At this point, Wen Xinya had already finished a piece of fragrant, smooth and soft floral cake which tasted like chocolate but was much more heavenly.
Wen Xinya had two cakes in a row. Feeling a little parched, Wen Xinya picked up her teacup and took a small sip of tea, its aroma lingering in her mouth and mixing with the fragrance of the sweet floral cake to give a delectable flavor.
The floral cakes served by Boya Pavilion truly live up to their reputation. It tastes amazing when combined with tea.
Xia Ruya took a glance at her before looking away as an icy cold gaze formed in her eyes.
The toxic effects of jimsonweed would begin spreading within her body in about ten minutes’ time. Wen Xinya would first begin to experience a sudden wave of excitement which was less mild than that of the kick of drugs. It would then spread to her cerebrum and give her an extra boost that would help her win the talent showdown.
After the wave of excitement, Wen Xinya would begin feeling fatigued and illusory. Then, she would not be able to win against Lin Yingxin when the latter challenged her to a showdown.
By the time Wen Xinya lost the showdown, the toxic effects of jimsonweed would go into full swing.
Of course, Wen Xinya had no idea what Xia Ruya was planning.
At this moment, Du Ruoxin cast a peculiar glance at the floral cake in front of Wen Xinya and asked with a complicated expression, “Are the floral cakes nice?”
Wen Xinya answered calmly, “You have to taste it to know whether it tastes great or not.”
Wen Xinya glanced at the untouched snacks and tea in front of Du Ruoxin with glistening eyes.
Honestly speaking, Du Ruoxin was rather difficult to read and she should have been speaking to Wen Xinya in a hostile manner since they had been in several conflicts. Logically speaking, there was no way for them to have a calm conversation. Hence, Wen Xinya decided to ignore her even though they sat beside each other. However, Du Ruoxin repeatedly tried to strike a conversation with her.
On top of that, she had been talking to her about the floral cakes and asking her if they tasted good.
She seemed to be very interested in floral cakes but did not want to try them herself.
Du Ruoxin took another glance at the half-eaten floral cakes in front of Wen Xinya before snorting with laughter. She sneered. “Do you think I’m as naive and ignorant as you as to be unable to differentiate between what I should and should not eat!?!”
Du Ruoxin had a derisive smirk on her face, unable to hide her contempt.
Wen Xinya’s heart sank and she asked, “What do you mean!?!”
Wen Xinya tightened her grip on the teacup, her knuckles turning a little pale. Du Ruoxin seemed to be a little crazy and overly self-righteous, but Wen Xinya felt that there must have been some truth to her words.
She thought about the words that Du Ruoxin had said previously: “… unlike someone who looks pure like a fairy but has a hideous heart!”
She was obviously referring to Xia Ruya.
Wen Xinya cocked her head towards the side, only to hold Lin Yingxin’s gaze.
Wen Xinya’s gaze was gloomy while Lin Yingxin’s eyes were glistening.
Lin Yingxin’s heart dropped and she began panting heavily. Wen Xinya’s eyes were so dark and gloomy as if she could suck Lin Yingxin’s soul.
She pretended to look away nonchalantly but could not hide her anxiety at all.
She initially only heard Du Ruoxin and Wen Xinya speaking to each other softly, which she found to be strange because the two of them had clearly just had a feud with each other. Hence, it was impossible that they would have a conversation.
In a moment of curiousness, she decided to take a few more glances.
Yet, Wen Xinya caught her staring.
Although she was openly looking at Wen Xinya, the eye contact made her feel as if she were committing a crime.
Du Ruoxin noticed the brief exchange between Wen Xinya and Lin Yingxin, after which a look of contempt formed on her face.
Wen Xinya shifted her gaze onto Du Ruoxin.
Perhaps having gotten annoyed by her staring, Du Ruo said in displeasure, “It’s up to you to decide what it means.”
She then stopped talking to Wen Xinya and grabbed a piece of fruit which she started munching on.
Wen Xinya did not look too well and suddenly realized that Du Ruoxin had never once touched the snacks and tea in front of her.
Doesn’t that mean that they’re inedible?
Clearly, I’m the one being targeted.
So, that means that the snacks and tea have been tampered with, and Du Ruoxin was just giving me a reminder by deliberately not eating them.
However, she could not understand why Du Ruoxin waited until she was done with consuming the snacks and tea before reminding her.
Does Du Ruoxin genuinely want to help me? Or is she out to gloat over my misfortune? Or is she just trying to use this chance to eliminate me, her ultimate competitor, so that she can shine during the gala?
The spiking of the food and tea is probably the main part of Xia Ruya and Lin Yingxin’s scheme.
But, what’s wrong with the snacks and tea?
The gala is hosted by the owner of the Boya Pavilion. Since they could spike my snacks and drinks, the owner is definitely involved in their scheme too.
Wen Xinya’s mind was sent into a state of frenzy and she could not help but feel flustered and anxious, for she was unsure of what they had added to the food and drinks.
I was too careless today. I should have known from the start that Lin Yingxin and Xia Ruya were colluding to plot against me. The owner’s attitude did make me keep my guard up, but I didn’t expect that they’d harm me so openly.
Does this mean that they’re not afraid of being exposed at all?
Or could it be that no one would even find out?
This thought made her face grow increasingly sullen. However, at the same time, she also gave it even more thought. If it’s a drug that no one will discover… that means that there are not that many possibilities. If they were to use an aphrodisiac or a laxative, the effects would definitely show and they wouldn’t be able to explain it.
The only possibility is that the drugs won’t result in any obvious bodily reactions, and could very likely be a slow-acting drug.
Wen Xinya felt a sudden sense of relief as she realized that things were not as terrible as she had thought because the matter had not escalated that tremendously yet.
However, she took a glance at Du Ruocin who was beside her!
The person whom I ought to be the most careful of should be her! She managed to observe and see through everything, but yet, she could still stay out of it and keep an ambiguous stand.
