Yan Xinxin forcefully pulled away from Xiao Yiran’s grasp, her steps unsteady as she stumbled back against the wall.
Xiao Yiran reached out, trying to steady her, but Yan Xinxin dodged him.
"Honestly, I feel bad for you. You’re so beautiful and talented, but following that Crown Prince? Such a waste."
Xiao Yiran withdrew his hand, his words carrying a hidden meaning.
"With Mo Chuxi, you’ll always be nothing more than his secret lover. But if you’re with me, I’ll make sure the world knows who you really are."
Yan Xinxin felt she couldn’t comprehend this man’s thought process.
Xiao Yiran laughed at her words, taking a few steps forward until he stood before Yan Xinxin again.
"I think starting today, I might actually develop an illness."
He lowered his voice.
"Yan Xinxin, I’ve fallen for you at first sight."
Yan Xinxin shot Xiao Yiran a furious glare and decisively turned away.
Watching Yan Xinxin’s graceful figure gradually disappear into the distance, Xiao Yiran stared with a playful glint in his eyes for a moment before picking up his phone. He then tapped on a video he had just recorded.
"It really does look so soft..."
Xiao Yiran muttered to himself, his hand brushing against his own lips.
Yan Xinxin walked out through the side door, unwittingly finding herself outside the banquet hall.
The dazzling crystal lights stretched on endlessly. Yan Xinxin lifted her gaze, suddenly overcome by a familiar yet disorienting feeling.
Her steps halted abruptly, and she raised a hand to steady herself against the wall. One by one, her pale fingers curled inward, while the expression on her delicate face began to change.
Universal Star International Hotel.
How could she have forgotten...
Earlier in the banquet hall, Mo Chuxi had noticed Yan Xinxin leave on her own. He followed her, and upon seeing her gripping the wall with clenched fists, he strode forward with purposeful steps.
"Yan Xinxin, what are you doing here?"
Facing Mo Chuxi’s sudden appearance, Yan Xinxin remained unusually calm, only parting her lips to utter these four words.
Mo Chuxi frowned in confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
"Five years ago, it was here..."
As Yan Xinxin spoke, a crease formed between her brows.
Soon, her eyes brimmed with heat, reddening with unshed tears.
"That man hurt me here. He made Xi grow up without a father, a single child parented by me. And he took away..."
Yan Xinxin hesitated, catching herself mid-sentence, realizing her emotions were on the verge of slipping out. She hurriedly sniffed and lifted her face.
"Mo Chuxi, when will we be able to head back?"
Recalling that Xiao Yiran still had some unfinished business planned in the banquet hall, Mo Chuxi hesitated briefly. However, seeing Yan Xinxin looking a bit drained, he decided there was no reason to linger any longer.
"We’ll leave right now."
With decisive resolve, he reached out and took her hand.
"Mo Chuxi, is it okay for us to leave ?"
"There are so many reporters in there. If they write about me attending the banquet with you..."
"Then you can enjoy what it’s like to top the trending charts."
"...I absolutely won’t!"
Yan Xinxin flatly refused.
Once they returned to the apartment, the first thing Yan Xinxin did was check her son’s room. She found that little Yan Chenxi was not there.
"Xi will be back tomorrow. I had a pretty young lady look after him. I think he’s probably having a lot of fun today."
Before Yan Xinxin could say anything, Mo Chuxi seemed to anticipate her questions as if he had a Mind Reading Technique, promptly addressing her concerns.
She pressed her lips together lightly, then slowly walked toward the kitchen.
"I didn’t eat much back there. I want to cook some noodles. Want some?"
"I am feeling a little hungry."
Mo Chuxi replied, moving in leisurely strides until he stood behind Yan Xinxin. He reached out and wrapped his arms around her petite frame.