Volume One, Chapter Five: Those Who Rise from the Bottom Have No Boundaries

Su Yuan’s birthday party was held at the home of Song Nanyi and Huo Shixu.

The villa’s lawn was adorned with colorful lights, balloons, countless fresh flowers, and white tulle drapes.

Huo Shixu invited prominent figures from Jiangcheng to witness Su Yuan’s birthday celebration.

Firecrackers exploded, and as colorful ribbons and glitter fluttered through the air, Su Yuan linked arms with Huo Shixu, wearing a sweet smile as she entered.

The guests whispered among themselves.

“I heard that Mrs. Huo helped prepare this birthday party. She really put a lot of thought into it.”

“This girl is one of Mr. Huo’s sponsored protégés. For someone like her to receive such care, he truly has a generous heart.”

“Mr. Huo has always been fond of charity work. It’s no surprise.”

Not far away, Song Nanyi stood silently. Listening to everyone praising Huo Shixu’s kindness, a cold smile curved at the corner of her lips.

On stage, a man and a woman held the same knife, slicing the three-tiered cake Song Nanyi had prepared.

Amidst the cheers, Huo Shixu instructed his assistant to bring out a gift.

It was a blue diamond necklace named “Venus’s Tear,” symbolizing love, beauty, and loyalty.

In a past life, Song Nanyi had told Huo Shixu many times how much she liked this necklace and asked him to buy it for her. He had promised repeatedly but never followed through. Not because he forgot, but because the intended recipient was never Song Nanyi—it was Su Yuan.

When Huo Shixu personally fastened the necklace around Su Yuan’s neck, the room erupted in astonishment.

The necklace was renowned, coveted by many dignitaries, and its premium value had soared close to a hundred million.

“Isn’t she just a sponsored protégé? Such a grand gesture? Is Mrs. Huo really okay with this generosity?”

“This necklace isn’t ordinary. Even if he pitied her, it wouldn’t be to this extent.”

“I remember last year for Mrs. Huo’s birthday, Mr. Huo gave her a very expensive necklace too, but it was clearly not as valuable as this one.”

“I think this is more than just sponsorship. They seem so close, and their conversations sound quite intimate.”

“No wonder Mrs. Huo is hiding in the corner. She must be heartbroken.”

The idle chatter drifted into Su Yuan’s ears. Her cheeks flushed red as she insisted on removing the necklace.

“Brother Shixu, this gift is too precious. I can’t accept it. Please give it to Sister Nanyi instead. I… I’m not worthy.”

“Wear it. You deserve it.” He pressed firmly, his voice low and slightly hoarse. “I have an even more valuable gift for you.”

“What is it?”

Su Yuan felt both uneasy and hopeful.

A delicate jewelry box was opened, revealing a heart-shaped meteorite.

“This is my second gift to you. This meteorite was brought back from a planet in outer space. I purchased the naming rights for this planet. It will be called ‘Yuan Star,’ and I give it to you as your birthday present.”

Although Huo Shixu’s voice was soft, it carried power through the microphone.

Curious, everyone craned their necks to see what kind of stone it was.

Su Yuan’s expression remained calm and unreadable.

Watching the display of a love that was not hers, she only pursed her lips slightly.

In a past life, she had opposed Huo Shixu bringing Su Yuan home, so they had established a separate household outside.

She knew Huo Shixu adored Su Yuan, but the details of that love had eluded her.

True love, she realized, was wanting to place the most unattainable treasures in the world into her hands.

Such as Venus’s Tear.

Or a star named after her.

She had once endured such intense love from Huo Shixu herself—limited-edition sports cars, the purest diamonds on earth.

The person had changed, but his tactics had not.

Perhaps in the future, Su Yuan would become the second Song Nanyi, but not now.

At this moment, in Huo Shixu’s eyes and heart, she was the only one—their love fresh and tender enough to draw water.

Onstage, an unparalleled romance unfolded.

Offstage, the guests’ opinions on Huo Shixu and Su Yuan’s relationship were varied.

Some even approached to express concern for Song Nanyi and the two onstage.

“Mrs. Huo, don’t be too complacent. I think this young lady is no ordinary person.”

“Girls these days have no moral bottom line, especially those who climb up from the bottom. Their goals are very clear. Mrs. Huo, you should be careful.”

Song Nanyi merely smiled faintly.

Her gaze met Huo Shixu’s, who was looking her way.

Whether it was her calm, cold expression that unsettled him or a sudden thought that struck him, he took long strides toward her.

“Nanyi.”

She looked up. “Hmm?”

“Thank you for your hard work today.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. “You know that Yuan’s life has always been difficult. I’m giving her these gifts just to ease her insecurities. Don’t overthink it. Others may not understand me, but you do, right?”

Huo Shixu sought Song Nanyi’s approval to alleviate the guilt of betraying their marriage and feelings.

Song Nanyi found him weary.

She raised her hand, intending to adjust his collar, but he instinctively flinched away.

She withdrew her fingers with a bitter smile.

Huo Shixu grasped her hand instead. “Nanyi, we are husband and wife. Our relationship does not need anyone’s judgment. I have never changed toward you.”

“Huo Shixu, whatever you do, I won’t overthink it. You can be yourself.”

These were the words he had said to her when they married. Now, she returned them.

His expression shifted as he suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace. “Nanyi, you seem different.”

“What’s changed?” she asked with a smile.

He couldn’t quite explain but felt she was unlike before.

As if—

As if she had become more reasonable.

As if she had become more compliant.

“You’ve grown more sensible than before.”

Song Nanyi smiled wryly.

Having clawed her way back from hell to the mortal world, how could she still cling to a man who had lost his heart?

He was no longer worth it.

Su Yuan approached, calling softly, “Sister Nanyi.”

Huo Shixu released Song Nanyi and smiled at Su Yuan. “Nanyi worked hard to prepare this grand birthday party for you. You should thank her.”

“Sister Nanyi, thank you. It really means a lot to me. This birthday party is very special.”

As she spoke, Su Yuan’s gaze lingered on Huo Shixu.

Her eyes glistened.

Huo Shixu, however, looked away.

He gently draped an arm over Song Nanyi’s shoulder. “By the way, Nanyi, you must have prepared a birthday gift for Yuan, right? Show it now and make her even happier.”

Song Nanyi had not prepared a gift.

She could, however, give Su Yuan the bracelet Huo Shixu had once given her.

“This was from Shixu. I don’t think it suits me, so I’m giving it to you. I hope you like it.” She took off the four-leaf clover bracelet and slipped it onto Su Yuan’s wrist. “Young girls look better in pink.”

Huo Shixu’s expression darkened slightly.

He had wanted to stop her, his fingers poised to intervene, but in the end, he let go.

Su Yuan seemed pleased but feigned reluctance. “Sister Nanyi, this was a gift from Brother Shixu to you. I can’t just take it. No, I can’t accept it.”

“Accept it.” After all, she would probably throw it away sooner or later.

Huo Shixu held Su Yuan’s slender wrist and glanced at it. “Your skin really suits this bracelet. Take it. I’ll buy Nanyi one that fits her better another day.”