Jingzhou, entertainnt club.
Inside the private room, Leng Xingshuang lounged on the sofa, watching her companions argue over which song to select.
"I want Jiang Han’s new song."
"No, I want to play Rong Xianning’s."
"A little punk who only covers other people’s songs—how does that compare to the creative genius Jiang Han?"
Their argunt escalated so quickly that they were on the verge of pulling each other’s hair when Leng Xingshuang snapped, "Enough! If you want to fight, do it outside!"
The girls exchanged uneasy glances and fell silent, too afraid to protest.
At that mont, soone walked briskly into the room, approached Leng Xingshuang, and whispered sothing in her ear.
Leng Xingshuang’s delicate brows knitted tightly. "Are you sure?"
"I’m certain," ca the reply.
Leng Xingshuang’s lips curled into a frosty smirk. "Take so people with us—we’re leaving."
Seeing Leng Xingshuang about to depart, one of the girls imdiately called out, "Xingshuang, if you leave, what are we supposed to do?"
Leng Xingshuang cast a sidelong glance at the girl speaking before her gaze shifted to another girl sitting quietly beside her. Her lips curled slightly.
"Yuan Tingfang, stop pretending—it’s exhausting, isn’t it? Isn’t this just about digging up news about Bichen from ? If you had the guts to ask directly, I might actually think better of you. Here’s my advice: quit while you can. You don’t stand a chance against Yu Ruohuan."
With that, Leng Xingshuang didn’t spare them a second glance and left abruptly.
The room fell into a suffocating silence.
Yuan Tingfang’s face darkened like the bottom of a scorched pan.
Xue Lan tried to comfort her. "Tingfang, Leng Xingshuang isn’t entirely correct. I’ve been hearing rumors outside these days—it’s Yu Ruohuan who’s pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes. She’s not the one with a marriage arrangent with Gu Bichen; it’s her cousin from her father’s side. But her uncle’s family ran into trouble, and there are no heirs left, so the engagent doesn’t count. The Gu family won’t recognize it."
Jingzhou is ho to four elite families that stand above all others—Yu, Gu, Wen, and Leng—ranked in order.
Beneath these four families are the nurous top-tier aristocratic clans.
Among these clans are those who thrive under the Yu family’s shadow, like the Helian family, the Xiang family, and the Jing family.
The Gu family has always been independent, never banding together with others—upright and refined.
The Wen family speaks for itself.
The Leng family, though slightly inferior compared to the other three, controls the world’s wealth and holds the keys to traditional dical knowledge. Although lacking nobility, its riches and connections are unparalleled, securing its seat among the four elite families.
Naturally, the Leng family also has many followers, including today’s group of girls who flock to Leng Xingshuang—young ladies from wealthy families dependent on the Leng family.
Aside from the fact that Leng Xingshuang’s status doesn’t match those of the Misses from the Yu or Wen families, she enjoys star-like adulation wherever she goes.
Yuan Tingfang is one such admirer. The Yuan family is in the pharmaceutical business, reliant on the Leng family’s influence to survive, so bowing and scraping before Leng Xingshuang is the norm. Leng Xingshuang is cold and prideful, never truly respecting them, but today’s direct and cutting remarks were unprecedented.
Yuan Tingfang’s dignity was utterly shattered.
At school, she’s a model student; in social circles, she’s the epito of sophistication and grace, with an impeccable reputation.
Her father had hoped to use her for a strategic marriage, but he couldn’t find the ideal match. She wanted autonomy in her marriage and needed to seize her own opportunities.
Last month, she attended a winter camp in Chunzhou, where she t Gu Bichen. The young man fulfilled her every fantasy of an ideal spouse, and upon returning, she began devising plans. Hearing that Leng Xingshuang was close to Gu Bichen, she eagerly joined Leng Xingshuang’s "sisterhood" in hopes of gaining proximity to her goal.
For all her youth, Leng Xingshuang had a cunning mind. Yuan Tingfang’s attempts to "flatter" her had yielded no results thus far.
Now, with her motives exposed in a single blow, she was thoroughly humiliated.
"Miss Leng is right. It was foolish of to dream so."
Yuan Tingfang’s face showed a trace of pitiful sorrow.
Having carefully cultivated her public image, she was well-liked within the social scene. Her deanor elicited sympathy from those around her.
"How can it be foolish dreaming? Tingfang, among Jingzhou’s young ladies, you are absolutely one of the best. No matter how outstanding Gu Bichen is, you are still worthy of him. Have confidence in yourself."
"Besides, no matter how formidable Yu Ruohuan may be, it doesn’t matter if the Gu family doesn’t recognize her—Miss Leng isn’t helping us, so we’ll have to find our own way."
Xiao Jing, who knew Leng Xingshuang closely, hinted at so inside information. She said softly, "Don’t bla Xingshuang for her harsh words. She’s dealing with so troubling matters herself."
Xue Lan was surprised. "There’s sothing that could bother her?"
Leng Xingshuang was known for being arrogant and combative, never backing down.
Xiao Qing glanced around cautiously before lowering her voice. "Don’t you know? It’s all anyone’s talking about lately—about the Leng family’s rumored illegitimate child. You all really need to pay more attention."
The young won, preoccupied with celebrities, makeup, and fashion, were clueless about external rumors.
Xue Lan gasped and covered her mouth. "The Leng family has an illegitimate child? Wouldn’t that an Leng Xingshuang’s position..."
There was a glimr of schadenfreude in her eyes.
Leng Xingshuang was the sole grandchild of Leng Shan, the source of her arrogance. If an illegitimate child surfaced, would she still have reason to remain so proud?
Yuan Tingfang didn’t show much emotion but expressed doubt. "Mr. Leng has been deceased for many years—why would an illegitimate child suddenly appear? Surely it’s just a rumor?"
"I don’t know about that, but one thing’s certain: the Leng family is hosting a recognition banquet in a few days. Check with your parents to see if they received an invitation. With such an event, do you really think Leng Xingshuang could still be happy?"
Xiao Qing shot a subtle glance at Yuan Tingfang, her lips curling slightly.
Yuan Tingfang’s ambition to marry into the Gu family was pure fantasy. The Gu family would never consider soone of her standing.
Now that rumors of a Leng family illegitimate child had erupted, and Old Sir Leng was going all out to host a recognition banquet, the balance of power had shifted. If Yuan Tingfang were smart, she’d change her target.
So be it—let her wade into these murky waters first.
——
Leng Xingshuang exited the club, leading a group of people as they marched toward an underground bar.
The bar, lively late into the night, was awash in neon lights as young n and won swayed to heavy tal music in the dance floor.
A squad of people dressed in black stord in, causing a ripple of chaos.
Leng Xingshuang’s gaze scanned the crowd and landed on Leng Yunyang at the bar. He was flamboyantly dressed and currently flirting with a heavily made-up woman.
Leng Xingshuang let out a cold laugh and pointed at Leng Yunyang. "Beat him up."
The woman turned pale and fled in terror.
Leng Yunyang’s smile was wicked and unperturbed. Blinking playfully at Leng Xingshuang, he said, "Little sister, what did I do to offend you?"
Leng Xingshuang scoffed. "Don’t call sister—you’re just an illegitimate child. You should be grateful I’m even acknowledging you. I’m warning you: leave Jingzhou imdiately, or I’ll kill you."
Leng Yunyang continued smiling, but the coldness in his eyes was like an icy abyss, sending chills down spines.
Leng Xingshuang was alard for a mont but quickly steadied herself, her expression turning fiercer. She ordered her people, "What are you standing around for? Beat him to death—I’ll take responsibility."
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