Under the night sky, Su Run stood on the second-floor balcony, watching the bustling scene in the garden below.

She was enveloped in a light pink dress, specially selected for her by Wen Chen. The hem of her skirt reached her knees, showcasing her exceptionally fair and delicate calves.

A gentle breeze stroked her loosened tendrils of hair. Her round face, as pale as cream, stood out under the balcony's light, making her black eyes gleam even brighter.

Checking the time on her mobile, it was nearly seven o'clock. Why hasn't Wen Chen come back yet?

Opening her contacts, his name was the first one to appear.

Just as she was about to make a call, the family's butler, Uncle Chen, approached from behind.

"Miss, the young master just called. Torrential rain is falling in the northern city, planes can't fly, he most likely won't be able to make it back tonight. He told you to enjoy yourself," the old butler informed.

Her smile disappeared as she stared at the name on her phone. After a while, she exited her contacts with a sense of disappointment clear in her eyes.

There were lots of people today, but to her, they all felt like strangers.

She was not social by nature, hiding here, hoping he would return and accompany her to face the crowd below. But now, he wasn't coming back.

With a sigh, she turned to the butler and managed a smile, "Uncle Chen, I understand. You go ahead with your duties."

"If you need anything, Miss, just call for me. With the young master absent, I must attend to the guests. You should prepare to join us later. You're the hostess tonight, you can't continue hiding," the old butler chided gently.

Su Run's expression froze momentarily, but she begrudgingly agreed anyway.

After Uncle Chen left, she deflated all at once, moving to sit on the rocking chair on the balcony. She kicked off her uncomfortably high heels, and her bare feet swung lazily.

Though she understood his absence due to work was not intentional, she couldn't help but feel disappointed and upset.

Her eighteenth birthday, a day worth remembering, she wanted him to spend it with her..

"Did you hear? Wen Chen is not coming back today."

"Really? If he's not coming back, then what's the point of us being here!"

The sounds of heels and girls' chatter came from the corridor.

Surprised, Su Run stood barefoot, steadying the rocking chair.

As the protagonist of the evening, she recalled Uncle Chen's words, wanting to put on her shoes and greet them, only to hear someone else say:

"Actually, it's normal for him not to come back. Didn't you hear? Chairman Wen met Chairman Chu of the Chu group at a charity event and hit it off, even wanting to arrange a blind date for Wen Chen and Chu YinQi, the Chu family's daughter. This is clearly a move towards a business marriage!"

Su Run froze on the spot, blankly looking towards the source of the voice.

A business marriage, between Wen Chen and the Chu family's daughter? Why had she never heard...

A sense of weightlessness filled her heart, and the hand by her side clenched tightly.

"So you're saying, Su Run is going to fall out of favor?"

"Fall out of favor? She's just a stray dog that Wen Chen picked up from the orphanage. If the pet owner gets bored of a pet, they'll toss it away. What are you talking about falling out of favor? Really overestimating her, you!"

The girl who said this was Liu XiaoXiao, the daughter of the Liu Group and her classmate.

Her clenched fist tightened again and again, her nails digging into her palm. She gritted her teeth, the pain in her palm but a fraction of her heartache.

There had been many rumors about her in these years, and she had heard all the ugly words, but calling her a stray dog…

Her breath was shaky as she held back the anger bubbling in her chest. Silently, she stood up. At the same time, three girls emerged from the hallway nearby, their eyes meeting Su Run's.

Upon seeing Su Run, Liu Xiaoxiao was taken aback. "How... how are you here?"

The embarrassment and awkwardness of being caught badmouthing someone were fully revealed on Liu Xiaoxiao's face.

Su Run remained silent, putting on her shoes with a cold face, intending to walk past them.

She would not allow these individuals to ruin the mood of her eighteenth birthday, a coming-of-age ceremony carefully prepared by Wen Chen.

But to Liu Xiaoxiao, this behavior signified arrogance.

Not pulling her punches, Liu Xiaoxiao sneered at Su Run as she passed: "Just a stray dog picked up by a wealthy family. After living a pampered life for a few years, you really think you're a lady of a rich family, huh? Ridiculous!"

Su Run paused, barely containing her rage, and turned to retort, "Liu Xiaoxiao, mind your language!"