Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Teaching You a Lesson
Xv Yaru’s hand was actually only raised halfway, merely a habit and instinct developed over the past decade or more, wanting very much to slap down when she saw Shi Su’s calm demeanor.
But the timing was off, the occasion was inappropriate, and just as she halted her movement, Shi Su’s words further aggravated Xv Yaru, making her temples throb.
As the spokesperson for Tilans, Shi Su couldn’t afford to lose face, and neither could the Shi Family!
"After all these years, you’re no longer part of the Shi Family. Suddenly bringing up the past deliberately, you must have never let it go."
Xv Yaru looked coldly at Shi Su: "After all, that film was a massive hit back then and it just so happened that because of you, our Yunyin couldn’t dance personally. You merely took her place for one scene, yet Yunyin became the youngest Best Actress in the country because of that film. You’ve been jealous all these years, feeling unbalanced in your heart—I can understand that."
On the spiral staircase behind Shi Yunyin, a tall and upright figure slowly descended, emerging from the shadows above, until it became clear who was arriving.
Shi Su’s voice was steady and clear as she said slowly, "Even repeating old tricks should consider the occasion. Mrs. Shi, you’ve lived a life of privilege since childhood, and still pretend to be naive in your fifties, requiring a junior like me to teach you how to conduct yourself? How do you have the nerve?"
"Shi Su, after all, my mother is your elder. Don’t go too far!"
Before Shi Yunyin finished speaking, a man walking down from the spiral staircase reached behind her: "What’s going on?"
Shi Yunyin’s expression changed quickly, from sternly criticizing Shi Su not to go too far, to looking at Yi City with an aggrieved indignation, switching expressions more adeptly than any of her performances in movies and TV shows before.
"Nothing happened. It’s just that my mom and I ran into Shi Su, and the moment Shi Su saw us, she became confrontational, making my mom’s hand tremble with anger..." Shi Yunyin explained while taking Yi City’s arm: "Yi City, some people have changed a long time ago. They’re no longer the person we once knew. Lacking upbringing and manners, with a sharp tongue and a cruel heart—it’s true people can’t be judged by appearances."
Yi City’s gaze hadn’t shifted from Shi Su since he descended the staircase, even though Shi Yunyin was holding his arm and talking.
Shi Su stood calmly in place, not bothering to look at him, just appreciating Shi Yunyin’s rare, immersive acting, chuckling lightly without giving further explanations.
Yi City ignored Shi Yunyin’s repeated provocations, looking at Shi Su and asking, "Shi Su, why aren’t you speaking?"
It was as if time rewound to that day five years ago when Shi Yunyin fell down the stairs. Yi City happened to visit the Shi Family, rushed to help Shi Yunyin, and heard her teary accusation. At that time, Yi City turned and asked Shi Su, "Shi Su, why aren’t you speaking?"
Same words, different tone.
Five years ago, he asked, "Shi Su, how can you be so impulsive? Why are you just standing there silent? Why aren’t you apologizing quickly?"
Five years later, his tone clearly indicated he didn’t want to hear only Shi Yunyin’s side of the story. He was waiting for Shi Su to speak, waiting for Shi Su to explain the reason, waiting for Shi Su to clarify.
Apparently, not everyone failed to make progress over the years.
"Mr. Yi, I suggest you buy more Bone Strengthening Pills for your fiancée, so she won’t fall and kneel in front of others every time something happens. I’m afraid it’ll shorten my lifespan."
Shi Su tossed out this comment indifferently, then turned around and left, sparing not a single glance for the people behind her.
Jun and another observed the entire scene from the top of the spiral staircase. Although the music in the banquet hall was loud, making it hard to hear their conversation from that distance, they could roughly understand the situation from their actions and expressions.
Seeing that Shi Su had already left, Jun suddenly walked down, and as she passed by the three people, she glanced at Shi Yunyin and her mother and said in a voice they could all hear, "Mr. Yi, at occasions like this, remember to make good use of surveillance. The process is clear in each surveillance feed; any angle you want, you have it."
Jun then glanced at Shi Yunyin, curving her lips into a smile: "The Best Actress’ legs are undoubtedly precious, but Shi Su’s dress isn’t cheap either. Luckily, it wasn’t stepped on, or else the Best Actress might have to pay quite a bit."
After speaking, Jun also followed Shi Su’s departing figure, leaving Shi Yunyin and her mother with ugly faces and Yi City with thin lips pressed into a line.
At this moment, another person ran down, coughed as if trying to bolster her slightly weaker presence, and as she passed by the trio, she said faintly, "If Best Actress sister really can’t handle such a grand evening gown, she can choose some petite and exquisite small brands. No need to wear such high heels if you’re not tall enough—no wonder she can’t stand steadily. What if she accidentally sprains and injures her foot?"
A mere assistant dared to point fingers at her?
Shi Yunyin instantly raised her eyes to glare at the assistant, but Yi City was beside her with an unpleasant expression, so she couldn’t lash out.
The assistant didn’t dare meet her gaze either, simply turning her head as if casually commenting, "Unlike someone else, Shi Su has a standard height and figure, any color or style of small high heels fits her well. She walks with confidence like the wind, unlike someone who hasn’t even reached 1.6 meters yet insists on padding up to 1.7 meters at every event—one more sprained ankle could lead to a fracture."
After saying this, the assistant quickly made her exit, chasing after Jun like she was fleeing, seeking shelter as she hooked onto Jun’s arm, not looking back as they walked into the banquet hall.
Shi Yunyin’s face turned livid, and Xv Yaru was shaking with anger.
Xv Yaru, gritting her teeth, suddenly turned to Yi City who had a cold expression: "Is this the kind of person Shi Su produced? Immature! Each more ill-mannered than the last! Don’t they have mothers? Aren’t there elders to teach them? How can there be people like this?!"
Yi City subtly pushed back the distance between himself and Shi Yunyin, then looked calmly at Xv Yaru’s furious face.
"Auntie, make sure your own daughter is disciplined first. That’s more important than anything."
Xv Yaru: "What did you say?!"
Shi Yunyin: "What do you mean?!"
Yi City’s expression was indifferent, not avoiding the presence of Mrs. Shi, his tone was cold: "Don’t you remember my warnings? Yunyin, I’ve given you chances. Pick a date to hold a press conference, inform the media—our engagement is off."
Xv Yaru, incredulous: "Yi City, this is no joke!"
Shi Yunyin knew he wasn’t joking; in an instant, she grabbed his arm with force, but he didn’t give her a chance to speak, expressionlessly pushing her hand aside before turning to leave.
"Yi City!"
"Yunyin? What’s going on?!"
"Yi City, wait for me..."
...
Shi Su walked into the crowd in the banquet hall, taking a glass offered by a waiter, not paying attention to the commotion at the VIP entrance of the hall.
People whispered among themselves: "What’s going on over there? Even Mr. Hei and Mr. Zhao went to greet in person? Who’s coming?"
"It seems to be someone from the Yu Jing Group..."