Chapter 76
“Please show your invitation.” Outside the Yun Family Mansion, a servant in a tailcoat wore a soothing smile and said softly.
“Okay.” Lin Mengyao nodded, took out the small handbag she had prepared earlier, and reached inside to retrieve the invitation. But then, the smile on Lin Mengyao’s face froze.
Anyone at the door dealing with important guests wouldn’t lack sharp observation skills. Noticing Lin Mengyao’s hand stuck inside her bag without taking anything out and her stiff smile, the servant immediately understood what was happening.
“Did you forget to bring your invitation? Without it, we can’t let you in. Perhaps you can ask someone to bring it over, and once it’s here, I can let you and the gentleman inside. Meanwhile, I’ll have to trouble you to wait on the side.” Although the servant guessed Lin Mengyao had no invitation, he remained polite, giving Lin Mengyao face without embarrassing her.
“Okay.” Lin Mengyao gave the servant a grateful smile and stepped aside to make way for the people behind.
Xu Ke tightened his grip on Lin Mengyao’s hand and with his other hand reached into his pocket to fetch the invitation to take Lin Mengyao inside. The invitation Xu Jie received was different from the one sent to the Lin Family. The Lin Family’s invitation was personal, but Xu Jie’s allowed for one companion. The importance of tonight’s banquet to Lin Mengyao was self-evident. How could Xu Ke let Lin Mengyao be left outside?
Just as Xu Ke’s hand touched the pink invitation, a discordant female voice with a sharp tone sounded behind them, “Oh, isn’t this the famous beauty of Luocheng, Lin Mengyao? What? Have you fallen so low now? You dare come without an invitation, huh? Who are you planning to leech off? Or are you standing here on purpose to catch someone’s eye, hoping to snag a rich man and dump the useless one at home?”
Originally, Lin Mengyao’s inability to produce an invitation and standing with her male companion on the hillside was already conspicuous enough. Now, with the woman’s loud voice, it further drew everyone’s eyes to Lin Mengyao. Those who previously only peeked due to courtesy now openly looked towards Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao.
Their gazes upon the two first showed surprise, then disdain.
Lin Mengyao’s situation had been evident since Grandfather Lin passed away. Grandmother Lin didn’t care about showing her dislike for this granddaughter in front of outsiders. Thus, no one thought Grandmother Lin would give her the Yun Family’s invitation, only assuming the woman’s words were true—that Lin Mengyao was here to catch a wealthy man to rid of the family burden. Hence, the look towards Lin Mengyao carried undeniable disdain.
As for Xu Ke beside Lin Mengyao, he was unrecognizable to everyone. They just assumed Lin Mengyao had found a not yet famous or already debuted star to boost her presence. In the true upper class and social elite’s eyes, stars are no different from actors. Therefore, people only glanced at Xu Ke, shocked by his appearance but with a mixed look in their eyes, causing Xu Ke to frown in displeasure. Of course, his biggest displeasure was from the unknown woman openly targeting Lin Mengyao.
“Watch your mouth, and don’t project your filthy thoughts onto me.” Lin Mengyao said coldly.
“Do you still think you’re the eldest daughter of the Lin Family? How dare you talk to me like that. Believe it or not, just a word from me can ensure you can’t possibly get out of this unscathed.” The woman stepped up to Lin Mengyao as she spoke, with naked mockery and schadenfreude on her face, causing Lin Mengyao to bite down hard to suppress the anger in her heart.
“Mind your eyes if you want to keep them intact in your sockets.” Xu Ke gazed at the man with coldness and a killing intent, speaking icily.
“Do you know who I am? How dare you speak to me in this tone!” The man was initially startled, but upon failing to recollect any memory of such a figure in Luocheng, his fear turned to arrogance, though his short and fat stature diluted it.
“You’re not worthy of me knowing your name.”
“Xu Ke, let it be.” Lin Mengyao quietly tugged at Xu Ke’s sleeve, whispering.
She was moved by Xu Ke’s protective stance before her, but the man’s background wasn’t simple. He was Zhou Tao’s second uncle, Zhou Bo, in the Zhou Family, who, although having no real power, had a great relationship with Zhou Tao. Zhou Tao was known for being extremely protective, and combined with the Zhou Family’s current status as a rising first-class family, even the Lin Family dared not directly oppose them, let alone Xu Ke’s newly established company.
No one could face Xu Ke’s eyes and remain unaffected. Under his gaze filled with killing intent and aura, the two became guilty, but Lin Mengyao’s worried look made them quickly shake off that feeling, turning their guilt into anger instead.
“A tongue as boastful as yours shouldn’t worry about biting itself. Saying I’m unworthy of you knowing my name—this is the best joke I’ve heard all year. Even boasting requires one to know their limits.” The man scoffed through his nose, looking at Xu Ke as if he were a clown.
“You look unfamiliar. Is this your first time at such a banquet? Do you think the person you’re clinging onto is that impressive? To be honest, she’s nothing but a paper tiger. You look decent; if you need, I can introduce you to some real rich women. They’re far more generous than Lin Mengyao if you please them.”
The woman, looking at Xu Ke’s handsome face, couldn’t help but feel a surge of jealousy. As if spellbound, her words came out without thinking.
Why should Lin Mengyao overshadow her in every aspect back in school, still find such a handsome man as a companion after marrying a good-for-nothing, while she herself endured an old man’s advances? It wasn’t fair! The jealousy in the woman’s heart surged like lava.
The Lin Family feared embarrassment, so Xu Ke rarely appeared in public with Lin Mengyao over the past three years, let alone at such grand events. With Xu Ke’s clothing and spirit greatly improved, even Lin Mengchen couldn’t recognize him when they met daily. How could this woman, who barely knew Lin Mengyao, possibly recognize him?
They only thought Xu Ke was a social climber, leading to the above exchange.
“Hu Xue, stop it now.”