Chen Chunyao's face turned rather ugly, yet she still forced a smile.
"Qi Ye, saying this really hurts my feelings. After all, we used to be the ones who knew each other best. Can't you tell that I was just too angry then?"
"I really know I was wrong. Please, spare me. I can continue to persuade Tingyu for you. You know she's kind - hearted. I'll make her forgive me."
"By then, I'll surely speak well of you. You guys haven't found a bridesmaid for your wedding yet, right? Let me be the bridesmaid, okay?"
Qi Ye slightly narrowed his eyes. His gaze was as cold as ice, and a mocking smile curled up on his lips.
"Chen Chunyao, do you think we know each other best? That must be your illusion, because you don't know me at all."
He paused for a moment, his tone becoming even colder.
"As for Tingyu, she won't forgive you. Stop dreaming."
"We don't need a bridesmaid like you for our wedding."
"Don't try to sneak in. There's no one you're looking for here."
How dare she dream! At this point, she still wanted to be a bridesmaid?
Didn't she think he knew what she was up to?
Qi Ye's wedding would surely attract numerous celebrities.
Moreover, he would inform all the media to cover it extensively, making the whole world know that he, Qi Ye, was marrying the girl he loved most.
If Chen Chunyao showed up as a bridesmaid at the wedding, wouldn't it be like giving her a chance to gain popularity?
What was her status? How could she possibly be qualified to show her face at his and Xu Tingyu's wedding?
Chen Chunyao's face turned deathly pale.
She had indeed come to this dinner with a purpose.
Having faced setbacks in the domestic market, she thought of trying her luck in other regions.
Coming here today was also a way to take a chance.
Originally, she thought that with so many people here, once she managed to sneak in, she could tell others that she was Qi Ye's friend.
Those people might not bother to verify it with Qi Ye. Maybe then she would really get some opportunities.
But she didn't expect that before her plan could be put into action, she was discovered as soon as she sneaked in.
When the waiter asked her either to show the invitation or leave, she was extremely annoyed.
In the past few years, she had smoothly advanced in the entertainment circle. Wherever she went, she was a highly - popular figure.
Now, she had become a rat scurried by everyone.
To attend this kind of banquet, she had to rely on others to sneak in, and was immediately recognized.
She had never been so embarrassed.
All the gazes cast at her at the banquet were like sharp blades, stabbing at her mercilessly, almost piercing her through.
Holding her heart full of wounds and propping up her exhausted body, she stood there, as humble as a stray dog.
And her former best friend, as proud as a white swan, walked past gracefully without even sparing her a glance.
She was unwilling, she hated. There seemed to be a raging fire burning in her heart.
This fire burned away all her rationality, almost driving her crazy.
She wanted to scream, to roar, to destroy everything in front of her.
But in the end, she just bit her lips tightly, swallowing all her anger and unwillingness back into her stomach.
She knew she couldn't lose her composure here.
Once she did, it would be all over.
But she couldn't let it be all over. She would rather die than accept being forever trampled under others' feet.
Especially by Xu Tingyu.
She, Chen Chunyao, had never been a person who gave up easily.
Even at this point, she would still keep trying, struggling to find a way out for herself.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
Then, she raised her eyes again, looking at Qi Ye. Her eyes glinted with a complex light.
"Qi Ye, I may not know you, but you should know me well. If I'm really cornered, I'll surely take someone down with me."
Her voice was low and hoarse. Every word seemed to be squeezed out of her throat.
After saying one sentence, she paused for a while and then continued.
"I'm not threatening you. I just want to live, to live with dignity. As long as you give me a break, I'll have a way out."
There was a complex light flickering in her eyes.
Anger was mixed with madness, and madness was tinged with despair.
Qi Ye looked at her, slightly frowning.
Was she threatening him again?
So what if she was?
He, Qi Ye, had never been afraid of anyone's threats.
But his wedding was approaching, and he didn't want too much news to break out.
Especially since Chen Chunyao did hold quite a few of his secrets. It wasn't convenient for him to deal with her completely for now.
So he stared at her expressionlessly for a while. A hint of cruelty flashed in his eyes and quickly disappeared.
Then, his tone suddenly softened. "Actually, you missed your chance yourself."
"What chance?"
Chen Chunyao unconsciously asked back, and then felt annoyed at asking so quickly.
She bit her lips, scolding herself for being too impatient.
This would unconsciously let Qi Ye lead her by the nose. He just had that ability.
Qi Ye gave a soft laugh. "Your pregnancy was your best chance."
After saying that, he seemed to have no mood to continue, leaving her to figure it out on her own, and turned to leave.
Chen Chunyao chased after a few steps unwillingly. "Qi Ye, explain it clearly before you go!"
Qi Ye stopped but didn't turn back. He just coldly threw out a few words. "The chance was only once, and you've already lost it."
After a pause, he added, "However, for Tingyu's sake, I'm willing to give you another one. Come to me at ten o'clock tonight."
Chen Chunyao stood there stunned, a strange feeling welling up in her heart.
Looking at the man's departing back, she suddenly thought that maybe Qi Ye wasn't that cruel to her.
Maybe he had prepared a way out for her long ago, but she was just too greedy and too conceited to seize it.
Now, she had reached a dead - end, and it was all her own fault.
If Xu Tingyu knew what she was thinking, she would surely mercilessly mock her for being so well - tamed by Qi Ye.
With just a little bit of sweetness from Qi Ye, she immediately started to reflect on herself and make excuses for him.
She forgot that the root cause of all her pain was Qi Ye.
But she didn't think so. Instead, she thought all this was thanks to Xu Tingyu.
Because she didn't dare to hate Qi Ye, she could only attribute all her negative emotions to Xu Tingyu.
She clenched her fists tightly. Her fingernails dug deeply into her palms, but she didn't feel any pain.
Compared with the pain and anger in her heart, this physical pain was nothing at all.
She slowly raised her head, looking at the dazzling chandelier on the ceiling. Her eyes were empty and dazed.
She seemed to see her past glory. It was as bright and short - lived as the light on the chandelier.
Now, it was all just a passing cloud.
She slowly closed her eyes. Tears slid down from the corners of her eyes, dropping on the cold ground and disappearing instantly.
In the end, there was only one thought left.
That was that she must never become poor. As long as there was the slightest chance, she would seize it.
Even if it meant completely sacrificing herself to the devil, it didn't matter!