Chapter 59 Crisis at the Gala (1/2)
”Hm?” Bai Lu was about to introduce A Miao to her friends when she spotted Shen Xinglan. ”Oh dear, it's President Shen. A Miao, do you want to...”
”There's no need.” A Miao looked away and missed the sight of Shen Xinglan pushing the woman beside him away with a disgusted expression.
None of the notable young ladies present at the gala were simple characters. They could determine A Miao's identity from this exchange alone.
”Is this the future young madam of the Ji Conglomerate?” One of them, a haughty-looking woman, sized up A Miao with a quick glance and then sneered.
”Lulu, how can she compare to you? Is there something wrong with President Shen's taste?”
A Miao rolled her eyes. She turned toward Bai Lu and saw the latter holding onto her hand, anxious to explain herself.
”Don't listen to their nonsense. I'm not close to President Shen at all. We once had a brief conversation at a banquet but they kept joking about it.”
A Miao flashed her a faint smile. ”I believe you.”
”Hehe!” Bai Lu's expression appeared a little unnatural. Even though she swiftly concealed her expression, A Miao nevertheless detected it.
”So... your goal is Shen Xinglan!”
”You two are sure interesting to attend the gala separately,” said another woman. She glanced at Zhou Xiao. ”Your friend has been looking around all night. What is she looking for?”
A Miao's expression darkened. Beside her, Zhou Xiao awkwardly tried to explain herself.
”No... No... I... I'm just looking at how pretty your dresses are.”
”Nonsense. Do you know how expensive they are?”
The women evidently looked down on Zhou Xiao. They nodded at Bai Lu and said, ”We'll be going over to that side. You might be able to lower yourself to accompany them but we can't afford to shame ourselves like this.”
However, for some reason, Zhou Xiao suddenly stepped forward and spilled the red beverage in her hand all over another woman's evening dress.
”Ah!” the woman screeched.
Zhou Xiao was so terrified that her face paled. ”I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't do it on purpose. I...” She raised her hand, trying to wipe the woman's dress but the latter pushed her away firmly. ”Don't touch me!”
”Crash!” With a twist of her body, Zhou Xiao instinctively grabbed the table next to her and ended up pulling the tablecloth, along with the plate of fruits on it, to the floor.
Everyone's eyes focused on the scene. The woman, who had her dress stained with Zhou Xiao's beverage, yelled for the guards.
”Stay calm, Miss Liu. I'll take you to change now. Don't make things difficult for them.” Bai Lu appeared panicked but her gaze flitted in another direction as she apologized.
When A Miao saw the security guard grab Zhou Xiao, she instinctively looked at Shen Xinglan in a moment of helplessness. She saw the man lowering his head to talk to the woman beside him. He looked up to look at her as if he had noticed her gaze.
A Miao shot him a pleading look but Shen Xinglan turned around leisurely and left with that woman.
”Oh dear! What's going on?” A frivolous voice drifted over. A young man dressed in a pink suit walked over to them.
Bai Lu greeted the man with an awkward expression. ”Just a small misunderstanding. You don't have to concern yourself with it, Young Master Qian. Go and have fun!”
The man called Young Master Qian grinned. ”Tsk, tsk, tsk. Look at you girls. Isn't it just a dress? I'll compensate you on her behalf!”
”There's no need,” A Miao immediately said. The man with oily hair and a powdered face was clearly bad news.
Bai Lu also agreed with A Miao. ”You don't have to trouble yourself, Young Master Qian. We've solved the issue.”
Young Master Qian acted as if he didn't hear them. He told the unlucky woman, ”Pick out a dress at my family's mall tomorrow. Pick whatever you like!”
”Hehehe!” The woman immediately smiled. ”Then thank you, Young Master Qian.”
The women glared at A Miao before turning around and leaving. Bai Lu followed Miss Liu to change her outfit. A Miao and Zhou Xiao stayed in place and for a moment, neither of them knew what to do.
”Aren't you going to let go of this young lady?” Young Master Qian glared at the security guard. The latter immediately nodded and bowed before departing.
Still panicking, Zhou Xiao thanked the man. ”T... Thank you!”
Shen Xinglan had been watching everything unfold from behind, his dark pupils concealing all of his emotions.
”Then I'll make the arrangements as per your order, Boss.” The woman who had accompanied Shen Xinglan tonight noticed that her boss seemed to be in a poor mood. She felt as if she should leave immediately.
Shen Xinglan waved his hand. He stared at Zhou Xiao, who was being dragged away, as well as A Miao, who was closely following her friend.
”Fool!” He couldn't help opening his mouth.
The girl named Zhou Xiao had gotten herself into trouble time and time again. He had wanted to teach her a lesson lest she kept getting that dumb woman involved. He didn't expect a young master to step up to solve the issue.
”Mister, please let go.” A Miao tried her best to pull Zhou Xiao away. The latter had quite a few drinks.
Young Master Qian pushed A Miao aside. ”Aren't you Shen Xinglan's fiancee? Go and look for him! Don't disturb us!”
”Mister, she can't drink anymore. Please let go of her.” A Miao seized the glass of wine from him. Young Master Qiao was already tipsy in the first place. When he saw this, he instantly raised his hand to hit A Miao.
”You want to hit her?” The gloomy voice accompanied a stretched arm.
Young Master Qian looked stunned but swiftly sobered up. ”President Shen?”
A Miao didn't look at Shen Xinglan at all. She pulled a completely drunk Zhou Xiao to her. She hugged the latter's waist and got ready to leave.
”Hehe, looks like you haven't even settled your own woman, President Shen!” Young Master Qian wore a dirty grin. ”Do you need me to teach you a few tricks?”
Shen Xinglan's expression darkened. ”Mind your own business.”
Every few steps Zhou Xiao took, she would push A Miao away. ”I need the washroom.”
When A Miao saw that her friend had become clear-headed, she asked in concern, ”Are you feeling better?”
Zhou Xiao shook her head. ”I'm fine! Wait for me here.”