“She really knows how to make up stories! That burlap sack and rope could have been part of some new game she wanted to play! Anyway, I do not believe her either!”
“Exactly! Even Master Rong has not said a word!”
Rong Yuchuan’s expression turned cold and murderous as he stepped forward, approaching Shen Chuhe. His voice was icy and carried an endless chill as he grabbed her wrist and said harshly, “Have you had enough? Are you still playing these little tricks?”
The meaning behind Rong Yuchuan’s words left plenty of room for imagination.
What did he mean by that?
Shen Chuhe frowned as she looked at him.
Did he also think that she had done this deliberately?
Qiao Wan stepped forward as well and gently pried Rong Yuchuan’s hand away from Shen Chuhe’s wrist.
“Ah Yu, do not be so harsh! Perhaps Chuhe really did not do it deliberately.”
A moment later, more mocking and insulting remarks came one after another, each one striking Shen Chuhe’s heart.
“See? I told you this woman was full of lies! Even Master Rong did not testify for her!”
“Exactly…”
“Shen Chuhe is actually quite pretty, with that delicate and pitiful look of hers. How could she do something like this? She is really bringing shame to all women!”
“Have you said enough?”
Jiang Yining finally could not take it anymore. She pushed the man beside her who had been gossiping nonstop.
“Are you done yet? What women do has nothing to do with you! She has already explained everything clearly, yet you people keep running your mouths and making baseless accusations. You are a grown man, but you spread slander and rumors without even feeling ashamed!”
Jiang Yining stepped forward and stood in front of Shen Chuhe.
A strange flicker passed through Qiao Wan’s gentle eyes when she saw this.
“We only believe what we see! Are we supposed to believe whatever she says? Look around you. Who is going to believe her?”
After tonight, Shen Chuhe’s reputation would probably be completely ruined. None of the prominent figures in Beicheng would be willing to associate with a girl like her.
“I believe her.”
The man’s voice was gentle yet firm.
In the corridor, a tall man slowly made his way up the stairs, taking one step at a time.
He had handsome, refined features and a sharply defined face. His deep eyes were filled with determination. His appearance was comparable to Rong Yuchuan’s, though the two men each possessed their own distinct charm.
“Big Brother!”
Jiang Yining called out excitedly, then immediately turned to Shen Chuhe and said softly, “My big brother is here, so do not be afraid! I knew he would not just stand by and ignore you. Look, this jacket is the one he lent you!”
Shen Chuhe lowered her eyes to the suit tied around her waist. Her eyes shifted slightly before she looked up and met a pair of deep eyes.
He was Jiang Beiji.
A friend she had once met by chance.
Later, because Rong Yuchuan disliked him, she gradually distanced herself from him until they eventually became complete strangers.
So he was Jiang Yining’s older brother.
She had never expected that the one person who would firmly stand by her side at this moment would actually be him.
Qiao Wan also looked toward the newcomer.
After a moment, she smiled.
“Young Master Jiang is here too! I am truly sorry, everyone. I never expected something like this to happen at our Qiao family’s banquet and ruin everyone’s mood.”
“But since Miss Chuhe has already explained that this was a misunderstanding, please make your way downstairs. We have already prepared food and wine. To express our apologies, the Qiao family has also prepared exquisite gifts for everyone to take home. Please do not refuse them.”
With that, she tugged lightly at Rong Yuchuan’s hand, displaying a delicate, coquettish manner.
“Ah Yu, do not pursue this any further. Chuhe is a girl, after all, so please leave her some dignity, all right?”
Gentle, graceful, considerate, and perfectly composed, she also displayed just the right amount of coquettish charm in front of the man she loved.
The woman Rong Yuchuan had cherished in his heart for so many years really was an exceptionally “good” one.
A mocking smile appeared at the corner of Shen Chuhe’s lips.
Leave her some dignity?
Was she not simply trying to make sure everyone believed that what happened tonight had actually been true?
“Chuhe, since you said you were brought here after being kidnapped, do not worry. Ah Yu will not stand by and do nothing. He will help you catch the person who kidnapped you! So do not worry, all right?”
“Help me, that is so fake!”
Jiang Yining could not help rolling her eyes as she listened from the side.
Rong Yuchuan frowned. His gaze swept over Shen Chuhe, cold as ice, but his tone was unexpectedly gentle.
“All right, we will do as Wanwan says.”
With that, he turned his head and looked at the people gathered behind them.
The group of young masters and young ladies awkwardly made their way downstairs.
Qiao Zeyu had originally been reluctant to leave, but after receiving a look from his sister Qiao Wan, he quickly followed the others downstairs. Before leaving, he glared fiercely at Shen Chuhe and shouted, “Just you wait!
Hmph!”
Only a few people remained in the room.
“You have suffered a lot.”
Jiang Beiji looked at Shen Chuhe, his voice low but gentle, his eyes filled with concern as they rested on her.
Shen Chuhe did not know how to face this friend she had once pushed away, so she shook her head without saying anything.
“You should change your clothes.”
Jiang Beiji spoke up.
“Yining, I have a set of women’s clothes in my car. Go get them for me.”
“Big Brother, when did you buy women’s clothes?”
Jiang Yining asked casually, then immediately realized what he meant.
“Oh, all right! I will get them right away!”
Jiang Yining gathered up the hem of her evening gown and ran downstairs.
Rong Yuchuan stepped forward with a cold expression.
“That will not be necessary. The people of my Rong family do not need anyone else to protect them.”
As he spoke, he placed one hand around Shen Chuhe’s waist, pulling her away from Jiang Beiji. At the same time, he reached for the suit wrapped around her.
“What are you doing?”
Shen Chuhe snapped angrily. She slapped his hand away and stepped backward.
Jiang Beiji’s eyes shifted slightly. He stepped forward and took Shen Chuhe’s hand.
“Rong Yuchuan, what exactly do you mean by this?”
“How dare you touch her!”
There was a ruthless edge to Rong Yuchuan’s voice.
Jiang Beiji frowned, but after a moment, his expression relaxed. It was as though a huge mystery in his heart had finally been solved. He curled his lips into a mocking smile.
“I am His friend. It is nothing more than normal physical contact. Is there a problem with that? Rong Yuchuan… or perhaps, considering my relationship with A He, I can call you Uncle.”
The word “Uncle” was spoken with unusual emphasis.
It was both a provocation and a reminder.
Everyone else was afraid of Rong Yuchuan, but Jiang Beiji had never been afraid of anyone.
The Jiang family and the Rong family had a close relationship. Everyone said that the Rong family was the undisputed leader of Beicheng, but the Jiang family was not to be underestimated either. Especially now, when Old Master Rong still needed to rely on the Jiang family’s connections.
Jiang Yining soon ran back, breathing heavily, with the clothes in her hands. She immediately handed them to Shen Chuhe.
“Here! Hurry and change!”
“I said she does not need them.”
Rong Yuchuan looked at Shen Chuhe, a hint of threat in his eyes.
“What do you mean she does not need them? They are not for you!”
Jiang Yining shouted.
Qiao Wan stepped forward.
“Miss Chuhe really is quite popular! It was quite the effort for Young Master Jiang to go to such lengths for her.”
“Ah Yu, Chuhe is dressed like this, so she needs to change. She cannot wear my clothes either, so why not accept Young Master Jiang’s kindness?”
“She had the nerve to take off her clothes and dress herself like this to seduce a man. If she does not have the ability to deal with the consequences, is she simply waiting for a man to come and save her?”