Chapter 538: Stirring Up Trouble Again (2)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Zhao Youming deliberately paused for a brief moment before he continued, “Initially, my father planned to attend your wedding and offer his apologies to you. However, he did not receive your wedding invitation and thought that you were still holding a grudge against him. As such, I have come over to apologize on his behalf. Youlin, I hope you could let bygones be bygones and don’t lower your standard to meet his.”
Zhao Youming sounded like he was apologizing to Zhao Youlin. In fact, he was mocking Zhao Youlin for failing to send the wedding invitation over and instead was questioning why Zhao Shuncheng was not present at her wedding. Furthermore, he also mocked Zhao Youlin for being so calculative with an elder, and that she was small-minded and had failed to show respect for an elder.
How could Zhao Youlin have missed the hint aimed at her from Zhao Youming’s words? The corners of her lips curled upward as she snorted, “Second Uncle doesn’t have to say that. After all, I was partly to blame for the incident that day. I didn’t know that you were unaware that you were going to have an extra younger brother or sister so I simply spilled the happy news to you first. I never expected that Second Uncle was going to tell you about it in person. Now that I think about it, I really feel sorry for my second uncle.”
Zhao Youlin had mentioned Zhao Shuncheng’s mistress was pregnant in front of Zhao Youming once again. He could no longer restrain his expression, and it turned gloomy.
Zhao Youlin caught all of his facial expression changes. A hint of mischief flashed across her eyes as she said, “Speaking of which, I really have to thank Second Uncle. If it hadn’t been for him being unable to think clearly that day, my parents and I would not have thought of making early preparations to prevent those whose minds could not think clearly and coming with nothing in mind but to make a fuss at our wedding. Prevention is better than cure, after all. Today, Yichen and my wedding could go off without a hitch, all thanks to Second Uncle.”
Zhao Youming’s expression had turned black. He belatedly understood the actual reason why Sun Fengzi and the rest of her group were not present today. At that moment, he felt like he had suffered the consequences of his own actions.
While Zhao Youming was in a daze, Zhao Youlin abruptly leaned in closer and said in a volume that only the two of them could hear. She said with a faint smile, “Don’t go around thinking that I do not know who is the main culprit who had deliberately told Zhao Shuncheng about my wedding, as well as who went through all the trouble to reveal An Yue’s address to Xie Yuqing. Zhao Youming, don’t try my patience and stop challenging my bottom line. Otherwise, I bet you couldn’t afford to bear the consequences.”
Zhao Youming’s expression changed and turned as white as a sheet. Zhao Youlin straightened up and retreated to An Yue’s side while smiling teasingly at Zhao Youming.
Zhao Youming pursed his lips before he feigned a smile and said quietly, “Youlin, An Yue, my stomach is not feeling too well. Please excuse me, as I need to use the washroom.”
“Your stomach is not feeling well, huh? Did you eat something that you shouldn’t have? Hurry to the washroom, then. Even if the food at the banquet is tasty, you shouldn’t overeat and have to eat according to your own portion. The most important thing is your health.”
Zhao Youlin’s words sounded like she was concerned about Zhao Youming. In fact, she reminded him not to be too greedy, lest he ends up losing everything.
Zhao Youming’s expression turned ghastly pale. As a result, he looked like he was truly gravely ill due to health issues.
Zhao Youming turned around and walked away in disgust. Only then did the smile on Zhao Youlin’s face fade, and she sat down next to An Yue coolly.
The drastic change in Zhao Youlin’s facial expression had inevitably shocked An Yue. She turned around and cast a glance at Zhao Youming, who was on the other end, before she asked warily, “Youlin, what was wrong… with the person just now?”
Zhao Youlin sucked in a deep breath before raising the gla.s.s of water beside her and drinking it. Her complexion improved only after that. She shook her head. “Nothing. Yue Yue, remember to stay away from that person. He looks friendly on the surface, but he is far more dangerous than Ms. Xie.”
An Yue’s expression changed when Zhao Youlin mentioned Xie Yuqing. She quickly gave a nod and said, “Noted.”
Right after Zhao Youming left, Mu Tingfeng and Han Yichen had returned. They keenly felt the abnormal atmosphere between the two as they approached them.
Mu Tingfeng and Han Yichen exchanged glances before they went up to them and asked, “Is there anything wrong?”
“Chen, you’re back!” An Yue was caught in a dilemma upon hearing Zhao Youlin’s words. However, when she heard Han Yichen’s voice, her eyes lit up, and she jerked up.
“Well, I hope nothing bad happens, right?” Han Yichen pa.s.sed the food to An Yue while casting an inquiring glance at Zhao Youlin.
Zhao Youlin received the refreshment handed to her by Mu Tingfeng before she briefly responded to Han Yichen, “Zhao Youming came right after you both have left.”
Mu Tingfeng and Han Yichen’s expressions turned aghast. While An Yue did not know the sinister side of great families, Han Yichen and Mu Tingfeng knew these well.
Zhao Youlin was amused when she saw the two men’s demeanor as if enemies were about to come. “What are you guys so nervous about? He can’t possibly be devouring us, can he?”
Upon hearing Zhao Youlin’s teasing remark, the two men remembered that Zhao Youlin could easily hold her own against unruly men. Only then did they breathe a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, An Yue grew increasingly puzzled over their reactions. She could not help but pull Han Yichen’s sleeves and asked, “Chen, who is Young Master Zhao…”
Han Yichen turned his head around and cast a glance at Zhao Youlin before he slowly said, “Youlin is actually an adopted daughter of Zhao Shunrong and Duan Yarong.”
“Huh?”
“Before this, Youlin was Second Uncle’s daughter. The young man who talked to you just now is… Youlin’s stepbrother.”
An Yue was caught by surprise.
She felt her eyes fly wide open, and she stared at Han Yichen in disbelief before she recovered her senses and quickly said, “I-I-I don’t know about this. Youlin, I’m sorry. I…”
“Pfff…” When Zhao Youlin saw An Yue’s expression as if she was about to burst into tears, she could not help but let out a bark of laughter. “Why are you apologizing to me? Didn’t you do a good job following my instructions just now?”
An Yue was stunned. She recalled that she had not said even a single word with Zhao Youming when he greeted her. She looked down, and her face unwittingly turned red.
Regardless, she finally understood why the atmosphere was so tense and the reason Zhao Youlin had reminded her when she talked to the seemingly friendly young man.
Mu Tingfeng and Han Yichen further asked Zhao Youlin about Zhao Youming’s condition. They were relieved only after they were fully convinced that Zhao Youming had been rendered speechless by Zhao Youlin.
Zhao Youlin was eating the food Mu Tingfeng had brought her while casually surveying the crowd’s behavior. When she saw the certain two people in the corner, she narrowed her eyes and said morosely, “That guy…”