Xia Mengxi began to shake when her eyes met with Yang Feng's. She was overwhelmed by his presence and authority. All he had to do was lightly stomp his feet and the Zheng's would start trembling in their shoes… He was not a man she dared to offend.
"G-good evening, Mr. Yang." She nervously responded, not sure what she should do. Was he angry that she did not address him? She realized many of the women also didn't do so, but Ling Fulei did, and she figured it was all that mattered.
"Did I say you have the right to utter my name?"
At his words, she felt a bucket of cold water splash onto her. Without the protection of Zheng Tianyi, she couldn't stand her ground. Even if he was here, she realized, they would never be able to match his presence…
An idea came into her mind. She debated it and decided against it, for it would be too suspicious if she suddenly changed her character. She figured it would be best to please him discreetly and take it slow, as she had done with Zheng Tianyi.
"I-I apologize…" At her sugar-sweet voice, beckoningly smooth as the gentlest wind of spring, and wronged-expression, many of the men turning their head towards the conversation could feel a tug at their heart. Hearing such a pitiful yet enticingly adorable voice, any normal man would want to help her, especially when it was combined with her distressed expression, the way her lovely brows became furrowed, she easily captured the heart of the people.
Yang Feng looked at her with disgust. "Then scram." He seethed, hating these types of women the most.
So weak and demure, what was the point of them? After protecting a woman so much, a man would eventually get tired of pathetic white lotuses like her.
Xia Mengxi was stunned to the core. She had put her best foot forward, the same way she had done with Zheng Tianyi. She blinked and realized how wrong her behavior was. I-I, was I acting like a white lotus just now?
She paused, placing hate on herself for behaving like the type of woman she strived hard not to be. She didn't want to be a white lotus, but when one was so poor in front of the wealthy, that behavior of hers just came out naturally.
"You've already seduced Zheng Tianyi, do you need to do the same to Yang Feng now?" Zhao Lifei finally spoke up, her words causing a light hum in the air.
The crowd sided with her. Many of the socialites felt as if Xia Mengxi did not deserve her title. Just because she was much kinder and less problematic than Zhao Lifei's own reign, this woman was unable to stand her ground. If she could not shoulder the burden that came with being the center of attention, the very woman that every socialite weighted her words on, why should she rule over them?
"Did I really seduce Tianyi when all I did was save him from a loveless marriage?" Xia Mengxi's sharp tongue earned her a few agreements.
Many of the men here could not pursuit who they loved because their parents constantly forced marriage contracts upon them. There was a few who fell in love with women, but because her status was not up to par and because they were too weak to defy the power of the elders, not many heirs got their happy-ever-afters.
"Is this how you justify your scheming ways?" Zhao Lifei paused, "But I do have to thank you. Because you snatched the coal, I was able to gain a diamond." She grabbed Yang Feng's hand, but he surprised her by releasing it, only to clasp their fingers together.
Yang Feng was overwhelmed with happiness at her words. She thought he was a diamond? A small, tranquil smile settled onto his lips. His grumpy expression easily changed at her words. He resisted the urge to suddenly hug her and ask for a kiss like a spoilt brat.
Xia Mengxi narrowed her eyes. A coal? You dare to compare my husband to a piece of burnt firewood?! She fumed on the inside, but did not dare to insult her in public, especially when Yang Feng was standing right beside her. This man only had to tilt his head and her entire family would disappear in the blink of an eye!
"It's not polite to insult people…" She had intentions of scolding Zhao Lifei, but with her calm delivery, one would think she was simply voicing her opinion.
"The truth hurts, get over it." Zhao Lifei's arrogant reply did not surprise the people. They were used to this behavior of hers, but they were taken back by Xia Mengxi's sudden desire to argue with Zhao Lifei.
Wasn't Xia Mengxi too passive and the type to end arguments, not join or start them? Everyone's perspective and opinion of her was beginning to change.
Ling Fulei took a sip of his wine, amused and impressed at how she carried herself. He knew the goody-two-shoes always had a flare in her, but he had never witnessed it in its full glory.
When she was in high school, she was always too bold for her own good and he figured it was because she was simply following the teacher's orders. But who would've known, she was actually a spitball filled with comebacks?
When he saw another crowd was slowly beginning to form, he decided to break up the conversation. He motioned to his men who started the fireworks. When the first burst rose into the sky, the people's attention was quickly diverted to it. They marveled its beauty, clapping, and celebrating under the bright lights.
Xia Mengxi could no longer stand this banquet and took the chance of the distracted crowd to pick up her bag and leave. Tonight was beyond embarrassing for her, but she vowed to one day take revenge.
Afterward, the crowd dispersed and the banquet went back as usual. The people freely chattered, completely unbothered by what had just happened. Lively talks reoccurred as the air was, once again, easy to breathe in and filled with light conversation. Laughters could be heard while Ling Fulei mingled around, people eager to speak to him.
Zhao Lifei gave Xiao Nai a good pat on the head before bidding the child goodbye.
Ling Yunai was reluctant to leave but with her brother dragging her away to meet her curfew, she had no choice.
Zhao Lifei was about to end the night as well, until something caught her gaze in the corner of her eyes. She turned, her eyes growing wide.
She was surprised to see it was Song Qiuyu who had mysteriously disappeared for quite some time. Her complex was ghostly ill and she was incredibly skinny, her cheekbones standing out so much, she looked like a walking skeleton. There were a few bald spots on her head that she tried to desperately cover with her hairstyle, but it was clear as day.
The woman, however, was not dressed in a fancy gown nor was she sporting the latest accessories. She was walking around with her shoulders hunched over, dressed in the same outfit as the employees walking around with trays of drinks or finger food.
"Don't spend your time looking at vile things." Yang Feng's somber voice startled her. She was so lost staring at Song Qiuyu, she completely forgot he was standing with her.
"Did you do this?" She whispered, raising her head to look at him and found he was staring at her the entire time, his eyes never leaving her.
Zhao Lifei had heard reports that Song Qiuyu was the one who sent her the replica blue dress at Linhua's banquet, but she didn't think the woman's consequence would be this harsh.
"Yes." Yang Feng answered, attempting to guide her out of the banquet, but she was rooted to the ground.
"Why?"
His eyes narrowed at the question. What did she mean why? That woman did horrible things to her and she was feeling guilty now? Did she not know, being kind to your enemies was betraying yourself.
"She was the reason for your humiliation at your younger sister's banquet. Not only did she send you that hideous gown, but she had her little subordinates poison your drink. You ended up at the hospital because of her."
"She was the one who poisoned me…?" Zhao Lifei was surprised to hear this. She always knew Song Qiuyu was a scheming woman but didn't think she would go out of her way just to ruin her life. Why couldn't she let go of the past? What point was there in holding grudges? The more one would hold onto the pain, the worse it would harm them.
She also remembered hearing the downfall of the Song Empire a couple of days after Linhua's banquet. Her head snapped back to Yang Feng, wondering if he had a say in it.
He actually figured what she was going to ask of him and said, "I was not the primary cause for their bankruptcy."
The Song Family was caught for bribing the police and on top of it, was exploiting the poor workers in their factories by overworking them, but never paying them for the extra hours. When this was revealed to the media, the company greatly suffered and with a little push from Yang Feng, the castle of cards all came tumbling down.
Yang Feng's team was in charge of ensuring the family was specifically mocked in the media that one tiny conflict was enough to end their legacy. How weak was their foundation for it to be easily destroyed?
Zhao Lifei remained quiet, her eyes shifting to Song Qiuyu who despite her current state, appeared to still boss around the workers by roughly shoving them.
Yang Feng bent his head and grabbed her cheek, pressing a slow kiss to it. "This is only the beginning of the downfall for the people who have harmed you…" He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek again. "From now on, they will suffer a hundredfold more than the pain they've caused upon you."
