Shen You’an was unaware of the discussions on the campus forum.
After practicing a few times, she gradually regained her rhythm, becoming more adept and confident.
Looking up, the bright moon hung high, illuminating the long, quiet night.
Gao Yuyue yawned and stood up, "Aunt Cui has finished cooking. Let’s go downstairs to eat."
Shen You’an closed the piano lid, got up, and left the piano room with Gao Yuyue.
Downstairs in the dining room, the table was set with four dishes and one soup—two meat dishes and two vegetarian ones, all perfectly presented.
Shen You’an and Gao Yuyue took their seats. Gao Yuyue glanced at Xu Cui, who was busy in the kitchen, "Aunt Cui, come join us for dinner."
Xu Cui glanced at Shen You’an and said hesitantly, "Miss, you all eat. I’m not hungry..."
With guests present, how could she, a servant, join them at the table? Otherwise, wouldn’t the guest think the Gao family lacked proper etiquette and discredit Miss Shen?
Shen You’an pulled out the chair next to her, "Join us."
Her tone, though calm, carried a resolute firmness that couldn’t be challenged.
Gao Yuyue peeked at Shen You’an and curved her lips into a smile, "Aunt Cui, if you don’t eat, we won’t either."
Xu Cui sighed in resignation, but felt a warmth in her heart. She fetched a set of tableware and cautiously took the seat next to Shen You’an.
Shen You’an asked casually, "From your accent, are you from Lan County?"
Xu Cui was surprised, "How did you know?"
Under the soft light, the girl’s fair and delicate face radiated a jade-like grace and calmness.
"What a coincidence, I’m from Lan County too."
Now it was Gao Yuyue’s turn to be astonished.
Xu Cui studied the girl beside her with disbelief, "Why don’t you have an accent when you speak?"
Her Mandarin was so flawless that unless she mentioned it herself, no one would guess.
Wait, she’s from Lan County?
But this girl’s demeanor was nothing like someone who came from a small place.
"Lan County, Qingsong Town, Xiaojing Village—that’s my hometown."
In this luxurious and elegant villa, she stated her origins without hesitation or shame, as if it were a matter of course.
Gao Yuyue leaned her cheek against her hand, smiling thoughtfully as she watched Shen You’an.
On the first day of elementary school, she had noticed Shen You’an.
She had stared at that horribly messy mushroom haircut, its uneven ends resembling a dog’s chew toy.
While everyone else was chatting, Shen You’an sat quietly in the corner, like a pitiable soul no one cared about.
Gao Yuyue took one look and disdainfully turned her head away.
But from that moment, her nightmare began.
From elementary school to middle school, this seemingly ordinary "little pity" became the mountain she could never surpass.
Over time, that frustration faded away, and after years of looking at it, the once hideous mushroom haircut somehow started to grow on her.
She didn’t like making friends—those idiots were either obsessing over crushes or gossiping all day, which was unbearably boring.
So when she was alone, she liked to secretly observe Shen You’an.
And then, she stumbled upon some "secrets."
The Shen You’an that outsiders saw was only what Shen You’an wanted them to see. The real her was far more interesting.
Life is meant to be spent with interesting people to make it worthwhile.
The days that followed were like peeling back layers of a shell, uncovering surprises one after another.
For example, her effortless candor in revealing her humble origins in Xiaojing Village had utterly changed how people saw her.
Don’t underestimate such a small gesture; very few people could achieve it.
Take Luuo Yunqi and Qin Xiangge, for instance. Despite their affluent backgrounds and privileged educations, they remained trapped in shallow fame and vain glory, sinking deeper and deeper.
While they boasted superior family circumstances, their inner worlds were barren and pale, incapable of ever reaching Shen You’an’s level of spiritual richness. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel fire.net
Gao Yuyue felt that the best decision of her life was choosing to approach Shen You’an.
Getting close to her and earning her genuine trust to open her heart wasn’t an easy task.
Thankfully, she succeeded.
A sly grin spread across Gao Yuyue’s face, a look of triumph.
Shen You’an’s candid sincerity not only surprised Xu Cui but gradually made her feel more comfortable.
Having worked for the Gao family for so long, Xu Cui was an astute person.
She realized that this girl deliberately spoke this way to reassure her, signaling that she needn’t feel out of place—after all, Shen You’an wasn’t some high-born heiress. She could treat her as just an ordinary person.
To see someone treat a servant with such genuine patience—it only confirmed how right Miss Shen was in befriending her.
A warm smile spread across Xu Cui’s face as she eagerly used the communal chopsticks to serve dishes to both Gao Yuyue and Shen You’an.
The dining table was filled with harmony and laughter.
But a jarring phone ringtone abruptly shattered the cozy atmosphere.
Xu Cui instinctively grew tense. She put down her chopsticks, "Miss, Miss Shen, please continue eating—I’ll go answer the phone. It’s likely another telemarketing call again..."