Chapter 22: Young Master Liu

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Kong Lingxin felt a chill run through her scalp. No matter how pure and innocent she was, the status of being the second young mistress of the Meng family inevitably made her many women’s enemy. Yet, she would never allow these so-called wealthy and influential women to bully her!

Facing their provocative gazes, Kong Lingxin gave them a faint glance. Each was dressed flamboyantly, appearing harmless, but who could tell how unsightly the sight beneath those exquisite cheongsams might be?

Seeing Kong Lingxin ignore them, one woman taunted, “They say the second young mistress of the Meng family comes from a decent background, so how come she has no basic manners? When someone greets you, is this how you respond—with cold disregard?”

Clearly, she was here to pick a fight.

Kong Lingxin swayed the wine glass in her hand, then after a few seconds, looked at the woman who had spoken. “I am now a bride of the Meng family, so naturally, my upbringing is in accordance with the Meng family’s teachings. If this lady is dissatisfied, you can ask my husband later—provided you can get a word in with him!”

“You—!?” The woman’s face, thickly made up, nearly trembled with anger.

A woman beside her pulled her aside and said, “They say Shanshan has a very special sister-in-law. Seeing her today, it’s truly ‘special’!” She then appraised Kong Lingxin from head to toe before continuing, “I heard the second young mistress of the Meng family, emulating Soong Mei-ling, insisted on wearing high heels at home, which caused her to fall and miscarry. Today, at such an occasion when she should appear gracious and radiant, why is she wearing such flat shoes instead?”

Shanshan? Sister-in-law? These women must be acquaintances of Yang Shanshan, the wife of Meng Zetian and the eldest sister-in-law of Meng Zexiao. Judging by the tone, their relationship with Yang Shanshan was rather close.

In that case, don’t blame me for being rude! Kong Lingxin lifted her chin and said, “So you’re here as cannon fodder for certain people! At such an important occasion, why didn’t your big sister come? Oh, I suppose she had no chance, since the one representing the Meng family is our Zexiao! If I’d known the eldest sister-in-law so enjoys these public appearances, I would have gladly let her have this moment.”

What Yang Shanshan coveted was precisely what Kong Lingxin now possessed but disdained. At this moment, Kong Lingxin radiated an air of superiority, as if a light shone from her, one that commanded respect and forbade contempt.

The women, furious, had originally intended to help their friend shame the thorn in her side, but were unexpectedly counterattacked.

At that moment, a commotion like the one when Meng Zexiao arrived stirred the crowd. The unmarried women, all unclaimed, eagerly moved toward the entrance, and those surrounding Kong Lingxin followed the crowd to one side.

Kong Lingxin glanced in that direction, then looked at Yang Shanshan and her friends, silently sneering—so-called close friends are nothing but rubbish in front of the powerful.

“Mr. Liu, you’re here! Do you remember me?”

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“Mr. Liu, I’m Chuchu—we met at Chief Zhang’s birthday dinner last time. Do you remember?”

“...”

Kong Lingxin could no longer endure it. Holding her wine glass in one hand and lifting her skirt with the other, she sought a quieter place.

Not far off was a lawn with benches for guests to rest. Kong Lingxin sat down.

From afar, she observed countless guests—fragrant silks and delicate coiffures, clinking glasses, politicians mingling with businessmen, businessmen attaching themselves to politicians, each taking what they needed. Eligible unmarried women roamed about, seeking chances to meet noble young men. Perhaps this was why the upper class was so keen on attending such banquets.

Kong Lingxin held her glass and smiled gently at it all but felt detached. After these past days, she deeply understood that the world of wealth and splendor was not easy to navigate. Competing against both her husband’s and her own family, once glory vanished and fortune faded, they lived less joyfully than those at the bottom.

Compared with this life that required masks at all times, Kong Lingxin preferred the simple and unadorned days of old.

Lost in thought, music suddenly began to play. The guests rose from the lawn and gathered on the open space in front of the villa, handsome men and beautiful women gliding into the dance floor.

Though Kong Lingxin had learned ballroom dance at teacher’s college, she rarely danced. She felt out of place in such settings, but as an invited guest and the Meng family’s second daughter-in-law, she could no longer sit on the distant bench.

She rose, set her glass aside, and walked toward the crowd.

Meng Zexiao saw her approach and frowned, saying, “Don’t leave my sight again.”

Knowing he was injured and couldn’t dance comfortably, Kong Lingxin teased, “Husband, aren’t you going to invite me for a dance?”

Before Meng Zexiao could reply, a deep voice sounded beside them: “Second Young Master Meng, so you’re here too.”

Meng Zexiao and Kong Lingxin turned to see none other than Liu Hanyi.

Behind Liu Hanyi stood several beauties waiting to be invited to dance, including the woman who had earlier tried to defend Yang Shanshan.

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So the “Mr. Liu” they had been discussing earlier was Liu Hanyi?

Perhaps because she knew of Liu Hanyi’s prestigious background, Kong Lingxin felt tonight’s Liu Hanyi was different from before. Previously, he had the warmth of a big brother next door; tonight, dressed in a sleek Zegna suit and standing tall, he exuded the air of a refined gentleman of high society.

Clearly, Kong Lingxin had yet to recover from this contrast, staring at Liu Hanyi without blinking.

Meng Zexiao wrapped his uninjured right arm around Kong Lingxin’s slender waist and squeezed lightly as a warning not to get distracted by Liu Hanyi.

Kong Lingxin winced in pain, turning to glare at Meng Zexiao. But when she saw the sudden dark and fierce look in his eyes, she quickly softened her gaze.

Liu Hanyi glanced at Meng Zexiao’s injured arm and asked, “Second Young Master Meng, is your arm alright? Have you been to the hospital?”

Meng Zexiao replied coldly, “Thanks to Secretary Liu’s help, it’s a minor injury, nothing to mention.”

Kong Lingxin thought Meng Zexiao’s coldness was unjustified. After all, Liu Hanyi had stayed at the scene to assist the police with evidence collection. Surely Meng Zexiao should have expressed his gratitude!

So Kong Lingxin said, “Secretary Liu, thank you for your help today. Has everything with the police been resolved?”

Perhaps unaccustomed to being called “Secretary Liu” by Kong Lingxin, Liu Hanyi paused and said, “Yes, it’s all done. When Second Young Master Meng has time, he just needs to come in for a statement.”

Kong Lingxin smiled gently, “Thank you very much.”

Meng Zexiao noticed how differently Kong Lingxin spoke to Liu Hanyi—with genuine warmth—compared to the perfunctory smiles she gave him. Feeling displeased, or perhaps jealous.