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They started eating just as the chefs excused themselves, disappearing back into the kitchen with polite bows.
The moment their footsteps faded, everyone turned back to the table, their eyes darting between the dishes and each other.
"Roast turkey with rosemary glaze…" Du Liyao muttered in disbelief, her voice tinged with awe.
"Stuffed prawns in white wine sauce," murmured another.
"Sichuan-style mapo tofu? Sweet and sour chicken?" someone gasped.
"Wait—is that grilled lamb with mint?"
"And sea bass wrapped in lotus leaf?"
A moment of stunned silence passed as the colleagues just stared at the banquet set before them.
"Are we… really allowed to eat all this?" one whispered.
"This looks like a five-star banquet," another said, gaping.
Lin Yue smiled lightly, sipping her orange juice as her colleagues hesitated, still trying to process what they were seeing.
"Guys," she said gently, "Let's all sit and eat."
Du Liyao turned to her, mouth still half open. "Lin Yue… we were just expecting a few dishes. Maybe dumplings or noodles. But this…" She swept her hand toward the spread. "This is insane. Thank you so much."
Other colleagues chimed in.
"I've never had prawns like this!"
"Wait, I think I just saw dim sum with shrimp and pork…!"
Lin Yue chuckled. "Let's eat."
They settled down slowly, murmuring thanks and praise as they picked up chopsticks and forks, still glancing around in disbelief.
—
As the laughter continued, Song Ziyan sat stiffly, fork paused mid-air.
She stared at Lin Yue, her face unreadable.
Something in her eyes flickered between disbelief, bitterness, and confusion.
How? she thought. How can a woman like her—abandoned, pregnant, alone—afford this life?
This food? These chefs?
The meal continued, full of praise and wonder.
"This roast turkey melts in your mouth."
"The wine sauce on the prawns… oh my God."
"I can't believe I'm eating this for free."
Lin Yue smiled politely, though her eyes flicked toward the garden gate more than once.
Mo Yuwei had promised to come by. It was almost 3 PM.
Would she come?
—
As the last bites disappeared and plates emptied, the chefs, in uniform and grace, moved around the table clearing used dishes with swift precision.
Then, they returned with a dessert cart, its silver domes lifted to reveal exquisite treats.
"Macaron towers. Osmanthus jelly. Mango mousse. Chocolate truffle cake. What even…" one colleague gasped, clapping her hands.
A tall chef stepped forward with a wine bottle, presenting it like a ceremonial gift. "1996 Château Lafite Rothschild," he announced.
Everyone froze.
"What?!" someone squeaked. "Isn't that like… hundreds of thousands?"
"Not hundreds," Song Ziyan said sharply, her voice low but cutting. "That bottle alone is worth over two million yuan."
A stunned silence followed.
Even Du Liyao blinked. "Lin Yue, what the hell… Is this some kind of prank?"
All heads turned to Lin Yue.
Lin Yue felt her face heat up.
MO YUWEI?!
What have you done!?
Someone laughed nervously. "Don't drop it. I think I'd cry."
"Do we even drink this?" another said nervously, eyeing the wine like it was liquid gold.
"I feel like I should sip it on one knee while praying to the wine gods," joked another.
The chefs, unfazed, poured small servings into fine crystal glasses.
"Please enjoy," they said in unison before bowing and retreating.
An awkward pause lingered.
Then, one brave soul took a sip.
"Sweet heavens," she whispered, eyes wide. "That's the smoothest wine I've ever tasted."
Laughter broke out as others followed suit. Some leaned back, letting the flavors melt on their tongues.
"I feel like I'm at a five-star hotel," someone sighed dreamily. "Thank you, Lin Yue."
"Yes, thank you!" several echoed.
"I swear, I'll never eat instant noodles again. You've raised my standards permanently," Du Liyao joked.
"I feel so useless just eating and not helping…" someone mumbled, standing halfway.
A chef reappeared just then. "This is our job. Please leave everything to us."
"I still feel guilty," the girl said. "Shouldn't we at least help clear the table?"
Lin Yue reached for her arm gently. "It's okay. The chefs are professionals. They insisted."
The colleagues slowly sat back down, still awkward.
"This feels like we're in a palace," one joked.
Lin Yue smiled, but her heart pounded. This wasn't her life. Not really.
The house, the food, the luxury—it was all because of Mo Yuwei.
—
She glanced toward the gate again.
And then—
The small garden gate creaked open.
A tall woman stepped inside, her silhouette framed by the soft sunlight.
Her ponytail swayed gently, her dress—a simple beige designer piece—hugging her figure with effortless grace.
Lin Yue noticed her first.
Her eyes lit up.
She stood and gave a small wave, her lips curving into a soft, surprised smile.
"Yuwei, you're here."
Mo Yuwei walked forward gracefully, her heels making no sound on the garden stones.
"Sorry I'm late," she said with a gentle smile.
"It's okay," Lin Yue replied warmly, stepping aside to make room.
Silence.
Utter, stunned silence.
The rest of the group had frozen in place mid-sip, mid-chew, mid-breath.
Their eyes flicked from Lin Yue to the woman in disbelief.
Then gasps echoed like dominoes.
"That's…"
"No way…"
"Mo… Mo Yuwei?" someone choked.
"Wait, the CEO of GlowVine Cosmetics?!"
"Oh my god... that's really her!"
"I saw her once at a gala in Xu District. She looks even prettier in person…"
"She came to the hospital once, didn't she? When Lin Yue was admitted. I saw her then too!"
"Wait, are they... related?"
The murmurs grew louder.
But what shocked them most wasn't that Mo Yuwei was here.
It was how casually she and Lin Yue spoke.
There was no formality. No awkwardness. Just… comfort.
Familiarity.
Mo Yuwei turned to face the stunned group, offering a small nod.
"Sorry for intruding."
"N-no! Not at all!" someone stammered instantly.
"We just finished eating, actually," another added quickly.
"Thank you for the meal, Lin Yue," someone blurted, still not quite able to tear their eyes away.
"Yes, thank you for letting us come, Lin Yue. Everything was amazing," another colleague chimed in, bowing her head almost instinctively toward Mo Yuwei.
A few others hurriedly picked up their bags, mumbling thanks, suddenly too intimidated to linger.
The garden that moments ago had been filled with warmth and laughter now buzzed with something electric.
One woman looked ready to faint from the pressure.
Song Ziyan was still rooted to the spot, her legs refusing to move. Her face was pale, her mind spinning.
Just as Lin Yue turned to call her, Du Liyao grabbed her arm quickly with a forced smile. "Let's go, Ziyan. Haha... It's getting late."
Only then did she budge, cheeks burning as she threw one last glance at Lin Yue before vanishing through the gate.
—
As the garden emptied, Mo Yuwei tilted her head, watching their retreating backs.
"They looked terrified."
Lin Yue chuckled awkwardly. "They think you're scary."
"Me?" Mo Yuwei raised a brow. "That's cute."
She looked around the garden, now calm again. "It's beautiful. They did a good job setting it up."
Lin Yue nodded. "Thank you for arranging everything."
Mo Yuwei shrugged. "We're friends."
Lin Yue tilted her head. "By the way, did you tell the chefs to greet me like that?"
Mo Yuwei grinned mischievously. "Ah... the chefs. I didn't want anyone to bully you."
Lin Yue gave her a sarcastic look. "You're so thoughtful."
They both laughed.
—
As the chefs began clearing the garden—collecting plates, folding tables, stacking glasses—
like a breeze, they swept through the garden until it was just a garden again.
Mo Yuwei's smile faded slowly as she studied Lin Yue's profile.
The way she tucked her hair behind her ear...
The curve of her nose...
The shape of her eyes...
So much like her second aunt, Tang Suyin.
They were like reflections.
She'd always believed Tang Suyin had no children. But Lin Yue…
The resemblance was too strong.
She needed answers.
Could Lin Yue really be her cousin?
Mo Yuwei had already begun arrangements for a DNA test—but with her aunt and uncle traveling abroad, she had to wait.
Until then, all she could do... was stay close.
Lin Yue turned to her. "You said you wanted to talk. What's wrong?"
Mo Yuwei blinked, pulling herself out of her thoughts.
"Let's go inside," she said.
---