Chapter 418 - A foot near the river

Tang Yin received a lot of praises and inquiring gazes after the last dance. 

It could not be helped. Despite Tang Xinyang giving an explanation for the last dance with her 'winner of a popularity vote' excuse, many of the guests present in the banquet had conjured thoughts of the possible alliance between the Tang family and the Lu family.

A lot were even speculating that Lu Yin Ze could be Tang Yin's fiancée. And those people who knew of Lu Yin Ze's previous rumors with the heiress of the Xiong family got even more confused. 

Who was the real couple?

Though there was a lot of thoughts, no one was foolish enough to discuss it in front of the powerhouses. Maybe later, after the party, they could secretly speculate about it in their own circle.

Tang Yin's previous prospect of marriage finally came up to her and greeted her. The man who was a head smaller than Tang Xinyang, but still slightly taller than the petite Tang Yin, smiled awkwardly. "Now I understand why you stood me up that year..." He only said these words, greeted her a happy birthday, and left.

If it was that person, then his defeat really was a given.

The man's family also gave their congratulations to Tang Yin. Thus, the previous offense was now buried deep underground with a lot of bricks standing over it. Their family could not go up against the Lu family's might.

After that family's greetings, Tang Yin excused herself and pulled her elder sister at one the side.

"Sis! What's with this Second Young Master Lu? Why is he my last dance? You're not planning something bad again, are you?"

Tang Xinyang rolled her eyes. "I'm not. I actually saved your ass, you ungrateful pup. Well, you will be put in tighter spot later, but that will eventually unravel if you keep silent about it. People will forget it after some time, especially if that guy finds another love. Right, don't forget to thank Lu Yin Ze later."

Tang Yin became silent. Oh goodness, she needed to see that guy again?

But more importantly, how did he become her last dance?

When they were dancing earlier, she could feel that this guy was indifferent to her. Her sharp intuition even felt that the man did not seem to want to touch her or be near to her. She swore she heard his sigh of relief when the dance was over.

It was clear to see that the young man did not like her. Not one bit.

And with his status, he could just reject becoming her last dance and make up some excuse.

No—with rules and etiquettes of their circle in the picture, it was her sister who was in the wrong. She suddenly announced something like that out of the blue and made the Second Young Master Lu had no choice but to ask her for a dance.

Gasp! 

Tang Yin looked worriedly at her elder sister.

"Sister, we will not make an enemy out of the Lu family because of this, will we? We kind of cornered him to dance with me. "

Tang Xinyang just patted her head confidently. "Don't worry. I asked him this favor and he agreed."

"...!!!" Tang Yin went pale.

"S-sister, y-you... didn't threaten him right? That's a person surnamed Lu!"

Tang Xinyang flickered her forehead.

"I didn't! I am friends with him! No, actually, my friend is his friend so we have no choice but to become friends. Besides, he likes my friend and he needs to get along with me, so it's okay."

"...."

A friend? 

Her sister only has one female friend that she knew of. 

"...Is it that Xiong Zhi?"

"En."

"Second Young Master Lu is in love with Xiong Zhi?" she repeated.

"Yes." 

Tang Yin glanced at her sister doubtfully. "Are you sure? Maybe you're just assuming. How could you possibly know this?"

"Duh, it's clear as day. I've been stuck with these guys for years, our circle of friends are not blind to see the obvious, alright?"

"..." Tang Yin suddenly fell into deep thoughts. So, that man liked Xiong Zhi. Did he confess already? With his looks... He could definitely charm any woman. Maybe-

Then Tang Xinyang suddenly remembered why she invited Lu Yin Ze.

"Oh! By the way, how is he? "

"Huh?" Tang Yin was cut off from her thoughts. 

"You danced with him. Did you talk about something? Like comforting each other and meeting each other later?"

"Haa? Why would we do that? We just met today. We barely talked. He is a polite man, but I could see that he didn't like me." 

They actually did not talk throughout the whole dance, except the introductory part. Even just a casual conversation was nil. And she was fine with that. If possible, she did not want to meet him again. The less she meet him, the less she would be exposed of her hidden gaffe.

"Seriously? That can't be. Come with me." She took Tang Yin���s arm and pulled her. She wanted to introduce her sister to Lu Yin Ze again and let them have a private talk.

Two heartbroken birds of the same feather should be able to comfort each other.

"Hey sister! Whatever you are planning, it will not work!"

"As if you know it!"

Tang Yin did not stop and continued walking.

Right then...

"Where are you going, my unfilial granddaughters?" An old voice filled with pressure sounded behind Tang Xinyang.

"Grandma?"

She turned around and saw the old woman standing behind them with a black face. Beside her was a very tall, handsome man that she had never seen before.

****

Additional Scene:

When Tang Xinyang approached Lu Yin Ze to beg for a favor...

"Lu Yin Ze, please, please... help me out just this once. No one else comes to mind but just you. I'm in a serious pinch, dude. I will owe you a huge, huge favor."

Tang Xinyang almost kneeled in front of him.

Lu Yin Ze helplessly stepped back. "What's with you all of a sudden? If you kneel then I won't even listen to what you're asking." 

How could he let a Tang lady kneel for him? Unless he wanted to die earlier than his predestined death. 

He looked around. He was afraid to be seen being with Tang Xinyang who seemed to be trying to hug his legs.

"Please, please. I beg you. If you become her last dance, no one would mention anything. We just need to ignore... The rumors will die down and they cannot afford to offend you by spreading another rumor."

"I can't. There are many reasons why. First, it would bring complications to the four families."

"I will make up something so that it will not be blamed on you or on the Lu family... like you're a winner for tonight's most popularity vote for the most handsome man or something."

'…What's with that?'

"Still, I couldn't do it. Besides, I don't even know your sister. I am not so kind to help a stranger." 

"You are not a stranger! I am your friend! I am Xiong Zhi's dear friend. You know that Xiong Zhi likes me so much... But I don't want to trouble her. She's been tired of work lately."

Tang Xinyang: I am sorry Xiong Zhi! I used your name. I also owe you one.

Lu Yin Ze hesitated. 

Seeing that the man showed a hint of wavering, she threw away her pride and hugged his knees.

"I beg you, Lu Yin Ze. Please, please, please... I will owe you big for this. You are not in good terms with Xiong Zhi nowadays right? You can use me if you want..."

When she saw the young man's eyes lighting up, Tang Xinyang immediately got worried and added. "But not to date her. Linfeng was actually a scary enemy. I can't offend him."

Lu Yin Ze frowned at that. 

"...Let go."

"Noooo... Just help out me this once."

Lu Yin Ze was feeling uncomfortable at having a woman hug his knees. He anxiously looked around, worried to see prying eyes.

"Fine! But you really, really owe me a big, big one!"

"Alright!" Tang Xinyang immediately stood up and showed him a big smile.

"From now on, I will call you master. That's my respect for you, master."

"Please don't."

Lu Yin Ze then went back to his seat, his head aching.

Little did they know, this "master" title would make someone drink a lot of vinegar, drown in it, and commit a mistake.

Jang Shin who was helping with the behind-the-scenes of the banquet on the sidelines: Is it me?