Chapter 30: Your Highness, do you require your servant to come to your rescue?

The moment Si Haochen saw Yun Chuxia, he realized just how much he had missed her.

She seemed even more beautiful than before.

He felt an urge to embrace her.

"Chuxia..."

"Haochen, you're here!" Su Muxue called out hurriedly. She stepped forward quickly, linked her arm through Si Haochen's, and positioned herself between him and Yun Chuxia.

Seeing Si Haochen’s gaze practically glued to Yun Chuxia, she felt a flicker of panic. Casting aside her usual decorum, she pulled him toward the head table, cooing, "I told you there was no need to come all the way here just for me; I could have settled the bill myself."

The surrounding crowd murmured, full of praise for the doting groom-to-be.

"What a golden couple, they are such a perfect match."

"I never expected Young Master Si to be so dashing in person. Please continue to support our 'Nine Heavens' program in the future!"

"With Sister Muxue here, Young Master Si will surely be around as well."

...

Yun Chuxia kept her head down, eating intently while calculating whether she should leave and when would be the best time to do so. If she left the moment Si Haochen arrived, it would look as though she were fleeing in a panic, which would only make their complicated relationship even harder to explain.

She decided to wait a little longer; besides, she hadn't finished her meal yet.

Si Haochen kept one arm around Su Muxue while his peripheral vision remained fixed on Yun Chuxia. She looked as though she didn't care about him at all.

It must be an act!

Si Haochen tightened his arm, and Su Muxue leaned into him with a soft, coquettish grace.

The crowd teased, "Oh my, these newlyweds are really something."

Su Muxue clarified with a sweet, shy smile, "We are only engaged."

Si Haochen’s eyes flickered. With an expression of indulgence, he pinched Su Muxue’s fair cheek. "Don't tell me you don't want to marry me? Hmm?"

He immediately turned to gauge Yun Chuxia’s reaction, but seeing her remain indifferent, he felt a profound sense of disappointment.

Was she not even a little bit jealous?

Si Haochen turned up the heat, leaning down to press a kiss to Su Muxue’s lips.

He used to insist that Yun Chuxia wear natural makeup to resemble Su Muxue, but now, seeing Su Muxue with her heavy makeup and bright red lips, he found himself feeling strangely uncomfortable.

Who was she imitating now?

Her plain features didn't look radiant; instead, they looked somewhat gaudy, lacking the clear, defined contours of Yun Chuxia’s face...

Si Haochen felt a wave of annoyance. Why was it always Yun Chuxia? His mind was full of her, yet she looked right through him as if he didn't exist.

Su Muxue pushed him away with a playful laugh, though she felt triumphant inside. A substitute is always a substitute; she would never be allowed to step out of the shadows in her presence. She looked toward Yun Qingqing and gave her a subtle signal.

Yun Qingqing had already convinced herself that she was Si Yuchuan’s girlfriend and that Su Muxue was her niece-in-law. Sharing a mutual hatred for Yun Chuxia made them feel like kindred spirits.

With Young Master Si present, she was certain he would stand on their side.

Emboldened by malice, Yun Qingqing picked up a wine glass and walked toward Yun Chuxia. She was determined to humiliate her in front of everyone and show her that she wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Wearing high heels and swaying her hips with exaggerated intent, she failed to notice an obstacle, tripped, and went tumbling forward.

*Thud!*

In full view of everyone, Yun Qingqing made intimate contact with the carpet, and the red wine she had intended for Yun Chuxia spilled entirely over herself.

She wasn't hurt, but the humiliation was absolute. Yun Qingqing stood there, dazed, wondering how she had even fallen.

Lu Yao retracted her long leg with an air of nonchalance, pretending nothing had happened. In reality, she picked up her phone and sent a location pin to an old classmate:

[Come quickly and back me up.]

Si Yuchuan almost never replied to her messages, but Lu Yao knew when to stop; she had fulfilled her duty to inform him. After all, she wasn't entirely sure what their relationship was. She turned her phone face down.

Yun Chuxia’s phone lit up with a message from Si Yuchuan:

[Your Highness, does Your Majesty require this humble servant to come to your rescue?]