Chapter 64: Your Eyes Must Be Playing Tricks on You

He Jingcheng sneered, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "Naturally, you'll go in your capacity as Miss Jiang."

"And if someone asks, how will you introduce me?" Jiang Shuwei arched a delicate eyebrow.

"Didn't you say last time that I was your brother?" He Jingcheng scoffed sarcastically.

Jiang Shuwei nodded. "Fine, let's go with siblings then."

A heavy, suffocating feeling settled in He Jingcheng's chest, as if a dark curse was being fulfilled: husband and wife turned into brother and sister.

"I brought a gown back for you. Go change quickly and let's go."

His voice was cold. With that, he turned and went back to the bedroom to change his clothes.

Jiang Shuwei walked downstairs, carrying the shopping bag back up. When she finally laid eyes on the haute couture gown inside, she froze.

Adorned with shimmering diamonds, the off-the-shoulder, light blue dress featured an exquisite cinched waist that screamed high-end luxury.

She hadn't expected He Jingcheng to specially prepare an outfit for her just for this banquet.

Since the goal was to meet potential future clients, Jiang Shuwei saw no reason to overthink things. Making money was what mattered most.

After changing into the gown, her entire aura transformed. She possessed the kind of naturally regal and noble face that blended understated elegance with breathtaking beauty.

Sitting in front of the vanity mirror, she styled her hair and applied a complementary makeup look. In an instant, she looked like a completely different person—radiant and blooming like a vibrant rose.

Standing at the entrance of the stairs, He Jingcheng glanced at his watch yet again. What on earth was this woman doing?

"Auntie, you look so pretty!" He Tingting exclaimed aloud in praise.

Only then did He Jingcheng turn his head, watching as Jiang Shuwei slowly stepped down the staircase.

The evening gown on her seemed merely to serve as an accent to her fair, slender figure; her own innate beauty far outshone the dress itself.

He Jingcheng’s gaze darkened slightly.

Urging her onward, he said, "Hurry up, we're already late."

Jiang Shuwei instructed He Tingting to make sure she ate dinner, then got into his car.

The chauffeur immediately drove out through the villa gates.

Inside, the space in the back seat felt somewhat cramped. A subtle, natural fragrance emanated from Jiang Shuwei—not the artificial scent of commercial perfume, but something delicate and pleasing.

This was the first time He Jingcheng had been alone with her. Outside the window, rippling lights cast a glow upon her exquisite and delicate face as she quietly gazed out at the passing scenery.

His thin lips pressed into a tight line, an inexplicable sense of restlessness gnawing at his mind.

Arriving at a seven-star seaside hotel, they found a grand banquet underway to celebrate a prominent family's anniversary. Most of the attendees were figures connected to the medical field.

Jiang Shuwei followed closely behind He Jingcheng as they walked inside.

The grand hall was already packed with guests, and the moment He Jingcheng appeared, he immediately drew all eyes.

"President He, welcome, welcome." The host stepped forward eagerly to shake his hand.

"Congratulations, I wish your family's enterprise continued prosperity," He Jingcheng replied with polished, customary pleasantries.

"And this young lady is..."

"I'm his step-sister," Jiang Shuwei introduced herself with a smile, not waiting for He Jingcheng to speak.

The surrounding guests were visibly surprised upon hearing this. However, anyone familiar with the inner circles of the He family knew that Madam He had once nearly lost her life to a severe illness years ago. After her miraculous recovery, she had adopted a young girl. Seeing her today, no one expected her to have grown into such a stunningly pretty young woman. Madam He certainly was blessed.

The polite smile plastered across He Jingcheng’s face stiffened somewhat. He cast a sideways glance at Jiang Shuwei.

Did she preempt him because she was afraid he would reveal their true relationship?

"President He, your sister has such an air of distinction."

"President He, we've never seen your sister before. What a delightful surprise, such a spirited young lady."

Capitalizing on He Jingcheng's status as one of the premier young bachelors in the business world, the crowd showered Jiang Shuwei with no shortage of flattery.

He Jingcheng maintained his composure. "She's naturally a bit introverted and I haven't brought her out into the public eye much before. There will be more opportunities in the future."

Jiang Shuwei scoffed internally.

At that moment, Su Mian arrived accompanied by the Lu siblings and Xia Chengze. Spotting He Jingcheng in the crowd instantly, her eyes locked onto his tall, handsome figure, which stood out effortlessly like a crane among chickens.

Just as Su Mian approached with a heart full of joy, ready to greet him, her gaze was arrested by a flash of blue.

Right by He Jingcheng's side, Jiang Shuwei was wearing a haute couture evening gown, chatting merrily with someone.

Su Mian’s footsteps faltered, a wave of disappointment and sorrow instantly welling up in the depths of her eyes.

What was going on here?

Why was this detestable woman, Jiang Shuwei, here of all places?

The Lu siblings and Xia Chengze saw her too, their expressions equally astonished.

For all these years, He Jingcheng had never brought Jiang Shuwei to such high-profile events.

Yet today, he had actually brought her along.

"Mian, let's go over and say hello first. There are too many people here, don't lose your composure," Xia Chengze comforted her gently, noticing the heartbreak and sorrow written across her face.

"Okay." Forcing a smile, Su Mian walked over.

"Brother Jingcheng, you got here so early?"

Turning his head and seeing his close friends approach, He Jingcheng nodded. "Yes, a step ahead of you all."

By this time, quite a few people nearby were still inquiring about Jiang Shuwei. Spotting the core members of He Jingcheng's inner circle, one of them hurried over to ask, "This Miss Jiang is President He's stepsister. You all must know her well, right?"

Stepsister?

The expressions on the faces of all four shifted once more.

The sorrow and unease on Su Mian's face vanished just as quickly.

He Jingcheng had brought Jiang Shuwei out, only to introduce her to the outside world as his sister.

Xia Chengze immediately smiled and chimed in, "That's right, we've known Miss Jiang since childhood, we're quite familiar with her."

Glancing at the four of them, Jiang Shuwei turned to He Jingcheng and said, "Big Brother, I'm hungry. I'm going to grab something to eat."

Her clear, crisp tone cemented the sibling relationship firmly in the minds of everyone present.

The room was filled with top-tier figures from the business world and various elite industries, all constantly plotting ways to deepen their ties with the He family.

Now that the He family had appeared with a blossoming, delicate young sister, she instantly became the sole opening they had been looking for.

Those elites who had daughters of their own knew that He Jingcheng had impossibly high standards and maintained a close relationship with the eldest Miss Su, making a future marriage alliance between them highly likely.

Naturally, they didn't dare aspire that high.

If they couldn't have their daughters become the young mistress of the He family, they could have their sons become the He family's son-in-law instead. In short, forging an unbreakable bond with the He family could only spell boundless benefits for their future commercial empires.

Without waiting for He Jingcheng's response, Jiang Shuwei turned on her heel and walked away. Having fought with Su Mian last time and having been yelled at by Xia Chengze, she had completely broken ties with the four of them.

Watching Jiang Shuwei's retreating figure, Su Mian's previously downturned lips finally curled into a smile.

"Sister Su Mian, look at the gown she's wearing. Doesn't it look a bit familiar?" Lu Youyou suddenly lowered her voice and whispered to Su Mian.

Su Mian took a closer look, her expression darkening once more.

She and Lu Youyou had visited a haute couture boutique a couple of days ago and spotted this exact dress displayed on the window mannequin. Both of them had fallen in love with it at first sight.

Lu Youyou had graciously stepped aside to let her have it, but when she asked the sales associate to let her try it on, she was told that someone had already reserved it and it was strictly off-limits.

Could it be...

A massive weight pressed down on Su Mian's chest, leaving her feeling sick with disappointment.

How could Brother Jingcheng bear to buy such an expensive haute couture gown for Jiang Shuwei? Didn't he always loathe and push this woman away?

A sudden sense of crisis welled up inside her.

Lu Youyou murmured quietly, "Sister Su Mian, I have a feeling Young Master He's attitude toward Jiang Shuwei has changed."

"So what if it has?" Su Mian tilted her chin up proudly.

Seeing Su Mian's proud stance, Lu Youyou couldn't help saying, "I just feel like Young Master He is starting to value her a little bit."

"Impossible," Su Mian declared in a cold voice. "Your eyes must be playing tricks on you."