In the days that followed, Ming Yue finally managed to shake off Fu Qiancheng’s control and obediently stayed by her father, Ming Shuo’s side, once again becoming the well-behaved daughter she used to be.

Every frown and every smile was so gentle and graceful.

It was completely unlike the fiery, bold girl she had just been moments before.

From time to time, she would even chat with her father, Ming Shuo. Even when he quietly questioned her, “What’s going on between you and that Feng Hao? Are you two very close?”

Ming Yue still wore a soft, tender smile on her face, showing absolutely no sign of anger or resistance. She replied in a meek, low voice, “What do you think it is, Dad? An adulterous affair?”

“You’re such a young girl, yet you speak so bluntly… Is that unpleasant?” Ming Shuo’s aged face also bore a smile.

His voice was so soft that only the two of them could hear it.

Ming Yue’s smile never faded as she continued in a deep, steady tone, “If you want to hear something nice, go find your subordinate—go find your own charming little Liu. Don’t come to me. My mouth is now meant for snapping back at people; it won’t say anything sweet.”

She remained calm and composed, perfectly playing out the script their father and daughter had rehearsed together.

No one could tell there was any rift between them.

Meanwhile, the people Ming Shuo had arranged to be there were more than satisfied—they snapped plenty of photos. Before the banquet even ended, those pictures were already online.

And then another wave of buzz ensued.

The harmonious relationship between the Ming family and their daughter attending Elder Gu’s birthday party became a hot topic of discussion once again.

Feng Hao scrolled through the gossip, his lips curling into a slight smirk as he looked over at the girl not far away. “How interesting. Really, really interesting!”

Fu Qiancheng and Jiang Feng stood right beside him.

Seeing his expression, both men frowned at the same time.

One of them kept silent, while the other shot Feng Hao a sharp glare. “Feng, put away that lewd gaze. Yueyue isn’t someone you can covet.”

“Fu Qiancheng, what are you afraid of? That a beautiful woman might take a fancy to me? You’re too sickly for her anyway!” Feng Hao taunted directly.

Fu Qiancheng’s face grew cold. “With a slut like you, she wouldn’t even spare you a second glance.”

“Then how many glances could you possibly get from her, given how sickly you are?” Feng Hao chuckled, then glanced over at Ming Yue. “If I’m not mistaken, she’s been avoiding you all along, hasn’t she? At first, she tried repeatedly to shake off your clutches. And after returning to her own father’s side, she hasn’t even looked at you once.”

He then pointed toward Gu Yanyun in the distance. “But look at that little guy—did you see? It seems our little Yueyue has been secretly eyeing him quite a bit!”

It seemed deliberately meant to make Fu Qiancheng uncomfortable.

Feng Hao’s use of the nickname “little Yueyue” was clearly calculated.

Even Gu Yanxing, who had remained silent until now, felt goosebumps rise all over his body.

Jiang Feng’s expression darkened as well.

As for Fu Qiancheng, there was no need to even mention it. His face was as cold as ice, and he barely managed to suppress the urge to strike out at Feng Hao.

Feng Hao, thoroughly pleased with himself, continued to needle Fu Qiancheng. “Fu Qiancheng, here’s something you should know: back in the day, I actually had a chance to stand by Yueyue’s side.

At that time, Brother Kai didn’t much care for you, so he scouted plenty of potential suitors for Yueyue both inside and outside the industry—and I was one of them.”

“Feng, just shut up already!”

Fu Qiancheng’s face grew grim as he couldn’t help but recall that incident.

Gu Yanxing, of course, knew about it too, and quickly kicked Feng Hao under the table, signaling him to stop talking and stop reopening old wounds.

But how could Feng Hao possibly comply?

He let out a mocking laugh. “There’s no way I’m going to shut up. Fu Qiancheng, you have to admit it: although you’re the darling of the Fu clan, you’ve never been truly outstanding—at least not in Brother Kai’s eyes. So…”

End of Chapter 61: Back Then