If Ming Yanlun possessed mind-reading abilities, the scene would have been truly spectacular. Unfortunately, he did not. His eyes were solely focused on Ming Zhirou’s supposed concern for him.
“What? You want to hit me?” Song Zhekun’s expression turned playful and mocking. He then directly spat at Ming Yanlun’s face, “You coward, do you dare? A mere Ming family, what can you use to fight me?”
Spittle landed on Ming Yanlun’s face, carrying the pungent odor of strong cigarettes. Ming Yanlun’s face contorted, and he suppressed himself.
“Fifth Brother…” Ming Zhirou clung tightly to Ming Yanlun’s arm, her voice soft and pleading, tinged with tears.
Song Zhekun was right. The Ming family truly couldn’t compare to the Song family. If Ming Yanlun impulsively struck Young Master Song, let alone whether Ming Yanlun could leave Yin Yang Mountain alive today, even if he did, the Ming family would be ruined! She absolutely could not let Ming Yanlun act. Otherwise, if the Ming family fell, what would be the point of her years of struggle against that slut Ming Zheng?
As the standoff continued, Ming Zhirou’s peripheral vision caught sight of a figure not far away, being enthusiastically pulled by the Dean of the Imperial Capital Academy towards the racetrack. Her eyes suddenly brightened, and she shouted loudly, “Sister! Sister!”
Her voice was so loud that many people turned to look in her direction. They saw a girl near the racetrack, wearing a black hoodie, her seaweed-like black hair tied up high, exuding a cool and intimidating aura. She was beautiful and possessed an outstanding temperament. Even Song Zhekun, who grew up surrounded by beautiful women, was momentarily captivated. The girl, with her hands in her pockets, walked forward as if she hadn’t heard Ming Zhirou’s call and hadn’t even glanced her way. However, the tall, well-built man beside the girl craned his neck to look. Upon seeing Ming Zhirou, his face showed an expression of annoyance. That man… was the Dean of the Imperial Capital Academy!
Song Zhekun narrowed his eyes and said with a hint of intrigue, “That girl, she’s your sister?”
“Yes… she’s my sister. She was just about to accompany her sugar daddy… no, her friend, for a race…” Ming Zhirou, always highly attuned to men’s emotions, naturally noticed the infatuation in Song Zhekun’s eyes when he looked at Ming Zheng. Although this was the result of her scheming, seeing the prodigal young master Song Zhekun turn a blind eye to her advances yet admire Ming Zheng still made her heart feel suffocated!
Song Zhekun raised an eyebrow and motioned for his entourage to follow. Then, with a sinister smile, he winked at Ming Zhirou, “You said the bet included a sister, so thank you, Miss Ming… for showing me the way.”
With that, he put his hands in his pockets and sauntered towards Ming Zheng, clicking his tongue, “A fake princess is still a fake princess. It’s the real one that’s got the spark!”
Ming Zhirou’s face instantly turned pale. The skin on her face trembled slightly. Fake princess, fake princess, fake princess! Why did everyone who saw her have to attach those three words to her? The one who wasn’t loved is the fake one!
“Rou’er.” Ming Yanlun frowned, watching Song family’s group approach Ming Zheng. His tone held a hint of displeasure, “Why did you involve Ming Zheng?” They had just finished insulting Ming Zheng and spoken of severing ties with her, yet now they were pushing their troubles onto her. Although he disliked Ming Zheng, it didn’t mean he wanted Ming Zheng to bear his burdens for him! Especially… the Song family’s troubles. Even if Ming Zheng had the Dean of the Imperial Capital Academy backing her, that was still the Song family, and the Dean of the Imperial Capital Academy might not be willing to offend the Song family for her sake!
“I… I just didn’t want Fifth Brother to ruin his future for me…” Ming Zhirou’s eyes welled up, tears falling one by one. “I also don’t want to hurt Sister! But in my heart, Fifth Brother… Fifth Brother is the most important!”
“My mind was blank at the time, I was only thinking of protecting Fifth Brother! If… if Fifth Brother thinks I did wrong, I’ll stop Young Master Song and them! I’ll go with Young Master Song!” As she spoke, she let go of Ming Yanlun and was about to chase after Song Zhekun. Ming Yanlun quickly pulled her back, his lips moving as if to say something. But in the end, he lowered his gaze, complex emotions swirling within. “Forget it.”
***
The “Paradise” for entertainment, also known as the “playground of the rich,” had a viewing platform built at the best vantage point on Yin Yang Mountain peak. This was specifically designed to allow the wealthy visitors to more directly observe the progress of the races.
“Brother Chi, Brother Chi, Brother Chi! That brat from the Song family is really heading towards Miss Ming Zheng!” A head with dyed ash-blonde hair poked out from a private box on the viewing platform, accompanied by the boy’s excited shouts. “That fake princess is too shameless! To actually divert the blame and let that Song family brat target Miss Ming Zheng!”
Si Qi, who was always cold, expressed his opinion impassively, “This Fifth Young Master Ming isn’t much better.”
“To dote on a fake princess and insult his own sister, what kind of person can he be?” Si Lin pouted. “Besides, he’s just talking the talk, saying the fake princess shouldn’t involve Ming Zheng, but he’s not stopping that Song family brat! “
In the end, just talking the talk was only to make himself feel better, to show that he wasn’t a coward who needed a sister to deflect trouble. Si Lin spat, expressing his contempt for such hypocritical individuals. As he was expressing his disdain, Si Lin suddenly cried out, “Ahhh! What is that brat trying to do!”
Beside a racetrack, Song Zhekun’s followers had surrounded the girl in the black hoodie with her red-tinged black hair. Si Lin’s fingers were cracking as he clenched them. Turning his head, he saw the slender, bamboo-like figure sitting by the window. The man’s deep, dark eyes were fixed on Ming Zheng’s direction, as if dense ink was churning within them, making him appear particularly unnerving.
“Brother Chi, Brother Chi! Let’s go!” Si Lin rubbed his hands together, a sinister grin on his face. “To dare bully the savior of our Brother Chi, are they implying Miss Ming Zheng has no one behind her?!”
The man’s expression was impassive. His deep, dark eyes remained fixed on Ming Zheng. However, the pressure emanating from him clearly showed his current state of suppressed anger.
“No need.” He spoke indifferently, his voice cold, as if forcefully suppressing endless emotions. Si Lin didn’t understand. He scratched his head, looking puzzled, “Could it be that, like at the Imperial Capital Academy, Miss Ming Zheng can handle it herself? We won’t be needed?”
“But the other party is the Song family! That brat is usually very arrogant. If it really comes to a fight, Miss Ming Zheng will definitely be at a disadvantage!”