Yan Ning's face turned pale instantly.
She suddenly exerted force and broke free from Xie Huaiye's hand.
It wasn't out of shame, but out of anger.
She straightened her back, looked directly at Mu Wanqing, and spoke firmly:
"Yes, Miss Mu is very well-informed. I did indeed grow up in Qingshan Temple and cultivate under my master."
“My master is the best person in the world. Qingshan Temple is my home. There is nothing to be ashamed of. I am proud of it.”
After she finished speaking, she stopped looking at anyone, including Xie Huaiye beside her, and whispered:
"Excuse me, I'll be there for a moment."
She turned and walked quickly toward the terrace.
His back was slender, yet his posture was ramrod straight.
Xie Huaiye's face instantly darkened.
He looked sharply at Mu Wanqing and Gu Chen, his tone colder than ever before:
"Yan Ning is the most important person to me, and I don't want to hear any more disrespectful remarks about her past. Excuse me."
"Oh, you're leaving already? We haven't seen each other in so long."
Gu Chen reached out his hand, wanting to keep Xie Huaiye there a little longer.
But Xie Huaiye ignored him and turned away.
"Oh……"
Mu Wanqing gave a cold laugh and shook the champagne glass in her hand.
Yan Ning walked to the balcony in one breath.
The night breeze swept over her, dispelling some of the pent-up frustration in her heart.
She looked down at the tight-fitting dress she was wearing and felt extremely uncomfortable.
The dress was so tight it made it hard for her to breathe, just like the life of the aristocracy today.
She still misses the days she spent at Qingshan Temple.
The Taoist robe is loose, and the mountain breeze is free.
"Yan Ning, are you alright?"
Xie Huaiye's voice came from behind.
Yan Ning didn't turn around, her fingers gripping the cold railing tightly.
"Xie Huaiye, you brought me to the banquet tonight, said I was your fiancée, and then let a bunch of people point and whisper about me. What exactly are you trying to do?"
Her voice trembled slightly in the night wind.
Xie Huaiye was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly explained:
"I already warned them not to talk nonsense. I'm sorry, I didn't think it through..."
"comprehensive?"
Yan Ning turned around abruptly, her eyes red. "You know perfectly well that I grew up in a Taoist temple, unlike you people who live in luxury."
"They say I'm trying to climb the social ladder, that I'm unsophisticated, that I'm some kind of country bumpkin. Do you think a simple warning will do any good?"
She became more and more excited as she spoke, and her voice rose:
"I'll say it again, I'm not good enough for you, Young Master Xie. This engagement will be dissolved sooner or later, so please don't tell anyone that I'm your fiancée!"
Xie Huaiye stepped forward to take her hand, but she shook him off forcefully.
"Yan Ning, don't do this, give me a chance to make amends..."
"Make up for what?"
Yan Ning interrupted him, taking a step back, "Will you buy me an even more expensive dress? Or will you put in a better word for me at the next banquet? Xie Huaiye, we're not the same kind of people at all."
After she finished speaking, she turned around and walked out.
Xie Huaiye caught up with him: "I'll take you home!"
"No need!"
Yan Ning didn't even turn her head. "I'll call a car to go home. Don't bother."
It's not safe for you to be alone so late!
Yan Ning suddenly stopped and turned around.
The neon lights shone on her face, flickering on and off.
"Xie Huaiye, you know best."
She said, word by word, "I've been exorcising ghosts and evil spirits in the Taoist temple since I was a child. What kind of dark road haven't I walked on? Compared to the open and covert attacks in your circle, the desolate mountains and wilderness are much safer."
These words were like a slap in the face to Xie Huaiye.
He stood frozen in place, watching helplessly as Yan Ning hailed a taxi and sped away.
After Yan Ning left, Xie Huaiye left the banquet in a daze.
He returned to the Xie family mansion alone.
The living room was brightly lit, and Xie Heng was sitting on the sofa.
They were somewhat surprised to see him come in alone.
"Huh?"
Xie Heng looked behind his son and asked, "Where's Yan Ning? Why didn't she come back with us?"
Xie Huaiye loosened his tie, his voice low and deep:
“At the dinner party, some of my friends made sarcastic remarks and mocked her. She got angry and left on her own.”
"How foolish!"
Xie Heng slapped his thigh. "This young lady is so shy. How could you not protect her in that situation? Next time, just confront her directly, you hear me?"
"Okay, Dad."
Xie Huaiye scratched his head in frustration, "But now that everyone's gone, what am I going to do?"
You actually believe those angry words?
Xie Heng glared at him, "This is exactly the time when you need to chase after them and coax them, but instead, you ran back yourself?"
At that moment, the butler rushed in, holding his phone:
"Young Master, Butler Liu from the Su family just called to say that Miss Yan Ning hasn't returned."
"What?"
Xie Huaiye suddenly looked up, "Didn't you go home?"
Where could she go so late?
A girl is alone outside...
Xie Heng immediately stood up: "Go find them quickly! What if something happens in the middle of the night?"
Xie Huaiye grabbed his car keys and rushed out the door.
The engine roared, and the car sped off.
Where can he find it?
Apart from the Su family, Yan Ning had almost no acquaintances in the city.
Suddenly, a place flashed into my mind—Qingshan Temple.
Yes, it must be there.
That was the place where she grew up, her only source of emotional support.
Xie Huaiye turned the steering wheel and headed towards the suburbs.
...
As night deepened, the Qingshan Temple appeared even more dilapidated.
Yan Ning sat on the stone steps at the entrance of the Taoist temple.
The evening breeze lifted her loose hair.
Over her expensive gown, she casually wore a loose-fitting coat and carried a can of beer in her hand.
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