Chapter 354: Sun Ming
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Zhao Yuan shivered, frightened by this new side of her friend, Shen Xi. It grew worse when Shen Xi threatened Jiang Xue. Zhao Yuan could have sworn a vaguely dark aura shrouded Shen Xi in a malefic halo, promising any fool who crossed her that she would drag them to hell.
Zhao Yuan recalled the day she first met Shen Xi. Back then, Shen Xi had been cold, aloof, and somewhat unapproachable, but she was a soft-hearted and kind individual deep down. She merely picked and chose who to share that warmth with. At that time, she still went by the name Jiang Xi.
After the chaotic debacle involving some mix-up at birth, Zhao Yuan realized Shen XI had changed. It was a small thing, and anyone who did not know her well would not have detected the change. She was a little colder, a little more unapproachable.
While Shen Xi still smiled, it always felt hollow, carrying a vague sense of distrust and caution.
Had she not known Shen Xi before everything changed, Zhao Yuan doubted they would have ever become more than friends in passing; it was nigh impossible to penetrate the wary veil around her.
Zhao Yuan eyed Shen Xi, suddenly unsure what she should do. What sort of catastrophe must she have endured to change her so much?
Did it happen in the summer when they had lost contact?
Whatever it was, it must have been a terrible experience. How could Shen Xi’s temperament have changed so drastically otherwise?
Zhao Yuan’s heart ached. Her eyes stung and watered as she continued staring at her best friend.
“Hey, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” The girl who had been silent at the side looked at Zhao Yuan with unmasked confusion.
Shen Xi noticed the commotion and hurried to Zhao Yuan’s side. “Zhao Yuan, what’s wrong with you? Why are you crying?”
Zhao Yuan hugged Shen Xi and desperately dried her tears, uncaring of how she might have looked to all the other guests present. “I’ll help you… I’ll help you if you’re hurting. There’s no need to force yourself.”
Shen Xi did not know why Zhao Yuan had burst into tears, saying such words, but they still filled her with warmth.
Shen Xi patted Zhao Yuan’s back and said, “I know. Don’t cry. You don’t look good with your makeup smudged.”
Jiang Xue scoffed at Zhao Yuan, that lunatic. But she did feel more at ease now that Shen Xi’s attention was not on her. That look of hers was suffocating.
The girl at the side looked at Shen Xi and Zhao Yuan, hugging each other with a puzzled expression. Then, she turned to look at Jiang Xue, who had just patted her chest and nodded in understanding.
The girl approached Jiang Xue with an accusing finger and said, “You made her cry.”
Jiang Xue stared at the girl who stood a few inches taller than her. Shen Xi had been the one tormenting her. She had not done anything to Zhao Yuan, so why was she crying, and how did she become the culprit?
Jiang Xue did not know where this country bumpkin had come from to have the nerve to pin the blame on her. Displeased, Jiang Xue sniffed with distaste, “Who the hell are you? How dare you point that finger at me!”
Jiang Xue’s voice echoed in the banquet hall, drawing even more attention from curious onlookers.
Xia Huang turned to the source of the voice and laughed. This was going to be a good show.
The girl blinked. “I’m Sun Ming,” she said softly.
“Sun Ming? Don’t bother me! You lowly thing!” Jiang Xue turned away and was about to leave when the girl stopped her.
“Take off your clothes,” the girl demanded, her words cold and harsh, “I don’t like you wearing them.”
Shen Xi had just managed to calm Zhao Yuan down, and the two looked up at the girl. The girl, Sun Ming, looked like the girl next door, charming and innocent. How had she transformed into someone so sinister? From her tone, this Sun Ming’s identity could not be simple.
The crowd edged backward, creating some distance between the conflict and themselves. Some even tried whispering to Jiang Xue, but their words fell on deaf ears. Jiang Xue was no fool. Those people were looking at her with contempt and ridicule.
It was humiliating! She was Young Master Guan’s savior, yet someone had dared to embarrass her publiclv!
“Who do you think you are,” Jiang Xue snapped at Sun Ming, “Why should I strip? Let me make this clear. This dress was a gift from Young Master Guan. Knowing my relationship with him, do you still… Ah!”
Sun Ming slapped Jiang Xue before she could finish her sentence. “You talk too much. I told you to strip, so strip!”
Jiang Xue held her burning cheek in shock. She could not understand what was going on.. Who would dare to slap her at Old Master Guan’s birthday banquet, knowing she was Young Master Guan’s savior?
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