Volume One, Chapter 81: Brother Yue, Your Troubled Romance Has Arrived

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Chi Qianyu was frantic with worry. She had finally managed to secure an invitation to President Xiao’s birthday banquet, but more than an hour had passed, and she still hadn’t found an opportunity to approach even a single member of the Xiao family.

“Yueyao, what should we do?” she asked, growing increasingly helpless as the banquet neared its end.

This time, Chi Yueyao and Chi Qianyu had come together, hoping to ask the Xiao family for their help in getting Yang Hui out.

But Chi Yueyao’s mind was elsewhere. She wished Yang Hui would remain in prison forever and that her father would never forgive him. That way, Yang Jing would lose an ally, and Pan Shuyun’s chances would increase.

Moreover, seeing Xiao Yue recovering had thrown her into turmoil, making her even less inclined to concern herself with Yang Hui’s affairs.

Yet, noticing Chi Qianyu’s anxiety, as though she might do something rash in public, Chi Yueyao hurried to dissuade her. “Don’t worry, Qianyu. Even if you don’t get a chance at the banquet, I’ll take you to see Xiao Jin afterward.”

As for Xiao Jin, what good could he do? But Chi Qianyu was so flustered that she believed whatever Chi Yueyao told her.

Chi Yueyao was scheming to meet Xiao Yue alone.

She was confident in herself. They had known each other before Xiao Yue fell ill, and because of Xiao Jin, they had practically grown up together.

She believed she could surpass Chi Xingwan.

At that moment, Xiao Yue was accompanying his grandmother, greeting guests. It wasn’t the right moment, so Chi Yueyao waited.

Soon, Xiao Yue returned to Chi Xingwan’s side, whispered something to her, and Chi Xingwan took his arm, bidding farewell to their friends.

The two left the main villa, heading toward the smaller residence.

Xiao Yue’s eyes were warm with laughter. “You don’t really need to see me off.”

“I’m worried something might happen to you on the way,” Chi Xingwan replied. In truth, she disliked such occasions and took the opportunity to slip away with Xiao Yue.

He understood perfectly but was nonetheless delighted. “Thank you for caring so much about me.”

Chi Xingwan chuckled. “After all, you’re still a patient—you deserve special treatment.”

Chi Yueyao rushed out of the main villa. From afar, she saw the two chatting and laughing together, her chest tightening with rage. Lifting her skirt, she chased after them.

“Brother Yue…” she called out in a sweet, delicate voice.

Chi Xingwan’s body shuddered, goosebumps rising.

She glanced at Xiao Yue, whispering with amusement, “Your troublesome admirer has arrived.”

Xiao Yue was helpless. He glanced at his watch—only fifteen minutes of lucidity remained. He needed to shake her off quickly.

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He cleared his throat and asked, “Miss, do we know each other?”

Chi Yueyao froze, disbelief etched across her face. “Brother Yue, I’m Yueyao. Don’t you remember me?”

She bit her lip gently, her expression and tone deeply aggrieved.

Xiao Yue certainly remembered her. After all, he was not only Xiao Yue but also ‘Daidai’—he was intimately familiar with everyone in the Chi family.

As Daidai, he could mischievously tease the Chi family, but as Xiao Yue, he wanted nothing to do with any of them except Chi Xingwan.

Especially Chi Yueyao—she had stolen Chi Xingwan’s identity.

“The banquet is still underway. Miss, you should head back,” he said.

Chi Yueyao’s eyes filled with tears as she pleaded, “Brother Yue, how can you not remember me? We grew up together—you used to treat me so well…”

Xiao Yue’s scalp tingled at her nonsense. He glanced instinctively at Chi Xingwan, who was watching with a look of amusement.

A few more minutes passed. Xiao Yue was feeling irritated.

“Please respect yourself. I don’t recall ever knowing someone like you as a child. Excuse me,” he said, taking Chi Xingwan’s hand and walking away.

Chi Yueyao stared wide-eyed, calling after them, “Brother Yue, I’m Yueyao, Chi Yueyao!”

The two quickened their pace.

Chi Yueyao was truly crying now—how could Xiao Yue treat her like this? He had never acted this way before.

She glared furiously at Chi Xingwan’s back. It had to be her! She must have sown discord between them!

“Your little sister Yueyao is crying her heart out,” Chi Xingwan teased.

Xiao Yue’s face darkened. “Don’t be ridiculous. I have no little sister Yueyao, and I’ve never treated her well. Don’t believe her nonsense. I was nice to Xiao Jin; she always clung to him, so maybe she misunderstood.”

Chi Xingwan laughed, “So you do know how to speak.”

“What?” Xiao Yue hadn’t caught her meaning.

Chi Xingwan explained, “I had some free time before and learned a lot, read plenty of books. In almost every novel, the domineering CEO never explains himself, and a misunderstanding with the heroine lasts from beginning to end.”

Xiao Yue smiled awkwardly. “Then you’ve mistaken my identity—the real boss in the family is my grandmother.”

Chi Xingwan paused, then realized it was true.

As they talked, the two returned to the small villa.

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Xiao Yue glanced at the time. “Though I’d love to keep chatting, my time is almost up.”

Chi Xingwan waved him off. “Go ahead to your room. I have no desire to return to the banquet hall—I’ll just sit here for a while.”

Xiao Yue went upstairs, changed into his pajamas, lay on the bed, and soon drifted into sleep.

Chi Xingwan changed out of her evening gown into casual attire, immediately feeling much more relaxed.

She sat for a while, pulling out her phone to check messages.

In the dormitory group chat, Xu Mingyue and Wen Jing were discussing booking high-speed rail tickets home for the New Year. Only then did Chi Xingwan remember—the holiday was just around the corner.

But to her, the New Year mattered little.

She opened the Lingling Demon APP for spiritual practitioners, where an exchange forum was particularly lively today.

Chi Xingwan clicked on the most popular post.

“The fifteenth Global Spiritual Practitioner Exchange Conference will be held in Yan City, China!”

Global Spiritual Practitioner Exchange Conference? What was that?

She messaged Chu Fangfei for details, and soon received a reply.

“The Global Spiritual Practitioner Exchange Conference is basically a gathering of spiritual association members from various countries.”

“Although it’s called an exchange, it’s really just everyone showing off their strength.”

“But China rarely participates in showboating—everyone knows we’re far ahead in the metaphysical world.”

“Still, there are always some challengers wanting to test us. If it’s harmless, the association usually accepts—so it’s quite lively.”

Chi Xingwan understood—it was much like the sect competitions of old, though this conference seemed far more peaceful.

She checked the schedule—it would take place in late March, just next month.

After the banquet ended, Chi Xingwan returned to school. Early the next morning, she received a message from Xu Hengyang.

It was about the Spiritual Practitioner Exchange Conference.

Xu Hengyang planned to introduce Chi Xingwan, the newly emerged top-tier spiritual practitioner, to the world at the conference.