Chapter 33: Well, I don't like you.

Although Wen Ying had not anticipated this turn of events, she found it logical. Given how crucial this banquet was, how could Lu Jinchuan possibly miss an opportunity to gild Su Nian’s reputation?

Still...

"I'm sorry, Brother Cheng. I’ve wasted your efforts." Wen Ying felt that the grievances between her, Lu Jinchuan, and Su Nian had caused He Xicheng to labor in vain. She had been brought here to benefit Feixi, but Lu Jinchuan had denied her that chance.

He Xicheng frowned. "It’s fine. My seat is right next to Mr. Xu, so there will still be a chance to chat. As for other connections, there will be plenty of opportunities."

However, just as they were about to be seated, a staff member informed Wen Ying, "I apologize, Miss Wen. Due to a change in the number of VIP guests, your seat has been temporarily moved to the second table. Please forgive us."

Wen Ying looked up and saw that Su Nian had already taken the seat in the first row that was originally hers. Beside her, Lu Jinchuan was sipping tea in a leisurely manner, not sparing her even a glance. It was a seat that rightfully belonged to her, yet he could seize it without effort or guilt to hand over to Su Nian.

Meeting the staff member’s apologetic gaze, Wen Ying pursed her lips. "That’s fine."

He Xicheng was still held back by some prominent figures in the front, unaware of the situation here, and she did not want to cause a scene. Furthermore, He Xicheng was entitled to the first row by merit of his own status and the fact that his father was the aerospace academician He Jiang; he was qualified. And her? She was merely an obscure person brought along by He Xicheng.

Since Lu Jinchuan was determined to seat Su Nian in the first row, and given his status and influence, no one would dare refuse him. Naturally, they would choose to offend her—a mere "low-level employee" of He Xicheng’s company. Wen Ying couldn't quite describe her mood.

She had spent an entire day and night preparing for this evening, intending to speak with someone of Mr. Xu's caliber. Now, that opportunity was gone.

When Wen Ying took her seat, she realized that Cheng Mu was at the same table. As Cheng Mu looked up from his phone, he scanned Wen Ying’s dress—which was similar in style to Su Nian’s—and let out an ambiguous, mocking chuckle. He looked away and returned to his phone.

*Interesting,* he thought. *Is Wen Ying here to ruin them, or to join them? They’re wearing matching outfits, and she just happened to "coincidentally" wear the same color scheme? How amusing!*

Wen Ying didn't care about Cheng Mu’s attitude and completely ignored him. As the lights dimmed, she stood up to head to the restroom. The temperature in the hall was too low for her; she felt feverish, and a sharp pain in her abdomen began to flare up, making her gait unsteady. She wanted to find a quiet place to recover.

She didn't expect to run into Huo Jinran at the entrance of the restroom. Feeling unwell, Wen Ying chose to act as if she didn't see him and tried to walk past, but a sudden, sharp cramp in her lower abdomen made her legs buckle for a second.

Huo Jinran’s reflexes were quick; he instinctively reached out to steady her arm. "Are you not feeling well?"

Wen Ying pulled her arm away without hesitation, saying calmly, "Thank you."

Watching her repellent gesture, Huo Jinran pursed his lips. "Do you have some kind of problem with me?" Was she treating him like air now?

Wen Ying stopped and looked at him seriously. "Yes, I don't like you people."

She was too blunt. Huo Jinran froze, seemingly stunned. He remained motionless even after Wen Ying had disappeared from his line of sight. A low voice came from his phone: "Did you offend this lady?"

Huo Jinran snapped back to reality. "...Perhaps." He suddenly thought about his past hostile attitude toward Wen Ying, yet in the past, she had never held it against him. Now, she seemed like a different person—no longer gentle and approachable, but cold, distant, and indifferent to anyone she deemed irrelevant. Huo Jinran suddenly felt a strange bitterness.

The voice on the phone said, "Well, then you deserve it."

***

After He Xicheng finished exchanging pleasantries with the guests, he learned that Wen Ying’s seat had been given to Su Nian, who was already sitting comfortably and chatting happily with Mr. Xu. No matter how displeased he was, it wouldn't be appropriate to interrupt and express his dissatisfaction. Not seeing Wen Ying, he called her, but she didn't answer.

Just as He Xicheng was becoming worried and preparing to have the staff search for her, Huo Jinran returned. Distractedly, he said, "She went to the restroom."

He Xicheng felt relieved. However, Cheng Mu frowned and leaned toward Lu Jinchuan in the front row. "Isn’t Mr. He’s concern for Wen Ying a bit abnormal? Is this really just a simple superior-subordinate relationship?"

Lu Jinchuan’s deep eyes remained emotionless, as if he didn't care at all. Huo Jinran, however, said inexplicably, "I don't think she's that kind of person."

Cheng Mu shrugged. "True. She spent so many years fawning over Jinchuan like a pet; even if the world ended, she wouldn't leave him."