Chapter 22: It Is Her Problem

The atmosphere turned subtle for a moment. Song Zigui quickly composed herself, feigning innocence as she said, "Sister Deling, what are you talking about? I don't understand what you mean."

"You know exactly what I mean." Deling pulled her hand away from Zigui's grip. "I don't think there is any need for us to be this close, considering we share no blood ties."

By the time Deling heard footsteps, Ye Hongxiao had already approached. The lingering traces of annoyance on her face were caught by him in full view.

"Anger born of shame, lashing out at a pretext?"

Coming from a distinguished background, Ye Hongxiao had been imbued with a sense of refined, icy aloofness since childhood. Even when silent, he carried an inherent air of intimidation. At this moment, his eyes were sharp and piercing, making him appear even more cold and distant.

Deling suppressed her emotions and looked at Ye Hongxiao calmly. "You flatter me, Mr. Ye. I am not angry; I was merely speaking the truth."

Seeing Ye Hongxiao catch up, Song Zigui immediately put on a wronged expression, asking in a low voice, "Brother Ye, did I do something wrong again? Sister Deling seems unhappy with me."

Deling glanced at the displeased Ye Hongxiao. She had no desire to continue this conversation with Zigui; anything more would only make him despise her further. Winning a momentary verbal victory would yield no positive outcome.

She turned and headed toward a corner. Behind her, she heard the sound of Zigui choking back sobs, followed by Ye Hongxiao’s low, consoling voice: "It is not your fault."

"But Sister Deling seems so angry. It’s all my fault. I’m not good enough. I know Sister Deling doesn't like me, but I truly hope we can become real sisters..."

"It’s her own problem."

Deling paused for a heartbeat, then walked on without stopping.

Not until she reached the terrace and felt the cool night air did the tightness in her chest begin to ease.

She spent a long moment calming herself until the turbulent emotions within finally settled. Just as she was about to return to the banquet hall to find Shen Qingfeng, she heard another voice she loathed from behind her.

"You return home and don't even bother to see your Aunt Song? Hiding away here—what kind of behavior is that? You have no manners at all!"

"Are you sure she actually wants to see me?" Deling turned to face her father, Chen Fusheng. "We both know the truth of the matter, so stop beating around the bush. If you have something to say, just say it!"

"If you want to see Shen Qingfeng, then behave yourself! Do as your Aunt Song wishes, and you won't be wronged." Chen Fusheng stood at a distance from Deling, yet she could clearly see the impatient expression on his face—the exact same one from her memories.

She gave a cold laugh. "Which playboy are you planning to pawn me off to this time? Isn't she afraid that I might again..."

"Enough! Decide for yourself what you are going to do. When you have made up your mind, come find me downstairs." With that, he turned and walked away, as if Deling were some kind of plague.

Deling stood silently in the night. Nightmare-like images flashed through her mind, causing her to shiver involuntarily. She slowly hugged her arms to her chest, as if she could warm herself that way.

Down in the courtyard, the cocktail party had begun. Song Chunmei and Chen Fusheng stood on the stage, speaking of their hopes for Song Zigui’s future, while their precious daughter, Zigui, looked at Ye Hongxiao beside her with a radiant smile.

In this moment, within the Song family mansion, happiness had nothing to do with Deling.

The humiliation of being coerced, mingled with the desperate urge to see Shen Qingfeng, left Deling deeply unsettled. Needing time to think through her next steps, she took the side stairs of the terrace down to the garden behind the house.

She did not expect, however, to encounter someone there whom she should never have met.