Chapter 440: Chapter 440; Orchid Charity Event

Shuyin’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smirk. She lifted her left hand slowly, turning it so the deep blue diamond caught the soft glow of the chandeliers, sparkling with unmistakable rarity.

"To someone who understands me, respects me, and has no interest in competing with the past, or with anyone else," she replied smoothly. "That’s all anyone needs to know."

Murmurs rippled through the group, louder this time, laced with a mix of awe, curiosity, and a growing hint of unease. The women exchanged glances, sensing the subtle shift in power. Even the woman who had been quickest to judge earlier hesitated, her earlier confidence faltering as she realized this was no ordinary socialite.

Shuyin let the silence stretch for a deliberate moment before taking a slow, elegant sip of her wine. Her movements were calm and measured, emphasizing that she remained completely unbothered.

She tilted her head slightly toward Mrs. Lu, eyes steady. "You may think the past defines me, but it doesn’t. Everything that is mine... is protected. And anyone who tries to cross that line will quickly discover exactly who, or what, stands behind it."

The implication hung heavy in the air. Behind Shuyin, the guard shifted subtly, his presence firm and silent, a quiet reminder of the invisible power surrounding her. The message was unmistakable: crossing her was not worth the risk.

Mrs. Lu opened her mouth to retort, but Shuyin didn’t give her the chance.

"Now, if you’ll excuse me," Shuyin said smoothly, her voice carrying just enough authority to end the conversation, "I have an event to attend. I suggest you all consider your own conduct carefully."

With that, she lifted her chin slightly, a small gesture of grace and unyielding confidence, and walked toward the center of the room. Every step was precise and deliberate, the jade silk flowing around her like liquid, the blue diamond flashing on her finger with each movement. She looked utterly untouchable, protected, and entirely unbothered by the whispers trailing in her wake.

Mrs. Lu’s expression tightened, her lips pressed into a thin line, but there was nothing more she could say in the moment. Anyone foolish enough to challenge Shuyin now would have to contend not only with her calm strength, but with the unseen network of power that surrounded her, the discreet guards, the formidable presence of her husband, and her own indomitable confidence.

The lesson was already clear: underestimating Lin Shuyin was a mistake that could not be undone.

Shuyin moved forward through the hall with her back straight and her shoulders relaxed, her expression calm and steady. The jade-green silk of her dress shifted smoothly with each step, the fabric catching the soft light from the chandeliers overhead. The delicate jade anklet around her ankle made a faint, quiet sound against the polished marble floor. She looked completely unbothered, as if nothing in the room could touch her.

Just as she passed a small cluster of seated guests, one woman extended her leg forward in a quick, deliberate motion. The movement was subtle enough to look accidental to most people, but the timing was precise. The woman clearly meant to catch Shuyin’s heel and send her stumbling in front of everyone.

Shuyin noticed the leg the instant it moved.

She did not slow down or hesitate. With exact control, she adjusted her stride and brought the sharp heel of her shoe down firmly onto the woman’s outstretched ankle, pressing just enough to unbalance her without making it look intentional.

The woman let out a sharp, loud cry of pain. Her body twisted, and she dropped heavily to her knees on the hard floor. The sound of her fall echoed through the nearby area, drawing every head in the vicinity.

"Aaarrrhhh! Damn you, bitch!" the woman snapped, her voice raw with pain and humiliation. Her face twisted in anger as she clutched her leg.

Shuyin stopped immediately. She turned back slowly, her expression showing only mild surprise. Her jade-green eyes, however, held a quiet, knowing awareness that revealed she had seen everything.

She looked down at the kneeling woman, her gaze steady. A faint smile curved her lips.

"Why are you using such language?" Shuyin asked softly, her voice gentle yet clear enough for the surrounding guests to hear. "I didn’t realize women of your standing would speak like that in public."

A few nearby guests shifted in their seats, uncomfortable. Some pressed their lips together to hide their reactions.

Shuyin took one small step closer, just enough to stand slightly over the woman without looking aggressive. Her tone stayed calm, almost sympathetic, but a sharp edge lay beneath it.

"And you should be more careful," she added. "Extending your leg like that in a crowded space is dangerous. You might hurt yourself."

The meaning was unmistakable. The woman had tried to trip her, and Shuyin had turned the attempt back on her. Anyone watching closely could see the truth, yet Shuyin had spoken in a way that left no room for open accusation.

The woman’s face flushed deep red with a mix of rage and embarrassment. She opened her mouth, but no words came out that would not make her look worse. She stayed silent on her knees.

Behind Shuyin, the guard had already moved a half-step closer. His posture stayed respectful, but his eyes were cold as he watched the fallen woman. He did not step in, but his readiness was obvious.

Shuyin straightened smoothly and brushed an invisible wrinkle from the front of her dress. Her composure had not cracked for even a second.

"I hope you’re all right," she said lightly, though her voice held no real concern. Without waiting for a reply, she turned and continued walking toward the center of the hall.

This time, the path in front of her stayed completely clear. No one else tried to interfere.

The whispers started again behind her, but they sounded different now. The curiosity and judgment were still there, but woven through them was something new: caution, respect, and the quiet understanding that Lin Shuyin was not someone who could be easily humiliated.

From the upper lounge, Lu Yuze had watched the entire sequence. Once he saw that everything below was under control, the guard in position, Shuyin’s calm handling of the situation, and the clear shift in the room’s atmosphere, he turned away from the railing. He walked back into the men’s section with steady, unhurried steps. The moment he entered, the conversations around the room quieted slightly. Several men turned their heads to watch him, their expressions careful.

"Mr. Lu... we rarely see you at gatherings like this," one of the men said as he approached, holding a glass of wine. His tone was respectful, but curiosity sharpened his words.

Lu Yuze reached out and took a glass from a passing waiter. He lifted it to his lips, took a slow sip, then lowered it again. His movements were relaxed, yet something deeper lay beneath them.

"It’s my wife’s fault," he said evenly. "I find it difficult to stay away from her for too long."

A brief silence followed. The men closest to him exchanged quick glances, their interest suddenly sharpened.

"You’re married?" the man asked, unable to hide his surprise. "To whom?"

Before Lu Yuze could answer, footsteps sounded from the side. Lu Cheng entered first, his face already tight with displeasure. Right behind him came his elder brother, Lu Chen, whose expression was more controlled but still probing. They had heard rumors of this marriage before, but hearing it spoken so openly stirred the resentment they had never managed to bury.

"If the two of you are married," Lu Yuze continued lightly, lifting his glass in a small gesture as he glanced at them, "what makes you think I cannot be?"

A faint curve touched the corner of his mouth. He moved to step past them.

Lu Cheng’s hand shot out and gripped Lu Yuze’s arm tightly, stopping him in place.

"Lu Yuze," he said, voice low and thick with restrained anger. His fingers tightened.

The men nearby fell completely silent. All attention fixed on the three brothers.

Lu Yuze stopped. He did not turn right away. When he did, the motion was slow and deliberate. His gaze dropped to the hand gripping his arm, then rose to meet Lu Cheng’s eyes. The silver in his stare looked colder under the lights, sharp and unyielding.