After Lin Tong's wedding concluded, no negative news arrived from Shanghai.
However, Lin Yan received two letters from Ye Xiuyuan. They didn't contain much besides some questions about things he recently found confusing. Lin Yan quickly sent her replies back.
Since she received no ill news from her father, Lin Yan felt at ease and prepared to return to Shanghai.
On the journey back to Shanghai from her hometown, Lin Yan disappeared for a few days, and no one knew what she was doing.
Her disappearance, however, went unnoticed by anyone. She used illness as an excuse to stop along the way for several days. With Zhang Ma's help in covering for her, no one else with her knew of her departure.
When Lin Yan rejoined the group, it was already three days later. They set off again for Shanghai. Upon their return, Lin Yan had no intention of leaving Shanghai again for a while.
Unless her father left with her, she had no plans to leave Shanghai.
Back in Shanghai, Lin Yan became busy. But this was a visibly observable busyness, and Lin Yan's daily public appearances only worsened the impression some ladies had of her.
By now, everyone knew that Lin's father had no immediate plans to marry off his daughter. Nevertheless, some individuals still harbored the intention of marrying Lin Yan and tried to approach her.
However, these people couldn't even get to see Lin Yan, let alone pursue her.
Recently, Zhou Wenjie had attended several literary gatherings at the invitation of his publisher. His novels were selling increasingly well. With his income rising, he moved his home to a new location.
His money was not yet enough to buy a house in Shanghai, but through acquaintances made at literary gatherings, he rented a house in the French Concession. This house was far better than where they had lived before.
The best part was that the house had electricity. With electric lights, he could do more things at night and no longer had to rely on oil lamps and candles to write.
Moreover, the house had a flush toilet, which was practically a salvation for his nose.
His younger siblings were also very dedicated to their studies. They had decided to win scholarships and were determined to achieve it. Although they were still catching up a bit, their scores improved with every exam.
They also cherished this hard-won opportunity to attend school. Knowing that they were relying on their elder brother's capabilities, they were even kinder to him.
The family's life became increasingly harmonious, giving Zhou Wenjie more motivation to write.
Zhou Wenjie had initially not wanted to attend today's literary gathering, as he heard that some wealthy merchants and prominent figures from Shanghai would be present.
As a small fry, he felt that attending such a gathering was too restrictive. Moreover, with the participation of these people, the event could no longer be called a literary gathering.
However, his editor and the publisher strongly urged him to attend. It was related to his future publishing plans, so he had no choice but to grit his teeth and go.
In his previous life, he had been an ordinary university student. Although his family wasn't short of money, he had never attended any so-called high-society gatherings.
He never expected that after transmigrating into a member of a declining noble family, he would actually be attending such gatherings of the upper class.
As Zhou Wenjie put on his newly made suit and entered the banquet, he felt the disparity among humans for the first time.
The opulence of this banquet far exceeded his imagination. Although he had earned some money from writing novels, it was only enough to cover his family's expenses in Shanghai.
Therefore, he had never experienced the extravagant lifestyle of Republican-era Shanghai. He had seen scenes of Republican-era dance halls in movies before, but he had always thought they were artistic embellishments.
It wasn't until he attended this banquet today that he understood it wasn't as he had imagined. Regardless of the society, there would always be wealthy people.
Just like now, he had thought his life was already quite affluent. After all, their family's income had more than quadrupled compared to a year ago. Their lives were more prosperous and easier than all the surrounding families.
His income was considered high in this era, but seeing the attire of the people at the banquet and the decor of the event, he realized he was still just a poor man.
He carefully picked up a glass of wine and walked to a corner. He didn't see his editor or the publisher.
He knew very few people at this banquet, so staying in the corner was safer. After all, everyone at this banquet was either rich or noble, and he couldn't afford to offend any of them.
As he stood in the corner with his wine glass, a commotion erupted at the entrance. All eyes shifted towards the entrance, as if everyone knew who was arriving.
Zhou Wenjie was also curious about what kind of person could command such attention from the wealthy and influential people in the room.
Then, the people at the entrance parted, and a woman in a blue dress slowly walked in. The blue dress was tailored to perfection, beautifully accentuating her curves.
It was as if light was shining upon her, like a spotlight on a stage. The moment she appeared, she became the protagonist on stage, and no one could take their eyes off her.
Her black hair was simply tied into a bun at the back of her head and secured with a jade hairpin. The jade hairpin was crystal clear and incredibly beautiful under the lights.
Yet, neither the beautiful jade hairpin nor the dazzling diamond necklace on her neck could overshadow her beauty. Her face made all the jewelry appear as mere accompaniments.
She was a very beautiful woman, so beautiful that one couldn't tear their gaze away. She slowly walked in from the entrance, and everyone involuntarily made way for her.
Many people greeted her, and both wealthy merchants and officials treated her with extreme cordiality.
She reciprocated everyone's greetings, her smile warm and graceful. Her gaze was very focused; when she looked at you, it felt as if you were the entire world.
More and more people crowded around to chat with her, but many others hung back. After all, not everyone could face such charm directly.
Zhou Wenjie didn't know who she was, but he felt that compared to her, all the celebrities he had seen in his previous life paled in comparison.
She had to be the most beautiful woman he had seen in two lifetimes. He was curious about who this person was and what kind of status she possessed that made all the dignitaries in the room treat her so courteously.
He had once met a renowned courtesan, known as the most beautiful woman in Shanghai, brought by a literati friend. But if that woman stood before this lady, she would likely appear unremarkable.
Zhou Wenjie placed his wine glass on a nearby table and then slowly moved towards the center of the banquet. He then overheard someone address her—
"Boss Lin"