Soon after, Chen Anya and Mu Suying arrived together. Not long after them, Chen Anya's parents also came.
Liu Ting walked in first, holding a neatly arranged basket of fresh fruit in both hands. She looked elegant and gentle, her smile warm but slightly cautious, as if she was still trying to process everything she had seen online.
Behind her, Chen Wei entered with a bottle of red wine, his expression calm on the surface, yet his eyes carried clear shock and curiosity.
When they saw Su Ning sitting at the head of the dining table, all four of them paused for a brief second.
The dining table was already filled with beautifully prepared dishes. Each plate looked refined, the aroma rich but not overwhelming. The setting was elegant yet comfortable, making people feel at ease without realizing it.
Chen Wei was the first to speak, letting out a breath and shaking his head slightly.
"Miss… no, Ningning," he corrected himself quickly, then smiled awkwardly, "I still feel like I'm dreaming."
Liu Ting nodded beside him, her eyes soft but full of disbelief.
"We watched the press conference live," she said gently. "I kept replaying it, thinking maybe I misunderstood something. Who would have thought… Fuyuan Academy and Zongsheng actually belongs to you."
Chen Anya leaned forward, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Right? Mom, Dad, you should've seen everyone's faces at school! They were acting like their souls left their bodies!"
Su Ning smiled lightly and raised her hand, waving it off as if it were nothing.
"It's really not that big of a deal," she said calmly. "Please, don't make it sound so serious. Eat first. The food will get cold."
Her relaxed tone only made everyone feel even more stunned.
Chen Wei laughed helplessly and sat down.
"You say that so easily," he said. "If this were anyone else, they'd already be shaking from the pressure."
Liu Ting placed the fruit basket aside and looked at Su Ning with concern mixed with admiration.
"Have things been difficult for you these past few days?" she asked softly.
Su Ning shook her head.
"Not really. It was noisy, but manageable."
Chen Wei studied her for a moment, then smiled sincerely.
"I have to say," he said, lifting his glass slightly, "you're far more composed than most adults I know."
Su Ning returned the smile politely.
"You're too kind Uncle Chen."
She then turned the conversation naturally.
"How have things been at work lately?" she asked. "Any problems at Imperial Skies or Luminous?"
Chen Wei relaxed at once when work was mentioned.
"The hotel is running smoothly," he replied. "Occupancy rates have been good, and we recently finalized a partnership with a foreign brand. Nothing too stressful."
Liu Ting nodded as well.
"Luminous is doing fine too," she added. "We've been preparing for a new product line launch. It's busy, but nothing I can't handle."
Su Ning nodded in satisfaction.
"That's good to hear."
While the adults talked, Chen Anya could no longer hold herself back. She slapped the table lightly, her face full of indignation.
"You know what really annoyed me?" she said loudly. "The students at school are so fake. Yesterday they were laughing, mocking, and acting like Su Ning was done for. Today, they're acting like loyal fans!"
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
"And don't even get me started on the internet. People were cursing her one minute, then worshipping her the next. It's disgusting how fast they switch sides."
Mu Suying sat quietly beside her, eating slowly. She didn't interrupt, only listening.
Su Ning glanced at Chen Anya and smiled faintly.
"That's human nature," she said calmly. "You'll get used to it."
Chen Anya snorted.
"I don't want to get used to it."
Everyone chuckled lightly.
Mu Suying on the contrary was a little bit quiet, only eating quietly. Su Ning's identity reveal only made her realize how far apart they were.
She realized she never really knew her or had she come to even know her. Su Ning looked more mysterious in her eyes. She subconsciously had a deeper fear and respect for her.
She looked at Su Ning with renewed fervour and worship.
Su Ning noticed this bit remained silent.
After the main meal, Chef Wei entered the dining room again, pushing a cart filled with different dessert plates. The colors were delicate, the presentation refined.
"Please enjoy," he said smoothly in fluent French.
Everyone froze.
Su Ning smiled. "Of course we will, thanks," she responded just as naturally, also in French.
Chef Wei bowed slightly and left.
The dining table went silent for a moment.
Chen Anya stared at Su Ning with her mouth slightly open.
"…Wait," she said slowly. "You speak French too?"
Su Ning nodded.
"Yes."
Chen Anya leaned closer, eyes wide.
"Then how many languages do you actually speak?"
Su Ning thought for a second, then answered casually.
"A few."
"A few?!" Chen Anya nearly screamed. "That's unfair!"
Everyone laughed.
"I wish I could speak even one extra language properly," Chen Anya groaned. "My English already gives me headaches."
Su Ning smiled at her.
"If you want to learn, you can."
Mu Suying finally spoke, lifting her head.
"I can introduce you to my private English tutor," she said. "He's very patient."
Chen Anya's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really? That would be amazing!"
The atmosphere relaxed again, filled with laughter and light chatter.
Before anyone realized it, the night had grown late.
Chen Wei stood up first.
"We should head back," he said gently. "It's already late."
Liu Ting nodded and smiled at Su Ning.
"Thank you for the meal," she said warmly. "It was wonderful."
Mu Suying also stood, bowing slightly.
"Good night, Su Ning."
Chen Anya dragged her feet, clearly reluctant.
"Do we really have to go now?" she complained.
Liu Ting tapped her shoulder lightly.
"Don't be rude."
Chen Anya sighed dramatically and hugged Su Ning.
"Goodnight Ningning."
Su Ning smiled and nodded.
"Goodnight Anya."
After they left, the villa returned to its quiet calm.
Su Ning asked Chef Wei to bring dessert and a bottle of wine up to the third floor.
Chef Wei acknowledged immediately, his expression respectful and focused, before moving away to prepare what she requested.
Back in her room, Su Ning changed her clothes.
She slipped into an oversized light black hoodie that fell loosely over her frame, the fabric soft and comforting against her skin.
Beneath it, she wore loose grey baggy pants with drawstrings, casual and relaxed, nothing like the sharp, commanding image the world had just seen hours earlier.
She had now grown to love such comfortable clothing.
She gathered her hair into a messy bun at the back of her head, leaving a few strands loose around her face. It was simple, unguarded, and classy.
When she stepped out onto the third floor, the atmosphere relaxed.
The space was quiet and open, bathed in soft ambient lighting that reflected gently off the clear glass walls. The grand swimming pool nearby shimmered faintly, its surface still, like a sheet of darkened glass. The night beyond the windows was deep and calm, city lights glowing faintly in the distance.
Su Ning walked toward a hanging egg chair, a large, woven swing chair suspended from the ceiling by a sturdy metal frame. It swayed slightly even before she sat down, responding to her presence as if welcoming her.
She lowered herself into it and leaned back, letting the chair rock gently. The slow, rhythmic movement soothed her nerves, easing the tension that had settled deep in her bones after the long, eventful day. For the first time since the press conference, she allowed herself to truly relax.
Soon, soft footsteps approached.
Chef Wei arrived, pushing a small serving trolley. On it was a carefully arranged plate filled with elegant desserts—bite-sized pastries, delicate tarts, chocolate-coated fruits, and finely sliced cheese. Beside them sat a bottle of deep red wine and a clean crystal glass.
He stopped beside her, arranging everything neatly on the small side table next to the hanging chair. His movements were precise and respectful, the habits of someone who took pride in his craft.
"Please enjoy," he said softly, his tone warm but restrained.
Su Ning glanced at the spread, her eyes brightening slightly.
"Thank you," she replied.
Chef Wei gave a small bow, then stepped back quietly, retreating without lingering, leaving her alone with the night.
Su Ning reached for the wine bottle, uncorked it smoothly, and poured herself a modest amount. The deep red liquid swirled gently inside the glass as the chair continued its slow swing. She lifted the glass, took a small sip, and let the rich taste settle on her tongue.
She picked up one of the snacks next, biting into it slowly, savoring the texture and flavor. The combination of sweet and bitter, soft and crisp, grounded her in the moment.
After a few seconds of silence, she waved her hand lightly.
Her laptop appeared from her space and settled neatly onto her lap.
She opened it, the screen lighting up her face softly, and logged into Startok. Notifications flooded in instantly—likes, follows, messages, tags. Her follower count now sat at over 1.4 million.
Su Ning stared at it for a brief moment, then looked away.
There was no excitement. No pride. Not even surprise.
She had seen this coming the moment her identity was revealed. People were loud when they worshipped and even louder when they hated. Their loyalty shifted with trends, headlines, and public opinion.
She had long understood how fickle humans could be.
Tonight, she wasn't here for the crowd but for one person, Lin Yue, the receptionist.
The girl who had stood by her when no one else did. The girl who had defended her online, argued with strangers, and refused to back down even when she was being mocked and attacked.
Su Ning clicked into Lin Yue's profile, 'GoddessSuBaby'.
She noticed immediately that Lin Yue was live.
A small smile tugged at Su Ning's lips as she clicked into the livestream. The viewer count hovered at just over four thousand—modest compared to the massive numbers dominating Startok's front page, but lively and active.
The chat scrolled quickly. Comments flew past, some supportive and some curious. Lin Yue's face filled the screen, a little nervous but determined, her voice steady as she spoke.
Su Ning watched quietly for a moment.
She leaned back into the hanging egg chair, letting it sway as she listened, wine glass resting lightly in her hand. There was something sincere about Lin Yue's presence—no polish, no performance, just raw honesty and stubborn courage.
Su Ning felt a quiet warmth rise in her chest.
Her fingers hovered briefly over the screen of her laptop.
Then, without hesitation, she clicked the option to send a request to join the live.