Fortunately, Zhou Zhou's studio was not far from the October Hotel.
Their car arrived at the October Hotel around six o'clock.
Due to their identities, the car drove directly into the underground parking lot.
"Madam, Young Master, I will be waiting in the parking lot. If there's any abnormality, you can call me anytime, and I'll come up immediately."
"Thank you."
"Madam, Young Master, please."
The two took the elevator directly to the second floor.
At this moment, the second floor was filled with a cacophony of noise and music.
The second floor was crowded with elegantly dressed guests, holding champagne flutes and chatting in small groups.
The arrival of the two drew the attention of those present, and some with less composure gasped.
"Who is this person? So beautiful."
"Who knows? Perhaps she's an actress who somehow got an invitation and wants to climb the social ladder."
"No way, her aura doesn't seem like someone from the entertainment industry. She looks more like a young lady from a prominent family." Some discerning individuals noticed the necklace on Fang Miaomiao's neck. "Look at the necklace on her neck, isn't that the 'Heart of Enchantment' that was auctioned off by a mysterious buyer a while ago?"
"It looks similar, but who knows if it's a replica." A sarcastic voice echoed from the crowd. "Those shameless actors in the entertainment industry, they love to put on such a show."
"Holy crap, I remember who this woman is."
Some of the younger guests who followed entertainment news found Fang Miaomiao increasingly familiar.
"Who is it?"
"Fang Miaomiao, remember? The fake daughter who framed the real heiress and was later kicked out by the Fang family, Fang Miaomiao."
"Fang Miaomiao? I remember too, but honestly, she's got some nerve, being kicked out by the Fang family and still having the audacity to crash this banquet."
"She's accustomed to a life of luxury, how could she adapt to a commoner's life? I bet there'll be a good show later. This banquet wasn't a wasted trip after all."
Wen Yan'an took Fang Miaomiao's hand, as if giving her strength.
Fang Miaomiao smiled faintly. Before coming to this banquet, she had expected how people would perceive her. However, it was better than she had imagined. She supposed that people of their caliber, with good upbringing, would only resort to a few common insults when gossiping.
She had heard much worse and more vulgar language. These discussions were nothing.
Fang Miaomiao led Wen Yan'an to a relatively quiet spot and waited patiently.
After presenting the gift to Father Fang, she would leave with Wen Yan'an.
Soon, the elegantly dressed Father Fang walked onto the stage, thanking the guests.
Fang Miaomiao looked at Fang Yuan on stage, dressed in a black formal suit, his hair neatly combed back, exuding an air of distinguished grace and vitality. Beside him stood a middle-aged woman in a dark red qipao, appearing dignified and intelligent – Mother Fang, Zhou Wenjing.
She observed the seemingly harmonious family on stage with no discernible emotion.
"Don't be sad," Wen Yan'an placed his hand in Fang Miaomiao's. "You have me and Dad."
Fang Miaomiao snapped back to attention, looking at the earnest little head before her. Her heart felt as if it were being stroked by something, a ticklish, warm sensation.
"I'm fine. After I give the gift, we'll go home, okay?"
Wen Yan'an nodded obediently, a sweet smile blooming on his face. "Okay, let's go home."
Home, with him, with Dad. A home with Mother.
Just as Fang Miaomiao was about to leave after giving the gift, the group on stage, who had been radiating harmony, somehow found her as if equipped with radar. They politely declined other guests and walked directly towards her.
She inwardly groaned, sensing trouble, and was about to slip away when she heard someone calling her name.
"Miaomiao, why didn't you come up? Are you still angry with us?"
"Help me, this syrupy voice, coupled with the chill in the air, gave me goosebumps. And speaking so loudly, as if afraid no one would hear? Oh well, if it's bound to happen, it can't be avoided."
Fang Miaomiao forced a standard smile and looked at the approaching trio. "Mr. Fang, Mrs. Fang, Miss Fang, long time no see."
"Miaomiao, are you still angry with Mom and Dad?" Fang Yanhuan, dressed in a ladylike fashion, instantly looked at Fang Miaomiao with teary eyes. "That incident, it was my fault. Please don't be so cold."
"Yanhuan," Fang Yuan, who had been quite pleased to see Fang Miaomiao, frowned upon hearing Fang Yanhuan's words. "You were not at fault in that matter."
If Miaomiao had been more obedient and apologized to Yanhuan, he wouldn't have lost his temper and slapped her. In his opinion, Miaomiao was just spoiled.
"Alright, today is a happy occasion, why are we arguing?" Zhou Wenjing said with a sigh, "Good child, you've lost weight."
"I'm doing fine," Fang Miaomiao replied. "I eat well and I'm in good health."
"Nonsense, what dialect is that?" Fang Yuan's previously relaxed expression creased again upon hearing Fang Miaomiao's voice. "Don't you have any manners of a young lady from a good family?"
"Mr. Fang, your words are rather uninspired," Fang Miaomiao's tone became even more casual. "After all, I am a wild chicken. Even if I've masqueraded as a phoenix for decades, once I return to my roots, I'll still reveal my true nature, won't I?"
Although not explicitly written in the book, Fang Miaomiao had absorbed the original owner's memories. When Fang Yanhuan was hospitalized, it was insinuated and implied that the original owner was responsible. Moreover, the home surveillance system had coincidentally malfunctioned at the time, leaving the original owner unable to prove her innocence.
Fortunately, Zhou Wenjing's persuasion brought Fang Yuan back to his senses. Fang Yuan then asked the original owner to apologize, implying that if she did, she could accompany him to a banquet and continue to enjoy the luxuries of the Fang family.
The original owner refused, and to her surprise, Fang Yuan slapped her, stating that she was merely a wild chicken disguised in phoenix feathers. If she refused to comply, he could strip off her phoenix disguise at any time and keep her as a wild chicken for the rest of her life.
Alas.
The author was rather irresponsible, not even writing such a villainous plot. Thankfully, she had absorbed the original owner's memories; otherwise, she wouldn't have known about this particular turn of events.
Fang Miaomiao scoffed and placed her wine glass lightly on the table. "But, Mr. Fang, have you forgotten? This wild chicken of mine, through sheer luck, has managed to don an even more luxurious and dazzling phoenix skin. How about that?"
"You, you, Fang Miaomiao, are you trying to anger me to death?" Fang Yuan's face turned red with fury.
"Why would I want to anger you to death? You won't get the Fang family's inheritance anyway."
"Enough." Mother Fang took a deep breath and shook her head at Fang Yuan. "For the last incident, it was our fault. But Miaomiao, you shouldn't anger your father like this."
Saying this, Mother Fang offered a polite smile to the surrounding guests. "Our child is a bit unruly, please bear with her."