Helan Xiuse nodded her head. "It's true! I don't know anything!"
Helan Fangnian did not say anything. He simply stared at her quietly. It was a long while before he spoke. "This is the last time that I will trust you, Xiuxiu."
Panic spiked in Helan Xiuse's heart. "Brother…"
Helan Fangnian wrenched his hand out of Helan Xiuse's grip and strode off.
Anxiety continued to drum in Helan Xiuse as she watched his back.
…
Helan Fangnian found Yue Tingfeng. "There's nothing for you at this dinner. You better take Auntie and leave."
Yue Tingfeng swirled the champagne flute he held. "Didn't you ask us to come?" he said. "Why should I leave when I'm already here?"
Helan Fangnian grew more anxious. "You… Tingfeng, take them and leave. There's no need for you to be in this sort of dinner, anyway."
Helan Fangnian did not know what his mother was plotting. He could not say anything even if he knew.
