The next day the girls said goodbye to each other.

Although they were reunited at Blackwater within the week, they burst into tears and hugged constantly. Gwen blames this on the hormones of adolescence. The girls live in a time when every emotion seems to be magnified, and every separation, no matter how brief, seems to be moved by tragedy.

Surya and Gwen's daughters are gone, grinning shyly. Tess and Melissa have their assignment today, so Gwen won't be ready until noon to embark on a five-hour journey to Khairy's Manor in Kwan.

At the guest's bed, she put the wardrobe on the bed.

It's going to be a night of consequences. She doesn't just dress to be flattering, she's picking out a combat suit. What she needed was a dynamic, powerful force – something that hinted at wayward independence. Spiritually, she fantasizes about the bright red curtain gown that O'Hara wore in Gone with the Wind. When Gwen saw this scene in a 4K color movie, she felt a shiver.

Unfortunately, she had to leave the designer clothes that her "other" mother bought for her, which she feared. Chronologically, she listed the spoils from junior to senior. This collection resembles an anthropological study of Helena's head, by measuring the hem of Helena's skirts and their narrowed waistline.

In both worlds, she is one of those girls who reaches puberty early, long before she realizes the alchemical changes that are taking place. While the other girls were still meowing, cute child, she had grown to 5 feet tall like a new yew tree. When her friends reached their peak growth, she was a six-foot-tall crane in a flock of clucking hens.

She wanted something that would show off her post-Armudic figure – not sexy, but elegant, noble, even arrogant.

She glanced intently and saw a piece of white porcelain inlaid with lapis lazuli porcelain. She tried it on and wondered if it would fit. To Gwen's surprise, she had the misfortune of suffering from Kariban-induced anorexia, which perfectly shaped her tapering waistline. The skirt was surprisingly short, but Gwen was prepared for it. She had earlier bought a pair of comfortable white rags that would serve as a safety fit, cut high enough on her thighs to make it seem like she was wearing nothing but the skirt itself.

She examines herself with a pair of pumps. Still about 15 centimeters away from the pump, she is a veritable Brodinagi. In order to practice, she strutted through the compound with her head held high, and an inexplicable Raul's stunned expression appeared on her face.

In Tess's bathroom, Gwen piles her hair in a mess and ends up drawing a long fringe on her face. The application of eyeliner mascara completes the look.

In the reflection, she appears unusually lively.

By the time Gwen put her closet back in the storage ring, Mel had already returned to take Gwen to the station.

"Wow!" Mel grimaced dramatically. "That's your royal service, huh? Let me take a picture. ”

After a while, she returned with a lumen recorder and snapped a picture of Gwen standing next to the water feature.

"You know, I can sell these to crystals. Tess grinned and enlarged them and put them in magazines. How about we go sleep in?"

"You've gone too far!" Gwen teased, glad to be flattered.

"Alright, let's go. Surya will become a happy person. ”

They drove to the station, where Gwen caught the noon service to the city. The carriage was full of people, and the passengers were surprised to find themselves in front of the actress on the screen. From Central, the taxi driver peeked at her and almost caused a car accident.

At Guan's house, the evening sky is still blazing ultramarine, and the waters of Bartman Bay are translucent turquoise. Gwen leaned against the bay, her legs straight, perpendicular to the taxi, her heels tapping on the cement. Immediately, a guard in a white shirt and black tie came.

"Ms. Song. The man bowed, and the Taoist was inside. Please follow me. ”

Gwen had no choice but to throw the tip at the driver's window. As they reached the halfway point of the staircase that led to the elevated foyer, Gwen heard the familiar voice of Richard coming down the stairs.

"Gwen, my word, you look like a million HDM companies! I've been fantasizing about compliments, but you've erased them from my mind. The young man's eyes were smiling.

Gwen left the guards to Richard, and she tapped her needlepoint heels through the marble tiles, attracting the entire courtyard.

In the floodlit hallway, Gwen seemed bigger than life.

The cousins hugged each other, and Gwen pecked Richard on the cheek.

"Since you're taller than me. "I feel small, helpless," Richard admitted, and kissed her on the cheek, Can't you get too close? ”

Gwen laughed and slapped Richard on the arm,

"You brute!" said Richard, putting an arm around her waist and letting me take you in. How tall are these heels? I'm going to have to get the transmission to add another inch to my shoes. ”

The manor is exactly the same as the last time Gwen left. Rich and tasteless. It said loudly how much money the residents had and nothing else. She clicked through the hallway and into the open living room.

"Gwen, my beautiful niece!"

A voice that could only belong to Uncle Guan echoed across the vaulted ceiling. Unlike last time, Gwen is now ready. This time, she was supported. This time, she had a plan.

"Uncle!" Gwen left Richard and hugged Kwan Yingshan. This time, due to Gwen's incredibly long-legged stature, the chubby-looking man looks small.

"Are you fat?" Kwan picked her up and let her land.

"No more than you, uncle. ”

It took a second for Kwan Yingshan's anger to recover. Gwen knew that the man was aware of his weight and hated it when others brought up his weight.

"Come and see your aunt!" Kwan turned around, her tone no longer funny, and led Gwen towards Terry.

"Do you have to say that, dear?" Ta looked at her with critical eyes. "Has our little bird become a peacock?"

"Eagle," Gwen corrected her, a smile on her lips, preferably a sea eagle. ”

Tali squinted at her.

"Look, lovely baby. "It was so cute that she swallowed it a little painfully, who knew that this little girl would cry because she couldn't put down her mother's new gift, and now it would be so amazing?"

"I'm wearing clothes that don't fit?" Gwen spun, feeling the hem of her skirt flutter and the conversation around her quieted. "That's the dress. It fits well now, thank you for having me. ”

Tully chose to change the subject.

"Dinner was a buffet and you could eat whatever you wanted. "The woman pauses, your mother will be with her new husband and your brother. For Su Ya's big speech. ”

"Good to them. "Gwen kept her tone in hand, I'm starving, I guess I'll do it myself. ”

Her aunt, Tali, retreated.

Richard returned to her.

"I'd say well done, but that would make me a bad son, well done. He handed her a champagne flute.

"You're such a good son. Gwen picked up the cup and touched Richard's own, who can say they are better sons than you?"

"Oh, I won't be here for long, a few years at most. The prince postponed my military training, but I might still go when I get to London. ”

Gwen raised a delicate eyebrow.

"You're going to a first-tier city?"

"I mean, orders from London. I'm a mute from the school of magic. It got me a one-way ticket to the real world. ”

"Awesome, Richard, congratulations. "I'm happy for you. Gwen pinched his arm.

"It made me a horrible son because I couldn't go with my old parents unless I became a mage or accumulated enough contribution credits to apply for immigration. ”

"I know some of the words," Gwen admitted. The first-tier city, the whole ordeal is like another world, and it is currently beyond her.

"Nonsense, I bet you'll be transferred to a tier 1 city soon. Which city do you like?"

Gwen thought about it. She has always dreamed of going to England, but there is also southern China, where her father's family is said to be located. London is home to ancient magic, but Shanghai in the 00s offered incredible economic opportunities. If Gwen wants to use her talents in the Old World, that's where she needs to be.

"Shanghai, London, maybe New York?" said Gwen, unsure of her options. "I would be happy if my friends could come too. ”

"It could be Yue. Elvia, not so much. I'm sure there's Deborah too, aren't they? That girl only fantasizes about your potential. ”

"Not Elvia?!" Gwen looked shocked.

"In the capital city, decent healers are a dime a dozen. Elvia is cute, but unfortunately, there's nothing special in the real world. She doesn't even have a soul. ”

Gwen was not happy to hear this. She wasn't happy at all.

"Don't worry, as long as you do Magus you can bring her in, set up some CCs system, and you're good to go. If you really want to, you can keep her as a pet. ”

"I'm not thrilled at all to hear that, Richard. ”

"I'm sorry, I'll shut up now. You know what's going on. "I'm excited. "Richard, we've got a drink, how about we go get something to eat, and meet some people?"

"Of course. Gwen took a deep breath, controlling the uneasiness that rose from her chest.

At the buffet, they met familiar faces.

"Ah, Patrick and ...... Derek, it's good to meet you. ”

Patrick spun, clattering on his heels. The young man looked different. He had just started his military service, which seemed to cheer him up and make him a man.

"Ms. Song. Maximum pleasure. You look so cute. ”

Gwen allows Patrick to imitate kissing her hand. Instead of curtsy, she shook his hand, feeling the sweat on his wet palms.

Next to her, Derek's eyes almost fell out of their sockets. They stared intently at Gwen's long white legs. There was an expression of failure on his face that he struggled to look away.

"Derek, Gwen is talking to you. "No kidding," Richard retorted, sounding like a dog had just fallen on the lawn in front of him.

"I'm sorry, Richard. "Derek's gaze is back to the height of the eyes, hey, I'm Derek. ”

"I know—it's nice to see you again, Derek. Gwen shook his hand as well, watching the man's face glow a salmon-like pink. Her high heels support her height, and she towers above Derek and Patrick's heads.

"I wish you good health. Richard turned the cup upside down at them.

The four of them played the flute. Derek muttered an alibi, and quickly defended himself, hiding somewhere, missing a pair of eyes to ponder the unpleasant encounter.

Patrick stayed. This time, he made a good impression on himself, casually chatting about the prince's recent activities and some interesting anecdotes about military training. Thanks to his father's position at the Sun Corporation and his own efforts, he would be conducting military training with a wing of Song Mages stationed near Barrington.

Other young men and women also came to congratulate Richard on his admiration for Gwen's slender cousin.

"Why aren't you at the Ritz?" chirped an energetic young woman and a permed blonde Bob, greedily measuring Gwen's sculpted face.

"I'm a late bloomer," Gwen replied cheerfully, waking up late. ”

"Still. "That girl is conspiring to look around, you're Richard's cousin, beautiful and talented, why haven't we ever seen you?"

"Piggy, dig deeper. Richard coughed.

"Peggy. "The girl puffed out her cheeks Penny Wallace, it's nice to meet you, Gwen. ”

"It's a pleasure. Gwen shook her hand.

"Lilith is always ready to welcome you. I am a member of the SRC Board of Directors and I can show you around the venue if you wish. ”

"I may soon accept your invitation, Penya. Gwen smiled charmingly, looking at her face with a glint of joy.

Smotar followed. The girls got along well and exchanged details on their messaging devices. Halfway through, Gwen noticed that the volume of conversation in the hall had darkened significantly.

When Gwen stopped to stare at the entrance to the foyer, Penny stopped talking.

Her mom has arrived.

At the entrance to the aft deck stood Helena Wong, the daughter of the Huang family. It was the first time Gwen had seen her with her new husband – an older man, tall, mature, old-fashioned. Percy was also next to them, curled up in an ivory tuxedo.

Percy looked at least an inch taller than Gwen had last seen him half a year ago. She wanted to go and greet him right away, but when her mother's eyes held her in place, she restrained. The last time they saw each other was in the principal's office, where she blew up her mother in a shocking way.

Gwen gritted her teeth. Through the power of will, she relaxes her body, assuring herself that the night is long and that Suriya will soon come out to end the matter.

But her mother didn't come closer.

For the next hour, Helena didn't even look at her.

Gwen was nervous. She suppressed a wave of anxiety, annoyed by the immediate procrastination of her confrontation. Her mother's cult of personality was powerful, and she was still not immune.

Gwen watched as her mother kissed Guan Yu and Tali, and then kissed Richard. She watched as her mother kissed countless people, most of whom she didn't recognize.

"This is your daughter," said Richard exclaimed, and it was the voice of polite conversation over there, look. Let me point her out to you. Hi Gwen!"

Gwen waved her hand.

Helena's appearance is bothersome. A burst of laughter flashed through Gwen's nose. Richard grimaced, and she had to turn around to hide her laughter.

Guan Yu shot Richard. Aunt Tully doesn't care, in her eyes, Richard is her flawless eldest son. He could burn the house down and she would love him unconditionally.

"That's my stepdaughter, the infamous Gwen song. A deep, resonant voice rang out. Gwen's stepfather seems to be a man who is used to following orders. Helena's husband rescued his wife from her embarrassment and walked across the floor towards Gwen.

Gwen had to admit that the man was impressive. He's the Clint Eastwood-esque kind of guy, broad-shouldered and muscular for his age. Moyer, she recalled, once complained loudly and angrily that her stepfather was a retired colonel and an earthen wizard. Currently, the man works as an adviser to the Sydney Border Militia. Helena had seen him at another party in Kwan.

Gwen found it remarkable that the man was still staring down at her, even with her statue-like attire. But it makes sense. Her mother was only a little shorter than her. One of Helena's favorite complaints is that when she married Moyer, she was too embarrassed to eccredit her 70-meter-long husband.

"Tang Hu, but you can call me Mr. Hu. Don paused and said, "Or Daddy, if you will." ”

When she recognized "father" from the man's lips, Gwen almost spat the juice onto Don's face.

Don looked unhappy, his stoic face distorted from closer inspection. He measured her with his eyes and shook his head. "Helena told me you were out of control, a wild child. Look at what you're wearing. You're still a little girl, Gwen, acting like a little girl. ”

Gwen tried to splash that glass of fizzy juice in his face. The dress was a gift that Helena bought! She laughed at her when she couldn't fit in! Knowing it or not, the hypocrisy was shocking.

This Don not only possessed her, but was also holy!

She used to deal with people like Tang Yingnian at McKinsey, and these people had the attitude of the second child, the second child and the cow. She knew how to deal with a man like that. You have to castrate them from the start.

"Oh, of course, I wish I had a strong hand to guide me. Gwen lowered her eyes dignifiedly, as if a little surprised that I had been living alone, after all, there was no discipline, no rules, and whatever I wanted. Sometimes, I feel lost. ”

Her passivity seemed to stir Don's expectations. When it comes to this, he is a simple man. No wonder Helena tied him to his fingers and played him like a violin.

"Mr. Hu, I mean Mr. Tang, I heard that you are a very powerful wizard, is it true?"

"Yes," Don confidently replied that I was the fifth layer, and the fourth layer gave up as a supplement to me, and I was an ordnance maker. ”

"Oh. "Gwen expressed disappointment that there was only a fifth layer?"

Tang frowned angrily.

"My doctor, he's kind enough to bring me in now, you know, I wish mom had told you. He is a 7th layer enchanter, a 6th layer shapeshifter, and a fire specialty. However, he only accepts commissions from the tower, so I believe he is not that famous. ”

Tang's face sank.

"I have great respect for Master Huang. He whispered.

"If you want to be my father, he's going to be sad. A merely middle-class stepfather. I mean, what's the benefit?"

A silky silence arose.

Somewhere, someone snickered.

"You should pay attention to your attitude, miss. ”

Don wasn't used to talking back, and Gwen could see that. He wasn't used to someone casting a shadow in his eyes, let alone from a little girl. Why look at her, he can tear her in half with his bare hands.

But Gwen also knew that Don was not her enemy. He was taken advantage of by her mother, just like she had before.

"Yes, you're right, Mr. Hu. I'm afraid we're starting to go the wrong way. "My mom has this effect. "Gwen held out a hand, and it's nice to see you. ”

This sudden change seemed to catch Tang Yingnian off guard.

He noticed that his soft palm was clasped with hers.

"Nice to meet you, Gwen. Tang Jun put on his attitude.

"There's no need, it's all my fault. Gwen leaned over and touched his forearm with a triumphant smile When you live alone, you learn to grow quickly. ”

"You're such a strange young woman. ”

"All the women are weird, Mr. Hu. ”

Gwen exhaled inwardly. She had embarrassed people like Don before, and in public, they would lose their temper and make a fool of themselves. Don deserves better.

She noticed her mother, who had been looking at her coldly in the living room. When Don left, her mother's face lost some of its luster. Helena still didn't want to talk to Gwen.

Gwen suspects that it was most likely her mom waiting to see what Surya has to say.

"Hello! Hello! Everyone!"

The attention of the crowd turned to the second floor.

Surya stood on the balustrade of Bannister, surveying his realm like an old king.

As noble as the old mage looks, Gwen secretly knows the truth - Surya may have just finished taking a nap after a hearty dinner.

The Huang family raised their chin and looked at their ancestors, their expressions mixed with awe, doubt, paranoia and contempt.

Huang Suya, the mage, the master maker of the Oceania Tower, the mage, now speaks to the crowd.