Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Nine: The Tea Gathering Concludes, the Sole Victor Emerges

After five pieces of music, the dance segment officially came to an end.

Wen Jingxing was somewhat worried about Song Wanning’s health, so they didn’t dance for the last two pieces.

Instead, they rested on the sidelines.

Yun Ze and Nan Yan, however, were perfectly in sync, only returning after the dance ended.

As for Jiang Mingzhao, who had thrown himself into the crowd of women, he did not appear before Shen Yue until the tea party was over.

Though surrounded by beauties, he remained a true gentleman, never taking advantage of any of the lovely ladies, and was generous with his gestures, which made him very popular among the women.

Shen Yue had indeed considered pulling Jiang Mingzhao back, but she couldn’t outwit the gossiping women.

She said, “I want my partner to stay with me.”

They responded one after another with such relentless chatter that Shen Yue felt overwhelmed.

Unable to argue or reason her way through, she huffed off to complain to Jian An’an.

But Jian An’an was even more vexing. That alluring, audacious woman had monopolized Jin Jianyi, taking four of the dances for herself. The last piece was only spared because Jin Jianyi, feeling somewhat guilty, insisted on reserving one to dance with himself.

When Jin Jianyi went to the restroom, only Deng Lili, Jian An’an, and Shen Yue remained at the table.

Even the straightforward Shen Yue noticed the tension between the two women. Their gazes clashed like fire against lightning, filled with hostility.

Shen Yue glanced between them, sensing a silent contest—as if whoever spoke first would lose.

Jian An’an was inwardly frustrated; she had already lost to this woman the moment Jin Jianyi danced four dances with her but only one with Jian An’an.

So now, Jian An’an was determined not to yield. If the other woman remained silent, so would she.

But the other woman propped her chin on her hand, looking smug enough to make Jian An’an want to punch her.

When Jin Jianyi returned, Deng Lili ignored Jian An’an and instead turned to Jin Jianyi: “Brother Jianyi, can we stay at your place?”

Jin Jianyi frowned. “Why stay at my place? You’ve come all the way to the capital. Didn’t your mother say she was quite eager to see you?”

Upon hearing this, Jian An’an smirked and looked at Deng Lili with a hint of triumph.

Deng Lili’s enchanting, fox-like eyes rolled—this woman was truly not a simple character, just as her aunt had said.

She wouldn’t give up so easily.

“Oh, Brother Jianyi~ I also came to the capital for the first time in a while. I’ve missed you so much! I already saw my mother during the day, and she allowed me to sleep at your place tonight.”

Deng Lili’s tone was coy, her hands shaking Jin Jianyi’s arm as she occasionally tapped his chest.

Jian An’an couldn’t hold back and hinted, “Jianyi, who is she? You seem so close.”

Jin Jianyi replied, “Oh, she’s my sister.”

Deng Lili rested her head on Jin Jianyi’s arm and said, “Jealous? Brother Jianyi and I have always been close since childhood!”

“Really?… But my mother always taught me that men and women are different, and it’s best not to get too close to someone who already has a girlfriend,” Jian An’an put on a facade of innocence and virtue.

But Shen Yue was more direct and blunt: “He already has a girlfriend, and she keeps clinging to him—that’s a textbook example of a homewrecker.”

Deng Lili’s expression darkened. “Brother Jianyi, why does she say Lili is a homewrecker?”

Jin Jianyi scoffed, “Shen Yue, she’s my cousin! We… you!”

Jian An’an’s eyes, which had regarded the other as a rival, shifted upon hearing she was Jin Jianyi’s cousin. No wonder.

Quickly, she said, “Oh, so you’re Jianyi’s cousin. You’re really beautiful!”

Luckily, she didn’t say anything as harsh as Shen Yue.

Deng Lili feigned shyness, “Of course, Aunt Jian.”

“You! How can you call me Aunt? I’m not… aren’t you Jianyi’s cousin? By that logic, shouldn’t you—”

Jian An’an’s smile faltered, nearly losing her composure under Deng Lili’s sharp retort.

Deng Lili said, “You’re only my cousin Jianyi’s partner now, not his real girlfriend. Besides, I’m only seventeen.”

With that, Jian An’an’s face soured.

She was ten years older than Deng Lili! Being called ‘Aunt’ wasn’t entirely unreasonable, but it certainly stung.

Jin Jianyi tried to mediate: “Alright, Lili, she’s my partner now. You should keep your temper in check around her, but feel free to act however you want when you’re with me.”

Jian An’an had been somewhat appeased until the last sentence, which made her expression fall again. Jin Jianyi definitely had a knack for saying the wrong thing and making things worse.

The tea party ended amidst the guests’ conversations.

Li Weiwei finally appeared before the attendees.

Their meeting spot was simple—just outside the large glass conservatory—but being surrounded by flower fields made it feel quite magical.

Everyone praised the beauty of the place.

“Ah! It’s so beautiful here! I want to see it, but I wonder if the tickets are expensive?”

“No, it’s free.”

“Such a beautiful place and you say it’s free? Sounds too good to be true.”

“Really! I’m not lying, I’ve been there too.”

“I’m definitely going next holiday!”

The tea party began at 2:30 in the afternoon.

By the time they emerged, it was already 4:30.

The sun hung low behind the distant hills, casting a golden glow over the entire flower field, including Song Wanning.

Her dress shimmered like a constellation under the sunset’s afterglow.

Simply standing there, she drew the attention of many passersby.

Many visitors came just to take photos, so some secretly photographed Song Wanning and posted the pictures online.

Instantly, they received a wave of likes.

Some fans, eager to take selfies with their idol, boldly asked. Song Wanning agreed but said they had to wait until Li Weiwei finished giving instructions.

The fans obediently waited.

“Ah~ Song Wanning is so gentle when she turns people down!”

“They’re so lucky to get a photo with her. I want one too!”

“I wish I could just teleport there, sob…”

Only when the surroundings quieted did Li Weiwei announce, “Alright! The role-playing game at this tea party is officially over. Congratulations to Shen Yue’s team for winning alone!”

Shen Yue was surprised. “What? Only our team won?”

Li Weiwei nodded. “Yes, the others were all recognized.”

The guests did not applaud.

But the onlookers, unaware, thought Shen Yue had won the game and clapped happily.

Shen Yue’s face twisted in a look as if she had swallowed a fly—wanting to cry but unable to, wanting to laugh but forbidden.

(The end of this chapter)