Chapter 56 Learning to Be Silent

Love is like wine, its fragrance grows richer with time.

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"I..." She had just begun to speak when she felt someone tugging at her sleeve. Glancing sideways, she saw Xu Liunian shaking her head at her in silent resignation.

What was really happening here?

"Lesser Li, it was my fault," Xu Liunian smiled, weary yet relieved. Life had long taught her to submit to whatever came her way; there was no point in futile resistance.

"Did you miss me?" Liang Fei Li's voice was ambiguous and cold as his fingertips traced her cheek. "Is this pitiful look meant to show me just how much you missed me? Hmm?"

"Lesser Li..." The female companion left aside seemed displeased with the scene. She was about to speak when Liang Fei Li pulled out a room card and whispered gently in her ear, "Be good, go to my room, wash up, and wait for me."

He even pinched her face flirtatiously as he spoke, making the moment all the more heated.

The woman left with the room card, satisfied, but earned only a deeper sneer in Xu Liunian's eyes.

Xue Zuining felt as if she were forced to keep a secret—a sensation like a cat scratching at her heart. Yet before she could speak, a sudden force made her sit down.

She turned and saw Su Yi!

"Has no one told you that, in situations like this, the more you say, the more mistakes you make?" Su Yi warned with a cold smile, then lifted his peach blossom eyes, "Do you really think all the men here are slaves to their desires? Believe me, soon enough, that woman won’t even be able to cry." He confidently swept his gaze over Liang Fei Li’s face—how pathetic, for soon enough, beasts would swarm that room.

Lu Huaining watched Xue Zuining, who was venting her anger on the food, hacking it to pieces. His brows furrowed slightly. Then Su Yi, ever ready to add fuel to the fire, teased, "Beauty Xue, what’s with your silence tonight? Last time you were quite the talker! You told me to install a flushing toilet in my brain, but that thing’s too advanced. How about you let your man try it first?"

Xue Zuining flushed red, looking up. Xu Liunian gave her a polite smile, then averted her gaze, staring blankly at the cold dishes before her.

Liang Fei Li, always elegant in his manner, was sipping tea when he heard Su Yi’s comment. He couldn't help himself—he sputtered tea and coughed uncontrollably, rare in his usual composure. Xu Liunian handed him a handkerchief; he took it, but as his fingers touched her cold ones, his expression chilled. He tossed her handkerchief to the ground and wiped his mouth with his own.

Su Yi was stunned for a moment but quickly recovered, clicking his tongue in mock regret as he stared at the table, "All these delicacies are contaminated now." Then he looked at Xue Zuining, her face red from choking, "Beauty Xue, since we hit it off so well, why not become sworn siblings today?" With a cavalier air, he pulled out three cigarettes, ready to proceed.

Xue Zuining felt overwhelmed and took a while to realize Su Yi was speaking to her. She quickly stopped his wild gesture, "I’m afraid it’ll shorten my life." She snatched the lighter. "Besides, sworn siblings usually refers to women pledging themselves as sisters..."

It took Su Yi a moment to realize he had been insulted again, "Do I look like a woman?" His peach blossom eyes narrowed, shimmering in the light, making it impossible to look away.

Xue Zuining spread her hands, "It’s not my words, anyway."

"Damn!" Su Yi spat, "Just for that, I’ll stick to my guns. Today, this oath—whether you want it or not—you’re taking it!"

Lu Huaining shot him a look and spun the lazy Susan, "Same old issue, if you don’t get the last word, you’ll die? All this food and it still can’t shut you up!"

"Can’t win an argument, so you feed me? That’s favoring romance over friendship, Young Master Lu. Our friendship ends here."

Lu Huaining, never one for verbal sparring, pressed the bell for the waiter and had all the dishes replaced with new ones. Su Yi dropped the subject, chatting with him and Liang Fei Li about politics, economics, and international affairs.

Xu Liunian sat to Xue Zuining’s right, her expression slightly lost, with a darkness in her eyes that seemed bottomless. She sat upright, graceful, her long wavy hair cascading down her back, hands folded quietly in her lap. Her face was sculpted with the delicacy of a masterpiece, but she was noticeably thinner, her wan complexion unable to be concealed even by the finest makeup. The pink blush on her cheeks looked as if a breath would blow it away.

Xue Zuining was still in shock, unable to follow their conversation. After a while, her mouth felt dry. She reached for the teapot in front of Xu Liunian.

Xu Liunian said softly, "It’s easier if I pour it for you." She took Xue Zuining’s cup and filled it, her hand trembling slightly, revealing her weakness. A little tea spilled. She smiled sheepishly, set down the pot, and handed the cup over.

Xue Zuining took the cup, her fingers touching Xu Liunian’s hand—it was cold as ice water, making her pause. "Miss Xu, are you unwell?"

Xu Liunian gave a faint smile, "Thank you for your concern. I’ve neglected my health, but with some care, it’ll be fine."

Liang Fei Li glanced over coldly, speaking unhurriedly, "Nian Nian, are you blaming me for not looking after you well enough?"