Madam Gu and Gu Chengzhao looked disapprovingly at Gu Bichen.

The matter of the engagement has already been discussed with Gu Bichen. Arranged marriages are not acceptable, so why does Bichen keep bringing up the engagement and making An’an uncomfortable?

Gu Bichen extended the smooth jade pendant to Shen You’an.

The jade was translucent, seemingly holding an indelible trace of green within.

"Look at this jade pendant. It’s been passed down for three generations in my family. Since I can remember, it has been with me."

The young man’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he locked his intense gaze on her.

"The engagement arranged by our ancestors is just a pretense. I am presenting it today to tell you that I like you, not because of any promise but because you are the only one for me in this life."

"This jade pendant should have been yours long ago."

The boy’s passionate affection infused this grand confession with an extreme romantic hue.

Gu Suqiu didn’t expect Gu Bichen to make such a profound confession to Shen You’an in front of so many people, making her previous introduction of Lin Xiaoxiao seem like the act of a buffoon.

Lin Xiaoxiao gazed at Shen You’an in awe, thinking only a girl as beautiful as a fairy was worthy of him.

She lowered her head in inferiority, afraid that another glance would sting her eyes.

Zhou Rong snorted coldly, "She’s that girl always with Rong Xianning, looking like a seductress, flirting with everyone."

Rong Yuhe, however, thought his son had a good eye. How beautiful Shen You’an was, with a superb figure and exceptional charm, and a top scholar at that.

Of course, my son deserves someone even better.

"Chenchen, grandma has told you this before. Although our two families have an arranged childhood betrothal, it’s just the old generation’s feudal thinking. Who practices such things in today’s society? Aren’t you putting An’an in a difficult position?"

Madam Gu mercilessly reprimanded Gu Bichen. This child harbors too many little schemes, constantly disappointing her.

By publicly voicing this, isn’t he morally blackmailing An’an?

If An’an does not acknowledge it, it’s a breach of faith. If she accepts, how is that different from an arranged marriage? It’s a huge grievance for An’an.

Under the spotlight of all the people’s gazes, Shen You’an reached out and took the jade pendant.

Gu Bichen’s eyes lit up with joy.

Rong Xianning lowered his eyes sadly.

The girl stood in the center of the crowd, her voice soft but clear, filled with indisputable firmness.

"I’ve never been one to break promises. The engagement arranged by the ancestors, I acknowledge and will keep, but this agreement binds the relationship between the two families, not the fate between you and me. You are you, and the engagement is the engagement; they are two separate things."

These words were a gracious rejection of Gu Bichen.

Shen You’an turned her wrist, revealing another jade pendant.

The two jade pendants together formed a complete pair.

Gu Bichen did not get discouraged, smiling as he said, "If there’s no destiny, why would there be this engagement, why would we meet?"

Shen You’an’s lips curved into a slight arc, her eyes calm like still water, unmoved.

"Meeting is serendipity, the engagement is an old promise, but it is not destiny. Destiny is a mutual attraction, not a one-sided binding using outdated customs."

Zhou Rong gritted her teeth in anger, "This vile girl even thinks she’s too good for our son? What does she think she is?"

Gu Bichen raised his eyebrows, "Fate is something that develops gradually. How do you know what the future holds?"

This shameless demeanor lacked the Gu family’s gentlemanly elegance.

Gu Bichen’s words changed tack, his gaze falling on Rong Xianning, "Or is the mutual attraction you speak of referring to him?"

This was intended to embarrass Shen You’an.

Secretly guiding the public to think Shen You’an broke her promise for that pretty boy beside her, both top-tier figures. If rumors spread, it would be unstoppable.

Madam Gu furrowed her brows deeply. Gu Chengzhao scolded in a low voice, "What nonsense are you saying? Do you have to spoil everyone’s happiness on such a festive day?"

Shen You’an smiled slightly, unafraid of his threats.

"Gu Bichen, if you’re determined to make a fool of yourself, then it’s out of my hands."

Gu Bichen frowned, Shen You’an’s half-smiling eyes twinkling with mockery, as if they were ridiculing his lack of self-awareness.

Gu Bichen suddenly felt a sense of unease in his heart.

Shen You’an no longer glanced at Gu Bichen, addressing Madam Gu with a gentle voice, "Madam, I apologize for disrupting your birthday banquet, but I think this might be the best birthday gift for you."

Madam Gu only felt apologetic and didn’t comprehend the meaning of Shen You’an’s final words, "An’an..."

"Shen You’an, today is Madam’s birthday banquet. She is the protagonist. Isn’t there enough attention for you in the entertainment circle? Why are you jumping around at the Madam’s birthday banquet? Don’t you realize this isn’t the place for your antics?"

Gu Suqiu stepped forward, her face filled with righteous indignation as she reprimanded Shen You’an.

"Ancient people say, ’There’s no love for the harlot, there’s no loyalty for the actor.’ The ancients weren’t wrong. You’re just a little star. Bichen’s willingness to honor his promise shows he’s affectionate and righteous, and yet you’re putting on airs, not knowing your own position."

The reproach was truly caustic.

Madam Gu coldly glanced at Gu Suqiu, "Shut up. What business is it of yours?"

Gu Suqiu’s face showed grievance, thinking the old lady was truly muddled, scolding her for an outsider.

Shen You’an didn’t even look at Gu Suqiu, treating her completely as air. This total disregard made Gu Suqiu’s head smolder with anger.

"Gu Bichen." Shen You’an looked at him with a half-smiling gaze.

Gu Bichen’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

"Now you’re putting up a façade of a passionate lover in front of me. What about the deceased Yu Ruohuan?"

It was truly hitting him where it hurts.

Gu Bichen’s expression stiffened, hurriedly explaining, "An’an, it was a misunderstanding... she has passed away, she won’t affect us."

"How did she die?"

Shen You’an’s subtle question left Gu Bichen frozen on the spot, his expression visibly embarrassed.

"She did many evil things and died as a retribution."

Everyone knows that Yu Ruohuan died of a terminal illness, which could also be considered as retribution for her misdeeds.

"Is that so? Or was it because she held your secret, and you silenced her?"

Shen You’an casually dropped a bombshell.

The entire room gasped in shock.

Madam Gu and Gu Chengzhao looked at Gu Bichen in astonishment.

Gu Bichen’s face suddenly darkened, his eyes sinisterly fixed on Shen You’an.

"An’an, if you don’t want to fulfill the promise, that’s fine. I can let you and Rong Xianning be together, but why slander me?" His face showing a pained expression as he spoke.

Only he knew how panicked he was inside.

How could Shen You’an know?

No, it’s impossible. It’s just her one-sided claim. She doesn’t have any evidence. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"If you don’t want others to know, don’t do it yourself, Gu Bichen. Oh, and you actually don’t carry the Gu surname, so don’t tarnish this ancient, illustrious literate surname."

Madam Gu looked puzzled, "An’an, what are you saying?"

Gu Chengzhao was equally confused.

Not only were the Gu family members puzzled, but everyone present was baffled. What nonsense was Shen You’an talking about? If Gu Bichen didn’t bear the Gu surname, what surname did he have? Everyone knew he was the sole heir to the Gu family.

Gu Suqiu sneered, "I think she’s lost her mind. Security, throw this troublemaker out."

Zhou Rong anxiously grabbed Rong Yuhe’s arm, "What should we do? Could she possibly know something?"

Rong Yuhe gritted his teeth, glaring ominously at Shen You’an, "Don’t worry. How could a young girl know anything? You’re scaring yourself."