Chapter 176: Imitation
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After her graceful performance, Bai Xue descended from the stage and approached Li Yan. She asked, “Li Yan, do you think my piano skills have improved?”
Li Yan nodded but didn’t say much.
His lack of praise made Bai Xue very uneasy, and she softly asked, “Li Yan, what’s the matter with you? Why are you being so cold towards me?”
Li Yan didn’t answer that question directly. Instead, he said, “I’ve prepared a cake for you. We’ll cut it together shortly. However, I have some matters to attend to, so 1 won’t be able to stay with you the whole time. After the event is over, you can return to the apartment to rest.”
Bai Xue felt terrible, not knowing what she had done wrong. She clearly sensed that Li Yan was now repelling her.
While she wanted to ask what had happened, she was afraid that asking too many questions would make Li Yan resent her even more.
Bai Xue could only pretend to be obedient and said, “Alright, just don’t overexert yourself. In this world, there’s never enough money to be made.”
Li Yan nodded and said, “Understood. Let’s have the cake brought over now.”
What? Right now? Bai Xue bit her lip, her eyes filled with distress, but she still nodded.
Li Yan looked at Bai Xue, feeling more resigned than sympathetic. Ever since he had seen her true colors and manipulation, he had become increasingly disappointed.
He didn’t harbor resentment for her deception; he only blamed himself for not seeing through her earlier.
If Li Yan had been more discerning from the beginning, he wouldn’t have been deceived by Bai Xue. Now that he understood her hypocrisy, there was nothing he could do. It was too late; the mistake had already been made.
A short while later, a blue multi-layered cake was carefully brought in.
Upon seeing the cake’s color, Bai Xue’s expression turned unpleasant. Her eyes were filled with disgust. Why did it have to be blue? Did Li Yan do this deliberately to disgust her? Bai Xue was filled with resentment.
Jiang Ling’er and Wen Nuan exchanged a glance. Their earlier speculations appeared to be correct. The theme of the banquet today was arranged by Li Yan, but Bai Xue seemed oblivious to his intentions.
Zhu Xiaotong wanted to get closer to Li Yan and put on a surprised and excited face as she approached. She exclaimed, “Wow… what a beautiful cake, Bai Xue! You’re great at choosing colors and decorations. I just love blue!”
Li Yan instinctively stepped back to avoid Zhu Xiaotong’s obvious advances. He looked at her attire with a sense of disdain. It was clear that her intentions weren’t about celebrating Bai Xue’s birthday.
Bai Xue observed Zhu Xiaotong deliberately trying to get closer to Li Yan, while also mentioning that she loved the color blue. Bai Xue’s face darkened. She mockingly said, “Since you love it so much, feel free to eat the whole cake later.”
Zhu Xiaotong clearly understood the implication behind Bai Xue’s words but remained unfazed. She responded, “Bai Xue, you can’t deceive me like that. Desserts might be delicious and visually appealing, but eating too much will make you gain weight. 1 won’t fall for it, but I’d still like to have a taste.”
Bai Xue was almost infuriated. Zhu Xiaotong knew how to play along and replied, “Alright, then 1’11 reward you with a small piece later.”
When Zhu Xiaotong heard the word “reward,” she hesitated. She initially wanted to argue back but eventually realized that Bai Xue had ignored her. Bai Xue, with Li Yan accompanying her, stood in front of the cake and sang the birthday song.
This sight deeply affected Zhu Xiaotong. She was tempted to smash the cake in Bai Xue’s face but ultimately reminded herself not to do so.
As the song concluded, Bai Xue made her wish and blew out the candles. Then, the lights in the banquet hall were turned back on.
Bai Xue handed the knife to Li Yan and asked playfully, “Li Yan, how about you make the first cut?”
Li Yan didn’t refuse and accepted the knife. With skill, he cut a piece of cake and walked over to Jiang Ling’er. He presented the cake to her.
Jiang Ling’er hesitated but didn’t take the cake. She looked at Li Yan meaningfully and said, “Have you ever accepted anything from me?”
Li Yan had never accepted anything from Jiang Ling’er, and she reminded him of that with an air of profound meaning.
It was her way of making Li Yan experience the same embarrassment the original owner of the body had felt in the past. It was a moment of sweet revenge.
Li Yan suddenly felt embarrassed and could only smile wryly. He hadn’t expected Jiang Ling’er to show him absolutely no face.
Li Yan was momentarily unsure of what to do. Li Yu came over and said with a smile, “Since it’s for Ling’er, 1’11 help carry it for her..”