CHAPTER 108: CHAPTER 108 SI MINGJING: YOU’RE COURTING DEATH, SELF-INFLICTED TORMENT 1

Song Pianlan cried bitterly. Either of these options would make her wish she were dead; how could she possibly choose?!

Song Tengfei didn’t care; he insisted that she make a choice.

「Three days later,」 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of A Country posted an announcement on their official microblog.

The content of the announcement essentially stated that the bracelet had been purchased by Song Pianlan a week earlier, and it even attached her purchase receipt from a week ago.

The actual thief of the bracelet was someone else, who had already been arrested and confessed to the crime. It was a servant who had been dismissed by the Ye Family.

Song Pianlan had purchased stolen goods. Although guilty, she did not buy them for resale but for her own use. Consequently, she couldn’t even be charged with the crime of receiving stolen goods. According to A Country’s public security management law, she could only be detained for no more than fifteen days, fined at least two hundred yuan, or issued a warning.

The real culprit who stole the bracelet, the servant dismissed by the Ye Family, was convicted based on conclusive evidence and sentenced to ten years in prison.

Upon receiving the investigation report and its outcome, the embassy couldn’t make any public statements and could only report the facts to Mo Yinhe.

Si Mingjing didn’t know what Mo Yinhe’s attitude was, but Song Tengfei called her, beaming.

On the phone, Song Tengfei said, "Mingjing, your aunt is getting engaged tonight. Come home for a bit and meet your future uncle. Your aunt specifically instructed you to dress up nicely and tastefully; don’t let people think you lack taste coming from Prison Star, okay?"

"Okay."

Si Mingjing mulled things over. Why would Song Pianlan want her to dress up so nicely and tastefully?

Si Mingjing was a person who didn’t want to miss any clues, and a bold suspicion formed in her mind.

Perhaps she was overthinking it.

She deliberately chose a nondescript outfit, even slightly countrified, and arrived at the Song Family’s villa around five in the evening.

However, she didn’t go in right away but waited for the Zhou Family’s car to stop at the gate of the Song Family’s villa before she emerged from the roadside.

Song Tengfei, along with all his family members, stood at the door to greet the guests.

Seeing her attire, Song Pianlan secretly frowned at her niece’s country-bumpkin appearance, which was not at all fashionable.

But the Zhou Family had already arrived, seven or eight of them, standing at the door with beaming smiles and exchanging pleasantries. Even if Song Pianlan was dissatisfied, she was too embarrassed to say anything in public.

Once the Zhou Family was respectfully welcomed inside by Song Tengfei, Song Pianlan, who was left behind, quietly criticized Si Mingjing.

"What on earth are you wearing? It’s an embarrassment to the Song Family! I have a beautiful dress in my room; come with me later to change into it."

Si Mingjing, walking in the back, called out loudly, "What’s wrong with this cotton-padded jacket? Auntie, even though I came from Prison Star, I have good taste!"

There was a tinge of dissatisfaction in her defiant response.

The people walking ahead all heard her complaint and turned their heads to look at Si Mingjing.

They saw Si Mingjing with her hair done up in two braids, wearing a floral print cotton jacket—exactly the image of a country bumpkin from seventy years ago.

The Zhou Family laughed inwardly. Indeed, she was from Prison Star.

Even more countrified than a country bumpkin.

Especially Zhou Haiyang, Song Pianlan’s fiancé, who swept his gaze over Si Mingjing a couple of times, not hiding his derision.

"She’s the one from Prison Star? No wonder they say that even for one billion yuan, no one would want her. What kind of taste is that? Pianlan is much prettier."

Zhou Haiyang took a couple of steps back, walked up to Song Pianlan, wrapped his arm around her waist, and kissed her on the cheek in full view of everyone.

Song Pianlan stiffened, her face turned pale, and she instinctively dodged.

But Zhou Haiyang held her waist tightly. "Pianlan, I really wish I could take you home tonight."

The others teased them for a moment but paid no further attention.

After all, the couple was about to get married, so their behavior wasn’t considered over the top.

Si Mingjing, lagging behind, didn’t mind being laughed at. She had come to a conclusion: Zhou Haiyang had a frivolous attitude; he wasn’t a decent man. Song Pianlan would definitely not be willing to marry him. However, with the Zhou Family’s social connections and face on the line, if Song Pianlan herself didn’t want to marry, she’d surely drag someone else down with her.

That "someone else"...

Si Mingjing shuddered involuntarily.

Her phoenix eyes slightly lifted, a faint cold smile playing on her lips.

It seemed tonight was another Hongmen Banquet. Where was the trap Song Pianlan had set for her?

She’d meet soldiers with generals and water with earth. Si Mingjing wasn’t afraid. Casually observing the unfolding drama like a spectator, she followed the others into the room.

During the meal, Zhou Haiyang sat Song Pianlan beside him and kept attentively offering her food.

Song Pianlan felt as uncomfortable as if sitting on a bed of needles, yet dared not show her annoyance.

At the dining table, the Song parents were discussing their children’s marriage with the Zhou parents, trying to settle on a date. Song Pianlan’s heart felt like dead ashes. She had to save herself.

This lecher! While he attentively offered her food above the table, his hand, hidden beneath it, was snaking around her waist from behind.

Song Pianlan’s blood ran cold. She wished she could just slap him.

But she couldn’t.

She suffered in silence, her smile still radiant and lovely.

Song Pianlan felt sick to her stomach. Only the thought of her plan could ignite any resolve within her.

She desperately plied Zhou Haiyang with alcohol.

Si Mingjing, considered to be of the youngest generation alongside Fang Jing’s five-year-old daughter, Song Tiantian, sat beside the child and focused on eating her meal without a word.

After the meal had ended, Si Mingjing took Song Tiantian and watched cartoons in the living room.

It was then that Song Pianlan approached and said, "Tiantian, how about going outside with your aunt to set off fireworks?"

"Yes, yes, Tiantian loves fireworks the most!"

Song Pianlan saw that Si Mingjing remained seated, unaffected, and with a warm, conciliatory smile, said, "Mingjing, come with us. You’ve never seen fireworks on Prison Star, have you? They’re beautiful, like shooting stars falling, indescribably beautiful."

"Oh, I often see meteor showers."

Si Mingjing crossed her legs cavalierly, a look of disinterest on her face. "Meteor showers are rare on Earth, but on Prison Star, you can see a magnificent meteor shower every ten to fifteen days. I’ve become numb to them."

Song Pianlan was left speechless by the retort.

She took Song Tiantian and left the house.

Five minutes later, Song Tiantian ran back into the room and rushed into Si Mingjing’s embrace. "Sister, come and play! It’s so much fun!"

Si Mingjing’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, a dark gleam flitting across them as she stood up and followed Song Tiantian out.

Song Pianlan had set the stage; if the leading lady herself didn’t appear, it would indeed be a letdown.

Si Mingjing was curious. What kind of trap had Song Pianlan set for her?

So, she went out.

Outside, the evening lanterns were hazy, and the night sky ablaze with fireworks, but Song Pianlan was not to be found where the lantern lights dwindled.

Song Tiantian, holding Si Mingjing’s hand, hopped and skipped along adorably.

Si Mingjing then asked the little girl, "Little Tiantian, where are you taking me?"

"Sister, just follow me and you’ll see. Auntie said there’s something nice."

Song Tiantian, holding Si Mingjing’s hand, led her to a wooden hut on the west side of the courtyard. The door was open and the lights were on. From the doorway, one could see a large photo frame hanging inside; the woman in the frame was Si Mingjing’s mother, Si Yao.

There were many more frames, big and small, inside that couldn’t be seen clearly from the doorway; one would have to walk in to see more photos of her mother.

This temptation...

Si Mingjing chuckled to herself. They really had gone to great lengths.