Chapter 36 Falling into His Embrace after a Bout of Dizziness (1/2)
The invitation that the Bai family received clearly indicated his and A Miao's name. Furthermore, it was explicitly written that the two of them must attend together or none could enter.
When he first saw the invitation, he nearly tore it apart. It was his grandmother who gave him a scolding.
”Shen Xinglan has invited all the large families of the upper class. You're not going? Aren't you clearly telling people that our family is unhappy with him?”
Naturally, A Miao was not afraid of his threat. She was about to throw him out when she heard Bai Youran say,
”Your grandfather places great importance on this banquet. If you don't want him to beat you up, you better cooperate with me. Otherwise, neither of us will live well tonight.”
”Must I go?” A Miao noticed that something was off. ”Does… Does this mean that you can't go if I don't?”
Bai Youran waved his hand impatiently. ”Why do you care so much? Hurry up and change.” Once he was done speaking, he threw the door close and walked out.
”Shen Xinglan… What are you trying to do?” A Miao sat there, dumbfounded. She was certain that this was that guy's work. Otherwise, the Xia family would never allow her to attend this banquet.
”Forget it.” She shook her head. ”I can sneak back after being seen.”
She had just measured her body temperature a few minutes ago. Her fever had not subsided completely. If her condition truly worsened, she would just faint on the spot and give them all a scare!
Since A Miao deliberately took her time, Xia Wan was already gone by the time she went downstairs. She heard that Shen Xinglan had even gone as far as to send his men to pick Xia Wan up.
”What a joke!” Xia Mei, who stood inside the living room, sneered at her. ”Don't tell me that you're really planning to attend the banquet with your shaven head.”
Bai Youran was also stupefied. He did not expect her to look like this. It was no wonder this woman wore a cap inside her room earlier!
”Damn it! Where's your hair?”
A Miao shrugged. ”It's too hot recently, so I shaved it.”
”Brother Youran, you'll humiliate yourself if you take her.” Xia Mei's gaze shifted as she shouted at A Miao. ”Hey, take off your dress. I'll go in your stead.”
”Sounds good!” A Miao turned her head to look sideways at Bai Youran. ”I'll go back to my room and change.”
Bai Youran stopped her. ”No. Let's go like this.”
”Brother Youran!” Xia Mei cried in disbelief. ”Have you gone mad?”
A Miao nodded fervently. ”Yes! He's gone mad!”
”Shut up! Come with me.” Bai Youran turned around, opened the door, and walked out.
Xia Mei stamped her feet in frustration. A Miao turned around to wave at her.
Bai Youran would rather have Xia Mei go with him but Shen Xinglan had met A Miao. If he switched his companion to Xia Mei, who knew what would happen later?
”Give her a wig.” On their way to the banquet, Bai Youran brought A Miao to an image consultation saloon. At least she would arrive at the banquet with a head of long hair.
In any case, no one would go and touch another person's hair. No one would know it was fake either.
”Boss, Bai Youran is here.” Shen I pushed the door and entered. ”The young lady from the Xia family has also asked me about your whereabouts several times.”
Shen Xinglan was dressed in a black suit, but that also appeared to be his only color. Today, his outfit was decorated with a collar button and cufflinks of a sapphire blue color.
Under the light, the rhombus-shaped blue diamond refracted the lightwaves to form a bright glint. It gave the originally subdued black hue a luxurious yet tasteful elegance.
”Is everything ready?” He stood up.
Shen I, who trailed behind him, nodded. ”The person is already placed inside the room. They'll make their move soon.”
”There's finally a talented person in the Xia family, but unfortunately he targeted the wrong person. He shouldn't have schemed against me.”
Shen I pursed his lips as he watched his boss enter the ballroom. ”Xia Fan is obviously targeting A Miao; since when did he target you, boss…”
Inside the ballroom, all the prominent figures in City S had come. Shen Xinglan had always kept a low profile. When he made his return all those years ago, he did not even make a public appearance. Many people would be meeting him for the first time today.
”Mr. Shen!” Under several women's envious, jealous, and hateful gaze, Xia Wan walked toward Shen Xinglan to occupy the space beside him. ”Thank you for inviting me. I… I'm very happy!”
The bashfulness and mirth of a beautiful woman were easily able to tug at one's heartstrings. Bai Youran, who had just arrived, happened to come across this scene.
”Walk a little faster.” He clenched his fist and glared hatefully at A Miao.
This was A Miao's first time wearing such formal clothing. Her high heels were not the right size either. She endured the pain as she placed her feet on the ground. When she heard Bai Youran's words, she showed him no courtesy and retorted, ”Go ahead if you're fast.”
”Stay in a corner quietly. When the banquet is over, I'll send you home.” Bai Youran was frantic about finding Xia Wan. Since he had entered the ballroom, he had no need to accompany this woman anymore.
”Bon voyage. I won't be seeing you off.” A Miao turned around and walked toward the corner.
After finally finding a spot in the corner to sit down, she sighed and rubbed her ankles. Then she felt a burst of pain on her temples.
”Oh, it's burning again.” She touched her forehead and asked the waiter for a glass of mineral water.
Xia Wan was still talking to Shen Xinglan but the latter responded with either an aloof nod or a snort.
”Mr. Shen, what are you looking at?” She looked in the direction of Shen Xinglan's gaze.
Shen Xinglan immediately turned his head and pointed in another direction. “Is he coming for you?”
Stunned, Xia Wan turned around.
”Wanwan!” Bai Youran looked at her, beaming.
Xia Wan's body stiffened. She blurted out, ”Where's A Miao?”
”Why are you bringing her up?” Bai Youran replied impatiently. ”How would I know?”
”Youran, she's your female companion as well as your fiancee. How can you ignore her?” Xia Wan laughed softly. If someone was paying attention to her, they would have noticed how tightly clenched her fist was.