Chapter 106 - Ball Dance Party Part 4
Li Luxian expressions had turned severely cold.
The mask might have been able to hide his expressions but his deep, sharp eyes were blazing with cold fire summoned directly from the deepest level of Hell.
Zhao Lifei felt a chill down her spine and respectfully withdrew her hand, awkwardly putting it behind her back and averting her eyes, unable to withstand the anger in those cold eyes.
"This dress," Li Luxian said with hints of a cold smile at the corner of his lips, "has been personally selected by mother for her. I don't dare take the credit for the hard work she put to select this for her."
Suddenly, Zhao Lifei felt even more awkward.
On the other side, Chen Yi was intrigued. She was not stupid. She knew Li Luxian words meant a lot more than what met the eye.
Telling in public that his wife's dress was 'lovingly' chosen by his mother, the fact had established that Li Luxian family had already accepted Chen Yi as their daughter-in-law.
That is to negate all the claims that Chen Yi was a temporary arrangement to get rid of Wang Hualing.
'Looked like the devil had a lot more reasons to bring her to this party than I had assumed.'
Under everyone's watchful gazes, Zhao Lifei felt cold all of sudden.
The amiable air between them had suddenly turned sour.
Their interaction was being observed by countless pairs of eyes. Especially since she had boldly gone on to chat with Mr Li in his wife's presence, people were observing countless micro details to judge whether Zhao Lifei's recent claim was valid or not.
But the way Zhao Lifei had to retract her hand had put things in Mr. Li's wife's favour.
No, she could not allow that!
"Of course, your mother will personally choose a dress for your wife." Zhao Lifei hurriedly said. Her cheeks had a tinge of red. But this time, not from shyness, but from embarrassment. "That's the proper decorum of a noble family." Then she laughed, trying to melt the tension in the air.
In the background, slow music began to play. Zhao Lifei was very grateful for it as it eased the atmosphere to some extent.
People started to get into pairs and walk to the dance floor.
While Chen Yi glanced around in amazement and the number of pairs of eyes that were observing the interaction of the trio lessened; Zhao Lifei secretly sighed in relief. At that instant, she regained her composure and saw an opportunity. She stepped forward. "Mrs. Li, this is your first time attending such an event if I am not wrong. You won't mind if I borrow your husband for the first dance, will you? You can watch and learn with this opportunity." With a sweet smile, she said.
Chen Yi was surprised at Zhao Lifei desperation.
She did not appear to be the type who would gather the hint nicely and back off from her stance.
Li Luxian was about to come forward but Chen Yi had opened her mouth first. "What makes you think this is my first time?" She asked, appearing amused.
Zhao Lifei appeared to be well prepared for this question. "If we had such a striking lady among us in the past, we must have already noticed you."
"Well," Chen Yi smiled. "While I might not disagree with you, it is impossible for you to be present at all the events I attended." Her tone fell down a few notes. "Not to mention the private ones." She smirked.
Suddenly, Zhao Lifei found herself at a loss. This was the first time Chen Yi opened her mouth to say something. And she effortlessly put Zhao Lifei down.
Zhao Lifei realized that this woman might not be as simple as she appeared.
Despite this, Zhao Lifei was not yet ready to give up. "Mrs. Li must have attended many such events with Mr Li already. How stupid of me to overlook that." She laughed again. "Since it's already the case, you won't have any qualms about giving your husband to me for this one dance, would you?" Under her black mask, her eyes shimmered coldly. "After all, you will have him to yourself for the rest of the time, wouldn't you?" Her words hinted at something.
Now if Mrs Li didn't relent, that was indirectly admitting she wouldn't be having him with her the rest of the time.
Asking for a dance from the wife — this was the same famous unscrupulous tactic often employed by the third wheels at such parties.
Asking for a dance with the husband directly from the wife, slowly closing their way into the man's heart.
People were familiar with this trick.
Despite the start of the dance, everyone had their mind and ears in that conversation.
Zhao Lifei was confident that Chen Yi had no choice but to agree.
'Since the beginning, I have been observing this woman has been passive. Saying no words to the guests than polite greetings. Li Luxian must have instructed her to not offend anyone and keep a low profile. I think if I pressurize her enough, she won't put down my request.'
After Mrs Li agreed, if Li Luxain declined, it would be too impolite.
A snobbish sneer settled over Zhao Lifei lips.
At that point, Li Luxian stopped himself from stepping forward and interrupting. The intention in his heart was clear. He wanted to see how his Yi'er would respond.
Chen Yi was however not someone who could be bound by social norms. It was Zhao Lifei misfortune to stumble across someone who had long ago given up on the hypocrisies of the elite class.
Chen Yi smiled warmly, it almost appeared she would agree. "If you think I'm one of those who will willingly yield her husband to someone else, I will have to disappoint you." Came her words, with that warm smile on her cherry red lips, appearing even sharper with the contrast. "I hope you find a better partner for the dance, Ms Zhao." Without looking back, Chen Yi raised her hand.
Li Luxian subtle smile became even more profound as he ended up taking her hand. With a proud gaze, he chuckled. "Shall we?"
Chen Yi happily nodded.
In front of an aghast Zhao Lifei, the couple took off, aiming straight for the centre of the dance floor, laughing and whispering to each other, not sparing her another glance.