This Su Xiyang... she’s quite the orator, isn’t she?
Shen Fanyun stood to the side, barely holding back his laughter.
Because of Su Xiyang’s sarcasm, Hu Yue’s face instantly lost its previous radiance. She fidgeted and complained to Zhang Lifeng, "President Zhang, aren’t you going to do something about her? She’s bullying me!"
Su Xiyang looked disdainfully at Hu Yue’s affected manner. "I’m not his subordinate. You expect him to control me? By what right? Are you overestimating the influence of your dear President Zhang, or have you lost your mind thinking I would listen to him? Is he even worthy?"
This single tirade had offended both Zhang Lifeng and Hu Yue.
Hu Yue’s face was a mottled purple as she glared resentfully at Su Xiyang. "I’ve seen plenty of gold-digging girls like you. Aren’t you ashamed to be cozying up to an old man like him for money? And you still have the nerve to jump out and make snide remarks?"
Su Xiyang shrugged. It wasn’t as if she was looking for trouble; this woman simply didn’t know her place and had managed to ruin her mood.
"Out of sight, out of mind," Su Xiyang said, leading Shen Fanyun away.
Zhang Lifeng’s face alternated between pale and ashen, fuming. Hu Yue also clenched her fists, biting her cheek and muttering something under her breath.
Ever since leaving the Su Family, that Su Xiyang has become increasingly crass and has forgotten all sense of propriety! Zhang Lifeng silently vowed to make her regret this.
They entered the main hall of the exhibition. The crowd here was smaller. In the center was a large, temporary stage bearing the words "Charity Association." Su Xiyang took a black marker from the emcee and signed her name on the backdrop, which served as a sign-in.
Zhang Lifeng and Hu Yue followed them in, arm in arm. The two parties didn’t interact, as the previous encounter had left things more than a little unpleasant.
In the crowd, a well-maintained, middle-aged man was greeting guests. Judging by his attire, he seemed to be one of the event organizers.
"His name is Liao Wei, the chairman of the Charity Foundation. He’s quite prestigious in the local charity community," Su Xiyang explained. "Tonight’s event seems to be a grand affair, but none of the real heavy hitters are here."
For instance, Han Feng’s father, Han Long, wasn’t present, nor was Wang Bo, the father of Wang Yanwen from the Wang Family—the same Wang Yanwen with whom Su Xiyang had recently been entangled in rumors. These individuals at the pinnacle of society disdained attending such events merely to boost their public profile. People from different circles simply didn’t mix.
Just then, Gu Feng sat down near Su Xiyang. "This seat is empty, right? I hope I’m not bothering you."
"I wouldn’t know," Su Xiyang replied indifferently.
Gu Feng sat down with an air of seriousness and stared off into the distance. Su Xiyang maintained her proper posture, leaning slightly to the side toward Shen Fanyun.
A short distance away, Zhang Lifeng and Hu Yue finally settled into their seats, but it wasn’t long before a commotion erupted from their area. Hu Yue looked anxious, and Zhang Lifeng was rubbing his head while whispering with those around him. Soon, the people near Zhang Lifeng began turning out their pockets and holding up their empty hands to prove their innocence. Shen Fanyun frowned. Are they looking for something?
As it turned out, they were. An emcee who was helping with the situation made her way through the crowd, questioning people as she approached their section.
"Excuse me, one of our guests has lost an expensive gold watch. May I ask if you’ve seen it?" the emcee asked politely.
Su Xiyang and Shen Fanyun exchanged a look. What kind of game is Zhang Lifeng playing?
Before Su Xiyang could speak, Hu Yue strode up to them in her high heels. "It must be them," she declared. "I didn’t have contact with anyone else, but I did have a brief encounter with these two. Right after we finished talking, I discovered my gold watch was gone!"
What did she mean? Was she outright accusing me and Su Xiyang of being involved?
"I suggest you hand it over now," Hu Yue continued, her voice sharp. "This watch is worth eight hundred thousand. That’s a substantial amount. If you don’t confess, you’ll be doing hard time once the authorities get involved!"
A hush fell over the crowd, stunned by her words. Hu Yue didn’t know Su Xiyang or her standing, which was why she dared make such a remark, all while Zhang Lifeng deliberately let it happen.
However, the other guests present certainly knew who Su Xiyang was. With her wealth and status, why would she covet a watch worth a mere eight hundred thousand? It was utter nonsense. Su Xiyang wouldn’t even bat an eye at such a paltry sum!
PFFT.
The crowd burst into laughter, shaking their heads and looking at Hu Yue as if she were a fool. They might have wavered if she had accused someone else, but slandering Su Xiyang as a thief? It was absurd and completely without motive.
Hu Yue swallowed hard, but then a flash of inspiration hit her. She quickly pivoted, declaring righteously, "Everyone believes in your character, of course, but what about the person you brought with you? You might disdain a watch worth eight hundred thousand, but this working-class boy toy beside you might not be able to resist the temptation."
Hu Yue shifted her aim, her gaze fixing predatorily on Shen Fanyun. "No wonder I had a bad feeling about you the moment I saw you. You have shifty eyes! It turns out you really are a thief!"
Shen Fanyun was bewildered. What the hell did I ever do to you? I haven’t even warmed my seat, and now I’m suddenly branded a thief?
"This..."
"Could the person with Su Xiyang really have sticky fingers?"
"For a thief to be exposed at such an important event... wouldn’t that be a disgrace for everyone here?"
Murmurs spread through the crowd, and in an instant, Shen Fanyun became the target of everyone’s suspicion.
"Do you dare let me search you?" Hu Yue demanded forcefully. "If I find nothing, I’ll believe you’re not a thief."
Su Xiyang could no longer stand it. This hussy is just looking for trouble.
"You can search him," she said coldly. "But if you’re wrong, I will personally slap you hard across the face, twice."
Hu Yue flinched.
"A search is no big deal," Zhang Lifeng chimed in, stepping forward to support Hu Yue. "Your aggressive reaction just makes you look like you’re covering for him. It only makes your lackey more suspicious."
Her confidence restored, Hu Yue pressed on. "That’s right! Refusing only proves your subordinate is highly suspect. Based on a woman’s intuition, I’m certain it was your subordinate who stole my gold watch!"
As if to validate her judgment, Hu Yue’s gaze landed on Gu Feng. "Sir, this man sitting next to you—does he look like an honorable and upright gentleman to you?"
"Well..." Gu Feng feigned hesitation, then put on a serious expression. "Pardon my bluntness, but I don’t know him. Therefore, I can’t judge whether he is honorable. After all, some people are gilded on the outside but rotten within, utterly sanctimonious! However, I do suggest a search. It’s no great harm, after all," he finished with an easy shrug.