Chapter 62: Everyone Went to Celebrate Jiang Ci's Birthday

Bo Jinxi spoke in a cool, indifferent tone, “Since that’s the case, we’ll take our leave now.”

With that, he wrapped his arm around Jiang Ciyou and walked toward the doors of the banquet hall.

After a few steps, he paused again.

Bo Jinxi suddenly turned around and addressed the surrounding guests.

“Ladies and gentlemen, today is my girlfriend’s birthday. I have also arranged a banquet in the hall on the eighty-eighth floor of Skyline. If you don’t mind, you are welcome to join us. All who attend today are honored guests.”

The crowd erupted with excitement.

When the Crown Prince himself extended an invitation, who could possibly refuse? So many people had wished for a chance to curry favor with him, and now it had finally come.

At once, several people stepped forward.

“Crown Prince, we’ll go and celebrate Miss Jiang’s birthday.”

“I’m coming too!”

“So am I!”

“I’ve heard the eighty-eighth floor of Skyline is reserved for hosting national leaders and never open to the public. They say the view there is like a celestial palace—how could I pass up the chance to see it?”

Instantly, the guests from the Jiang family flocked after Bo Jinxi in a rush.

In less than five minutes, the once bustling banquet was left nearly deserted, with only a few of the Jiang family’s closest relatives remaining.

They drifted over to Jiang Jinhui’s side, sighing heavily.

“To think the Crown Prince from the wealthiest family is Little You’s boyfriend! That should have been a blessing falling from heaven, and now it’s all shattered ties.”

“Little You has always excelled in her studies and has a gift for design. Weren’t all those award-winning pieces from Gentle Beauty her creations? The company’s current designs are hardly presentable. Even though she hasn’t designed for the company in recent years, every year she still creates a piece to represent us in Milan. Now with the Summer Fashion Week coming up and relations so soured, will she still help us participate?”

“If we could have caught hold of the Bo family’s coattails, the Jiang family would have soared to new heights and never known worry again. Now, the duck that was almost in our mouths has flown away—what’s to be done?”

Jiang Xiaoxiao listened to her uncles and aunts beating their chests and lamenting.

Furious, she burst out, “What’s so special about Jiang Ciyou? Do you really think the Crown Prince truly cares for her? She is a married woman! He must have been deceived. When he realizes he’s been played by Jiang Ciyou, let’s see if he’ll ever look at her again!”

“And as for the Milan fashion design competition, I can represent the company too! I refuse to believe I’ll lose to Jiang Ciyou.”

“Bo Jinxi is blind right now, but he’ll come to his senses soon enough. I’m his personal secretary now—we see each other every day. Who’s to say I can’t climb my way into the Bo family?”

“Enough! Not another word from you!” Jiang Jinhui could no longer stand it.

“Jiang Xiaoxiao, you have the nerve to keep running your mouth when the disgrace the Jiang family suffered today is all because of you.”

“You’re going to represent Little You at the competition? With your second-rate designs? It’s one thing to embarrass us at home, but you want to take that shame abroad?”

“Just look at yourself! All the designer labels in the world can’t cover up your provincial air. Look at your sister, then look at yourself. All those etiquette tutors your mother hired for you over the years, and this is what you’ve become!”

“For the time being, you’re not going anywhere. You’ll stay at home and reflect—don’t embarrass me any further.”

Jiang Xiaoxiao was stunned.

In the three years since her return, Jiang Jinhui had never been this harsh with her. He had always been gentle and tolerant, even if not very close. He had told her she had talent, which was why he’d placed her in the company’s design department.

So, in his eyes, all her works were nothing but mediocrity?

Even with Jiang Ciyou in such a sorry state today, they still believed she wasn’t fit to compare with her even for a single finger.

Jiang Jinhui, from the bottom of his heart, despised her.

Nothing she did could surpass Jiang Ciyou.

Tears surged from Jiang Xiaoxiao’s eyes.

She looked to Yao Shulan.

In the past, her mother would have rushed to defend her.

But now, Yao Shulan simply stood to the side, watching as Jiang Jinhui scolded and humiliated her without uttering a word.

Her gaze was vacant, as if lost in other thoughts.

Her daughter was being berated, and she couldn’t care less.

She must have been thinking about Jiang Ciyou.

She must believe that no matter what, Jiang Xiaoxiao could never measure up to Jiang Ciyou.

Their regret was only because Jiang Ciyou had caught the eye of the Crown Prince.

If Bo Jinxi’s girlfriend were her instead—

Then she, Jiang Xiaoxiao, would be the one receiving praise, affirmation, and adoration.

She was determined to become Bo Jinxi’s girlfriend.

No matter what it took!

Jiang Ciyou, I will never lose to you!

Meanwhile—

After leaving, Xia Ling hurried after Yan Feng.

Yan Feng walked too fast, paying no mind to Xia Ling lagging behind.

All she could see was his back, radiating cold anger and indifference.

Xia Ling felt fear rising in her heart.

In his eyes, she had always been perfect, magnanimous, and kind.

Today, he had witnessed her framing Jiang Ciyou.

What must he think of her now?

When they reached the parking lot, Yan Feng yanked open the car door and got in, ignoring her as he drove off.

Xia Ling chased after him, calling his name as she ran.

Through the rearview mirror, Yan Feng caught sight of her slender, lonely figure.

Restlessness gnawed at him.

Suddenly, Xia Ling tripped over a stone and fell hard to the ground.

Yan Feng slammed the brakes.

In the end, he got out and ran to her side.

Seeing him return, Xia Ling looked up, her tear-stained face as delicate as a flower battered by rain.

“A’Feng, I was wrong. Please, forgive me—just this once, won’t you?”

She trembled all over, pitifully clutching his wrist.

“A’Feng, I only did it because I love you so much. I was so afraid you’d go back to Ciyou. I know you grew up together, and I know you haven’t really let her go. I thought I could stop caring, but I couldn’t. I was so scared. That’s why I did what I did. A’Feng, without you, the baby and I can’t go on. Please, forgive me, just this once?”

In Xia Ling’s terrified eyes, he saw a world collapsing.

She had always worshipped him like a god.

Yan Feng’s gaze finally softened a little, but his voice remained cold. “Xia Ling, this isn’t the first time. Last time, you used Vivian to frame Ciyou; I forgave you. And the things on your computer… Xia Ling, you’ve truly let me down.”

Shock flickered through Xia Ling’s eyes.

He had looked through her computer—did he crack her password?

A trace of unease passed through her—had he discovered something?

But none of that mattered now.

Tears streamed down her face. “A’Feng, I admit it was all me. I deliberately set up Ciyou, but only because I love you. I’m terrified of losing you. Ciyou has so much, but all I have is you and our baby. I can’t let our child be born without a father.”

“A’Feng, for the sake of the baby, please forgive me, just this once?”