Chapter 81: Lin Xi Is Qin Yu’s White Moonlight

Bai Xu did not restrain his voice, and as soon as he spoke, the room suddenly fell silent. It was as if someone had pressed the pause button; even Lin Xi was stunned for two seconds, turning her head in surprise to look at him.

But he seemed utterly unconcerned, lounging on the sofa with his long legs crossed, one hand resting on the armrest while the other lazily propped up his head. His tone was teasing, "Weren't you just saying you were embarrassed? Why aren't you taking it off?"

Everyone: "......"

Just hearing Bai Xu's tone, even young Wan dared not speak up for Song Ning.

If he didn’t dare, how could anyone else?

For a moment, Song Ning stood alone, as if she had already been stripped bare for all to see, with whispers and sighs rippling around her.

Song Ning had never felt so mortified.

She pinned her hopes on young Wan, but when their eyes met, he swiftly looked away, evidently unwilling to help.

He was the one who insisted she come…

"Young Master Bai, please stop joking. I'll go to the restroom and change out of the dress later."

"Heh." Bai Xu narrowed his eyes. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Not just now—even before, when you still had ties with Third Brother, you weren't worthy of being joked with by me."

"Do you really need others to remind you of your own worth?"

Bai Xu clearly intended to embarrass Song Ning. Lin Xi pretended not to hear, silently sipping her wine.

The red wine prepared for tonight's banquet was quite good—aged well, likely from a private collection.

Her phone buzzed in her purse.

Lin Xi took it out to check the message.

Cheng Si: "What's going on? Did you go to the auction with Bai Xu?"

Lin Xi curled her lip and replied one-handed, "Fourth Brother, your news is a bit late."

After a moment, she asked, "Why haven't I seen you tonight?"

It was unusual for Cheng Si to miss such an event.

Cheng Si: "I'm almost there. What's happening, what’s Bai Xu up to?"

He must have caught wind of something. After a brief hesitation, Lin Xi explained the situation.

Two seconds later, Cheng Si responded with a string of ellipses—clearly speechless.

"Stay away from him," Cheng Si warned. "Let him make a scene if he wants, but don’t get dragged down. Hurry up and leave."

"Understood." This was not a place to linger. Even if Cheng Si hadn’t said so, she had no intention of staying.

She set down her wine glass and stood up.

Bai Xu’s gaze shifted to her. "Where are you off to?"

She glared at him disdainfully. "Restroom. Are you coming?"

Bai Xu shrugged and didn’t follow.

Song Ning gazed at her deeply. As Lin Xi stepped away, Song Ning suddenly called out, "Miss Lin."

"……"

Many people turned, all wearing expressions of cautious anticipation.

Everyone wanted to get closer to the drama, but feared being too obvious, so they paused their conversations, trying to listen in.

Lin Xi turned slightly and met her gaze. "Is there something you need?"

"I wanted to apologize. I didn’t expect we’d wear the same dress tonight. Please don’t be upset, Miss Lin. I’ll go change now, is that all right?"

The blame suddenly shifted to Lin Xi.

As if she were the mastermind behind it all.

Lin Xi let out a faint smile. "What you wear has nothing to do with me."

"If you want to change, go ahead; if you want to take it off, that's your choice. Asking me is unnecessary. Or perhaps, Miss Song, are you hinting at me? Want me to change mine?"

"If so, just say it outright. No need for roundabout words. Miss Song is always so esteemed—if you make a request, of course I’ll comply."

Because she had been strictly raised by her brother since childhood, Lin Xi usually didn’t bother with petty squabbles. But when it came to sarcasm, she was a match for Bai Xu.

She was no delicate flower.

Never had been.

From childhood till now, no one could bully her.

"That’s not what I meant." Song Ning hadn’t expected the tables to turn. Awkwardly, she stepped forward, hoping to approach and speak privately. "I…"

She had barely moved when, across the room, someone kicked a table hard. The wine glasses atop it wobbled, then crashed to the floor, shattering at her feet.

Song Ning recoiled, trembling as she looked toward the culprit.

"Try taking another step," Bai Xu said, still wearing a smile, though it was no longer friendly.

"What’s going on?" Cheng Si’s voice sounded from afar as he hurried over.

Lin Xi, irritated, took the opportunity to slip away.

——

Inside a restroom stall, Lin Xi glanced quickly over the messages Cheng Si had just sent.

She didn’t reply. As she prepared to push open the door, voices from outside drifted in.

"So Song Ning offended the eldest Miss of the Lin family? Tsk, just for wearing the same dress, she got humiliated in public."

"Shh! You can't say that carelessly."

"Why not?"

"You think Song Ning is some innocent? Maybe she deliberately wore the same dress to provoke Miss Lin. Didn’t you notice how both of them dressed similarly tonight?"

"That’s true—Song Ning started with her hair up, then let it down later. From behind, the two really looked identical."

"In the early years, do you know why Song Ning caught the attention of Master Qin from the Qin family?"

"Wasn’t it said they were classmates abroad? They must have known each other for ages."

"Please, there are plenty of people who were classmates with President Qin. Song Ning’s family is decent in small circles, but in the capital, her background is insignificant. Compared to Miss Lin, it’s like heaven and earth. By rights, someone like her shouldn’t even be able to approach President Qin."

"Then why?"

"I heard it’s because she somewhat resembles Miss Lin."

A chorus of exclamations sounded outside.

Lin Xi furrowed her brow.

What nonsense was circulating in this circle? Did any of it concern her in the slightest?

Who was so bored as to spread such stories?

She reached for the door, unwilling to listen any longer.

Such gossip had no truth at all.

It was nothing but noise polluting the ears.

"Keep your voice down! Everyone knows President Qin has an unattainable first love."

"So… it’s Miss Lin?"

"Of course!"

"……" Lin Xi paused, hand on the door.

The two outside grew more animated, their voices rising.

"Is that true? You can’t just say things like that, right?"

"If it weren’t true, would President Qin let the rumor persist? It’s clearly tacit approval. Now that Miss Lin is back, what business does Song Ning have?"

"So Miss Lin doesn’t like President Qin?"

"Who knows. Anyway…"

"Anyway what? Don’t keep me in suspense!"

"Whether she likes him or not, President Qin and Miss Lin are definitely impossible."

"Why? They seem perfectly matched, don’t they?"

"Because years ago, President Qin’s mother and Miss Lin’s father were childhood sweethearts. They nearly got engaged, until Miss Lin’s mother intervened…"