News of Jiang Mian attending Madame Wen’s banquet spread quickly to those paying attention.
The information wasn’t fully revealed—just partial, slightly vague.
“Jiang Mian attends Madame Wen’s banquet? She even publicly did this at the event.”
“Amidst many high-society guests, Jiang Mian…?”
“Jiang Mian actually did that to Madame Wen!”
Even before opening the posts, netizens were already numb.
“Wow, these over-the-top ‘shock headlines’ still exist?”
“Damn, I just skimmed the titles and felt like I time-traveled ten years back.”
“I can only say 66666—what editor switched jobs to do this? Changed careers to make a living?”
People laughed and joked, but their fingers couldn’t resist.
No kidding! Who wouldn’t click a headline that grabs your attention like that?
…Even though they already guessed, these were absolutely clickbait!
Yes, indeed.
Those who clicked weren’t surprised at all.
Yet they read with great interest.
“What? Madame Wen actually invited Jiang Mian to her banquet? Should I be impressed by high society… or shocked that Madame Wen doesn’t hold a grudge?”
“I’m going to die laughing at these headline writers. Publicly did what? She just cut her hair and didn’t wear a dress! You headline writers are ridiculous.”
“I’m dying here too. Jiang Mian did what to Madame Wen? They just stood together and talked!”
The netizens’ laughter and mockery spread rapidly and eventually reached Wan Lianlian’s fans.
Hehe~
It wasn’t anything serious—just that Weibo had been too peaceful lately, and they missed the chaos of the old days.
Sure enough, as soon as the news reached them, Wan Lianlian’s fans swarmed.
“Ugh, what right does Jiang Mian have to attend such a banquet? Is she brazen enough to just show up?”
“I’m disgusted. Jiang Mian buying hot search trends again? Is she trying to debut? I can’t—this old woman dares to think like that?”
“Is Madame Wen crazy? Wouldn’t inviting Jiang Mian tear her family apart? How could she?”
“Could it be these two women had already agreed beforehand? Planning together to mess with Wan Lianlian?”
The fans launched a flurry of abuse, and someone immediately started digging for the “truth.”
One person quickly posted an article:
“The truth about Jiang Mian attending Madame Wen’s banquet! Everyone knows that Jiang Mian exposed Wan Lianlian and Madame Wen’s ex-husband, Mr. Li. After that, Madame Wen had no choice but to divorce Mr. Li, and to protect her children, she divided all the assets, leaving only a titular role in the company. It’s obvious Madame Wen must hold a grudge against Jiang Mian for the family’s collapse…”
The truth behind Madam Wen inviting Jiang Mian to the banquet? According to a friend with firsthand information, Madam Wen actually intended to publicly embarrass Jiang Mian!
The other attendees were all elite ladies of the circle, dressed in lavish gowns, while Jiang Mian arrived in an outfit that was clearly out of place—so much so that the report called it downright humiliating.
The friend even secretly photographed Jiang Mian at the event, and the photos supposedly showed her surrounded by the other ladies, embarrassed and out of her depth.
…But looking at the photos, it was hard to see any sign of her being humiliated.
Fan Qing scrutinized the pictures three times over, but he still couldn’t figure out where the article’s claim of her “utter embarrassment” came from.
He slowly looked over at Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian casually adjusted her short hair, exuding confidence.
“Don’t worry, Fan Ge. As long as we write it, whatever we write is what they’ll see.”
She had been through media manipulation before.
…It had been a rough start, sure.
But ever since she joined Teng Huang and worked alongside Fan Ge, she had become adept at shaping public opinion.
Alright then.
Fan Qing nodded and took a sip of water, settling in to watch the unfolding drama.
It was actually rather entertaining.
Jiang Mian had a point.
Even if the photos didn’t reveal any humiliation to Fan Qing, Wan Lianlian’s fans quickly swooped in to ridicule Jiang Mian online:
“Haha, does Jiang Mian really think someone would be grateful to her for ‘ruining’ a family? If it were me, I would’ve turned and left as soon as I got the invite. Pathetic. Now she’s being mocked online, haha.”
“Madam Wen knew what she was doing—Jiang Mian deserved to be publicly embarrassed.”
“Who does Jiang Mian think she is, showing up at a high-society banquet? Every single person there is rich and powerful. She doesn’t belong. Embarrassing herself, well deserved!”
“Events like this are where Lianlian shines. She’s never faltered at any banquet.”
“Wait, what is Jiang Mian even wearing? Is she joking? From the photo, it looks like she can’t even handle a proper gown.”
That comment quickly became a focal point for Wan Lianlian’s fans. They scrutinized the photo and became energized.
Indeed, it was clear the outfit wasn’t a proper gown!
Jiang Mian couldn’t even produce a proper dress?
They pounced on that point relentlessly.
“Lianlian was right. Jiang Mian really has no taste or sense of style. Wearing that to a high-class banquet? Hilarious. No wonder Lianlian left her. Lianlian, you did nothing wrong!”
“Her taste is garbage. Wearing that in public? If your eyes are useless, go get them fixed or don’t use them!”
“Finally, I understand what Lianlian meant. Good thing she left Jiang Mian! Wait…was that outfit designed by that so-called designer, Yao Ge? That’s just laughable—how can he even call himself a designer?”
Fan Qing tapped the desk lightly as he observed the online reactions.
“That’s enough,” he murmured.
The situation had reached the right stage.
Jiang Mian exhaled, feeling calm and resolved.
“I know, Fan Ge. It’s time.”
It was time to push back against the unfair treatment!
…And more importantly, to boost Yao Ge’s reputation.
A talent like Yao Ge shouldn’t be smeared like this. Thinking of that, Jiang Mian felt energized.
She turned to Fan Qing.
“When I went to Madam Wen’s event, quite a few of the ladies asked about Yao Ge,” she said.
Fan Qing froze.
“What…did you say?”
Who was asking, and what exactly?
Jiang Mian blinked, confused.
“The ladies at Madam Wen’s banquet—they all wanted to collaborate with Yao Ge. Fan Ge, look.”
Fan Qing’s expression stiffened.
“…How many?”
Why did he look so displeased?
But wasn’t that the point of the plan?
Jiang Mian didn’t understand but answered obediently.
“They gave me their business cards and contact info—eighteen in total. Seven of them have explicitly said they want to collaborate. Look, Fan Ge…”
Eighteen??? Seven???
Suddenly, Fan Qing felt a headache coming on.
Not that it was a bad thing—but too many people!
With so many, Yao Ge wouldn’t have the time to handle all the orders.
No, the business was fine, but the perks had to come first.
And he had promised Yao Ge this was a side project, so he couldn’t go back on his word.
Fan Qing started to think seriously.
Jiang Mian noticed his troubled look and was shocked.
Why?
Wasn’t this a good thing?
Why did Fan Ge look so burdened?
Before she could figure it out, her phone started ringing incessantly.
She glanced at it—and the caller ID kept changing.
Jiang Mian: ?
She quickly switched her phone to airplane mode before taking any calls.
It all clicked for Jiang Mian in an instant—her outfit had been exposed! And, unsurprisingly, the one behind it was none other than Madam Wen, repaying that favor with a little dramatic flair.
Madam Wen’s post online immediately set the record straight, stunning everyone:
“I originally found some online rumors amusing and didn’t think they needed addressing. But this time, the fire spread to me and many sisters, so I must speak. Jiang Mian came to the banquet at my invitation. I appreciate her telling me the truth, which I had been unaware of. My children, although saddened, were educated never to disrespect marriage. They supported my divorce and thanked Jiang Mian; claims that our family would have fallen apart without her are ridiculous.
Some people apparently don’t respect others, especially their own mother.
Regarding false statements: Jiang Mian was my guest. She could wear anything to this banquet, and what she wore was from a well-known brand, custom-fitted with permission from the original designer and Yao Ge. She was the most stunning person at the event. Perhaps some people lack the eyes—or the taste—to appreciate it. A sense of aesthetics requires talent, and some might not even know the words.”
The bold declaration alone shocked everyone.
But the real surge came when the other ladies and socialites at the banquet began posting on Weibo themselves:
“Haha, I didn’t know I was mocking Jiang Mian? We complimented her outfit! By the way, Yao Ge, when are you free? I want your help for my tenth anniversary dress.”
“I was trying to keep this designer secret, but I guess I can’t. Jiang Mian’s dress was amazing—not just the dress, but how it elevated her entire presence. Anyway, Yao Ge, can we talk?”
“Wow, you guys all have your eyes on Yao Ge? Fine, I’ll ask too. No matter the price, I’ll pay double.”
“?? Why are you raising the price?”
“It’s not that, just that there’s money to spend. Might as well let you sisters have the chance.”
Netizens barely had time to comment on Jiang Mian’s outfit before the socialite showdown itself took over.
Yes, this is the world of the wealthy: a playground of power, influence, and one-upmanship.