Upon hearing the butler's words, Lin Yingyue's heart sank heavily.
Song Zeqian must be looking for the woman he slept with last night!
According to the plot development, because Lin Yingyue was a bit shy, she quietly slipped away before dawn.
Afterwards, Song Zeqian gathered all the female staff and openly asked in the old residence who it was last night.
Lin Yingyue thought Song Zeqian liked her, blushed and boldly admitted, smoothly becoming Song Zeqian's girlfriend.
At first, Song Zeqian was indeed good to her.
But everything changed once the female lead appeared, and he willingly pursued her.
Lin Yingyue shuddered.
Even with ten times the courage, she wouldn't dare compete with the female lead for a man!
But if she didn't face Song Zeqian, where else could she flee?
Half an hour later, Lin Yingyue stood outside the main hall of the Song Residence.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and entered.
The morning sunlight streamed through the tall stained-glass windows, casting dappled patches of light and shadow.
Inside, aside from Lin Yingyue, almost everyone else was maids and nannies.
Dozens of uniformed maids and nannies whispered among themselves.
Although Lin Yingyue was called "Miss," she was actually just a live-in guest at the Song family, without particularly high status.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, the butler cleared his throat and said to the person behind him:
"Young Master, everyone is here."
A tall, straight figure slowly stepped into view.
The man had thin lips and a high nose bridge, exuding an innate air of nobility and pressure.
The faint whispers that had been lingering just a moment ago vanished without a trace.
Wherever his gaze passed, almost all the young maids blushed, shyly lowering their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.
Su Xiaoxiao quietly tugged at Lin Yingyue's sleeve.
"Yingyue, the young master is way too handsome, even better than the magazines!"
She didn't dare look up, only managed a vague "mm," her back already soaked with cold sweat.
She could feel that Song Zeqian's gaze kept lingering around her, as if intentionally or not.
Su Xiaoxiao kept chattering: "Young Master Song's Adam's apple is so big; I heard that men with big Adam's apples are proportionally..."
Lin Yingyue quickly covered her mouth.
That brat Su Xiaoxiao had actually guessed right.
But how attractive could he be? So what if he was like an electric little motor?
No matter how handsome the face, perfect the body, incredible the stamina, cough cough...
All of that was reserved for the female lead alone; staying far away was the way to keep safe.
Song Zeqian sat down in an armchair, casually crossing his long legs.
"Last night, I had a few too many drinks and was somewhat drunk."
His slender fingers idly spun the teacup.
"I accidentally ended up with a lady."
The news was too explosive; the maids exchanged glances.
The corner of Song Zeqian's mouth curled upward. "The room was too dark; I didn't get a clear look at her face."
"However, since it happened, I, Song Zeqian, am not someone who shirks responsibility."
"Whoever it was, please step forward. I will take full responsibility."
The hall fell silent; the maids kept their heads low, but inside, each of them was stirred with excitement.
This was the eldest young master of the Song Corporation, immensely wealthy, handsome, powerful, and the heir to a top-tier chaebol family!
His girlfriend would naturally have to be from a family of equal status.
Who in the old residence was so lucky to have a one-night stand with him?
Everyone knew the young master was kind-hearted and led a clean life.
He had never been in a relationship before, nor had he ever brought a woman home. This was his first love, so he must be taking it quite seriously.
Even if she didn't become his girlfriend, he would settle it with a large sum of money!
This was a golden opportunity to rise from rags to riches.
Only Lin Yingyue tried to play dead.
She didn't believe a word of this man's nonsense!
He was the male lead; even if he did genuinely like her now, it wouldn't be long before he fell for the female lead.
The hall remained silent for a long time.
No one came forward, which inevitably made some people start scheming.
If no one had admitted it after waiting so long, it meant the person involved didn't want to show up.
Fortune favors the bold, while the timid starve.
Since the young master hadn't seen the face clearly last night and didn't know who it was.
If that woman didn't dare to come out, wouldn't whoever stepped forward be the one?
Suddenly, from a corner, a woman timidly raised her head.
Song Zeqian's gaze shifted away from Lin Yingyue.
The moment his light gaze landed on that woman, she blushed crimson, her eyes darting away with a mix of shyness and nervousness.
"Young Master, it was me. I entered your room last night."
Lin Yingyue's heart leaped into her throat as she discreetly perked up her ears.
How foolish, sister! You've taken a wrong path!
Song Zeqian tilted his head slightly and smiled.
"Oh?" His voice was unreadable. "It was you?"
Liu Wei nodded emphatically.
She was a private tutor hired to teach the young master's younger brother—pretty, fair-skinned, and from a poor family.
Although she had climbed up on her own, immersed in the opulence of high society, she couldn't help but harbor fantasies of a meteoric rise.
"It was me, Young Master. I didn't mean to. I just saw you were drunk and wanted to check if you needed any help, and then..."
Her voice grew softer and softer, her face so red it looked like it would bleed, striking a coquettishly shy pose.
In the hall, some were envious, others jealous.
It was her? Liu Wei was just too lucky!
No one noticed the fleeting darkness in Song Zeqian's eyes.
"If it's true," he said flatly, "the Song family will not treat you poorly."
Liu Wei looked up in surprise, as if she could already see wealth and splendor beckoning her.
Song Zeqian appeared nonchalant.
"But, what evidence do you have to prove you're that person?"
Liu Wei was momentarily stunned, stammering, unable to speak, and finally managed to force out a sentence.
"What evidence does the Young Master require?"
"That lady left something in my room. Since you say it was you last night, tell me—what did she leave behind?"
Liu Wei hadn't expected this twist; her mind raced.
She wasn't sure, but since she had already boasted, she couldn't back down.
Relying on her shallow imagination of the romantic affairs of the wealthy, she cautiously guessed:
"A necklace?"
"A necklace?" The corner of Song Zeqian's mouth twisted into a mocking smile. "Wrong."
"I remember now, earrings—yes, earrings!"
"It seems you are not only dishonest but also pitifully lacking in imagination."
Liu Wei's lips trembled, a chill creeping through her heart.
"Young Master, I was wrong! I saw no one admitting it and was momentarily possessed by greed."
The gentle smile on Song Zeqian's face vanished, replaced by his usual coldness.
The butler understood immediately and signaled two male servants to step forward. They briskly hoisted Liu Wei up and unceremoniously dragged her toward the side door.
A chill spread through everyone present.
The young master hadn't mentioned any dropped item earlier; he was fishing for the truth!
Song Zeqian's gaze swept over each person.
"Don't entertain improper thoughts. Not even think about it."
"Otherwise, you'll end up like her—kicked out of the house."
No one dared to breathe.
The Song family was immensely wealthy; even maids earned tens of thousands a month, not to mention the spacious, bright staff quarters.
No one wanted to lose this job.
If you got on the Song family's blacklist, finding work in Linhai would be nearly impossible!
Seeing that the intimidation had achieved its purpose, Song Zeqian finally seemed satisfied.
He strode over to Lin Yingyue.
Lin Yingyue lowered her head, playing ostrich, watching those shiny leather shoes stop less than a meter in front of her.
The scent of cedarwood from last night seemed to linger by her nose again.
"Little sister, if I recall, you attend Linhai University, also known as G University, right?"
Lin Yingyue nodded. "Yes."
"Today isn't a weekend," Song Zeqian leaned slightly forward. "Why aren't you at school, little sister? Why are you here?"
To others, his tone sounded gentle, like a caring older brother.
But Lin Yingyue felt a chill shoot up from the soles of her feet straight to her crown, her heartbeat thundering like a drum.
"There are no classes at university these two days; it's a short break."
He straightened up, his gaze landing on her trembling eyelashes, and suddenly let out a soft laugh.
"Don't be nervous, I'm just asking casually. I didn't say that woman was you."
The more he said that, the more guilty Lin Yingyue felt.
Sure enough, his next words took a turn.
"By the way, little sister, what do you think that lady might have left behind?"
Lin Yingyue's originally fair cheeks flushed bright red.
That one casual sentence hit her like a bomb, sending her blood rushing.
Guiltily, Lin Yingyue covered her cool chest.
Last night she had worn a thin spaghetti strap dress. When she fled in panic, she only picked up the tattered remnants of the dress.
How could she have forgotten to look for that pink lace-trimmed little underwear?
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