Chapter 32: Reaping What One Has Sown

"Chairman Xia, is that your youngest daughter?"

Xia Rui and his wife were busy thanking their guests for their well-wishes when they were startled by a sudden shriek and that very question. They immediately set down their glasses and rushed in the direction of Xia Yu. Lin Yichen and Xia Rusheng, as the hosts of the banquet, naturally followed, trailed by a crowd of curious onlookers.

"What is going on?" The group chased until they reached the cruise ship’s deck before they finally caught sight of Xia Yu. She was shielding her face, terrified of being seen. Though the deck was illuminated with evening decorative lights, it was too dim to see her clearly.

Xia Rusheng guessed the medicated powder had taken effect. A faint smile played on her lips as she signaled a waiter, gesturing for him to switch on the deck’s high-intensity floodlights. With so many guests gathered to watch the spectacle, she justified the move as a concern for everyone’s safety on the deck—after all, it wasn't her fault that Xia Yu had run toward the deck instead of the cabins.

*Click.* A series of floodlights blazed to life, turning the entire deck as bright as day.

Xia Yu froze in shock for several seconds before collapsing to the ground in tears.

In those few seconds, the rapid-fire sound of camera shutters shattered her last line of defense. Because of Lin Yichen’s status, many entertainment reporters were present. These photographers were masters at capturing a moment, and they seized the chance to snap her terrifyingly disfigured face. At the same time, the gathered guests witnessed the unsightly scene with their own eyes.

Since Xia Yu was soon to come of age and enter high society, as her older sister, Xia Rusheng decided to give her a grand gift before that day arrived.

"Don't take pictures! Don't take them! Dad, make them stop! Make them go away! Make everyone leave!"

Xia Yu had completely broken down, sobbing uncontrollably. Xia Rui hurriedly stripped off his jacket to cover his daughter’s head, shielding her from the reporters as he led her toward the cabin lounge. Seeing the show had come to an end, the guests dispersed, though the whispers and gossip were inevitable.

"Miss Xia certainly knows how to seize an opportunity, but isn't this move a bit too ruthless?" Lu Siyun said with a light, mocking smile as he walked past her. He had been one of the first to follow and had clearly seen her signal the waiter to turn on the lights.

Xia Rusheng did not underestimate this man. If he could say such a thing, he must have seen something. She didn't deny it, instead lifting her chin with an air of defiance. "And what does that have to do with you, Young Master Lu? I didn't use it on you, did I?"

With that, she followed the others into the cabin.

Lu Siyun tapped his glass rhythmically before downing his drink and following them inside. He was curious to see just how far her performance would go and wondered what other surprises she had in store.

Inside the cabin, Xia Rui had removed the jacket from Xia Yu’s head, revealing a face covered in dense, swollen red welts. Xia Rusheng felt a wave of nausea, followed by a surge of anger and lingering fear. If she hadn't seen through Xia Yu’s scheme, she would be the one in this state. She had only used half the dose; if she had truly used the entire bottle of foundation, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

This mother and daughter were constantly plotting to destroy her. If that was the case, she would destroy them first.

"Yichen has gone to find a doctor, but looking at this condition, I think it would be better to go to the hospital." With the Lin family and guests standing just outside, she couldn't show her satisfaction; she had to maintain the role of a concerned sister.

"Don't pretend to be kind! You must be the one who did this to me! First you pushed me down the stairs, and now you’ve ruined my face! You vicious woman, I won't let you get away with this!" Xia Yu suddenly lunged at Xia Rusheng with wild desperation, intent on scratching her face to shreds.

Caught off guard, Xia Rusheng was shoved into a wine cabinet. Her back burned with pain, but to keep Xia Yu at bay, she kicked her firmly away and quickly retreated.

"Xia Yu, are you being reasonable at all? From this morning until now, you haven't used anything I gave you, nor have you eaten or drunk anything I provided. How could I have harmed you? Besides, I’ve been with Miss Yan and Yichen all day. Tell me, how exactly could I have hurt you?"

She wasn't explaining this for Xia Yu’s benefit—Xia Yu was far beyond reason—but for the sake of the matriarch, Xia Rui, and the guests outside. Given how loudly Xia Yu had screamed, many must have heard her. It would damage her reputation, so she had to clarify the situation to highlight how irrational Xia Yu was acting.

"Who else but you would want to hurt me! It was you, it was you!" Xia Yu remained hysterical, oblivious to everything, and lunged at her again, ignoring even Xia Rui’s attempts to restrain her.

Fortunately, Lin Yichen arrived with a doctor just in time, pulling Xia Rusheng into his arms to shield her. Xia Rui managed to hold Xia Yu down while the doctor performed an examination. The doctor eventually shook his head and recommended a hospital transfer. The Elder Master Lin immediately ordered the ship to return to port, and they arranged for cars to rush Xia Yu to the hospital, with the entire Xia family following.

After this farce, the banquet continued into its second half: the dance. Xia Rusheng used this opportunity to stage the final act, the one the guests were all waiting for—the reveal of her true face.

The guests who had come to offer their congratulations were there for the Lin family’s sake, meaning all of City A’s prominent families were present, including the wealthiest, the Lu family, and the second-tier Su family.

From the start of the banquet, she had locked onto members of these families, remaining composed and avoiding any overt interaction. On one hand, she feared that if she got too close, she wouldn't be able to hide her hatred and would be recognized. On the other, she wanted to give them a "surprise" without any prior warning.

After two years, she, Xia Rusheng, had returned.

Standing away from the spotlights, she took a few deep breaths. After Lin Yichen finished his speech on stage, he descended and reached out to invite her for the first dance. Xia Rusheng walked forward, her head slightly bowed, her perfect profile slowly entering the light. Even just her side profile caused many to gasp. When she stood straight and lifted her head, the sound of glasses shattering against the floor echoed through the ballroom.

"It’s her!"

"Why is it her?"

"Xia Rusheng?"

"How is it possible that she looks exactly like the Xia Rusheng who jumped to her death?"