Chapter 174
“Her status doesn’t even qualify her to attend this party. Get her out of here for me.” Chu Lian pointed at the woman’s nose as she spoke to Lian Xuan.
“Xiao Lian, we’re not kids anymore. Could you please stop causing a scene?” Lian Xuan pinched the bridge of his nose, looking visibly exhausted.
“Causing a scene? How am I causing a scene? Didn’t you hear what Rongrong just said? Are you really going to let this inconsequential pet embarrass me and the Chu Family? Don’t forget that our families hold similar statuses. Have you gotten uncle and aunt’s approval for what you’re doing?” Chu Lian trembled as she spoke.
“Ever since we were kids, you’ve always done this. Whenever I do something you don’t like, you use my parents to pressure me. But we’re adults now; we’re not kids anymore. Don’t you find your behavior childish and annoying? Xiaodie is someone I brought here. Even if you bring the emperor here today, I won’t send her away. If you insist on kicking Xiaodie out, then I’ll leave with her. You decide what you want to do.”
“As for what you said about a pet stepping on your face, whether you believe it or not, I’ve never intended to do that. But it seems you don’t want to listen to me or hear my explanation, so think as you wish.” Lian Xuan, in front of Chu Lian, pulled Xiaodie’s hand, looking at Chu Lian and Yang Rongrong with an indifferent and slightly satisfied gaze.
Under Lian Xuan’s gaze, Chu Lian stepped back, accidentally bumping into a chest that emanated a minty cool scent. Startled, Chu Lian jumped up despite losing her balance, but fortunately, Yang Rongrong quickly grabbed her, preventing a spectacle.
“I deeply apologize for startling you. I noticed things were lively over here and couldn’t resist my curiosity to come take a look.” Xu Ke showed an apologetic expression to Chu Lian, his voice gentle like a cello.
“Thankfully, nothing happened to you, or else I’d be to blame.” Xu Ke let out a relieved expression, slightly easing the previously intense atmosphere.
“How have I changed? Haven’t I always been myself?” Xu Ke said with a smile, his gaze behind the glasses scanning Lian Xuan from head to toe.
“You’ve become much more composed now, not as impulsive as you were. It seems you’ve been through a lot since leaving Shangjing.” Lian Xuan spoke with both admiration and probing.
“But you’re still you. Besides aging a bit, you haven’t changed much.” Xu Ke’s gaze lightly swept past the woman beside Lian Xuan as he said this with a light laugh.
Xu Ke and Lian Xuan continued their conversation, leaving Chu Lian and Yang Rongrong to the side, making Chu Lian’s face visibly displeased. She had never been ignored like this before. Her face turned as red as a Xi Hongshi at that moment.
“Xu Ke, you’re just in time. This party is organized by you; you’re the host. As the host, you should kick this woman out for me. I don’t want to see her, not even a single strand of her hair.” Chu Lian pointed at Xiaodie’s nose and spoke to Xu Ke.
As the trouble seemed to have shifted in his direction, Xu Ke’s eyes slightly narrowed, but his smile remained unchanged. Just when Chu Lian thought Xu Ke would agree, he spoke, “The person is a guest of Master Lian. As the host, it would be extremely impolite for me to kick out his companion. I’m afraid I can’t agree to that.”
“Fine! All of you are bullying me, siding with this lowly woman. What makes her better than me? Aren’t you all supporting her? I’ll go home and tell my dad to blacklist her.” Chu Lian pushed Lian Xuan aside, covering her face as she ran away.
“Xiao Lian, you’re wearing high heels, don’t run.” Yang Rongrong exclaimed, ignoring the fact that they were at a party. She immediately tried to stop her, but the distressed Chu Lian wouldn’t listen and soon disappeared. Yang Rongrong glanced at the two men present, stomped her foot, and ran after her.
“Today’s party has many guests. I’m concerned some unaware individuals might collide with them. I’m going to check. Enjoy yourselves.” Xu Ke raised his glass to Lian Xuan, downed the last sip of champagne, and followed the two girls out of the party venue. Before exiting, he discreetly exchanged glances with Housekeeper Zhao. Seeing Housekeeper Zhao nod, Xu Ke’s smile became even brighter.
The place where Xu Ke hosted the party was the Xu Family’s Rose Garden, which was quite expansive. With her head down, Chu Lian paid no attention to her surroundings, simply running forward. When she finally calmed down and stopped, she was far from the party venue and surrounded by similar buildings and a series of glass greenhouses. It seemed like a giant mirror maze with no way out.
A cold breeze passed by, causing Chu Lian to shiver. Large goosebumps appeared on the exposed parts of her back. Sniffling, Chu Lian hugged her arms and shouted loudly, “Is anyone there? I’m lost. Someone, please take me out.”
Chu Lian shouted three times, but no one appeared. The winter sky darkened exceptionally early. Although there was light from the greenhouses, some areas remained pitch black, causing Chu Lian to nervously look around.
“Someone, please, I want to go home. Someone, take me home. I don’t want to stay in this wretched place. Someone, please.” Chu Lian shouted loudly, but the only response was the whistling cold wind, making her shiver continuously.
Chu Lian wanted to retreat to the greenhouse for warmth and to escape the cold wind, but the greenhouse door was secured with an electronic lock she couldn’t open. As she searched for something to break the door with, a large hand suddenly came upon her, pulling her into an embrace. A mouth reeking of alcohol fell on her ear and neck, causing Chu Lian’s skin to erupt with goosebumps.
“Ahhh! Let me go, let me go, help, help!” Chu Lian thrashed her body in a struggle, but she couldn’t break free from the iron grip behind her. Her resistance only seemed to stir the assailant’s brutish desires more, as the grip tightened, and the sound of her clothes tearing filled the air, fully exposing her already partially hidden back.