"I heard someone said what she's wearing is fake?" Ji Zhixiu's voice rang out again, neither smiling nor frowning.
A chill crawled up everyone's spines.
Fan Cheng immediately stepped forward, pushed up his glasses, and said matter-of-factly, "Miss Jiang's evening gown was personally designed by the renowned French designer Viastr.
And the bag she carries was one of the betrothal gifts presented by the old princess when the former princess married into the royal family."
The crowd erupted in a clamor, discussions reigniting.
"Viastr? The Viastr known as 'Angel's Hand'! Oh my god! That genius designer who only makes one gown a month, the one even the French princess has to queue up to order from Viastr..."
"Didn't Viastr retire? Why would she still be Jiang Mian's private designer?"
"Does this woman have a powerful background? Have you heard anything?"
"No idea..."
Fan Cheng was Ji Zhixiu's spokesperson, and to some extent, his representative. No one dared to question his words.
After speaking, Fan Cheng added, "Miss Liang probably doesn't even have the qualifications to book Viastr, so it's understandable if you don't recognize her."
His tone was casual, but Liang Qiao heard the mockery.
Liang Qiao's face flushed crimson and then pale, at that moment, she was so embarrassed she wished she could crawl into a crack in the ground.
"So, do you still think she stole your worthless wristwatch?" Ji Zhixiu's gaze was like a blade, fixed on Liang Qiao.
Liang Qiao's heart constricted. The man's eyes were too cold. She felt like her blood was freezing into ice, it was terrifying!
With his casual words, a watch worth millions seemed like mere trash.
She no longer cared about why Ji Zhixiu was helping Jiang Mian; she just wanted this ridiculous scene to end quickly.
Liang Qiao cast a pleading look at Luo Fei.
Luo Fei's expression had finally softened. Receiving her signal, he stepped forward and said, "Mr. Ji, this is all a misunderstanding. There's no need to be angry."
"Misunderstanding?" He repeated the word, chewing on it meaningfully, his eyes darkening.
"Is being aggressive a misunderstanding? Is distorting facts a misunderstanding? Is attempting a forced search a misunderstanding?"
The thought that their dirty hands had almost touched Jiang Mian made Ji Zhixiu wish he could cripple them.
Shen Tingyu seized the opportunity to give a signal to a corner no one noticed, and soon, someone hurried away.
Luo Fei felt humiliated by Ji Zhixiu, but he knew he couldn't compare to Ji Zhixiu right now.
He coughed awkwardly but politely, trying to de-escalate the situation. "This matter, it was..."
"Found it! Found it! Miss Liang's wristwatch is found!" A waiter ran over with a tray.
Luo Fei's eyes lit up, and he said calmly, "Quickly present it."
The waiter approached, holding the tray high. "Mr. Luo, it's here."
"Miss Liang, you should take a good look and see if this belongs to you," Fan Cheng said coolly, glancing at Ji Zhixiu.
To dare to slander his young mistress, that was like a centenarian trying to hang himself—he was tired of living.
Liang Qiao snatched the watch, her joy at its recovery filling her chest. "It's the one I lost!"
"Since the lost item has been found, let's let this matter rest," Luo Fei said magnanimously.
Li Laiduo watched him acting all proper and muttered, "Pah, hypocrite."
Her voice was soft but loud enough for those around to hear.
A glint of amusement flashed in Jiang Mian's eyes.
Ji Zhixiu let out a low hum, and Fan Cheng understood immediately. He straightened up, his expression displeased. "Having made a mistake, do you think you can just dismiss it with a single sentence?"
Hearing this, Jiang Mian looked at Ji Zhixiu, knowing the man was backing her up, and her heart filled with warmth.
Ji Zhixiu's gaze met hers. He looked at the young girl's slender back, standing tall, and the indifference in his eyes softened into a trace of pity.
Today, he didn't want to hide their marriage anymore. He really wanted to walk over and hug her openly...
Shen Tingyu watched the two of them "brazenly" exchanging meaningful glances, her eyes turning red with envy.
Luo Fei understood his meaning. To quickly resolve the matter, he said in a deep voice, "Liang Qiao, you misunderstood Miss Jiang. Apologize to her."
Liang Qiao looked up at him, disbelief in her eyes. To ask her, a famous star, to apologize to Jiang Mian in front of so many people, had he considered how she would be perceived afterwards?
In this circle, wouldn't she be laughed to death? Would she still be able to stay in Kyoto!
Luo Fei narrowed his eyes, lowered his voice, and said word by word, "Liang Qiao, you caused this. You resolve it, don't act like you're the wronged and innocent one."
Before Liang Qiao could speak, Jiang Mian spoke for the first time since Ji Zhixiu had arrived.
Her voice was soft and pleasant, but her words were not polite. She said slowly, "If Mr. Ji hadn't been here, I'm afraid Miss Liang would have already had her people search me. This kind of suspicion of a guest without evidence and infringement of human rights, Mr. Luo, would anyone dare to come to your banquets again?"
Just making Liang Qiao apologize? That would be too easy for her.
If Luo Fei dared to watch her suffer, she would let Luo Fei know that her suffering was not so easily endured.
Luo Fei looked at Jiang Mian, his lips turning down. "Then what does Miss Jiang suggest?"
Jiang Mian put on an innocent face. "Although it has now been proven that I am innocent, the damage has already been done. Being falsely accused leaves such a big shadow, alas, I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight. Even if I sleep, I don't know if I'll wake up startled by today's events..."
Listening patiently to her finish, Luo Fei's frustration reached its peak. He cursed Liang Qiao as useless. Although he had feelings for Jiang Mian, he absolutely would not tolerate Jiang Mian provoking him like this and being so ungrateful.
When Luo Fei spoke again, his suppressed anger was evident. "So what do you want?"
"I, I don't want anything, what can I do?" Jiang Mian said timidly, as if frightened by him.
Luo Fei closed his eyes and then reopened them. "As the host of this banquet, I failed to take good care of every guest and caused Miss Jiang emotional distress. I apologize to Miss Jiang."
It was just a soft word, what was so difficult to say. Being able to bend and stretch was Luo Fei's style. Sooner or later, he would win Jiang Mian over, and then, even the most stubborn woman would be at his mercy...
Jiang Mian achieved her goal, her eyes curving. "What about Miss Liang?"
Seeing that Luo Fei had already apologized, Liang Qiao was still shocked but obediently said, "Jiang Mian, I was wrong to misunderstand you, I'm sorry!"
Jiang Mian nodded earnestly. "Hmm, it's good that you know you were wrong. You can't slander people so easily next time. It's okay this time, I don't have any status or background anyway. Next time, if it's someone else, it won't be so easy to resolve."
Liang Qiao felt a mouthful of blood getting stuck in her throat. Should she thank her for the "kind reminder"?
Someone couldn't help but laugh. Those words were so sarcastic! It felt so satisfying to hear!
The faint laughter reached Liang Qiao's ears, making her feel utterly ashamed. It was all Shen Tingyu's fault! If Shen Tingyu hadn't said she saw Jiang Mian take her watch, how would things have escalated to this point?
Her gaze anxiously searched the crowd for Shen Tingyu. She wanted to see how Shen Tingyu would explain this!
With the matter resolved, Jiang Mian had no intention of staying any longer.
Ignoring the guessing eyes of the crowd, she held her head high and walked gracefully step by step towards Ji Zhixiu, then stopped, smiling. "Mr. Ji, can I leave with you?"
Ji Zhixiu smiled faintly at her words, stunning everyone.
My god, this man could actually smile?
Everyone knew that Ji Zhixiu, the CEO of Ji Corporation, was ruthless and unreasonable, and always treated women coldly.
Was it their illusion? Why did his smile seem so gentle?
His smile was fleeting, lasting only a second, and some even doubted if they had imagined it.
"Come here," he called.
Jiang Mian truly treated everyone as if they were invisible and walked to his side, intimately linking her arm with his. She then tilted her head slightly, her voice carrying a hint of grievance, "I thought you wouldn't come."
They walked out together. Fan Cheng had already arranged another yacht.
Under the lights, their side-by-side figures were exceptionally harmonious.
Shen Tingyu watched their retreating backs, wishing she could burn a hole through them with her gaze. Her pure innocent look vanished, replaced by intense unwillingness. She said in a low voice, "Aren't you going to stop her?"
Luo Fei turned to look at her, his eyes dark. "Are you telling me what to do?"
Why would he stop Jiang Mian? With his current status, he couldn't possibly contend with Ji Zhixiu. Being on good terms with him was the most sensible choice.
If he could gain Ji Zhixiu's support, it would also benefit him. Once he obtained control of the Luo family, he would have the power. Thinking about today's events, Luo Fei's eyes were dark and unfathomable.
Jiang Mian didn't belong to him now, but it was fine. He would get her eventually! He didn't mind if she was a woman who had been "used."
Not far away, Liang Qiao watched them whisper. This time, she didn't act impulsively but stood in place, her fingernails digging deeply into her palm. "Shen Tingyu, you said you had no intentions towards Luo Fei, is this what you call no intentions?"
...
Ji Zhixiu lowered his head and looked at her. The harshness of his face softened by three points, his eyes filled with an unresolvable doting. "You did very well."
Jiang Mian's peach blossom eyes sparkled. "Perhaps Luo Fei will resent you for this in the future."
"So what?" The man's words carried an innate arrogance and confidence. He simply didn't put Luo Fei in his eyes.
Ji Zhixiu circled Jiang Mian's slender waist, leaned in, his voice a stark contrast to his previous coldness, as if he were lecturing her.
"Mrs. Ji, you have the right to bully with power."
Jiang Mian froze, then her red lips curved. Was this man telling her that the next time she encountered something like this, she could disregard any power and retaliate boldly because he would back her up?
"You have the backing," Ji Zhixiu said faintly. Heaven knew how furious he had been the moment he saw Jiang Mian being humiliated.
His Mian Mian should not have to endure such grievances.
Jiang Mian hugged his firm waist tightly, buried her head and nuzzled him, an unstoppable smile on her lips. "Axiu, you're so good."
Being protected felt so good. She hadn't felt this way for many years...
Fan Cheng kept his gaze fixed on his own nose and watched his nose, stopping Li Laiduo, who was about to step forward. "Child, why don't you have any foresight? Can't you see the two of them are having a private conversation?"