Chapter Thirteen: Confession Rejected?

Facing Ye Wushang’s fierce, menacing gaze, Xu Wei’s tongue shrank back and she hurriedly fell silent.

She had known him for three years.

But she had never seen him so furious before.

In fact, when she first heard that he’d struck Sun Chuan-zhi, she thought it must be a joke.

But now...

“How dare you? You actually hit someone?” Sun Chuan-zhi bellowed upon witnessing the scene.

He thought this was a perfect opportunity to show off, but before he could make a move, Lan Ruoxue suddenly stopped him!

“Chuan-zhi, leave this to me,” she said, glancing at Xu Wei’s flushed cheek. Staring coldly at Ye Wushang, she spoke in disappointment, “Ye Wushang, you’re being utterly unreasonable.”

“You were wrong to follow me in the first place; Xu Wei was only stating the truth.”

“But you hit her right in front of me. Do you realize she’s not only my assistant, but also my dear friend?”

“I insist that you apologize to Xu Wei immediately!”

Her overbearing demeanor was one of superiority—an accurate reflection of their married life over the past three years.

But all of that was now over.

“I will not,” Ye Wushang replied flatly, shaking his head. “She brought it on herself with her foul mouth. She deserved it.”

“Lan Ruoxue, we’re divorced now. Your words no longer hold any sway with me.”

With that, he turned to leave.

“Stop right there!” Lan Ruoxue shouted furiously and rushed to block his path.

“Ye Wushang, is it so hard to admit you were wrong?”

“Did Xu Wei say anything untrue? Didn’t you follow me here, hoping to beg for reconciliation?”

“If you’re asking for something, you should at least show some humility. With this attitude, there’s no way I’d ever take you back!”

Heh.

She actually thought he wanted to beg her to remarry?

He had long since given up all hope for the Lan family. Even if she were willing, he would never agree.

“First of all, I wasn’t following you.”

“Second, I’m here tonight because a friend invited me.”

“She’s also a guest at tonight’s banquet—”

“Haha!” Sun Chuan-zhi suddenly burst out laughing before Ye Wushang could finish.

Hands in his pockets, he looked at Ye Wushang with mocking eyes. “You useless nobody—are you trying to make me laugh to death?”

“You? A friend here? What kind of friend—some beggar? Inviting you to eat leftovers?”

“Words are cheap. If you’re so tough, have your friend come over and prove it—”

Suddenly, the sharp screech of brakes cut through the air!

A red convertible Bentley pulled up at the entrance. A woman stepped out of the car.

This woman’s features were exquisitely beautiful. She moved with grace, her figure alluring in a deep blue strapless gown that was both sexy and elegant.

Every movement radiated a noble aura that could not be concealed.

If Lan Ruoxue could be likened to a dazzling red blossom, this woman was a wild azalea blooming on the mountainside.

She held an expensive suit in her hand, stepped lightly on her high heels, and walked toward Ye Wushang.

“Wushang, I wasn’t satisfied with the last tailor, so I found another one. Your custom suit is finally ready.”

“I’m sorry I’m late—will you forgive me?”

As she spoke, she took the initiative to link arms with Ye Wushang.

He was momentarily stunned.

So she’d been late because she’d arranged for a custom suit for him.

He’d thought she was going to stand him up.

The Hanlong Grass was vital to him—not only to advance his cultivation, but also as the only hope for curing his sister.

“It’s alright. I only just got here myself,” Ye Wushang replied, withdrawing his arm out of habit. He said calmly, “Miss An, men and women should keep a respectful distance. Please mind yourself.”

“I’m only here to take a look. There was no need to have a new suit made for me—it’s too much.”

He knew very well she was helping him out of this predicament.

But after all he’d been through with Lan Ruoxue, his attitude toward women now was to keep a respectful distance.

His heart was set only on curing his sister and finding his father, so their family could be together again.

Everything else, he would put aside for now.

Of course, An Lan, being the heiress of a prominent family, was now risking her own reputation to help him.

For a woman to do such a thing—he truly felt grateful.

“Wushang, who knows what the future may bring?”

“We may only be ordinary friends now, but perhaps one day we’ll be more than that.”

“Don’t worry—one day, I’ll make you accept me.”

These words nearly made the other guests—who had all admired An Lan—choke in disbelief.

“Is this guy out of his mind?”

“A gorgeous woman throws herself at him and he turns her down?”

“Maybe he’s... not up to it...”

People exchanged astonished glances and whispered furiously among themselves.

When they realized this stunning woman was the very friend Ye Wushang had been waiting for, Lan Ruoxue and the other two froze with shock, then were utterly dumbfounded.

They had never imagined Ye Wushang had not lied.

Judging by this woman’s attire, it was clear she came from a distinguished background; attending tonight’s banquet was no surprise at all.

But how did he know someone like her?

“So, Wushang, what were you talking about with them? Are these all your friends?” An Lan shifted the topic, turning to look at Lan Ruoxue and her companions.

“She’s my ex-wife,” Ye Wushang said, pointing briefly at Lan Ruoxue. “As for the other two, just passersby.”

“Oh?”

An Lan raised her eyebrows in surprise.

She hadn’t had time to look into Ye Wushang’s background yet, but she had assumed a man as outstanding as him must already be married.

A loving, harmonious couple, she had imagined.

But he was actually divorced?

For some reason, An Lan felt a secret delight.

She didn’t show it, though. Instead, she reached out her hand politely and smiled, “Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hello.” Lan Ruoxue shook her hand out of courtesy, but quickly drew her hand back.

She appeared calm, but inside, she was in turmoil.

This friend of his—

Stunningly beautiful.

Noble in demeanor.

In every way, she was a match for herself.

Especially with that curvaceous figure—she even felt a little inferior.

“Wushang, since when did you have a friend like her?” Lan Ruoxue drew a deep breath, face full of confusion. “Why didn’t I know?”

“What did you ever know about me?” Ye Wushang replied evenly. “You never tried to understand me. Isn’t it rather funny to ask now?”

Lan Ruoxue hesitated, at a loss for words.

He was right.

She had never tried to know him.

In her mind, as long as she worked hard, so should he.

Some things didn’t need to be said; surely they’d both understand.

But alas.

He never understood the effort she’d made. They were like two parallel lines, destined never to meet.

Now, gazing into his eyes, she found him suddenly a total stranger.

“Let’s not talk about that.”

“The banquet won’t start for a while. Have your friend wait.”

“Come with me. I need to talk to you.”

Her grandfather was the ultimate authority in the family.

No matter what she accomplished, the Lan family’s word was law.

Since he had requested it, she had to obey.

Whatever it took, she had to persuade Ye Wushang to return home, at least to explain things to her grandfather.

The divorce had been mutual; she had never forced it on him.

“If you have something to say, say it here,” Ye Wushang refused bluntly. “We’re divorced. If we were to be alone together, I’d worry about being misunderstood.”

…