To her surprise, Han Bao'er turned out to be more ruthless than she had imagined. "Catch her, she stole something! Catch her!"
Han Bao'er's voice echoed through the venue, and her accusation struck a nerve. The entire crowd erupted in chaos, and all eyes turned toward Han Xiaoye. Several waiters even formed a blockade around the exits, while people around Han Xiaoye instinctively scattered, treating her like she was carrying a contagious virus.
This was an unprecedented situation for Han Xiaoye, and the judgmental stares from the people around her made her feel like she had traveled back in time, reliving the nightmare from two years ago.
That dreadful feeling of being stripped bare, publicly humiliated, and burdened with an overwhelming sense of guilt.
She clenched her lips tightly, making a desperate effort to remain calm, while her mind raced to find a way to escape.
How frustrating! She wondered if Ruirui had figured out her current situation.
...
Coincidentally, just as Yan Xu returned from the restroom, he noticed Han Bao'er sprawled on the ground. Hurrying over, he helped her up and asked, "What happened? How did you fall?"
"It wasn't my fault, Brother Xu. Someone pushed me," Han Bao'er seized every opportunity to undermine Han Xiaoye.
Yan Xu was taken aback, and without thinking, he asked, "Who?"
Han Bao'er pointed towards the figure with their back turned to them and enunciated each word, "Her! I even saw her sneaking around with a camera, up to no good."
Yan Xu felt an inexplicable familiarity with that figure. His handsome brows furrowed, and instinctively, he defended someone he hadn't even seen face-to-face. "Bao'er, don't jump to conclusions. It might be a misunderstanding."
"What misunderstanding? I saw it with my own eyes. She pushed me down just to escape. Brother Xu, are you suggesting that I'm lying?" Han Bao'er grew increasingly agitated.
She despised Han Xiaoye, and loathed her to the core! Both were fathered by the same man, but while she had spent eighteen years as an illegitimate daughter hidden in the shadows, Han Xiaoye basked in the spotlight as the one and only Miss of the family. From that very moment, she vowed to herself that she would snatch away everything from Han Xiaoye. No matter if it was family, friendship, or love! Finally, she had succeeded in driving her away, but why? Why did Han Xiaoye have to reappear before her? Before Brother Xu?!
"Bao'er..." Yan Xu's warm expression turned impatient.
"If you don't believe me, have someone search her. The camera is hidden on her!" Han Bao'er brazenly suggested, "Or better yet, ask her if what I said is true. Right, Han... Xiaoye?"
"Han Xiaoye?"
"Could it be that Han Xiaoye?"
"Indeed, it's the infamous Han Xiaoye! Oh my, why is she wearing a waiter's uniform?"
...
The venue buzzed with discussions. Yan Xu's warm smile froze on his face as he suddenly turned his gaze toward the person who had been facing away the entire time. It was her!
Yin Jue, who had been spectating, was greatly surprised. "So the little minnow is the legendary Han Xiaoye? That's quite unexpected."
Quan Ronglian raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "What's the legend? Tell me more."
"Isn't there a rising star in Rui City's real estate named Han Chengming? Han Xiaoye is the child of Han Chengming and his former wife. Speaking of his ex-wife, she was quite a sensational character herself. We don't know her last name, but her name is Xuanji, and she used to be a famous actress. At the time, she had numerous talented young men pursuing her, yet she unexpectedly chose to marry an unknown man. After marriage, she adopted her husband's surname. The following year, she gave birth to a daughter and financially supported Han Chengming in his real estate endeavors. The story becomes rather ordinary from here. When Han Xiaoye was fifteen, Han Xuanji passed away. Han Chengming, Who loved his wife dearly for all those years, brought back a woman shortly after his wife's death. This woman also had a daughter three years older than Han Xiaoye. Yes, it's none other than Han Bao'er. Then, two years ago, at Han Xiaoye's sixteenth birthday banquet, for some unknown reason, Han Chengming flew into a rage and slapped Han Xiaoye, declaring that she was no longer his daughter. Shortly after that, news of the woman's suicide spread. So there were rumors circulating that her death was closely tied to Han Xiaoye. Ever since then, the former Han Family's esteemed Miss has had a tarnished reputation within the circle."
"Ha, how melodramatic," Quan Ronglian sneered, his thin lips curling with disdain as his peach-blossom eyes filled with contempt.
"Isn't it? The intricacies within the wealthy families are far from what they appear on the surface. I can't help but think that the little minnow has been set up. The poor girl must have had a tough time these past two years," Yin Jue sighed with compassion.
Quan Ronglian's deep gaze grew slightly darker as he straightened his body, no longer leaning against the pillar. His long legs moved, making a loud clapping sound as his flip-flops hit the ground.
"Ronglian, what are you planning to do?"
"Just casually save a poor little thing." He was also very curious about what was hidden in the poor girl's camera.
...
"Xiaoye, is that you?" Yan Xu struggled to contain his emotions, and after a long pause, he weakly uttered those words.
The girl who had been facing away from everyone suddenly straightened her back, turned around, and flashed a smile, revealing eight bright teeth. She insolently whistled at him and said, "I can't understand the question, Second Young Master Yan. How could I be anyone else? Why meddle in my affairs? Do you think you're my dad? Sorry to disappoint you, my dad died a long time ago. If you want to visit his grave, take a left turn when you leave and wave your hand on the side of the road. A taxi driver will tell you how to get to the cemetery."
Han Bao'er was so infuriated that her nose twisted, and she angrily reprimanded, "How can you curse your own biological father like that? Are you even human?"
A trace of mockery flashed in Han Xiaoye's eyes as she retorted, "Father? What did you and Han Chengming do two years ago? You know it well. You're the one who's hiding under a pretense. What makes me less of a human being?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? Don't think you can hide the fact that you disguised yourself as a waiter and surreptitiously carried a camera," Han Bao'er said, her voice trembling with guilt.
Han Xiaoye rolled her eyes. Seriously, sister, could you appear to be at least less guilty before accusing someone?
Han Bao'er was indeed consumed by guilt, so much so that she desperately wanted to silence Han Xiaoye. She gestured to a few nearby waiters, "Go search her now!"
Han Xiaoye's gaze suddenly turned sharp, and she held her breath, steadied herself, ready to fight at any moment. She had thought it through. With the situation escalating to this extent, Ruirui must have heard the commotion. As long as she could hold on until Ruirui cut off the power, she would have a chance to escape.
Suddenly, the first waiter who had approached her from behind was kicked and sent flying, and at the same time, a distinctly male arm lazily rested on her shoulder...
"Oh, what's happening here? Her man is still alive."
This voice!
Han Xiaoye stiffened her neck, slowly turning inch by inch. A carefree and unruly handsome face instantly loomed large before her eyes. It was Quan Ronglian!