Cui Yuelan's words carried a massive amount of information. The reporters all mentally noted it. Though they didn't dare press further, they could piece together that the woman He had brought this time was no ordinary person. It seemed she was the second young master He's new flame! Tsk, tsk, truly pitiful! He'd only been married a short while before finding a new lover. No wonder the second young mistress He had to attend the show as Feng's eldest son's companion.
But then again, Feng's eldest son wasn't bad either! Sure, there'd been some scandal recently, but for true elite families, what did a little gossip matter? At most, it sparked some chatter at the time. It certainly wouldn't stop the women scrambling to latch onto such a prestigious family!
Shen Qi, unaware she'd become the object of collective pity among the reporters, entered the show venue on Feng Manlun's arm. She found her seat and sat down quietly, poised and composed like a figure in a classical painting. No sooner had she settled than she saw Cui Yuelan approaching her.
"I didn't think you'd actually come," Cui Yuelan said, plopping down beside Shen Qi with a dismissive tone. "I thought you'd be too ashamed to show your face." Shen Qi felt a wave of frustration. Why did she never provoke others, yet they always came to provoke her?
Seeing Shen Qi silent, Cui Yuelan grew even more smug. "I came with Yining gege. Aren't you disappointed? If you say no, I'll be really disappointed!" Shen Qi replied flatly, "No." "Tsk, tsk, how insincere," Cui Yuelan whispered, laughing triumphantly. "Shen Qi, let me tell you. He Yining is mine, and I'll have him. You can't beat me." Shen Qi said nothing.
Cui Yuelan wanted to say more, but the show had started, forcing her to shut up for now. Shen Qi focused on the runway, trying to ignore Cui Yuelan's presence. But ignoring her didn't mean Cui Yuelan would let her off.
When Cui Yuelan noticed Shen Qi's eyes lighting up at a winter collection piece, she couldn't resist sneering again. "A country bumpkin is still a country bumpkin. Getting so into a show like this. Everyone knows these front-row seats are reserved just to suck up to certain people. What are you pretending to be an expert for?" Shen Qi was annoyed but decided to stay silent.
Seeing her unresponsive, Cui Yuelan realized this woman wasn't easy to handle and quickly switched tactics. "Miss Shen, do you have a problem with me?" Shen Qi shot her a puzzled look. Why the sudden shift from aggressive to meek and helpless? She hadn't even said anything—why was Cui Yuelan acting like she'd been wronged?
"Is it because I've taken Yining gege that you don't like me?" Cui Yuelan asked, her eyes welling with tears. Shen Qi found it absurd. She didn't want to drag this out any longer. Standing up, she left her seat to get some air outside.
But Cui Yuelan followed. Frowning, Shen Qi said, "Miss Cui, I have no intention of competing with you for anything. Please stop bothering me, okay?" "Miss Shen—no, Sister Shen—why would you say that?" Cui Yuelan instantly transformed into a delicate flower. If Shen Qi hadn't seen her true colors, she might have believed it herself.
"I'm sorry, I'm just here to watch the show today. Nothing more," Shen Qi said calmly. "I'm not showing off or trying to prove anything to you. This is just part of my learning process. So please, let me pass, okay?" "Am I blocking you?" Cui Yuelan shamelessly stood in her way, catching a glimpse of He Yining approaching from the corner of her eye. This was her chance—she had to make He Yining hate Shen Qi!
"Sister Shen, do you really not like me? Were you lying when you told Yining gege you'd accept me?" Cui Yuelan was fully immersed in her act, playing the wronged little girl to perfection. Shen Qi sighed. "I don't have time to play games with you. Please move aside." "No way," Cui Yuelan giggled. "If you've got the guts, push me."
Frustrated beyond measure, Shen Qi finally raised a hand to push her away. The moment her hand made contact, Cui Yuelan stumbled backward and fell hard to the ground. "Sister Shen, why did you push me?" Cui Yuelan looked up at Shen Qi with feigned disbelief.
By now, people around them had turned to stare. Shen Qi stood there, her hand still extended, while Cui Yuelan lay half-sprawled on the floor, tears streaming down her face. Everyone looked at Shen Qi with judgment.
"No, it wasn't me... I didn't!" Shen Qi instinctively defended herself. Cui Yuelan sobbed louder. "It's all my fault, I shouldn't have told the truth! I shouldn't have said you pushed me! Boohoo..." Shen Qi was at a loss for words.
Just then, He Yining strode over and lifted Cui Yuelan from the ground. "Yining, I didn't—" Shen Qi started to explain. "Yining gege, please don't blame Sister Shen, okay?" Cui Yuelan wrapped her arms around He Yining's neck, crying like a broken doll. "I tore up her design, so she has every right to hate me. Pushing me is nothing—she could slap me, and I'd have no complaints. As long as she feels better, Yining gege, I really know I was wrong!"
He Yining's phoenix eyes swept over Shen Qi. "She won't be angry with you. Come on, let's go back." With that, he turned to leave, Cui Yuelan in his arms. Shen Qi rushed forward. "He Yining, let me explain. I really didn't—" He Yining showed no reaction.
Shen Qi's heart went cold. He didn't believe her. He didn't need her explanation. No matter what she said, he wouldn't trust her.
A wave of sorrow washed over her. "Yining gege, I don't want to stay here. It's so humiliating! I've never been pushed to the ground in public before. Boohoo, I want to go home, I want to find Mom and Dad!" Cui Yuelan buried her face in He Yining's chest, crying harder.
Shen Qi stepped aside, her voice flat. "I'm sorry, you two. Please go ahead." He Yining gave her a long look before carrying Cui Yuelan away. Cui Yuelan lifted her head over his shoulder, flashing Shen Qi a triumphant smirk. *Fight me? Shen Qi, you'll end up dead and buried!* *I'm different from any other woman.* *I have a get-out-of-jail-free card.* *My biggest trump card is He Yining's parents.* *And you? You've got nothing!*
Shen Qi lowered her head, hiding her emotions. She had lost. The war was over before it even began. Cui Yuelan had appeared and wiped her out in an instant. Even knowing it was all an act, what good did it do? He Yining didn't believe her.
Shen Qi didn't understand what had happened. When He Yining had gone with her to sweep her father's grave, he'd been so gentle and considerate. In just a few days, he seemed like a different person. Why? Had she done something wrong? Or had his true love returned, relegating her, the pet, to the sidelines?
Shen Qi turned away, defeated. There was no point in watching the show anymore. Her heart was in turmoil; everything looked the same.
She walked slowly to a side corridor, staring blankly at the sunlight outside. Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into an embrace. Shen Qi was about to scream, but before she could make a sound, a possessive kiss swallowed it whole.
Struggling for a moment, she realized it was He Yining, who had returned. She didn't understand why he'd come back or why he was kissing her so fervently. After a brief struggle, she gave up. His arms held her tight, leaving no room to resist. His kiss was too intoxicating; she had no strength left to fight.
When she finally calmed down, He Yining released her lips. He rested his forehead against hers and whispered, "Xiao Qi, let me explain." Shen Qi's eyes reddened.
"I know today wasn't your doing," he continued. "You're not that kind of person, so you don't need to explain to me. I believe you." Tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
"But Xiao Qi, in that situation, I couldn't say much. There were too many onlookers. Even if I used my authority to shut it down, it would still hurt you in the end," he said. "I know you're upset with me, so I came back to clear things up." "What's there to explain?" Shen Qi's mouth said, though her heart felt otherwise.
He Yining chuckled softly. His slender fingers lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his phoenix eyes. "Xiao Qi, listen to me. You are irreplaceable. No one can take your place," he said with utmost seriousness. "No one." "And her?" Shen Qi asked flatly. "To you, she's more important than me, isn't she?" "No, that's not the same thing," he shook his head. "You know my parents—they couldn't stand living the good life, so they had to go fight in war zones. That's why Grandma got angry and wouldn't let them come home. You've seen her—she's old, and she wants them back, but she can't swallow her pride. That's why she pushed my brother and me to get married."