Chapter 219: He Has Something to Say
The crowd in the grand hall was reeling, and those on the second floor were just as unsettled.
The Monarch’s brows were tightly furrowed. He stared intently at the pair below, his expression growing darker and more somber.
Beside him, a flicker of excitement showed in Ye Yan’s eyes. He had always known about Shi Lan—’The female who had once seemed to have a crush on me.’
’She’s good-looking now, but it’s a shame she’s a useless female.’
’I can’t believe my dear older brother would pass up perfectly good A-level females for this type.’
He secretly glanced at his father’s face, his eyes filled with schadenfreude.
Downstairs, after the dance concluded, the lights in the grand hall brightened again.
Despite everyone’s differing thoughts, they all began to applaud.
Shi Lan listened to the applause, her gaze falling to their tightly clasped hands. Ye Ming’s whisper from just a moment ago echoed in her ears again.
He had asked, "Are you afraid? After tonight, Lanlan, your life probably won’t be as peaceful as before..."
Shi Lan had a vague idea of what he meant, but she’d had her answer ready from the moment she agreed to be his dance partner.
So, she had shaken her head, and a smile had blossomed in Ye Ming’s eyes.
After the opening dance came the cutting of the birthday cake and the presentation of gifts.
The gifts were all specially managed and registered.
The Monarch watched Ye Ming cut the cake with a strained smile, then promptly left. The rest of the evening was for dinner and dancing.
Servers brought out a variety of hot and cold dishes and replenished the pastries, while instrumental music played continuously.
Shi Lan separated from Ye Ming for a moment. Jiang Yan pulled her into a secluded corner and stared at her with a look of profound betrayal. "Lanlan, you really kept me in the dark..."
Shi Lan looked a little embarrassed. "I’m sorry, Yanyan. It’s just that Ye Ming is a Prince. I didn’t dare say too much before I knew how things would turn out."
"Let’s not talk about him for a second. Tell me, besides all this, is there anything else you’re hiding from me? It’s just the four of them, right?"
Jiang Yan stared at her seriously. Shi Lan guiltily held up one finger. "Just... just one more."
"Who?"
Jiang Yan’s eyes widened as she braced herself.
But when she heard the name Yan Huoshui, she still nearly cried out in shock.
"You’ve got to be kidding me! He... he’s not like Jiang Xia and the others. He’s much more dangerous..."
Shi Lan understood her friend’s worry and reassured her, "Yanyan, I know what I’m doing. He’s very good to me."
"Besides, I was in danger twice before, and he helped me immensely at critical moments."
"Really, Yanyan, don’t worry. I’m not that foolish."
Jiang Yan’s agitation slowly subsided at her words, but her heart had truly skipped a beat several times tonight.
She looked at her and sighed deeply. "Actually, that’s not all I’m worried about. Their spiritual power is so high, and the risk of a spiritual power collapse is huge. You..."
Shi Lan understood what she was leaving unsaid. "Don’t worry, Yanyan. After I went to Black Star, I realized my spiritual power had a breakthrough. It’s at least A-level now."
"Really?"
Jiang Yan’s face lit up with a pleasant surprise. Shi Lan nodded. She hadn’t tested it specifically yet, but she was sure it was A-level. In fact, based on what Xiao Du said, she suspected she might even be S-level. She planned to use her chip to test it as soon as she got home tonight.
Now, with two Talent Skills, she felt much more confident than she had at the start and was no longer afraid of the potential risks that exposure might bring.
"If that’s the case, then I’m relieved."
Jiang Yan had nothing more to say about that, but regarding the Eldest Prince, she added earnestly, "With your spiritual power, the others might be manageable, but when it comes to the Eldest Prince..."
She couldn’t mention the Monarch directly, so she only hinted at it.
Shi Lan knew that getting past the Royal Family wouldn’t be easy. She took a deep breath and hugged Jiang Yan gratefully. "Yeah, I know. Thank you, Yanyan, for always helping and advising me."
Shi Lan smelled wonderful. As Jiang Yan was enveloped in that soft embrace, a sweet fragrance wafted over her, and her face flushed with emotion. She secretly sighed in relief and hugged her back. "As long as you don’t think I’m being nosy."
She had been worried that Shi Lan would be angry.
"I won’t."
Shi Lan was very grateful to have a friend like this. She didn’t know much about these aristocratic circles, but she could tell Jiang Yan was genuinely looking out for her.
They hugged for a little while before Lai Yilian squeezed in between them.
"What little secrets are you two talking about? Hugging so tightly. Let me join in the fun."
The three of them ended up in a silly group hug, and as they looked at each other, they inexplicably burst out laughing.
"Lanlan, I want to dance with you too."
Jiang Xia broke the heartwarming moment. Jiang Yan grumbled, "Why are you so clingy for a male? Look how well-behaved my Nan Nuo is."
Nan Nuo, who was standing in the corner holding a tray of pastries that Jiang Yan liked, looking just like a waiter, heard his wife’s praise. The smile on his lips widened, and he looked at Jiang Xia, proudly puffing out his chest.
Jiang Xia looked at Shi Lan and blinked pitifully. "Lanlan, can I? You already danced with the Eldest Prince."
"He’s the birthday boy. Of course he gets priority today."
Shi Lan explained helplessly, but seeing his dejected and pitiful expression, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse and held out her hand.
Jiang Xia gazed at her hand, with its sharp, beautiful, freshly manicured nails, and gently enveloped it in his own.
After Shi Lan left to dance, Lai Yilian and Jiang Yan got bored and headed to the dance floor as well.
The Eldest Prince quietly accepted toasts from the guests and didn’t dance again, his gaze simply fixed on the people on the dance floor.
Ye Yan hated the feeling of being outshone by Ye Ming. He didn’t go over and ask for trouble. ’He only picked a useless female,’ he thought. ’I, on the other hand, chose the young lady of the Bai Family, a female with A-level spiritual power.’ He finally felt a sense of superiority over Ye Ming, so he made a point of inviting his fiancée to dance.
In front of so many people, Bai Rao extended her hand.
On the dance floor, Shi Lan brushed past Bai Rao. Bai Rao smiled at her and whispered, "You’re quite something."
Shi Lan didn’t know what she meant and didn’t pay it much mind, focusing instead on the joy of dancing.
After finishing a dance with Jiang Xia, Shi Lan was pulled away by Mu Tangfeng. The two of them took turns pulling her onto the floor to dance several more times.
By the end of the night, her dancing, with which she had been unfamiliar, had improved by leaps and bounds.
After the liveliest part of the evening, around nine o’clock, the party crowd began to disperse.
The manor’s lights remained as bright as day, but the hubbub vanished along with the crowd.
After seeing his fiancée, Bai Rao, off, Ye Yan shot a glance at Ye Ming and Shi Lan before leaving with a pleased expression.
Shi Lan shivered for some reason. ’That smile of his just now was seriously creepy.’
Ye Ming’s gaze darkened as he stared at Ye Yan’s departing back, his brows knitting in displeasure. As if remembering something, he turned to Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng, who were still standing by. "You two can head home first. I’ll take Lanlan home later."
Jiang Xia was still reluctant, but his perceptive father dragged him away. As for Mu Tangfeng, before he could even protest, he was stopped by a stern look from Mr. Mu.
He mumbled for a moment before managing to say, "Lanlan, I’ll head home then. I’ll come see you tomorrow."
Shi Lan nodded and said her goodbyes, then turned to Ye Ming. "Ye Ming, what’s wrong?"
The night wind on Capital Star was a bit strong this time of year, but it wasn’t cold. Shi Lan’s shawl was very light, and worried it might be blown away by the wind, she clutched it in her arms.
Strands of hair from her bangs brushed against her fair, soft cheeks, revealing her bright, gentle, almond-shaped eyes.
Ye Ming’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He led Shi Lan on a stroll through the manor’s garden. They came to a swing set in a secluded part of the garden. With only two yellow, floral lanterns for light, the spot was quiet and cozy—a perfect place to talk.
When Shi Lan saw the swing, she excitedly sat down and gave it a couple of pushes. The wind carried a rich floral fragrance, making one feel instantly relaxed.
Seeing Ye Ming still standing there stiffly, she scooted over and patted the empty space beside her. "Ye Ming, come on."
"Mm, okay."
Ye Ming nervously took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat from his palms. With a sense of almost reverent joy, he sat down beside Shi Lan. A scent even more pleasant than the flowers swirled around him on the night breeze.