Dai Shiyuan sat downstairs, sipping on a bottle of low-purity juice.
Before long, she saw Shan Yaxin appear at the door, with Zuo Fan beside her.
Dai Shiyuan's heart skipped a beat, and the juice in her mouth instantly lost its sweetness.
Although she knew there was no ambiguity between the two, seeing Shan Yaxin doting on someone else tenderly made her feel suffocated.
"Sister Yaxin, over here." Dai Shiyuan stood up and waved, with a bright smile on her face.
Shan Yaxin smiled and nodded, whispered a few words to Zuo Fan, and walked towards Dai Shiyuan.
Seeing Dai Shiyuan's clothes and makeup, Shan Yaxin frowned slightly and asked puzzledly, "Xiaoyuan, where did you change your clothes?"
"Right here, Qiuqiu told me to wear this, she said..." Dai Shiyuan stopped herself mid-sentence.
Shan Yaxin scrutinized her for a moment, her eyes somewhat strange, but in the end she didn't say anything more, and said softly, "Let's go upstairs."
"Okay." Dai Shiyuan nodded and kept a distance, following behind.
For this gathering, Cheng Beibei invited five of her friends, plus Shan Yaxin and Dai Shiyuan, making a total of nine people in the private room.
Dai Shiyuan casually glanced around and saw that Cheng Beibei's friends were all wearing branded accessories and were all beautiful.
Each one had an inherent arrogance and self-confidence, more or less with a sense of looking down on others.
These people were indeed very different from the les she had previously interacted with.
When she made eye contact with one of them, Dai Shiyuan clearly saw a hint of surprise in the person's eyes, followed by a playful expression.
Dai Shiyuan didn't like this expression and furrowed her brows, looking away.
"Beibei, didn't you personally entertain us today? Why are there still waiters coming up?" one person said loudly, with a smiling face that made it difficult to tell if it was a question or mockery.
But such words were enough to hurt someone.
Cheng Beibei looked at Dai Shiyuan, not seeing the angry expression she imagined. She smiled satisfactorily and said playfully, "Don't talk nonsense, she's my dear friend."
"I can tell." The person leaned against the sofa, eyes raised at the corners, "The first time I saw your family member, I thought she was from the countryside. I didn't expect her to be a university teacher."
These words were filled with undisguised contempt and ridicule.
Cheng Beibei's face changed, preparing to scold Mo Zixin, but Zuo Fan immediately grabbed her and shook her head.
"Mo Zixin, I invited you here today to get drunk, don't say things you shouldn't say." Cheng Beibei suppressed her anger and almost dropped the wine glass in her hand.
"I just said it casually, why are you so angry?" Mo Zixin tried to defend herself, looking at Zuo Fan with a contemptuous look.
The others quickly came out to smooth things over, and the atmosphere became lively again.
Dai Shiyuan sat in a corner, silently watching, and her eyes accidentally met with someone else's.
The other person's gaze was very bold, and when she discovered it, she didn't even look away, but instead showed a confident smile.
Dai Shiyuan sneered, turned her head to look elsewhere, and unexpectedly met with the cold eyes of Shan Yaxin.
Her heart tightened, and she quickly lowered her head and fiddled with her fingers.
Shan Yaxin suppressed her displeasure and turned her head to look at the woman who had been staring at Dai Shiyuan.
The other person met her gaze fearlessly and even lifted her chin slightly, showing a proud look.
"Miss Shan, there are rumors outside that you have had no contact with the Dai family since your divorce from Mr. Dai. Now it seems that the rumors are indeed unreliable." The person's eyes narrowed slightly as she casually swirled the wine glass in her hand.
Shan Yaxin finally found this face in her mind. This person was a rich man's daughter who had even attended a banquet held by the Chen family last time.
That time, Dai Wenhao had publicly introduced Dai Shiyuan, making many people aware of the Dai family's daughter.
She didn't expect to encounter her in this circle too.
"Jiang Li, you really know a lot of gossip." Cheng Beibei laughed and scolded her, helping to refill her glass of wine. "Drink more and talk less. Why do you care about other people's divorces?"
"I'm just concerned about Mr. Dai, so as not to be deceived into a marriage." Jiang Li's eyes looked at Dai Shiyuan with a hint of implication.
"My brother can be a President, and he still has intelligence. There's no need for others to worry about him." Dai Shiyuan snorted, curling her lips in disdain, completely disregarding the person in front of her.
Upon hearing this, the other people who were drinking and chatting stopped and looked at Dai Shiyuan in disbelief.
One of them asked in surprise, "Is your brother really Mr. Dai?"
"Yes, do you want me to call him to prove it?" Dai Shiyuan sneered, playing with her fingers boredly, completely ignoring the person in front of her.
"No need, no need. It turns out that you're Mr. Dai's sister, no wonder you're so different from everyone else." The person smiled flatteringly, and her tone became polite, no longer as arrogant as before.
Dai Shiyuan glanced at her and continued to sit quietly.
Cheng Beibei timely stood up to mediate the atmosphere, greeted everyone to drink, but her eyes occasionally glanced at Dai Shiyuan.
"My dear, she is really the daughter of the Dai family." Cheng Beibei leaned against Zuo Fan, with a bright smile in her eyes, looking like she enjoyed watching the excitement.
Zuo Fan understood the implicit meaning in her words, nodded helplessly, glanced at Shan Yaxin, and whispered, "Xiaoxin has enough troubles, don't make it worse for her."
"How dare I?" Cheng Beibei smiled proudly, rare sympathy on her face. "Ms. Shan is quite capable. She divorced her husband and immediately fell in love with her sister-in-law. I wonder if President Dai can accept his ex-wife becoming his sister-in-law?"
"Don't talk nonsense." Zuo Fan quickly covered Cheng Beibei's lips with her hand. The next second, she let go as if she had been burned, and with a slightly red face, she warned, "Don't say these things in front of Xiaoxin. There is nothing between her and Mr. Dai."
"Now innocence does not mean innocence in the future. With Shan Yaxin's scheming nature, can she let the meat that comes to her mouth slip away?" Cheng Beibei was very sure and indifferent.
Zuo Fan couldn't refute her and looked around before standing up with Cheng Beibei and walking to the center.
Others stopped talking and looked over.
The music in the room suddenly stopped, and in everyone's puzzled eyes, Zuo Fan knelt on one knee and took out a ring from her pocket.
Before she could speak, Cheng Beibei covered her mouth in surprise and burst into tears the next second.
"I hope you like this ring." Zuo Fan held the ring, and for the first time, her face was serious. "I know I'm very ordinary, maybe I can't give you a superior life, but I will work hard and not let you suffer. Will you spend the rest of your life with me?"
"I...I do..." Cheng Beibei sobbed and screamed with all her might.
Zuo Fan's nervous mood suddenly relaxed, and a happy smile bloomed on her face. She carefully and solemnly put the ring on Cheng Beibei's finger.
"From now on, we will always be together. No matter what happens, I will be by your side." Zuo Fan made a solemn promise.
As soon as she stood up, someone excitedly rushed into her arms.
Zuo Fan took two steps back before stabilizing herself, holding the figure firmly.
"My dear, I love you." Cheng Beibei hugged Zuo Fan tightly, and kissed her lips passionately.
The soothing music sounded again, as if sending blessings.
This kiss lasted for more than a minute, and no one spoke to interrupt.
Dai Shiyuan clapped silently and looked towards Shan Yaxin, seeing the relief and envy in her eyes.
Her heart tightened, and she quickly looked away.
Although she had always thought she shouldn't fall in love, at this moment, as she watched Zuo Fan and Cheng Beibei smile at each other, a sense of the beauty and sweetness of love involuntarily filled her heart as a bystander.
However, she couldn't respond to Shan Yaxin.
"Thank you all for coming to this gathering and witnessing our love enter a new stage of life," Zuo Fan held Cheng Beibei's hand, her eyes full of love. "From now on, Miss Cheng will be my wife. Please take care of us."
"Please take care of me, dear," Cheng Beibei changed her usual coquettish and arrogant demeanor and became quiet and proper.
The two of them kissed lightly again, this time initiated by Zuo Fan.
"Who said my dear doesn't know how to be romantic? When I speak sweet nothings, I'm even better than you guys," Cheng Beibei licked her lips and looked arrogant as she spoke to everyone.
Zuo Fan blushed at the praise and pulled Cheng Beibei to sit down.
The two of them whispered for a few moments and then stood up and went to the next room together.
Dai Shiyuan watched in confusion, but someone spoke up before she could ask.
"Beibei, this little fairy, must not have been able to resist," someone joked.
The others chimed in, but the person who had previously mocked Zuo Fan remained silent, drinking her alcohol without a word.
Dai Shiyuan suddenly began to understand.
"Miss Dai, I'll toast you," in the moment of distraction, a glass of alcohol appeared before her.
Dai Shiyuan frowned unhappily, leaned to one side, and coldly refused, "No, I don't drink."
"Such a good atmosphere, Miss Dai, have a drink. Everyone is happy for Beibei," Jiang Li not only did not retreat but also approached her.
From behind, she almost enveloped Dai Shiyuan in her arms.
A surge of anger rose in Shan Yaxin's eyes, and she walked over with a glass in her hand.
Jiang Li suddenly felt a damp chill on her shoulder and turned around to face a pair of dangerous eyes.
"Miss Jiang, bullying the weak is not a good habit," Shan Yaxin smiled faintly, tapping the glass with her slender fingers to produce a crisp sound.
Jiang Li's face flashed with anger, and she gritted her teeth, "Do you know the consequences of offending me?"
"I dared to offend the Dai family, let alone the Jiang family," Shan Yaxin swayed her glass, her lips curling nonchalantly.
As soon as she spoke, the other people all turned to look at her with displeased expressions.
"You're just a discarded woman who was kicked out of the Dai family. How dare you say such big words?" one person sneered, immediately prompting laughter from the others.
"Apologize to Miss Jiang, and remember to be sincere," another person spoke up, with an expression of enjoying the show.
Watching these people gang up on Shan Yaxin, Dai Shiyuan stood up angrily, and with a cold face, scanned the crowd, "She is someone who walked out of my Dai family. It's not your turn to point fingers at her."
After saying this, Dai Shiyuan glared at Jiang Li, "If you don't think the bit of alcohol on your shoulder is enough to sober you up, I don't mind pouring you a drink."
Jiang Li's face instantly became ugly, but out of respect for the Dai family's status, she still smiled and said, "I'll punish myself with this drink. Miss Dai, please don't be angry. It will make people feel sorry for you."
Dai Shiyuan felt the flirtatious tone in her words, and a wave of disgust rose in her heart.
Since Jiang Li was a friend of Cheng Beibei, she didn't want to make a scene and ruin the mood for everyone.
Ignoring Dai Shiyuan's objections, Jiang Li took a bottle of alcohol and sat down next to her, leaning over and breathing in her ear, "Miss Dai looks better in red clothes. Her smooth skin glows like polished jade. It must be very soft if you kiss it."
Dai Shiyuan recoiled in disgust, and suddenly her arm was pulled by a force, and she was plunged into a soft and warm embrace.
She looked up and met the coldness and anger in Shan Yaxin's eyes.
"Is the daughter of the Dai family someone you can climb up to?" Shan Yaxin sneered, and the glass in her hand fell to the ground with a loud sound as if it had gone out of control.
The shattered glass flew in all directions, causing everyone to step back in shock.
Jiang Li remained seated and tightly gripped her glass, suddenly laughing and showing a mocking expression, "Miss Shan, are you trying to shift your target and get back into the Dai family again?"
Everyone understood the meaning of her words and burst into laughter.
Dai Shiyuan glared at them, both angry and resentful, "I am not a lesbian..."
"So, you were rejected, how pitiful." Jiang Li pretended to sympathize, and smirked triumphantly.
Everyone joined in the mockery, saying all kinds of hurtful and derogatory things.
Dai Shiyuan could tell that these people were more jealous than anything and didn't really listen to what she was saying. Instead, they deliberately twisted her words to attack Shan Yaxin.
She wanted to explain, but it would only make things worse for Shan Yaxin.
"Don't mind them, Sister Yaxin." Dai Shiyuan turned her head and whispered to her.
Shan Yaxin didn't say anything, and her deep and dark eyes stared at Dai Shiyuan, as if containing a thousand words.
In the end, she didn't say anything and pulled Dai Shiyuan out.
"Sister Yaxin, where are you taking me?" Dai Shiyuan asked in confusion, following her.
Looking at their hands holding each other, she felt nervous and wanted to pull away, but found that whenever she moved, Shan Yaxin would hold her tighter.
Dai Shiyuan couldn't help but feel scared and repeated in a low voice, "Sister Yaxin..."
"I drank a lot and watched a proposal kissing scene," Shan Yaxin walked ahead and spoke in a suppressed voice.
Upon hearing this, Dai Shiyuan immediately dared not to speak and followed behind obediently.
When facing Jiang Li's harassment, she could firmly refuse and even ridicule back without hesitation. But towards Shan Yaxin, she couldn't put on a stern and tough attitude, not even saying a harsh word.
Even after being forcefully kissed by Shan Yaxin, she had no intention of blaming her, just feeling that it shouldn't have happened.
Dai Shiyuan sighed silently, feeling complex.
The two of them arrived downstairs, and Shan Yaxin voluntarily let go of her hand and found a quiet place to sit down.
Seeing this, Dai Shiyuan wanted to speak to ease the cold atmosphere, but didn't know where to start, so she just sat there quietly.
When Qiuqiu saw the two of them coming down, she immediately approached them, squinting and winking at Dai Shiyuan, and said in a coquettish tone, "Xiao Dai, we've just made a new kind of drink, do you want to try it?"
Hearing about the drink, Dai Shiyuan subconsciously wanted to refuse.
Seeing the look in Qiuqiu's eyes as she handed over the drink, she hesitated for a while before nodding her head.
"Come with me," Qiuqiu suddenly became excited and smiled with gossip in her eyes, bringing Dai Shiyuan to the staff corridor.
It was quiet here, and only the bar's employees would pass by.
"Xiao Dai, did you have a fight with your Teacher Shan?" Qiuqiu curiously asked, taking a glance at Shan Yaxin while speaking.
Frowning, Dai Shiyuan felt annoyed and retorted in a low voice, "I didn't have a fight with her."
"Really?" Qiuqiu didn't believe her, but then proudly laughed, "But with your Teacher Shan watching over you, you really won't get into trouble."
Hearing this, Dai Shiyuan sighed and squatted down, supporting her cheeks with both hands.
It was only with Shan Yaxin's help that she could come down safely today. Those people knew she was from the Dai family, but didn't show any respect, instead showing more interest and flirting with her, ignoring her refusals and opposition.
She finally understood the warnings from Qiuqiu and Cheng Beibei before.
Those people acted without any scruples, and would not respect her opinions or consider her feelings like Shan Yaxin did.
"Don't sigh, what happened?" Qiuqiu asked anxiously, squatting down next to her.
"Nothing," Dai Shiyuan sighed again.
She was really upset.
Now she really doesn't know what to do to avoid hurting Shan Yaxin.
She is definitely going to leave this world, it's impossible to be with Shan Yaxin.
"Xiaoyuan, Zuo Fan wants us to go up." Shan Yaxin's voice came from not far away.
Dai Shiyuan was startled, quickly collected her thoughts, and followed up the stairs.
The atmosphere inside the private room was still lively, and it didn't cool down because of the dispute just now.
With Cheng Beibei adjusting the atmosphere, the scene was filled with happy laughter.
When Zuo Fan saw the two of them, a trace of apology appeared in her eyes. She walked over and whispered, "Xiaoxin, I didn't expect it to be like this..."
"It's okay, today is your big day, don't let this little thing ruin the mood." Shan Yaxin chuckled and patted Zuo Fan's shoulder. "I came in a hurry today and didn't prepare a gift. I'll make it up to you another day."
"I'm already happy that you can come. Who needs a gift." Zuo Fan relaxed, showing a faint smile on her face, and looked at the crowd toasting over there. She whispered, "Beibei is taking care of them. Let's go to the next room."
"Okay." Shan Yaxin nodded, never once looking at that group of people.
Dai Shiyuan followed behind and glanced over casually, meeting Jiang Li's brazen gaze.
She frowned with disgust and ignored it.
The soundproofing of the next room was good, and the noise outside couldn't be heard at all.
Dai Shiyuan found a place to sit down and relaxed against the chair back.
As soon as she looked up, she saw Shan Yaxin and Zuo Fan walking side by side to the balcony, and they even closed the glass door without letting her follow.
This was obviously because they didn't want her to come along.
Dai Shiyuan suddenly felt a little suffocated, staring at the glass door with her eyes wide open.
"Sometimes I envy you, being able to embrace and kiss the one you love openly and honestly." Shan Yaxin tilted her head and drank the wine in her glass in one gulp, her gaze towards the stars was lonely and desolate.
Zuo Fan smiled slightly at her words, and after a moment of silence, turned to look at Shan Yaxin and asked softly, "What are you going to do in the future?"
"Aren't you going to persuade me to give up?" Shan Yaxin asked back with a smile.
"Since she hasn't explicitly rejected you, why should I advise you to give up?" Zuo Fan smiled, took a sip of wine, and slowly said, "Although I was kicked out of my house, I don't regret it. From childhood to adulthood, I've been living according to my parents' expectations, trying to be an excellent daughter in their eyes. This time, I want to do things according to my own thoughts. Although it's been tough, I don't want to let her down."
"Cheng Beibei is really lucky to have won you over." Shan Yaxin joked with a smile.
Zuo Fan immediately felt a little embarrassed, her face showing a faint blush. "It's also my luck," she said.
"Congratulations, although you've been through many difficulties, fortunately, you're finally with the person you like." Shan Yaxin congratulated her and saw the sadness in Zuo Fan's eyes that she couldn't conceal. She comforted her, "Uncle and Auntie just can't see it for a moment, but they will understand you in the future. During festivals and holidays, you should show them more filial piety."
"Thank you, Xiaoxin," Zuo Fan breathed a sigh of relief.
She could confide in Shan Yaxin about many troubles she couldn't tell Cheng Beibei.
They had the same feelings and struggles.
It's just that she's a little luckier, having met someone who loves her back.
And Shan Yaxin has yet to express her feelings clearly.
"Xiaoxin, I don't think Dai Shiyuan is really indifferent to you. Maybe you can try to pursue her, but don't use force like last time." Zuo Fan took a sip of wine and gave a serious suggestion.
Shan Yaxin listened, lowered her eyes and stared at the wine in her cup for a long time before looking up at the sky with a smile. "I was too impatient and didn't follow the proper process of falling in love."
"You know that now, you can't force others like that. Besides, Dai Shiyuan is still young. If you're too hasty, you'll scare her off." Zuo Fan couldn't help but give her advice.
Shan Yaxin nodded and earnestly took note of it. She then asked, "How do you pursue someone?"
"Just pay more attention to her in daily life, send her flowers or small gifts, go shopping, eat out, and watch movies together. These are all things you can do. Actually, the most important thing in pursuing someone is sincerity and consideration for the other person's feelings. You must never force anyone," Zuo Fan said, emphasizing the last sentence.
Shan Yaxin nodded and took it to heart.
Dai Shiyuan watched the two of them chatting intimately in the balcony, and she wanted to go and take a look several times, but she held back.
Seeing Shan Yaxin's relaxed smile in front of Zuo Fan, Dai Shiyuan's feelings were complex.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's Note: Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or watered me with nutrients from 23:58:22 on July 8, 2021, to 23:57:29 on July 9, 2021.
Translator's note: Okay!, Zuo Fan I will take a note to your advice!.
Ara~ ara~~ Dai Shiyuan~~~ Don't be jealous, she's yours alone!.
TO BE CONTINUE...