At eight o’clock in the morning, everyone in the house was busy with preparations. The large mansion was filled with movement—maids hurried through the corridors carrying trays of flowers, ribbons, and expensive porcelain dishes. The chefs in the kitchen were already sweating over steaming pots, preparing delicacies for the grand birthday feast. The atmosphere should have been joyful, but instead, it was tense.

Suddenly, a loud scream echoed through the mansion.

“What happened? Why did Young Miss Yue shout?” one maid whispered nervously.

The head maid immediately put down the list she was checking and hurried toward Yue’s room. When she pushed the door open, she saw Yue standing in the middle of the room, her face red with anger. In front of her stood a trembling new maid, her hands shaking so badly that the empty teacup rattled against the tray.

“You ruined it!” Yue shouted, holding up her stained dress. A large brown patch of tea had spread across the soft fabric. “Do you even know how expensive this is?”

The new maid lowered her head, unable to speak.

Yue raised her hand to slap her.

But before her palm could land, the head maid rushed forward and grabbed her wrist.

“Don’t do anything foolish! Today is your grandmother’s birthday. If you cause trouble, it will hurt her feelings.”

At that moment, Yue’s mother, Ling, rushed into the room after hearing the commotion.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong? Why are you shouting?” Ling asked anxiously.

Yue burst into tears. “That maid poured tea on my new dress! I bought it with my own savings. I wanted to give it to Grandma as a gift.”

The head maid turned to the frightened servant. “You may leave now.”

The maid quickly bowed and hurried out.

“Fire her!” Yue demanded stubbornly.

“I can’t,” the head maid replied calmly. “She was personally approved by your grandmother.”

Ling sighed softly. “Sweetie, last time you made a mistake and your grandmother punished you by cutting your allowance. This time, you haven’t done anything wrong. But still, you must control your temper. Your grandmother dislikes impulsive behavior.”

Yue pouted and turned away.

Ling gently combed Yue’s hair, her movements slow and soothing. “I know you’re upset. But Li has prepared a grand feast for your grandmother. Many important relatives and business partners are coming. Today is not the day to argue.”

Yue sniffed and wiped her tears. “Mom, I really used my savings for that dress.”

“I know,” Ling said gently. “But I bought a jade bracelet for your grandmother. You can give it to her instead.”

“…Okay,” Yue whispered reluctantly.

Ling hesitated before adding, “Also, Li is inviting her boyfriend to the feast today.”

Yue immediately looked up. “Boyfriend? Who is he?”

“His name is Chen Kuo.”

Ling smiled faintly and left the room to supervise other matters.

Yue slowly turned toward the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her—beautiful, proud, but slightly wounded. She adjusted her hairstyle carefully and forced a confident smile.

“I still look great,” she murmured to herself.

Walking toward the window, she glanced down at the backyard. The garden had been transformed overnight. Red lanterns hung from the trees, golden ribbons shimmered in the sunlight, and a long dining table was being arranged beneath a white canopy. Maids moved quickly, checking every detail. Everything looked perfect.

Yue’s eyes darkened slightly.

“If I cause trouble,” she muttered under her breath, “Li will definitely use it against me.”

She knew Li well. Li was always calm, elegant, and favored by their grandmother. One mistake from Yue, and Li would look even better in comparison.

Yue clenched her fists gently.

“No,” she whispered. “I won’t let her look down on me.”

She took a deep breath, lifted her chin, and walked toward the door.

Today was not just a birthday celebration.

It was a battlefield.

And Yue had no intention of losing.

Soon, everyone assembled in Grandmother’s study room.

The room was large and dignified, filled with the scent of sandalwood. Dark wooden shelves lined the walls, stacked with old books and antique ornaments collected over decades. A large portrait of Grandfather hung above the carved rosewood desk, watching over the family like a silent judge.

Yue entered beside her mother, Ling. Conversations hushed slightly as relatives glanced at her before returning to their discussions.

She saw her two uncles and their wives seated on the right side of the room. They smiled at her politely. Yue liked them; they often gave her gentle advice instead of harsh criticism. Her father was away on a business trip overseas and couldn’t attend the celebration. His absence made her feel slightly exposed.

She also thought about her cousin Lan, her first uncle’s son. He was studying abroad and couldn’t return this year. Lan had always treated her kindly, defending her when others misunderstood her. If he were here, perhaps she wouldn’t feel so alone.

Then—

Yue’s eyes stopped on Li.

Li stood near the window, sunlight falling softly over her figure. She was wearing a gorgeous pink dress that shimmered delicately under the lights. The fabric hugged her waist perfectly before flowing down like silk water. The color made her skin glow, and the embroidery at the hem looked exquisite and expensive.

For a moment, Yue forgot her earlier anger.

She walked closer.

“Hi, Li,” Yue said, her tone surprisingly calm. “Your dress is beautiful. Which brand is it?”

She gently touched the fabric between her fingers. “It looks stunning.”

Li turned slightly, enjoying the attention. A proud smile curved her lips.

“It’s designed by the famous designer, Nua,” she replied smoothly.

Yue’s eyes widened. “Really? How did you get it? Nua’s designs are hard to buy.”

Before Li could respond, Li’s mother, Lua, stepped forward and lightly brushed Yue’s hand away from the dress.

“You always covet Li’s things,” Lua said coolly. “Some things are not meant for everyone.”

The words weren’t loud, but they were sharp.

Yue’s fingers froze midair. A faint flush appeared on her cheeks.

“Sorry, Aunty,” she muttered quietly and stepped back toward her mother.

Ling leaned slightly closer and whispered, “I already warned you. Don’t be rude.”

Yue bit her lower lip but didn’t reply.

Li noticed the awkward silence and softened her expression, stepping toward Yue.

“Yue, sorry about that,” she said gently, though there was still a faint hint of superiority in her tone. “Mom just worries about the dress.”

Before Yue could respond, Li’s phone suddenly rang.

Li glanced at the caller ID.

Instantly, her entire expression changed.

Her eyes brightened, and her lips curved into a sweet smile that Yue had never seen before.

“I’ll be back,” Li said quickly, already walking toward the corridor.

Ling watched her leave and smiled knowingly. “Li’s boyfriend, Kuo, must have arrived.”

Yue’s heart skipped slightly.

Boyfriend.

She tried to sound casual. “Mom… I want that dress.”

Ling sighed softly. “That design is limited edition. It won’t be easy.”

“But you said you’d try,” Yue insisted quietly.

“I will try,” Ling said gently, brushing a strand of hair away from Yue’s face. “But sometimes, wanting something doesn’t mean we must have it.”

Yue lowered her eyes.

From the corridor, faint footsteps echoed. The atmosphere in the room shifted subtly. Several relatives exchanged curious looks.

Yue didn’t know why, but her chest felt tight.

It wasn’t just about the dress.

It was about something else.

Something she couldn’t name.

Maybe it was the way Li’s face lit up at that call.

Maybe it was the confidence in Li’s posture.

Maybe it was the invisible distance growing between them.

Yue straightened her back slightly.

If Li could shine so brightly today, then she—

She wouldn’t remain in the shadows.

Not anymore.

Li returned to the study room a few minutes later, her steps light and hurried.

Beside her walked a man.

The moment Yue saw him, her breath caught.

He was tall, with sharp features and calm, deep-set eyes. His presence alone seemed to quiet the room. He wore an elegant dark coat, tailored perfectly to his frame. Yue recognized the cut instantly—it was unmistakably Nua’s design.

So even his clothes are custom-made…

He looked wealthy, confident, and distant, as if he were used to being admired but never impressed. His expression was polite, yet restrained, and there was a faint coldness in his gaze.

For a brief second, Yue forgot where she was.

What a handsome man.

Her thoughts spiraled without permission.

How did Li get a man like him?

He doesn’t look easygoing at all.

He’s the kind of man people don’t approach casually.

Her eyes flicked unconsciously toward Li.

Li stood beside him, smiling softly, her posture graceful and assured. She looked perfectly matched to him, like someone who belonged at his side.

How did she charm him? Yue wondered, her heart tightening slightly.

She quickly shook her head, annoyed at herself.

Why am I thinking like this? He has nothing to do with me.

Li cleared her throat and began introducing him to the family.

“This is Chen Kuo,” she said. “He’s my boyfriend.”

Murmurs spread through the room. Several relatives nodded in approval, while others quietly observed him more closely.

Kuo greeted them politely, bowing his head slightly. His manners were impeccable—measured, composed, and distant.

Yue felt an inexplicable urge to step forward.

Before she could stop herself, she smiled and said, “Hi, I’m Yue—Li’s cousin.”

Her voice sounded steady, though her fingers curled slightly at her sides.

Kuo turned to look at her.

His gaze paused for a fraction of a second longer than necessary, assessing her calmly. There was no obvious emotion on his face, only mild curiosity.

Yue, emboldened by the attention, reached out lightly and touched the sleeve of his coat.

“What fabric is this?” she asked casually. “It feels very fine.”

The room went quiet.

Kuo stiffened almost imperceptibly.

His expression darkened just a little—not anger, but irritation. He gently shifted his arm away, creating a clear distance between them.

“It’s just fabric,” he replied shortly.

The coldness in his voice made Yue’s fingers freeze.

Before the awkward silence could deepen, Li quickly stepped forward and took Yue’s hand, pulling it back gently.

“Yue, please,” she said softly, her smile polite but strained.

Yue realized too late that she had crossed an invisible line.

Ling immediately stepped in, her tone apologetic. “I’m very sorry, Kuo. Yue can be childish at times. Please don’t mind her.”

Kuo gave a brief nod. “It’s fine.”

But his eyes no longer rested on Yue.

Yue’s cheeks burned. She lowered her gaze, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and something else—something sharper.

Before anyone could speak further, the head maid entered the room and announced in a clear voice:

“Grandmother is coming.”

Instantly, everyone straightened.

The tension shifted, but Yue remained still for a moment longer, her thoughts tangled.

She could still feel the faint warmth of the fabric under her fingertips.

And she could still see the brief flicker of annoyance in Kuo’s eyes.

For the first time that day, Yue felt something unfamiliar.

Not anger.

Not jealousy.

But a quiet, unsettling awareness—

That Chen Kuo was not someone she could ignore.

And that this brief, awkward encounter was only the beginning.