She raised her head and met Yang Nian’s eyes. There seemed to be a meaningful glint under the calm surface of his gaze.
Yao Tang’s hold tightened around the cup, so much so that it almost cracked.
She frowned and spoke slowly. “I am not your fiancée.”
“It’s all right,” Yang Niansaid, his tone helpless, his expression ardent. “If you don’t want to acknowledge our engagement yet, that’s fine with me.
“To tell everyone the truth, the engagement was set before Yao Tangand I were even born, so it’s understandable that she had yet to accept me. I had dinner with theYao familyin hopes that I may develop our relationship. As forYao Ran, I see her as my cousin, and my concern for her springs from my care forYao Tang.”
He swept a gaze at the busybodies who had been discussing their presumptions earlier. “I’m sure you’ve all seen how Yao Ran’s clothes were soaked with red wine. As the host of tonight’s event, it is my duty to take care of her.
“Unfortunately, she tripped and sprained her ankle just as she entered the guest room. Feel free to check the surveillance tapes if you are curious enough to want to check.
“As for why I didn’t call for a servant to carry her inside, you may have noticed that there are none here on the second floor. Moreover, all the maids are busy attending to the event downstairs. Even if I did find a servant around here, I doubt I would have risked making the situation any worse.
“I hope you understand now. I am only doing my duty as the host, making sure that my guests are well taken care of. Nothing happened between Yao Ranand me. We are nothing more than friends.”
He then turned to Yao Ranand asked, “Isn’t that right, CousinYao Ran?”
Yang Nian already had his suspicions regarding this series of coincidences. They were much too convenient if one were to spark a rumor. He knew that someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
And one of the things he hated the most in the world was to be the subject of another person’s devious schemes.
After the way things had turned out, he naturally didn’t want to be forced into admitting that there was anything between him and Yao Ran.
And as to his sudden declaration about being engaged to Yao Tang, he had done it out of his own selfish interests.
Yao Ran’s breath caught in her throat as she stared at Yang NianHe was so calm and unaffected as he called her “Cousin”. She felt as though her heart had stopped beating.
She had thought of all the possibilities when she had been in the bathroom, but not once had she considered him admitting that he was engaged.
Worst of all was that he had publicly named Yao Tangas his fiancée!
Her plans were falling into pieces.
She had thought about this setup from every angle and had projected possible outcomes, yet in the end, her efforts were all in vain.
Yang Nian’s gaze bore into her, and Yao Ranfelt a twinge of fear.
“Why aren’t you saying anything, Cousin Yao Ran?” he prodded. “Ah, is your ankle still hurting?”
But Yao Ranstill couldn’t find the words to say.
Her hands clenched into fists as her body turned cold. She had always thought of Yang Nianas a kind gentleman, assmoothand polished as the most perfect piece of jade.
Only now did it occur to her that he was no mere high school student, but the young master of the Yang family. He was set to be the future leader of his clan.
Needless to say, he was far from a simple person.
It was her mistake for underestimating him all this time.
Now that things had come to this, there was nothing she could do to change the past. She could only push forward with her plans and hope for the best.
Yao Ran took a deep breath. The corners of her eyes gradually reddened, and a few seconds later, they were brimming with tears. She spoke in a tone filled with grievance.
“You are right, Young Master Yang. Since you likeSister Tang, I… I will gladly give you my blessing. Everything that happened just now is all my fault. I shall bear the blame….”
She paused now and then for added effect, and kept her head down to look even more pitiful.
She even went as far as to swipe at her tears and sniff loudly.
Yao Ran’s words were still ambiguous, though, which only gave more room for speculation.
And sure enough, her miserable appearance helped a lot in steering their thoughts in the direction that she wanted.
The presumptions started to get more dramatic by the minute.
The guests began to discuss how Yao RanwasYang Nian’s original fiancée, but because he preferredYao Tang, then the candidate had to be changed.
Then, before their conjectures could get any wilder, a cold voice spoke out.
