Ji Xueli stood tall in her stiletto heels, looking down at her from above.
“You… you dare hit me?!” Ren Tang widened her eyes, staring at her in disbelief.
The sales assistant stood frozen in place, mouth agape, too frightened to move.
“Yes, it was me who hit you. Are you going to complain to the Crown Prince?” Ji Xueli smiled.
From her words, it was clear she wasn’t the female lead but the villainess, just like the original character’s role, so there was no need to hold back.
Yet, she felt an inexplicable disappointment. If this woman were the female lead, at least half her troubles would be over.
Ren Tang trembled with rage, the pain in her cheek only fueling her anger. “I belong to the Crown Prince. Even if you have the Ji family backing you, so what?!”
“It seems Duan Qingyu’s taste isn’t all that great either,” Ji Xueli remarked honestly, sizing her up.
“Is that so? This is the first time I’ve heard someone say my taste is poor.” A deep, pleasant voice chimed in.
Ji Xueli instinctively turned to look.
The man wore an elegant black shirt and suit pants, with broad shoulders and long legs. His cool, refined features held a hint of captivating charm, and the corners of his lips were slightly upturned.
Duan Qingyu? What was he doing here? Could this fool really be the female lead?!
Ji Xueli froze on the spot. Getting caught badmouthing someone…
“Crown Prince, I don’t think Miss Ji meant it. It’s fine if she insults me, but now she’s dragging you into it…” Ren Tang rushed toward him eagerly upon seeing him.
Duan Qingyu subtly took a step back. “And you are?”
Ren Tang’s face paled.
Hearing this, Ji Xueli immediately looked up. It seemed this woman had left no impression on Duan Qingyu.
“She’s holding your card. Don’t you remember your mistress?” she couldn’t help but speak up.
Duan Qingyu raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. “Mistress?”
“I don’t recall having any mistress,” he said, glancing at the person beside him.
This was getting interesting. Ji Xueli smiled.
Ren Tang’s face alternated between green and pale. She wasn’t actually Duan Qingyu’s woman. The card in her hand was from a time when she happened to run into him while he was drunk. She took the opportunity to help him back to his hotel, and he mistook her for someone else sent to him, telling her to get lost…
“Crown Prince, you must have forgotten. It was that time when you were drunk,” Ren Tang tried to be vague.
“I don’t just call anyone casually,” Duan Qingyu replied, losing patience.
Seeing Duan Qingyu’s indifferent expression, Ji Xueli sighed. “Alright, Miss Ren, if I were you, I’d take the card and leave without making a scene.”
Ren Tang bit her lower lip, thought it over, and finally took the card, leaving with hatred in her eyes, not forgetting to glare at Ji Xueli.
Ji Xueli felt she had gone too easy with that slap. She waved the sales assistant over. “What was her name again?”
“Ren Tang, a recently popular actress.”
“Ren Tang…” Ji Xueli repeated the name. She would remember it. If they met again, she wouldn’t let her off so easily.
Seeing her reaction, Duan Qingyu knew she had taken note of the woman.
Only then did Ji Xueli remember the person beside her and explained, “I wasn’t talking about you earlier. I was mocking her.”
“Hmm, after all, my taste really isn’t that great either,” Duan Qingyu replied calmly, stepping out.
So petty…
“I really didn’t mean to insult you. How about I treat you to a meal?” Ji Xueli quickly caught up with him, instructing the staff to deliver the items to the Ji family before leaving.
Duan Qingyu raised his wrist to check the time and nodded, “Sure, what do you want to eat?”
She hadn’t expected him to agree so quickly. Ji Xueli glanced around. “You pick. I’m not too familiar with the area since I just got back.”
“Is this Miss Ji’s way of making amends?” Duan Qingyu wore a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Mhm, pick something expensive. It’s fine—I’m not short on money.” Ji Xueli crossed her arms and chuckled lightly.
Such straightforward words caught Duan Qingyu somewhat off guard. He looked at her with interest. “Then let’s go.”
“But why are you here all of a sudden?” Ji Xueli asked curiously.
Duan Qingyu replied leisurely, “This mall belongs to the Duan family.”
“Oh~” It seems I’ll have to check before going out from now on, Ji Xueli mused inwardly.
“But I almost forgot—I have a business partner waiting for me.” Duan Qingyu’s voice carried a hint of regret.
“No problem, then let’s go together.” Ji Xueli didn’t mind. As long as she could spend time with him, it was fine. After the meal, she could even have him take her home.
“You don’t mind?” Duan Qingyu stared at her.
“Not at all.”
“Then let’s go together.” He lowered his gaze, hiding the playfulness and excitement in his eyes. He couldn’t wait to see what would happen next…
“But don’t call me Miss Ji anymore—it feels too distant. Just call me Xueli.” Ji Xueli took the initiative, hoping to bring the two of them closer.
“Xueli…” he repeated softly, his voice deep and pleasant, the tail end rising slightly, carrying an inexplicable tenderness.
Ji Xueli’s ears tingled slightly. She forced herself to stay calm. “Mhm.”
“Alright.”