Volume One, Chapter 42: Refusing to Be Taken Advantage Of!

“So that means she’s started dating.” Glancing at Qin Xiang beside Yan Kejia, she continued, “It’s this young master from the Qin family, Qin Xiang. Everyone knows the Qin family—even if you haven’t heard of them, you’ve seen their Rui Jing Estate on TV, out in the suburbs. I hear it’s got a history spanning over two centuries, with over a thousand servants.”

The moment she finished speaking, astonishment swept through the crowd. Even these young scions of prestigious families rarely lived in such historic estates, and they immediately cast admiring glances at Qin Xiang.

So the real prince was right among them, appearing so approachable.

Every girl present, including Lin Hua and Xie Mengqi, looked at Yan Kejia with envy.

Yan Kejia was utterly delighted; that sense of being above everyone else could hardly be concealed—it was written all over her face.

Everyone raised their glasses to Qin Xiang, eager to befriend him.

“Master Qin, I’m Zhao Chuan from the Zhao family. Since you’re Kejia’s boyfriend, we’re all friends. Please look after us in the future…”

“Master Qin, I’m Li Liang. Let me treat you to a meal sometime…”

“Master Qin, I’m…”

Everyone scrambled to introduce themselves, afraid that if they waited a moment longer, Qin Xiang wouldn’t remember them.

Qin Xiang’s expression was gentle as he raised his glass to each of them in turn. That air of noble elegance didn’t seem forced.

Only Yu Mo knew that Qin Xiang was harboring secrets.

She would test him soon enough.

Watching everyone toast Qin Xiang, Yu Mo felt a burning gaze upon her.

She didn’t need to look to know it was Fu Yanting.

Fu Yanting was steadily pouring drinks for himself, regretting the mistakes he’d made.

Yu Mo drank alone, ignoring Fu Yanting.

He had suddenly woken up to her worth, but this belated affection was cheap.

She didn’t want it anymore!

Yu Mo drained her glass, smiling bitterly.

She laughed at herself for chasing after Fu Yanting all these years; she should have seen the truth sooner.

This wide world was worth opening her eyes to. For example, the handsome young man—he was a hundred times better than Fu Yanting.

At the rate Fu Yanting was drinking, in half a month he’d be ruined.

She had no intention of being a widow in her middle age.

Once the drinks were finished, some went to play mahjong, some played billiards, others golf.

Some lounged on sofas, chatting.

A group of girls clustered around Yan Kejia, chattering away, all asking how she met Qin Xiang.

Did Qin Xiang have any brothers?

Someone searched online for information on Qin Xiang, only to find nothing about the Qin family.

The Qin clan was so low-profile—truly worthy of their century-old reputation.

Yu Mo got up and wandered around, her gaze lingering on Qin Xiang.

She needed a chance to get close and probe him.

As she circled, a man at the mahjong table suddenly shouted at her.

“Hey, you, stop wandering around. Go order some drinks for us, and bring them to the mahjong table.”

Yu Mo glanced around—no one else was nearby.

Her slender, pale finger pointed to herself. “You mean me?”

“Yes, you! Hurry up!” His voice was loud, with no hint of asking for help—more like ordering a waiter.

Yu Mo was not someone who tolerated bullying.

Had he asked nicely, perhaps she would have helped.

But with that attitude, she never indulged anyone.

Yan Kejia was seated nearby and heard the exchange, but didn’t speak up for Yu Mo. Instead, she said, “Yu Mo, just order the drinks. I’m hosting tonight.”

“Fine.” A faint smile crossed Yu Mo’s coldly beautiful face, and she turned to leave the private room.

Yan Kejia saw Yu Mo, always so proud, obey her, and felt a surge of self-importance.

Surrounded by flattery, she was delighted, not even noticing when the waiter brought in the drinks.

The man signaled the waiter to open the wine, pour it out, and serve it at the mahjong table.

Without a glance, he grabbed the glass and drank heartily.

Yu Mo noticed out of the corner of her eye that Qin Xiang headed toward the restroom. She immediately followed.

Qin Xiang didn’t go in; instead, he splashed his face with cold water.

He took a paper towel and wiped his face.

Instead of returning, he found a secluded corner and leaned weakly against a finely decorated wall.

He covered his face with both hands, muttering under his breath.

“How did it come to this? What do I do, what do I do?”

“Master Qin.” Yu Mo spoke.

Qin Xiang was startled. He turned to look at her, quickly regaining his noble composure.

Yu Mo folded her arms, speaking lightly.

“No need to pretend. I heard everything.”

Qin Xiang instantly deflated.

“You know? Please, don’t tell Jia Jia. If she finds out, she’ll definitely break up with me.”

“I won’t say anything, but you’re bound to slip up eventually.”

Yu Mo was right—truth can’t be hidden forever.

She turned and walked away after speaking.

When she returned to the private room, chaos reigned.

The man who’d asked her to order drinks nearly raised a hand to hit her.

He pointed at Yu Mo, baring his teeth.

“Yes, it’s her! She ordered all this 1982 Lafite!”

“Eight bottles, two million eighty-eight thousand. She should pay! Kejia, don’t be the sucker here.”

Lin Hua felt a surge of satisfaction, and she and Xie Mengqi watched the drama unfold.

Yu Mo had really gotten herself into trouble.

Let’s see how she handles it.

Yu Mo walked calmly, stopping a short distance from the man.

She lifted her graceful arm, brushed aside her curled hair, and spoke gently.

“Classmate, you’re an adult. If I remember correctly, I did order the wine, but not a drop is left—it all went into your stomach. And—”

Yu Mo looked at Yan Kejia.

“You agreed I should go order the wine, and said you were treating. I assumed you wouldn’t mind such an expense, but who would have thought…”

Yan Kejia was furious. She’d expected tonight’s gathering to cost little—her monthly allowance was more than enough. But just the wine had cost over two million.

Where was she supposed to get that kind of money? If she asked her father, she’d be severely scolded.

Yu Mo was simply infuriating.

She glared at Yu Mo.

“Yu Mo, the wine isn’t expensive, but you deliberately made trouble for me. This won’t be so easily resolved.”

Wang Hui, sitting next to Yan Kejia, chimed in immediately.

“That’s right—whoever ordered it should pay!”

Yu Mo’s face showed no hint of fear.

“Since this gathering was organized by Yan Kejia, she should pay. If anyone feels that’s unfair, let’s be reasonable—everyone can split the bill.”

At the mention of splitting, everyone protested. Eight bottles of Lafite—if they’d actually drunk it, maybe they’d accept. But none of them had tasted it; naturally, they wouldn’t pay.

One by one, they distanced themselves.

The four men at the mahjong table had each downed two large glasses, draining a bottle each like beer.

Most people here came from well-off families, but none drank thirty-thousand-dollar bottles of wine like water.

They all spoke up, pointing at the four men and Yu Mo.

“The wine was ordered and drunk by you. It has nothing to do with us—sort it out yourselves.”

Everyone agreed.

Yan Kejia found this acceptable.

But the waiter’s words chilled her to the bone.

The waiter spoke—