Chapter 108 - Suspicious Man
Following those words from that man, a chill settled over Chen Yi's heart, her dance movements faltered.
The man silently observed meticulously the myriad of expressions that converged over that pretty face in front of him — shock, fear, and incredulity — slowly a smile broke over his face.
Chen Yi's pure brown eyes appeared hesitant, before settling over with an air of solemnity.
It was too abrupt, Chen Yi could never have expected to stumble into him.
With Li Luxian, she had been living a blissful life of ignorance that she had forgotten the shadows of the past that lurked just behind the corner.
But undeniably, it had been her, it had been her who had been careless — the shadows caught up to her due to her own negligence.
An event of this 'magnificence' where Li Luxian had brought her was bound to have someone from 'that' family.
How could she have overlooked that?
Looking back, if there was anyone at fault then it was her.
Restraining the surge of emotions in her chest, Chen Yi forced herself to proceed to the next dance step smoothly. In an interval of a short span, any emotion that had revealed in her eyes vanished — replaced with a sheer coldness.
"Tian Xue" Her tone did not reveal any hint of that vulnerability her eyes had disclosed a moment earlier as she said the man's name. "Have you been tracking me down?"
Tian Xue was amazed at her quickness to adapt. He recalled when he had first met her, she used to be such a naive, emotional girl. The Chen Yi of today was such a sharp contrast to the woman of that time.
"Yiyi, you have changed so much." He said straightforwardly with a smile.
"Don't call me that."
"How could I not? This was a name bestowed upon you by Father." Tian Xue was momentarily surprised at her hostile response before chuckling.
"This is not a joke." Chen Yi's tone fell down a few notes. "And that man is not my Father."
Tain Xue yes observed her fierceness; he smirked, smoothly proceeding to the next dance step. "You know you can't hide forever."
At this, Chen Yi fell silent. As much as she would want to negate that, she knew she couldn't.
"Glad you understand this." Tian Xue perceived the meaning of her silence; his smile widened. Then he sent a fleeting glance towards the direction of Li Luxian. "I see you have been getting close to someone."
Chen Yi's eyes darkened; her tone was resolute "Don't you dare."
"You know the consequences once he finds out?"
Again, Chen Yi fell silent.
Tian Xue looked at the woman in his hands. They were about to exchange partners — it was time to part. "If you are really wise as you claim to have become...," Tain Xue said slowly, his tone was solemn, containing a deep meaning, "...then you know what to do next." With that, Chen Yi was once again, passed back to Li Luxian.
.
.
.
Despite the exchange of dance partners, the person that held his sight was Chen Yi. He frowned when he saw her conversing with her dance partner.
Something felt off.
Did she know him?
But that was highly unlikely. People invited at today's party were certainly from the most elite class.
Chen Yi could not have an interaction with any of them prior to this day.
With those questions in his mind, he grabbed her when her new dance partner had passed her to him. Glancing up, he found Yi'er dance partner slowly retreating from the dance floor, but he did not step out before once locking his eyes with Li Luxian; there was an inexplicable flash in that man's eyes. Likewise, his lips curled up into a smirk before he turned around and vanished in the crowd.
Strange.
Li Luxian could not understand the situation. He intended to question Chen Yi to clear things.
However, once he looked down, Chen Yi's quietness struck him odd.
With considerable concern, he asked.
"What happened?"
"Li Luxian let's leave."
Her tone was cheerless.
Li Luxian looked up and glanced in the direction of the man who had been dancing with Chen Yi. It took him some time before Li Luxian found him, standing still at a corner with a drink. His eyes would occasionally wander to them — highly suspicious.
"Did he do something?" Li Luxian jaw clenched in raw anger.
If someone dared to even as much as touch his Chen Yi, he would have to suffer the consequences.
Chen Yi instantly panicked. "No, he didn't!" Grabbing onto Li Luxian arm to force him to look at her, she said. "I just...feel tired. Let's leave okay? I am not used to such parties." She tried her best to sound convincing.
She would never want him to go to Tian Xue.
She did not want him to get in trouble.
Li Luxain was not convinced. However, he could not bear to say 'No' to his Yi'er, especially when he felt she was down, looking so vulnerable. It already broke his heart to see his 'confident' Yi'er in such a state. "Alright. I will have to say a few words to the organizers. Wait for a few minutes, can you?" With unprecedented warmth in his eyes, he asked.
If he detected even a bit of reluctance in her eyes, he would have discarded every formality and went along with her right then.
Chen Yi smiled warmly. "It's alright. I will wait." She also did not want to force him into a difficult spot.
With that decided, both of them retreated from the dance floor.
Getting an assured response from her side, Li Luxian decided to let her alone for some time. How could he know he was so much going to regret this?
Chen Yi silently waited at a corner, being as invisible as possible, away from all the socialites who intended to dominate her and fish out some clues regarding her identity. She did not have the energy to engage them. She just wanted to forget, to continue living the life of ignorance and bliss Li Luxian had gotten her addicted to.
When a waiter passed by her, she quickly picked up a random glass of drink from the tray.
"Thanks!"
"Miss, this one is not suitable for-" The stunned waiter tried to stop the woman, panic struck. However, a single glare from Chen Yi's side had him shut up.
Author Note:
A dozen books as thick as a tree trunk (literally) are sitting over my the table eagerly waiting to be crammed by me.
Sobs
I want to write eternally, I truly do! But those evil daughters of bitches, those neverending sources of anxiety, my nemesis have other thoughts.
So please don't curse your Shizu San, I am suffering the consequences of year long procrastination.
If anything, I need your condolences. Sobs...
I would never give up on this novel, neither on any other one of mine; these are all my babies, my blood, my tears — my true loves!
I will soon fight off the antagonist of my life (those fucking finals) and return to my babies to write them!