Chapter 239: Testing

Su Yan followed behind the Ma Chulong siblings, watching the surrounding scene of clinking glasses and boisterous voices.

Everyone was dressed magnificently, possessing extraordinary temperaments.

Su Yan suddenly thought of her home, Daliumu Village.

The villagers there were all simple and natural; the first thing they did every morning upon waking was head to the fields to work.

They would rejoice at a bountiful harvest and grieve during poor years.

All the effort and sweat they poured out was merely to make life a little better—to ensure their children could eat white flour steamed buns; that was the greatest happiness.

She even thought of Erhu-zi.

To raise funds for his father's life-saving medicine, Erhu-zi's father had gone to work in the most dangerous wild mines for two months.

That, too, was life, yet compared to everything she saw now, it felt like two different worlds.

A single accessory worn by the people here could equal a year's expenses for a person in Daliumu Village, and every face bore a calculating smile.

"Su Yan, do you see that boy up ahead? That is Zhou Li." Ma Chulan's voice pulled Su Yan's thoughts back to reality.

Zhou Li was the protagonist of this coming-of-age ceremony, the eldest son and eldest grandson of the Zhou family.

Following Ma Chulan's gaze, Su Yan saw a boy her own age surrounded by a crowd.

Dressed in luxurious fine clothing, he exuded the scent of wealth from head to toe.

She didn't sense any sense of oppression from the boy; currently, Zhou Li looked like nothing more than a very well-off young master of a wealthy family.

At this moment, Su Yan somewhat understood why the Zhou family had put on such a grand display, even going so far as to favor the elite children of three other families and offer such attractive conditions.

Because without external help, it would be impossible for Zhou Li alone to have the ability to obtain the Zhou family's heirloom.

"This Zhou Li looks very weak; he probably hasn't even seen what an evil spirit looks like," even Ma Chulan concluded.

Soon, members of the Zhou family approached Ma Chulong, leading them toward Zhou Li.

Not only the Ma Chulong siblings, but also Kong Yueqing and the other three, along with several other faces Su Yan didn't recognize at all, were invited to Zhou Li's side.

"Young Master, let me introduce you all."

As fellow members of the four great families, even the Zhou family looked upon the people of the Kong and Ma families with a certain level of distinction.

"These two are Ma Chulong and Ma Chulan of the Ma family."

The Zhou family members introduced them one by one. When they finished introducing Kong Yueqing and the others, Zhou Li suddenly interjected, "I heard that Senior Sister Kong Nian would also be coming. Why isn't she with you all?"

Outside the crowd, Su Yan's heart stirred slightly upon hearing Kong Nian's name.

The smile on Kong Yueqing's face came to an abrupt halt.

Gan Hua immediately explained, "Junior Sister Kong did not travel with us. She rarely attends such occasions, but since she promised to help Young Master Zhou obtain the treasure, she will certainly keep her word."

Zhou Li smiled. "That is good then. My father has mentioned Senior Sister Kong to me many times; I truly cannot wait to see her grace and poise."

Gan Hua said, "Young Master Zhou will see her very soon."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the group, Zhou Li turned his attention to Ma Chulong.

"It is truly my honor that Senior Brother Ma could come in person for my coming-of-age ceremony. I will also have to rely on Senior Brother Ma's help for the matters to follow."

Since Ma Chulong had chosen to come, it was equivalent to tacitly agreeing to help, so he naturally would not decline now.

"It's no problem."

Su Yan watched Zhou Li's every move through the crowd. She had originally thought he was just a pampered young master, but now she didn't think so anymore.

On the surface, this Zhou Li seemed to have no extraordinary qualities, yet this round of pleasantries proved him to be a master of social interaction.

Even the order in which he spoke to each person was perfectly timed.

Su Yan composed herself. Her teacher was right: people are most easily deceived by appearances.

And those who are truly calculating are often skilled at using appearances to hide themselves.

At that moment, a figure in the corner of the hall caught her gaze.

That person had been standing by a pillar the entire time; if one didn't look specifically, they would almost blend into the pillar itself.

What truly caught Su Yan's attention was the mask he wore—a mask unique to the Feng family.

As expected, the Feng family had also come.

Su Yan moved toward that direction inconspicuously, only stopping when she was still a few steps away from the Feng family member.

This person gave her a feeling even more dangerous than the previous one.

She appeared in his line of sight quite brazenly, watching for any change in his gaze.

The man merely gave her a faint glance before looking back toward Zhou Li.

Clearly, he didn't take her seriously at all.

This reaction allowed Su Yan to immediately confirm that he did not know her situation, and her secret remained hidden along with that Feng family member who died in the warehouse.

This was the best possible outcome.

Ma Chulong soon noticed the situation on her side. Especially when he saw the Feng family member standing so close to her, his expression changed instantly; he didn't even bother greeting others as he walked over quickly.

As the heir to the new generation of the Ma family, Ma Chulong's every move was naturally watched by many.

"Miss Ma, who is that young lady?"

As expected, someone immediately noticed Su Yan's presence.

Ma Chulan said unhurriedly, "That is my maid, and also my best sister."

The crowd did not find this explanation odd; after all, for someone of Ma Chulan's status, bringing a maid to look after her daily needs while out was normal.

Kong Yueqing's face was cold; she was currently extremely dissatisfied with the siblings and hadn't noticed Su Yan at all.

It wasn't until she discovered that Gan Hua beside her was also staring intently at Su Yan that her eyebrows knitted together like twisted hemp.

Gan Hua was definitely considered a pillar of the new generation within the family, and Kong Yueqing had been considering whether or not to be with him. However, while Gan Hua was capable, he was also very dull and had never shown her any favor.

She could do without him, but she would never allow Gan Hua to fall for someone else.

"Senior Brother Gan, what are you looking at?"

Her voice was laced with obvious displeasure.

Gan Hua said, "I am looking at that Su Yan. She gives me a very special feeling."

Was he being too sensitive? Why did he feel a sense of danger from an ordinary maid?

However, his answer, in Kong Yueqing's ears, turned into an entirely different meaning.

She was consumed by jealousy.

"I didn't expect you to be that kind of person, Senior Brother Gan!"

Only then did Gan Hua notice her abnormality. His face was full of confusion, and just as he was about to ask for clarification, Kong Yueqing turned and left in a huff.

"What's wrong with her?"

Ruan Tao and Kong Yuehling both shook their heads, equally confused.

"Su Yan, why are you here?" Ma Chulong came to Su Yan's side and asked in a low voice.

He didn't believe Su Yan hadn't seen the Feng family member behind her.

Su Yan replied calmly with two words: "Don't worry."

Ma Chulong understood her meaning and visibly relaxed.

Su Yan gestured for him to go aside to talk, but in the next second, she looked toward the entrance and froze for a moment.

(End of Chapter)