HBWMA -Chapter 177 It’s Time to Grow Up~

The banquet hall was brilliantly lit, filled with clinking glasses and lively conversation.

Looking at the dazzling scene before him, Shen Guiling’s mind inexplicably drifted back to that inferno in Nanwan.

That night was also dark. Thick smoke had blackened half the sky, yet the flames themselves turned that darkness into a burning brilliance.

A faint, gentle smile curved his lips. His eyes reflected the prosperous world of fame and fortune before him, yet in his mind echoed the heart-wrenching screams of a woman.

Shen Qian was speaking with Yu Sheng. Noticing Shen Guiling entering the banquet hall, he immediately waved him over with a smile.

“A-Ling, come here.”

The scene before him overlapped with the woman in the fire.

She had cried and begged, “Xiao Ling, run! Go find your—”

Light and shadow flickered abruptly. The engulfing flames were swallowed by brilliance. In the next blink, the air was filled with fragrance and music, a scene of peace and celebration. The president’s daughter looked at him shyly.

Shen Guiling’s fingertips trembled slightly. He lifted his gaze, carefully shaping a gentle, polished smile on his face.

He walked forward slowly and politely nodded at Yu Sheng.

“Dad.”

Yu Sheng was stunned by that fleeting smile of his. Before Shen Guiling even approached, her face had already turned red like a ripe apple.

Shen Qian noticed her reaction and smiled warmly.

“I was just talking with Xiaosheng. I heard you two are schoolmates? Tonight there are many guests, and Mr. Yu isn’t here. Why don’t you take Miss Yu out for a walk?”

Yu Sheng looked at Shen Guiling expectantly.

Shen Guiling “hesitated,” showing a hint of difficulty.

Shen Qian asked, “What is it?”

Shen Guiling turned slightly, glancing behind him.

At that moment, Elder Su of the Su family was walking toward them, holding Su Miao’s hand with a cheerful smile.

“On the way back just now, I ran into Old Su,” Shen Guiling said. “He said his granddaughter was bored and wanted to go out for some air. I… I couldn’t refuse, so I already agreed.”

Yu Sheng froze, not quite processing what she had just heard.

Shen Qian was also stunned. The Su family too?

Before he could figure it out, Su Jingliu had already arrived.

“Haha, A-Qian,” he said cheerfully. “What’s going on with your Shen family? The host of the banquet can’t even be found. My granddaughter says she’s bored and wants to walk around. I think your boy is quite suitable—you wouldn’t refuse, would you?”

“Of course not,” Shen Qian replied with a polite smile, glancing at Yu Sheng.

Shen Guiling remained calm. “Dad, why don’t I take Miss Yu and Miss Su out together? I’m not good at girls’ conversations anyway. With company, they might feel more at ease.”

He then turned gently to the two girls.

“What do you think?”

Yu Sheng and Su Miao exchanged a glance and both nodded.

“Okay.”

Meanwhile, Fu Sui’er stormed out of the teahouse and immediately returned to the Winter Courtyard.

After dealing with those girls, Shen Jiao came back and saw her sitting on a swing under the corridor, staring blankly at the sky.

“Why are you sitting here? Waiting for me?”

Fu Sui’er snapped back to reality, jumped off the swing, and ran over.

“Mom, what will happen to this case afterward? Will they be punished? I mean—Xiao Lanlan and those girls?”

Shen Jiao had assumed Fu Sui’er was angry about Jiang Huashan’s experience tonight. She hadn’t expected this question.

Shen Jiao shook her head.

“Most likely not.”

Fu Sui’er frowned. “Why? They did something so insane. What did those girls even do wrong? Just because they were better than Xiao Lanlan, they deserved to be hurt?”

Shen Jiao paused, then looked at her daughter seriously.

Fu Sui’er pressed, “Mom, do you think this is right too?”

Shen Jiao didn’t answer directly. Instead, she gently touched her daughter’s face.

“Your uncle has already contacted all the victims. Compensation has been negotiated, and their parents have agreed to issue settlement letters.”

Fu Sui’er frowned. “There isn’t even one parent who—”

“No one will refuse,” Shen Jiao interrupted calmly. “Sui’er, in Country A, there is no law that can send a financial elite to prison. So no one will disagree.”

It involved the Shen and Su families. Who would dare say no?

Fu Sui’er was stunned, her eyes turning red with anger.

Shen Jiao patted her head.

“Go back and rest.”

She turned and walked toward the gate.

Fu Sui’er clenched her fists, trembling. Just as Shen Jiao was about to step out of the Winter Courtyard, she suddenly lifted her head and called out firmly: “I can!”

Shen Jiao stopped and turned back.

Fu Sui’er’s eyes were resolute.

“I can! If Country A’s laws aren’t enough, then I’ll improve them! If the financial elite control the government, the country will never be strong. ‘The state should not take profit as its principle, but righteousness as its principle.’ If the law fails, where is justice?”

Her voice grew more intense.

“Look at the new twenty-five constitutional amendments recently—how many truly serve the people? Policies driven by capital only serve corrupt power holders, not citizens. Wealth disparity is widening, class conflict is intensifying. Capital controls the government, foreign relations, even diplomatic negotiations—all to extract more wealth. If this continues, people will lose trust in the government. When public sentiment collapses, the situation will spiral. Then we might even experience a purge like Country S.”

Each word was sharp and forceful.

Shen Jiao stood frozen. She was stunned—this was the first time she realized her daughter could be so dazzling.

“You said you can,” Shen Jiao asked softly. “What exactly can you do?”

Fu Sui’er clenched her fists.

“I can send the corrupt officials who manipulate the government to prison!”

Her dark eyes were unwavering.

“Mom, I want a future where the law becomes a weapon that protects every child. I want to become the President.”

Shen Jiao: “……”

That night, Shen Manor was unusually lively.

Some people laughed and conversed amid luxury and lights; some stood alone in courtyards watching fireworks; some gazed at others through layers of separation; and some stood silently by the lotus pond lost in thought.

But no matter how brilliant the night banquet was, it eventually came to an end.

Jiang Huashan left the teahouse and returned directly to the Chrysanthemum Courtyard. On her fourth trip out of her room, Zhang Ru finally met her head-on.

“You’re back?”

Such a simple greeting made Jiang Huashan pause for a long time.

She smiled, her eyes full of relief.

“Yeah. I’m back.”

She lifted her skirt and prepared to go upstairs.

“Miss Jiang!” Zhang Ru suddenly called out, surprised.

“What is it?” Jiang Huashan asked, puzzled.

A trace of warmth appeared in Zhang Ru’s eyes as she pointed at the white skirt hem she had changed into.

Jiang Huashan lowered her head, slightly startled.

“This is… how did this—”

Zhang Ru stepped closer, her gaze full of relief.

“Miss Jiang is growing up. She’s becoming a young lady now.”