Chapter Twelve: He Will Pay the Price

“Ye Zuo? You’ve crossed the line.”

Shangguan Renran looked at him, not wanting him to get into unnecessary trouble.

“Yes, Miss,” he replied, a hint of urgency in his voice—something quite unlike his usual composed self.

While he spoke, Ye Xin tugged lightly at his sleeve, but he still went on. She realized that whenever it came to matters concerning Miss, he lost his usual calm and restraint.

The others failed to understand how things had escalated to such a tense, sword-drawn confrontation.

“I believe Young Master Huangpu harbors no ill intention,” Shangguan Renran said, though she didn’t know why he was so insistent.

“Yes, yes, my second brother surely just wants to show concern. Last time, he was falsely accused by that Huangpu Qingyin, wasn’t he?” Ouyang Mufeng defended his second brother, though he himself was puzzled by his brother’s motives.

“My father is Shangguan Xing, now retired from the Shangguan clan,” Shangguan Renran introduced herself. Since anyone present could easily find this out, she figured she might as well say it.

“I heard the Shangguan clan married someone from Country Y in this generation. No wonder…” No wonder she studied in Country Y. Country Y—that’s…

“Are you mixed-race?” Rong Yi asked, suspicion in his voice. He finally understood what Huangpu Shenqing was getting at. Could it be that he thought Shangguan Renran was…?

“Mixed-race?” Ouyang Mufeng instantly jumped to his feet, stirred up. How could he not be? He couldn’t fathom why his second brother was asking these questions, but “mixed-race” had always been a sensitive term for him.

Huangpu Shenqing’s pupils contracted, and he quietly clenched his hand, lowering his head to hide in the shadows, his expression unreadable.

“Are you surprised that I’m mixed-race?” Shangguan Renran didn’t understand—their reaction seemed too exaggerated.

Xia Wanqing, Ouyang Muyan, Ye Xin, and the others were equally confused, unable to make sense of the situation.

“Not surprised, not surprised,” Ouyang Mufeng quickly sat down again, trying to appear calm, though inside a hundred horses galloped.

Huangpu Shenqing felt she was especially similar—he hadn’t dared hope too much; the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

He had planned that if he couldn’t find her in the country, he’d search abroad. He firmly believed he’d find her eventually. But now…

“I’ve heard people from Country Y have beautiful eyes, all blue. I wonder, Miss Shangguan, about your eyes…”

Gong Yi probed step by step. By rights, her eyes should be jet-black now, but he couldn’t let go—what if she was the one? Then Huangpu’s wish of so many years might finally be fulfilled.

“It’s already late. We should be heading back now. Farewell,” Shangguan Renran’s voice returned to its usual cold indifference.

If she still didn’t realize they had ulterior motives, she’d be a fool.

She’d only spoken out of respect for Muyan, but that didn’t mean she owed them any explanations.

Ye Zuo and Ye Xin followed behind her, turning to leave.

Xia Wanqing glanced at them, then hurried after.

“I don’t know what your intentions are, but Renran isn’t someone you can meddle with.” What did the Huangpu clan matter? If they bullied Shangguan Renran, she wouldn’t stand by.

“And you—go home early, and don’t trust everyone you meet,” Ouyang Muyan said with meaning, grabbing her bag and leaving.

“Damn, you guys have ruined me.” What did he look like to his sister now? His goddess would surely despise him—how miserable! If he’d known, he’d never have introduced them.

“Huangpu?” Although Shangguan Renran hadn’t said anything, it only made people more suspicious—was it possible her eyes were…

Could they be blue?

“You all go back first, let me be alone for a while,” Huangpu Shenqing said in a low voice, closing his eyes as he tried to recall memories that were now almost blurred.

“Second brother? Are you alright?” Ouyang Mufeng wanted to step forward and show concern.

“Let’s go, let Huangpu have some peace,” Gong Yi patted Ouyang Mufeng’s shoulder, grabbed his coat, and left.

—

Shangguan Family Villa

“Miss, what do you think their purpose is?” Why were they asking all those questions? Ye Xin was puzzled.

“Nothing. Go to bed early!” Shangguan Renran rubbed her forehead. She really needed to get back to the company soon—every day seemed to bring some new trouble.

She walked to her room, burying her face in the quilt, and couldn’t help but recall the person sitting on the sofa, like a painting. Ah, so annoying.

Could it be that she had offended everyone as soon as she returned? If her grandfather found out, he’d nag her to death.

She’d better stay quietly at home.

—

Huangpu Family Old Residence

“Mom, they actually asked me for money, and told me to make up the expenses from the past few months. Why should I?” Huangpu Qingyin complained. Today, at the mall with her friends, the sales staff actually wanted her to pay. When had she ever not just walked out with things? This was the first time she’d been asked to pay.

She’d lost face in front of her friends, and worst of all, her card actually had insufficient funds.

“Pay what? What expenses?” Bai Ting glanced at her daughter, then lowered her head to iron clothes.

“Mom, that bastard said that from now on, anything under the Huangpu name, I’d have to pay for. He even told me to settle the past few months’ expenses,” Huangpu Qingyin was furious—didn’t he know who she was?

Just a beggar living in the Huangpu house for a meal, thinking he was the master.

“Watch your tongue—that’s your brother,” Bai Ting reproved her mildly.

“What kind of brother is he? My only brother is Huangpu Qing’an. Mom, tell me what to do.”

“In public, he’s your brother. Don’t give anyone ammunition to criticize you. Isn’t this house still under our control?” Bai Ting put down her work and walked over to Huangpu Qingyin.

“What’s there to be afraid of? Grandma’s still here, right? Yes, I’m going to find Grandma.” Huangpu Qingyin ran off, determined to find her grandmother and see what that bastard would do.

If he dared to suspend her privileges, he would pay the price.