Showing Off Your Love, Huh?

Judging from Fu Ranran's mood, she seemed much better now. It looked like Qi Yunmo had already smoothed things out between them.

What surprised Tang Mianmian, though, were the gifts everyone gave Long Yejue.

Sports cars, houses—gifts so extravagant they made her green with envy.

Is this how rich people gave gifts?

She glanced at the leather belt she gave Long Yejue, feeling a bit guilty. Compared to a multi-million yuan sports car, her gift was… embarrassingly cheap.

And she had even bought it with his credit card!

Su Xi's gift was more low-key—a book, apparently.

Long Yejue casually placed it aside without much reaction.

Tang Mianmian clearly saw the flicker of disappointment in Su Xi's eyes. So she stepped in, picking up the box and saying warmly, "This gift must be meaningful. I'll hold onto it and give it to him again tonight."

Su Xi nodded slightly without saying more.

Then, everyone's attention turned to Tang Mianmian.

Especially He Xijue, who whistled and asked with a playful grin, "Sister-in-law, what did you get him? We're dying to know."

"Uh…"

She felt too awkward to admit her original gift had been given early, and she hadn't had time to prepare another.

Long Yejue pulled her into his arms and smiled lazily, "She's the best gift I could ask for."

He Xijue let out an exaggerated "Ooooh," laughing teasingly, "Look at you showing off your love!"

Tang Mianmian flushed in embarrassment, completely at a loss under their teasing.

Su Xi's expression dimmed again. She smiled faintly, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Qi Yunmo leaned over to whisper something to He Xijue, who burst into laughter and gave him a thumbs up. "Very creative."

At that moment, Long Ruoshui and Su Wanru joined the group and handed over their gifts to Long Yejue.

But just like Su Xi's gift, theirs were quickly brushed aside.

Long Ruoshui didn't seem too bothered. She handed over a bag and some clothes. "Sister-in-law, these are the clothes and purse you bought last time but never came to collect. I've kept them for you."

"Thank you," Tang Mianmian accepted them cautiously, worried Long Yejue might be upset. But luckily, he said nothing.

Su Wanru opened the clothing bag and said, "This outfit's already been washed. It really suits you. Try it on for us, will you?"

Tang Mianmian hesitated. "Right now?"

Long Ruoshui nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! I want to see it on you. Otherwise, who knows when I'll get the chance. Besides, in a few months, you won't be able to wear it anymore."

There was a hidden meaning in her words. Tang Mianmian blushed but nodded, "Okay, I'll go change."

Long Yejue clearly wasn't pleased. "I like what you're wearing now."

Long Ruoshui pouted, "Brother, are you seriously jealous over this? I'm your sister! Let her wear the outfit I gave her, please?"

"I'll go change," Tang Mianmian spoke up quickly to avoid a confrontation.

With her agreeing, Long Yejue had no choice but to give in.

Still, he couldn't resist poking at Long Ruoshui. "One outfit? You traded that for a fifty-thousand yuan purse—I haven't even confronted you about that yet."

Long Ruoshui turned red with anger. "That's so unfair! I paid for it, and it was your wife who said she'd cover it!"

"You think I don't know what you were trying to do?" His sharp gaze cut straight through her.

Guilt made Long Ruoshui flinch. She stomped off in frustration.

Inwardly, though, she fumed: It must've been Tang Mianmian who told him. Otherwise, how would he know so much?

This woman clearly wasn't as simple as she looked—just as Su Wanru said, a total white lotus.

She glanced upstairs, a malicious smile creeping across her face.

Meanwhile, Tang Mianmian struggled with the dress. It was too tight, and she couldn't reach the zipper on her back.

Just as she was fretting, a knock sounded at the door. Long Ruoshui's sweet voice came from outside, "Sister-in-law, it's me."

She felt like she'd found her savior and immediately opened the door. "Perfect timing! I can't reach the zipper—can you help me?"

Long Ruoshui responded with an "Oh" and had her turn around so she could zip her up.

As she pulled the zipper, she also made some subtle moves behind her back.

Tang Mianmian didn't notice a thing and kept chatting, "I must've gained weight. Last time I tried this size, it fit fine. It's all Long Yejue's fault."

"Sister-in-law, you're so cute when you show off your love. I'm jealous," Long Ruoshui said, adjusting the dress. "It looks great on you. Really suits you."

Tang Mianmian couldn't tell much difference. In her eyes, all the clothes here were beautiful—and expensive.

But unlike the dresses she usually wore, this one was made of silky material that hugged her body tightly. Her modest chest looked even more obvious in it.

The clothes Long Yejue usually prepared were solid-colored and elegant.

But this dress—clearly chosen by Long Ruoshui—had a more sensual vibe.

She'd never worn something like it before and was surprised. Tugging at the dress nervously, she asked, "Isn't it too revealing?"

"Not at all! I actually think you're too conservative. Just look at the other women here—they're all wearing sexier dresses than this," Long Ruoshui said.

That was true.

Feeling more reassured, Tang Mianmian straightened her outfit and was about to go downstairs when Long Ruoshui stopped her. "Wait a second! You can't go like that. You need makeup to match the dress."

"Makeup? Isn't that too much?" Tang Mianmian touched her bare face awkwardly.

It was a little plain—just her natural face paired with a red dress did look a bit washed out.

"Not too much at all! Come on, I brought my makeup kit. Let me help you," Long Ruoshui said enthusiastically.

Her sudden friendliness caught Tang Mianmian off guard. She felt a twinge of guilt and said, "About last time… It wasn't your fault. Your brother just overreacted. I couldn't stop him. Please don't be mad."

"I'm not. That's just how my brother is. If I got mad every time, I'd be dead from rage by now," Long Ruoshui replied as she opened her makeup box.

Tang Mianmian sat quietly, letting her do the makeup.

Long Ruoshui worked carefully, praising her from time to time, "Your skin is so nice, sister-in-law."

"Thank you."

Not long after, she finished. "Done! Look at yourself—much better, right?"

She turned her toward the mirror.

Tang Mianmian barely recognized herself.

It was still her, but… the makeup was a lot.

It wasn't smokey or gaudy, but still way heavier than she was used to.

"Isn't this a bit much?" she asked awkwardly.

"No, no—it's perfect," Long Ruoshui said, packing up her things and dragging her out before she could change her mind.

By then, the crowd had moved out to the courtyard—seemed like the evening event had started.

Tang Mianmian felt incredibly nervous. She didn't want to embarrass Long Yejue.

Long Ruoshui kept praising and encouraging her, helping calm her nerves.

She said she was going to put away her makeup kit and left her there.

Alone, Tang Mianmian lifted her dress slightly and headed outside.

The courtyard was beautifully decorated for Long Yejue's birthday.

Neon lights were everywhere.

Laughter and music drifted over from the distance.

But the cool night air made her shiver in her sleeveless dress.

Rounding the corner, she saw the crowd ahead.

It looked like a ball. Everyone was dancing in elegant pairs—just like scenes from TV.

She clenched her fists, suddenly hesitant to approach.

Because there was one awful truth...

She didn't know how to dance!

As she stood frozen, she noticed two figures in a nearby corner.

It was Su Xi and… Steward Xu?

Their voices were quiet but still audible in the night air.

Su Xi asked with concern, "How's Grandpa doing lately?"

"The master's doing alright—nothing serious. But he's getting old, and there are a lot of things to watch out for."

"Please take good care of him," Su Xi said gratefully.

Steward Xu shook his head. "You're too polite. It's my duty."

"Don't call me 'Miss' anymore. I'm not one," she said with a faint, sorrowful smile.

Xu Quan looked awkward but quickly nodded. "Yes, Miss Su."

Tang Mianmian didn't hear everything clearly, but she could make out enough.

Xu Quan called her "Miss," and Su Xi said she no longer was—what did that mean?

Could Su Xi have once been part of the Long family?

Why else would she call the old master 'Grandpa' and be treated so respectfully?

But… no one had ever mentioned it. That couldn't be right.

Maybe she was just overthinking things...

Xu Quan had left. Su Xi stood alone for a while, staring at Nian Garden before finally turning to rejoin the others.

Tang Mianmian suddenly realized she'd been standing still for a while.

Everyone else had already finished one round of dancing.

Long Ruoshui had arrived too—bringing Zhu Wenyi with her.

She hurried over, but before she could get close, she already felt the weight of people's stares…

Then Zhu Wenyi's voice cut through coldly, "Why are you wearing such heavy makeup? And high heels?!"

"I…" Tang Mianmian's heart skipped, her face burning with embarrassment.

Long Ruoshui, who had done her makeup, didn't dare say a word. She stood behind her, guilt written all over her face.

Her eyes pleaded silently—please don't tell on me.

Tang Mianmian knew she wasn't in the right and could only apologize, "Sorry. I'll go wash it off now."

But Long Yejue stepped in. "Wash it off? Why? She's already wearing it. I'm not bothered—why should anyone else be?"

He walked over and wrapped an arm around her protectively.

Everyone stared in shock, unable to believe what they were seeing.

Especially Su Xi—when she saw the red dress on Tang Mianmian, her expression turned even more complicated.

With Long Yejue standing up for her, Zhu Wenyi could only bite her tongue despite her anger.

"You can do what you want, but at least keep in mind who you are and act appropriately," she huffed before storming off.

The atmosphere turned tense. Everyone held their breath, thinking Long Yejue would explode next.

But he didn't.

Still smiling, he kept his arm around Tang Mianmian as if nothing had happened.

Everything appeared perfectly harmonious.