Chapter 9

Su Ningxi suddenly realized, "Oh! I remember now, you are the one who claimed to be Huo Yuchen's girlfriend, and would marry into the Huo family to become the young mistress in the future, and told me to live with my tail between my legs in the capital city in the future. "Huh? Ye Chengfeng was puzzled when he heard this. It sounded so familiar. He suddenly remembered the scene he saw when accompanying Huo Yuchen on an inspection a few days ago. He remembered he even teased his good brother about it at the time.

He instinctively glanced at Sheng Wei sitting there and realized it was really her. He remembered a group of women were arguing there at the time, and this woman happened to be facing the direction where he was, so he remembered what she looked like. But with the heavy makeup today, he almost didn't recognize her.

Sheng Wei's mind buzzed and went blank. When she came to her senses, her first reaction was to deny it. "You're talking nonsense. I never said anything like that."

She didn't expect this country bumpkin to say it so bluntly in front of so many people, and in front of Huo Yuchen at that. She certainly wouldn't admit to it. While speaking, she glanced at Huo Yuchen nervously, afraid he would believe Su Ningxi's words.

At this point, Su Ningxi's attitude changed drastically, from fearless initially to cringing now. She spoke in a tearful tone, "Yes, yes, I was talking nonsense. You only said you would marry into the Huo family in the future, and I made up the part about making me live with my tail between my legs. I apologize. Please don't kick me out of the capital city. I can't afford to lose this job."

Seeing Su Ningxi's manner, everyone looked at Sheng Wei doubtfully.

"Is she really Young Master Huo's girlfriend?"

"That can't be! I haven't heard Young Master Huo has a girlfriend!"

"I don't think it's possible either. Young Master Huo wouldn't be interested in her. I heard she's selfish and domineering, often bullying others relying on her identity as a Shen family member." Sᴇaʀᴄh the Nʘvᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

"In that case, it's not surprising she threatened a service staff."

...

Hearing the whispers around her, Sheng Wei was so angry she almost died. She quickly explained, "Don't believe her. She's talking nonsense. I never threatened her, nor did I say anything about marrying into the Huo family."

Ye Chengfeng watched all this with an amused expression. He whistled and looked at Huo Yuchen, fearlessly joking, "Bro Yuchen, your girlfriend is here. Why don't you introduce her?"

Huo Yuchen swept a glare at him, wisely choosing to stay silent. His brother's jokes were not to be taken lightly. He must have drank too much and couldn't keep his mouth shut.

Su Ningxi also saw their interaction. She looked at Sheng Wei mockingly. This is what happens when you ask for trouble for no reason. Serves you right for lifting a rock only to drop it on your own feet!

Ye Chengfeng looked at Sheng Wei carefully. He said sarcastically, "You have too much powder on today. I almost didn't recognize you."

Sheng Wei's face turned red from his words. She came home late last night and didn't get enough sleep. Her complexion had been poor all day today, so she applied more makeup. But she was still very curious about his last sentence.

With a mix of nervousness and slight excitement, she asked, "Young Master Ye recognizes me?"

Although she had gathered with them several times in order to get close to Huo Yuchen, those were when there were many people around. Although the Shens were a prestigious aristocratic family, they were still a notch below the four great families of the capital city - the Huos, Lings, Suns and Yes. Those young masters wouldn't even look at her, so they basically hadn't exchanged a word.

Ye Chengfeng nodded. "I recognize you."

Hearing that, Sheng Wei was stunned with joy. If he recognized her, did it mean Huo Yuchen also recognized her?

While fantasizing about this, Ye Chengfeng's next words doused her with a bucket of cold water.

"It just so happened that we were also there the last time when you claimed to be Brother Yuchen's girlfriend, including your 'boyfriend'." As Ye Chengfeng spoke, he lifted his chin to gesture at where Huo Yuchen was sitting.

Sheng Wei's expression changed. They were also there that day? Did he mean Huo Yuchen also heard it?

She awkwardly bit her lips and said to Huo Yuchen, "Young Master Huo, I'm sorry. I was just blurting things out that day, wanting to anger that woman, so I said those words. Please don't take it to heart."

But Huo Yuchen ignored her as if he hadn't heard, just smoking on his own without even glancing at her.

"Sheng Wei, what do you mean? Didn't you tell us you were developing a secret relationship with Young Master Huo? Were you lying to us all along?" One of Sheng Wei's followers angrily questioned her.

"What are you talking about? When did I ever say anything like that?" Sheng Wei blinked at her, hinting for her not to continue.

But her friend felt betrayed and wouldn't give her any face. "Stop pretending. You've said it countless times. They can all testify to it."

She pointed at the other young ladies who often played with Sheng Wei. The few girls cooperatively nodded as well.

Seeing Sheng Wei's pathetic and awkward state now, some of them felt extremely delighted inside. Because Sheng Wei hadn't been stingy about boasting in front of them before, they were so jealous at the time. They hadn't expected it to be a completely made up story. Watching her get slapped in the face like this felt so satisfying.

Sheng Wei was embarrassed to the point her ears turned red. If it was possible, she really wanted to find a hole in the ground to hide in. She didn't expect the friends who used to fawn over her not only didn't help her, but kick her when she's down instead. "You guys are too much."

She couldn't bear to stay here any longer. Picking up her handbag, she ran out in tears.

When she passed by Su Ningxi, terrifying hatred spewed out from her eyes. It was clear she was blaming today's events on Su Ningxi.

Su Ningxi shuddered when she saw this. What had she done wrong? She only told the truth.

Su Ningxi said to everyone, "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first."

But she had barely taken two steps when she screamed, "Ah!"

Someone had stuck out a foot to trip her.

By coincidence, Su Ningxi fell right onto Huo Yuchen, with the tray in her hand smacking Huo Yuchen's head first before bouncing onto the floor, spinning a few rounds before stopping.

At that instant, it was as if time froze in the private room. Everyone watched this scene, holding their breath.

The one who tripped her looked guilty when she saw what happened. She only wanted to make her fall and embarrass herself a bit, to vent Sheng Wei's anger. She didn't expect this outcome.

Offending Young Master Huo was serious trouble. If he pursued this later, she'd be done for. She heard that Young Master could be very frightening when angry.

At this moment, Su Ningxi's mind also went blank, muddled and confused about what just happened and where she was.

Hmm? What's this? How is it so hard? Her hand moved faster than her brain, giving it a squeeze. The texture didn't feel too bad.

Huo Yuchen sucked in a breath, and pushed her away forcefully with a frightful roar, "You're asking for death!"

Huo Yuchen had used quite a bit of strength. Su Ningxi tumbled onto the floor after being pushed away. Only when her mind cleared did she realize what she had done. She just groped a man's pectoral muscles! Heavens, what had she done!

Seeing Huo Yuchen's murderous look, she couldn't help swallowing. "Um... would you believe me if I said someone tripped me?"

Huo Yuchen retorted, "What do you think?"

Su Ningxi faltered.

She probably wouldn't believe it herself if she was in his shoes! It was understandable to fall onto him, but her damned hand just had to grope his chest. There was no way she could clear this up now.