Yang Junze was doused once more, losing all face, and this time he was on the verge of exploding.
But even faster, SMACK! A slap landed squarely on his face.
"You damn fool, daring to deceive me, Ouyang Jiu? You must be tired of living!" the socialite Ouyang Jiu said coldly. She then turned to a nearby waiter, pointing at Yang Junze and Hua Xiaomo. "Someone, throw these two out for me!"
Witnessing this sudden scene, Mo Rutian's eyes turned cold. "Don't touch her!"
"Who dares touch her!" Almost simultaneously, another voice rang out.
Then, a man strode confidently into this previously unremarkable corner. At that moment, Qi Longbing finally had a clear view of her.
Her delicate and exquisite face instantly flushed crimson. Under everyone's gaze, embarrassment filled her eyes, and for a moment, the atmosphere turned somewhat stiff.
"Xiao Mo, you're truly original, coming up with such a method. Are you deliberately trying to make me jealous?" Mo Rutian said with a faint smile. He then stepped forward, intending to grab Hua Xiaomo's hand.
Suddenly, someone else had already snatched her hand. "Her rightful boyfriend is here," Qi Longbing declared possessively.
Mo Rutian was slightly taken aback when he met Qi Longbing's blue eyes. Before he could fully process this, another heavily made-up woman quickly approached from the crowd.
"Long Bing... what are you saying?" Gong Fengjiao could hardly believe her ears. He actually said he was the rightful boyfriend of that waitress?
Qi Longbing glanced at Gong Fengjiao, who looked elegant in her low-cut red evening gown. A humorless smile touched his lips as he said in an extremely cold voice, "Wait a moment. I'll settle accounts with you later..."
Was this birthday party specially prepared for *her*? Ridiculous! How could this woman be so adept at flattering herself! And 'golden boy and jade girl'? It's enough to make one sick!
What should have been beautiful words now carried an ominous undertone, a promise of a reckoning to come. Gong Fengjiao froze on the spot, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"Let's go!" Qi Longbing said, glancing at the "waitress" beside him. This getup really hid her well. If it hadn't been for the commotion just now, I might not have even realized those eyes had been watching this spot the whole time! To think this little woman has started 'stalking' me in secret?
Hua Xiaomo bit her lip and struggled, but he gripped her wrist tightly.
This scene made many of the socialites present burn with envy! Not only that, even Mo Rutian, the second young master of the Mo Family, seemed to favor that woman.
Good heavens! It's enough to drive one mad with jealousy! The most sought-after bachelors, the ones every socialite dreamed of marrying, were all interested in that plain-looking waitress? Who on earth was she? Was she really just a waitress?
At this moment, many of the young socialites were rife with speculation. She had completely stolen their spotlight.
"Qi Longbing, let go of me!" Hua Xiaomo cried out, her wrist aching terribly from his grip.
"Let's go..." Seeing her lack of cooperation, a trace of displeasure crossed Qi Longbing's handsome face, and his deep blue eyes darkened.
Hua Xiaomo stared at this domineering man in front of everyone in the grand hall and shot back, "You tell me to go, so I should go? Who do you think you are?"
Her words immediately caused a considerable stir in the crowd.
"Wow... this woman is so bold..."
"Who on earth is she? How dare she disrespect our Eldest Young Master Qi?"
"This woman must be crazy..."
For a moment, the surrounding chatter was incessant. The atmosphere in the entire venue grew tense. More and more people gathered to watch the spectacle, and the hall seemed to have reached a boiling point.
Instantly, a dangerous, dark expression flickered across Qi Longbing's exceptionally handsome face.
However, a moment later, a cynical smirk played at the corners of his eyes.
"Alright, I was in the wrong today. But you've thrown your tantrum, so your anger should have subsided by now, right?" Qi Longbing said deliberately, a seemingly gentle smile on his face as he gazed at the woman he held. His eyes, however, shimmered with such profound affection that it created an illusion for all who saw it.
This woman really is restless. Does she always stare at him like this? Always hovering around.
His words led onlookers to assume that a playboy had been caught sneaking around by his rightful girlfriend, who had secretly followed him and was now throwing a tantrum. In aristocratic circles, this was merely a rather laughable affair, nothing serious.
"Qi Longbing, what are you talking about, 'tantrum'? Even if I am throwing one, what business is it of yours? Let go of me right now!" Hua Xiaomo exclaimed, her embarrassment turning into anger. What utter nonsense is this guy spouting?
"Still angry? It seems you won't behave unless I teach you a lesson, hmm?" Qi Longbing said with a feigned, easygoing smile. He chuckled, then quickly pulled her by the hand out of the grand hall.
Those remaining in the venue watched them leave with varied expressions, many with gazes so jealous they could have practically burst into flames.
Yang Junze's face alternated between red and white. Not only had he lost his socialite girlfriend, Ouyang Jiu, but what he'd never expected was that Hua Xiaomo had somehow managed to ensnare Qi Longbing of the Qi Family. With her cunning tricks?
At this point, how could he possibly have the face to remain? Dejected and humiliated, he swiftly left the banquet hall.
Supermodel Gong Fengjiao was so furious her face turned pale. Thank goodness no media were invited to this event; otherwise, the consequences would be truly unthinkable.
"Bing… how could you be so heartless as to cheat on me..." Gong Fengjiao clenched her fists tightly, her stunning face contorted with tension, the veins visibly throbbing on her slender arms.
「...」
Hua Xiaomo was escorted downstairs by Qi Longbing, who still wore a faint, unreadable smile, and then unceremoniously stuffed into a luxury car.
"Drive!" His voice was suddenly cold, devoid of the earlier feigned indulgence and tenderness.
"Yes, Boss." The car quickly sped off.
The atmosphere inside the car was suffocating.
Hua Xiaomo was no fool; she could clearly sense the unusually dangerous atmosphere.
"Where are you taking me?" Hua Xiaomo asked, her eyes narrowing and her body tensing further.
Qi Longbing didn't speak, his gaze fixed rigidly out the window, remaining completely silent.
"Stop the car! I want to get out!" Hua Xiaomo demanded. Peering through the window, she realized the route they were taking was becoming increasingly suspicious.
Suddenly, another commanding shout of "Stop the car!" made the driver slam on the brakes. The car, however, came to a remarkably stable stop.
"You, get the hell out!" Qi Longbing didn't even glance at her, his peripheral vision filled with icy contempt. Whatever fleeting amusement he'd felt moments ago vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling coldness that pierced his heart.
Hua Xiaomo's hands clenched into fists. This bastard! Trying to play the aloof, domineering pretty boy with her? Screw him!
Without a moment's hesitation, Hua Xiaomo tugged at the door handle, but it was useless; the doors were still locked.
"I'll give you one chance. Apologize. And I might permit you to like me," Qi Longbing said, his voice devoid of any warmth. He stared out the front window into the dark night. Just then, as if the heavens themselves disapproved, a torrential downpour began.
Hua Xiaomo replied with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "I would *never* like you." Then, her voice dropped. "Open the door. I'm getting out!"
"Then get lost..." Qi Longbing's voice sounded again, his narrow blue eyes squinting into slits. This damn woman...
The lock clicked open. Hua Xiaomo quickly yanked the door open and jumped out, heedless of the pouring rain, and hurried away.
"Boss, should we head back now?" the driver asked.
Qi Longbing's gaze swept over the heavy rain outside and the slender, retreating figure. A cold sneer formed on his lips. "Go back."
The car started, quickly leaving the figure running in the rain far behind.
Qi Longbing watched the silhouette in the rain grow smaller and smaller, the cold sneer on his lips widening.
Hua Xiaomo... you think you're so proud now? An opportunity was right in front of you, and you didn't want it... When the time comes, you won't get another chance, not even if you beg like a dog!
「...」
The night rain and fierce wind raged on, arriving with sudden intensity.
Hailing a car was difficult, but the person trying to flag one down was frantic.
More than two hours later, a thoroughly disheveled Hua Xiaomo finally managed to catch a taxi. As the car pulled up to the modest home she shared alone with her mother, Su Ronghua, she was shocked to see someone who should not have been there: Hua Renda.
A flicker of emotion crossed Hua Xiaomo's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it, a heavy feeling settling in her chest. He must have realized I wasn't in my room and came looking for me at Mom's place.
"Miss, are you getting out or not? I've got other fares to pick up," the taxi driver said.
"I'm not getting out. Driver, please take me to No. 11 Wutong Road. ACHOO..."
Hua Xiaomo sniffled and composed her expression. As the taxi started moving again, her heart gave a sharp pang, and waves of coldness seemed to seep into her from all directions. Looking at her soaking clothes and her hair, tangled in clumps and still dripping, she subconsciously hugged her arms tightly around herself, shivering.
This was her birthday...
On this single day, too many unexpected events, too many overwhelming emotions, had crashed down on her like a collapsing mountain.
Her eyes welled up, and she took a deep, shuddering breath, barely managing to steady her emotions.