Chapter 9: Can You Be More Mindful of Your Image?

"Where did you run off to?"

Fu Hanjiang frowned, his impatience evident.

Grandma had just finished her therapy and was ready to start the banquet. He had only stepped away briefly to handle some business, and now he couldn't find Sheng Xiangsi.

"Don't worry."

Yao Leyi smiled gently, trying to soothe him. "It's her first time here, so she's not familiar with the place."

Humph. Fu Hanjiang sneered, "If she's unfamiliar, she should have stayed put. Doesn't she know to wait for me? Always causing trouble!"

"Alright, don't get upset. I'll help you find her."

Yao Leyi suddenly stopped and pointed in a direction. "Hey, Hanjiang, look. Isn't that her?"

Fu Hanjiang squinted and focused. It really was her.

He nodded. "It is."

A bit surprised, he added, "She's different from before. You have sharp eyes to recognize her at a glance."

"Yes." Yao Leyi smiled. "I'm a woman, and women are more sensitive. Let's go, don't delay the banquet."

The two walked over to Sheng Xiangsi.

Sheng Xiangsi had a piece of brownie in her mouth, her cheeks puffed out, and crumbs at the corner of her lips. Seeing them approach, she quickly put down her plate.

Tsk.

Fu Hanjiang frowned in disgust. "What kind of eating manners are those? Today's guests are all distinguished. Can you be more mindful of your image?"

Was he implying she was embarrassing the Fu family?

Sheng Xiangsi swallowed her food, wiped the crumbs from her mouth with a napkin, and nodded quietly without arguing. "I understand."

Hmm?

Fu Hanjiang felt like he had punched a cloud. What was this? Her attitude...

If it were before, she would have jumped up and started arguing with him. But now, she was so quiet.

It's not that he wanted her to argue, but her submissive look made it seem like he was bullying her, which made him uncomfortable.

He snapped, "Sheng Xiangsi, what's your problem?"

"What?" Sheng Xiangsi was confused and blinked innocently. "What did I do?"

She had listened to everything he said. What was wrong with that?

"You..." Fu Hanjiang was speechless, feeling an inexplicable surge of anger.

"Enough."

Yao Leyi tugged at his arm, trying to mediate. "Say less. Grandma is waiting to start the banquet."

"Fine!"

Fu Hanjiang reluctantly held back his displeasure, glaring at Sheng Xiangsi. "Follow us. The banquet is starting!"

"Oh."

Sheng Xiangsi, who had been sitting, put down her utensils and stood up.

"Wait!"

Suddenly, Yao Leyi called out, staring at Sheng Xiangsi.

Sheng Xiangsi was puzzled but soon realized what was wrong.

She and Yao Leyi exchanged looks. They were wearing the same dress—they had worn the same outfit!

No wonder the other ladies, including Tian Xin, had mistaken her for Yao Leyi...

The problem now was that wearing the same dress was a big no-no at such events.

Fu Hanjiang noticed it too.

Yao Leyi's dress was prepared by herself, while Sheng Xiangsi's was hastily picked up by Rong Zheng from a designer store. Who would have thought they would end up wearing the same dress?

"It's okay."

Yao Leyi smiled graciously. "It's not a big deal if we're wearing the same thing."

"That won't do," Fu Hanjiang disagreed. "Haven't we already had enough gossip about the Fu family?"

If the two of them wore the same dress, the rumor about the Fu sisters-in-law secretly competing would spread across the whole city by tomorrow!

"Then..."

Yao Leyi thought for a moment. "I'll go change. However, I don't have a backup dress here. I'll need my agent to bring one, so I might miss the start of the banquet."

She then instructed Fu Hanjiang, "Help me explain to Grandma…"

She was about to leave when Fu Hanjiang stopped her.

"Wait!"

He grabbed her arm. "No. You can't miss it. Remember who you are?"

What identity was he referring to?

Yao Leyi was now one of the most sought-after leading actresses in Jiangcheng. Additionally, she was Fu Hanjiang's eldest brother Fu Hanchuan's fiancée, which drew a lot of attention.

If she missed the start of the banquet, who knows what the media would write about tomorrow.

Yao Leyi smiled, unconcerned. "It's okay. We didn't invite mainstream media today…"

Fu Hanjiang still disagreed. "With the internet these days, anyone with a phone can create news. It's better to be cautious."

"You have a point," Yao Leyi conceded, now troubled. "But then..."

That wasn't okay, and neither was this. What now?

Fu Hanjiang turned and looked at Sheng Xiangsi, who had been silent. After a moment of consideration, he spoke coldly.

"You go change your dress!"

Of course.

Having listened to their endless chatter, Sheng Xiangsi had expected this outcome. She smiled faintly and nodded.

"Alright."

But there was a problem she couldn't ignore.

"If I change out of this, what do I wear?"

Her question made Fu Hanjiang realize that she had come in this dress. She didn't have a spare dress or even regular clothes.

He was stumped.

"How about this."

Yao Leyi offered kindly, "I have some casual clothes in my car's trunk. If you don't mind, you can use those."

Wearing her old clothes? Sheng Xiangsi hesitated but quickly explained her concern.

"Aren't her clothes very expensive? I'm worried I might stain or damage them…"

This was the truth.

She had no money to compensate.

"Are you kidding me?"

Fu Hanjiang glared at her. "No one's asking you to pay. Even if you had to, it's just the Fu family's money, isn't it?"

Since he put it that way, Sheng Xiangsi no longer hesitated and turned to Yao Leyi.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it. We're family," Yao Leyi smiled and went to instruct her agent to get the clothes.

Sheng Xiangsi went ahead to wait in the room.

Watching her walk away, Fu Hanjiang squinted slightly. She seemed different from before...

Was it an act or genuine?

While the banquet was about to start, Fu Hanjiang and Yao Leyi returned to Fu Mingzhu's side.

"You're here?"

Fu Mingzhu looked behind them curiously. "Why just you two? Where's Xiangsi?"

"She..." Fu Hanjiang frowned, hesitating.

"Grandma."

Yao Leyi reacted quickly, bending down to explain, "Xiangsi isn't feeling well. She'll join us soon."

"Not feeling well?" Fu Mingzhu frowned. "Is it serious?"

"No, it's nothing, Grandma," Yao Leyi smiled warmly. "Let's start the banquet. Everyone's waiting."

"Oh, alright."

Not wanting to keep the guests waiting, Fu Mingzhu gave the order.

"Sorry, everyone. Xiangsi isn't feeling well. She'll join us shortly. Let's start the banquet."

With Fu Hanjiang and Yao Leyi present, the banquet began in full swing.

When Sheng Xiangsi emerged after changing, Fu Mingzhu was startled. "Xiangsi, why are you dressed like that?"

Her dress was gone, replaced by a casual short skirt, revealing a pair of impossibly long legs, standing out among the elegantly dressed ladies.

"I…"

"Grandma!"

Sheng Xiangsi was about to explain when Yao Leyi interrupted, "What happened was Xiangsi accidentally spilled a drink on her dress. I had to give her some of my casual clothes."

She subtly signaled Sheng Xiangsi to follow along, hiding the truth.

Fu Hanjiang, standing behind Sheng Xiangsi, understood Yao Leyi's intention. He grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear, so softly only they could hear.

"Do as Leyi says. Don't forget, you owe her!"

4o