed.

'Why do I feel like a kid whose mother is boasting about his achievements in front of her friends?'

" Ah, I know her. I saw her in that show….Karaoke Singer. Mr. Gu, your daughter is so talented. How is she so good at singing?" The man complimented her as he recognized her seeing her at the show before.

Grandfather Gu glanced at Xu Nuan and his excited voice suddenly dimmed, " I also didn't know that she is this talented."

She noticed the brightness in his eyes dimmed, there was guilt hidden behind those sad eyes which made her feel even more guilty. Xu Nuan would have been happy to see how much his grandfather cares for her but unfortunately, she only got to witness the coldness of this world.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a high-pitched voice, which caused her to frown, " Grandfather Gu, what are you doing here? I was looking for you all over the place." Xingren approached them in her high heels while holding her fiery red gown elegantly.

She greeted Mr. Cu politely and turned to Xu Nuan with a smile, " Sister Xu, you are also here!"

Upon hearing her comment, Xu Nuan couldn't help but roll her eyes in disbelief. The way she was trying to show that this is her territory is obvious and her comment was clear to tell that she is just a guest and better to stay as one.

Grandfather Gu smiled at her but didn't say anything. Xingren smiled and stood there, waiting for him to introduce as well but her expressions darkened when he said, " Mr. Cu, please excuse us." he politely walked away from him while Xingren and Xu Nuan had no choice but to follow him.

Xingren could see his indifferent behavior towards her that was making her uneasy. He has never treated her this coldly before, now what happened?

She pursed her lips and glanced at Xu Nuan who was looking around the banquet decorated with red and white roses and lightings, ' Did she fill his ears against me? But what did she say to make him indifferent against me?' she wondered.

" Grandpa, do you have something to say to me?" Xingren asked Grandfather Gu when he stepped aside from the crowd. He stared at Xingren with his stiff expressions and shook his head, " No. You can go your way. I need to talk to Xu Nuan."

"...."

Xingren pursed her lips after getting his curt reply and swallowed her pride and put on a bright smile on her lips as she said, " Ah, sure. Sister, Grandmother wants to meet you. Please come to our table after you're done with Grandfather. Don't leave us waiting for you." she smiled while controlling her contempt behind the smiling face.

Xu Nuan grinned robotically and turned to Grandfather Gu, ignoring Xingren who was wondering what she had said to make Grandfather Gu against her.

'Is he doing this because I am not his real granddaughter?'

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