Not a single vulgar word was uttered in her speech.
Yet it was like a silent slap, landing hard on Shen Xinyin's face.
It not only shredded the label of "gold - digger" that Shen Xinyin had tried to impose on her but also, in turn, nailed the other woman to the pillar of shame marked "shallowness" and "lack of respect".
Shen Xinyin's face flushed and paled in turns. She was so angry that her lips trembled, but for a moment, she couldn't find the words to refute.
Meng Ruozhao no longer looked at her. Instead, she turned her gaze to Yan Qiubai, whose face still looked unpleasant but whose eyes now held a hint of surprise and admiration.
It was at this very moment.
Looking at these so - called upper - class people in the room, all dressed in their finery but full of hypocrisy, calculation, and an inexplicable sense of superiority.
Listening to those harsh remarks full of class discrimination, the last trace of hesitation in Meng Ruozhao's heart completely vanished.
She didn't like such occasions, didn't like such a crowd.
She especially didn't like the feeling of constantly having to prove her innocence, of this "rivalry for beauty", and of having to rely on a man's protection to gain a foothold.
Shen Xinyin's provocation and humiliation did make her feel offended.
But more than that, it was a deep sense of weariness and alienation.
She and Yan Qiubai lived in different worlds.
Maybe, as they secretly said, she was aloof and out of place.
Or perhaps, the most fundamental reason was that she didn't love Yan Qiubai.
Because she didn't love him, when facing the attacks targeted at the identity of "Yan Qiubai's girlfriend",
she only felt annoyed and offended, but not the pain of being hurt.
She had no desire to entangle with others to defend love.
She didn't want to spend the rest of her life dealing with countless "Shen Xinyins".
Nor did she want to be caught up in this seemingly glamorous but actually cold and snobbish circle for the sake of a man.
This wasn't the life she wanted.
Once her mind was made up, Meng Ruozhao actually felt relieved.
She looked at Yan Qiubai, her eyes calm and even showing a polite sense of distance.
"Qiubai, it seems your gathering with friends is quite important today."
"Let's talk another day. I won't disturb you anymore."
After saying that, without waiting for anyone's reaction, she picked up her handbag, stood up, and nodded slightly to everyone.
With an elegant yet unwavering determination, she turned around and walked towards the door of the private room.
"Chaochao."
Yan Qiubai suddenly stood up and eagerly wanted to chase after her.
He sensed something unusual in her tone, and his heart inexplicably panicked.
"Brother Qiubai."
Shen Xinyin grabbed his arm, her voice full of sobs and grievance.
"Look at her attitude! She wants to leave in a huff after just a few words."
"I don't really care, but it just shows that she doesn't take you seriously at all."
Yan Qiubai impatiently shook her off, his eyes as cold as ice. "Get out of the way!"
Then, without looking at Shen Xinyin or anyone else, he strode out in pursuit.
Inside the private room, Shen Xinyin was left pale - faced and trembling with anger, while a room full of childhood friends looked at each other in dismay, too scared to make a sound.
Meng Ruozhao walked quickly. The heels of her high - heels tapped on the ground, making a clear and firm sound.
Her back was straight, showing no sign of reluctance.
Yan Qiubai caught up with her at the elevator entrance and grabbed her wrist.
"Chaochao, I didn't invite those people."
There was a hint of grievance and a trace of nervousness he didn't even notice in his eyes.
In his opinion, these people had suddenly appeared and ruined the date he had finally managed to arrange.
It was reasonable for Meng Ruozhao to be angry with these people, but she could have asked for his help.
He would surely stand by her side.
But not only did she not ask for his help, she also grouped him with those people and left without even taking him into account.
He was both aggrieved and angry.
Was there really no place for him in her heart?
Hadn't he been good enough to her in the past six months?
Why couldn't she rely on him more?
He admitted that just now he had deliberately not helped her out immediately.
But as long as she gave him a look, he would have stepped in right away.
"I know, but this isn't the right time to talk. Notify me when you're free."
Meng Ruozhao looked past him at the people gathering at the door of the private room.
She believed that no matter how high - and - mighty Yan Qiubai was, he wouldn't invite a group of people to humiliate her.
It would be embarrassing for both of them.
But it was also true that she couldn't fit into his circle.
"Talk? What do you want to talk to me about?"
Seeing that she was still so cold and aloof, Yan Qiubai also became displeased.
He liked her.
But he was Yan Qiubai, the heir of the Yan family.
Chasing after her like this was already giving her enough face and respect.
Not only did she show no gratitude, but she also seemed to be trying to draw a clear line from him.
What, was it because he had spoiled her too much?
Hearing him raise his voice and feeling the surprisingly strong grip on her wrist, Meng Ruozhao frowned.
"I said this isn't the right place to..."
She still wanted to leave some room for both of them, but before she could finish her sentence, Yan Qiubai interrupted her.
"Just say it here. I want to hear what it is that makes you so hesitant."
His voice carried suppressed anger.
The pain on her wrist intensified. Meng Ruozhao didn't even need to look to know that it must be red from being grabbed.
She frowned in pain and tried to break free, but to no avail.
She subconsciously glanced into the distance.
At the door of "Shuiyunjian", the figures of Shen Xinyin and the others peeping were clearly visible.
She didn't want to make a scene here.
She didn't want her and Yan Qiubai's private affairs to become the talk of those people.
She especially didn't want Yan Qiubai to completely lose face in front of his friends.
So, she forced down her anger and the pain in her wrist and explained again.
"Qiubai, let go. We can talk about it another day. This isn't the right place."
"What's not right? Just say it here!"
Yan Qiubai was in a fit of anger.
Stimulated by her eagerness to leave and her calm and aloof demeanor, he became even more aggressive.
"What's wrong with you? Just because of Shen Xinyin's crazy words?"
"When did you start caring so much about others' opinions? Then come back with me. I'll make her apologize to you."
Meng Ruozhao's patience had reached its limit.
Just then, the elevator "dinged" as it arrived, and the doors slowly opened.
She didn't hesitate anymore. With all her strength, she suddenly broke free from Yan Qiubai's grasp.
Before the gazes of those childhood friends could fully focus on them,
she grabbed the still - dazed Yan Qiubai and pulled him into the empty elevator!
The elevator doors quickly closed, blocking out all the prying eyes outside.
Yan Qiubai was staggered by her sudden action.
After regaining his balance, instead of getting angry, a hint of joy appeared on his face.
See! She did care!
She was even angry! And she had grabbed him!
He rubbed the arm she had grabbed and softened his tone.
There was even a hint of coaxing as he tried to hold her hand.
"Alright, alright, don't be angry."
"I was wrong. I shouldn't have let them in. But don't worry, I definitely don't have any feelings for Shen Xinyin..."