CHAPTER 26: 023 DEEP AND IMMEASURABLE

Kang Jinse’s face turned deathly pale in an instant.

How could this be possible?

Zhuang Xiyue bent down to pick up the ring, its platinum band set with a small yet exquisite diamond that emitted a dazzling and brilliant light under the illumination, deeply stabbing into Kang Jinse’s eyes.

"What is this? Tell me what this is?" Zhuang Xiyue threw the ring onto her body, sneering coldly, "Making a scene at my banquet, you’re really something, aren’t you? Take your ring and get out, you’re no longer welcome at my banquets."

Her cheeks burned with pain, and the looks of mockery and contempt from the onlookers made her wish she could just crawl into a hole. However, she couldn’t, she had to pull herself together and must not back down, otherwise, she would never be able to clear her name even if she were to leap into the Yellow River.

"Lady Yan, this is all a misunderstanding..."

Zhuang Xiyue laughed coldly, "A misunderstanding? Do you think I’m blind? I’ll repeat myself, get out."

Kang Jinse stood rigidly in place, wanting to turn around and run immediately, yet her legs felt as if they were filled with lead and she couldn’t move them an inch.

She had clearly seen Ji Yunya pick up the ring, which was why she dared to act so confidently. But how did the ring end up in her bag? Did the ring grow legs and walk in there by itself?

She was utterly baffled.

Suddenly, her gaze fell onto Ji Yunya. Yun Ya glanced at her, her lips curving slightly. That side of her face seemed innocent and sweet to others, but to Kang Jinse, it looked so wicked and mocking.

It was all her doing...

After realizing this, and recalling how Ji Yunya had tried to please her when they first met, Kang Jinse suddenly felt a chill of fear. This little girl had been playing her all along.

Well, she had actually been played by a five-year-old girl.

She immediately calmed down. The situation was not in her favor, and with Zhuang Xiyue backing Ji Yunya, she had no way of turning the tables for the time being. Once she got out of here, let’s see how I’ll deal with you.

She took a deep breath and tried to smile, "Yun Ya, it turns out that Auntie misunderstood you, I’m so sorry. Shall Auntie apologize to you? Don’t be mad at me. After all, this ring is very important to me, I was just anxious and misunderstood you..."

Thinking that would settle the matter?

Zhuang Xiyue refused to give her that satisfaction. Yun Shen was what he was, a loser. Initially, she wanted to spare Yun Shen the embarrassment, considering he was with Kang Jinse, and making too big a scene was awkward since they all ran in the same circles. However, seeing how lonely Yun Ya looked, she couldn’t suppress her anger. If Kang Jinse bullied the child like this in public, one could only imagine what she did at home.

"Didn’t Miss Kang hear what I just said? Please leave my banquet now, immediately right now."

Kang Jinse did not expect that even after she backed down, Zhuang Xiyue would still insist on biting down on her. She was Yun Shen’s partner, and Zhuang Xiyue didn’t even care about giving Yun Shen face. Who did she think she was? Her husband’s political achievements still depended on Yun Shen, didn’t they?

"Lady Yan, the incident just now was all a misunderstanding..." Kang Jinse tried to explain.

Zhuang Xiyue was about to call security to kick this woman out when Yun Ya tugged at her hand, "Aunt Zhuang, let it be, she didn’t do it on purpose."

What a kind and understanding little girl, and yet Zhuang Xiyue felt that Kang Jinse must have bullied her often, looking at how scared the little girl was.

Lady Su also hinted from the side, "Let it go, look how pitiful the child is..."

Zhuang Xiyue suddenly realized—yes, she had taught Kang Jinse a lesson today and it seemed like she was venting for Yun Ya, but what would happen when they returned home? Kang Jinse would undoubtedly take out all her anger on the child, and whom would Yun Shen side with then?

Even the ring had been given away; it looked like they were moving towards marriage, and she had heard that Yun Shen didn’t like Yun Ya either, partly because of the deaf-mute child...

She thought she was helping Yun Ya, but in actuality, she was harming her instead. Zhuang Xiyue felt guilty and blamed herself for acting impulsively.

"For Yun Ya’s sake, I will let this matter go this time. I hope you conduct yourself properly and don’t think we’re all fools. Jiangzhou is only so big, and I’m laying it out here and now—Yun Ya is like a daughter to me, and if I ever find out someone is bullying her again, I will not let it go."

With a veiled rebuke, Kang Jinse clenched her lips tightly, pushing down the humiliation and hate in her eyes.

Yun Ya looked up at Zhuang Xiyue with gratitude; she was always so kind to her.

But I have taken advantage of you.

I’m sorry...

Yan Song quietly moved next to Yun Ya and tugged at her dress. Yun Ya turned her head.

Yan Song gave her a scornful look, "Idiot, don’t you know how to fight back when someone bullies you?" He looked at Kang Jinse with disgust, "To deal with this kind of woman, I’ll teach you a few moves that will definitely make her behave."

After he finished speaking, he leaned in and whispered something into Yun Ya’s ear.

He looked triumphantly at Yun Ya after finishing, but Yun Ya barely managed to suppress her laughter, her eyes curving into sweet arcs.

Yan Song grumbled discontentedly, "What are you laughing at?"

"I’m laughing at how many people you must’ve taught a lesson using this method," she said. Really, that’s just terrible.

Yan Song proudly lifted his chin, "Anyone who crosses me gets that treatment. Hmm..."

Yun Ya mentally offered her condolences to those who had offended Yan Song.

But she curled her lips into a smirk, thinking it was worth a try. Although it was childish, it seemed to be quite satisfying.

Zhuang Xiyue openly told everyone that she had Ji Yunya’s back, warning potential bullies to weigh their actions carefully. No one present would want to cross Zhuang Xiyue, and besides, after tonight, even those who might have disliked Yun Ya due to jealousy over Ji Lanyi began to feel affection for the little girl.

Yun Shen was chatting with Mayor Su and Minister Yan in the open-air garden. They say that three women make for a drama, but three men together are no less theatrical.

Yun Shen had met Mayor Su a few times at dinner parties before, but that was the extent of it. Mayor Su always kept a distance from businessmen, while Minister Yan was someone he was meeting for the first time.

His first impression was casual indifference.

They exchanged a few words and had a hearty laugh.

In the end, Yun Shen concluded that Minister Yan was inscrutable.