Chapter 35: An Uninvited Guest

“Sorry, miss, but this private room has already been reserved.”

Ji Xueli was still listening to Chengdu talk about his past funny experiences when a commotion broke out outside.

A woman’s voice rang out, bossy and forceful: “I’ll pay double—tell them to switch rooms.”

Duan Qingyu frowned upon hearing the voice.

“Apologies, only VIPs can reserve this room. We have no reason to ask our guests to move,” the waiter replied.

Smack!

“You mean I’m not a VIP? I want this room today!”

The sharp sound and the woman’s raised voice made Ji Xueli finally lose her patience.

“Lili…” Chengdu saw her stand up and quickly followed.

“This is my reserved room. If you have anything to say, say it to me.” Ji Xueli pushed the door open and immediately spotted the woman.

She was decked out in designer clothes, clutching an elite Hermès bag—clearly wealthy, but her demeanor reeked of nouveau riche.

Guan Jingru looked at the unfamiliar face that seemed somewhat familiar. The girl looked like a rich heiress.

“Miss, I’m hosting a banquet soon. Would you mind giving up this room for me?” Guan Jingru’s tone softened.

The moment Chengdu saw who it was, his heart jumped. He shot a worried glance at Duan Qingyu.

But Duan Qingyu kept sipping his tea, completely indifferent to the chaos outside.

“Sure—if you apologize to this young man first, I’ll consider it.” Ji Xueli smiled, spreading her hands.

Apologize to a waiter? Guan Jingru’s face darkened slightly. “That’s no way to speak to your elders.”

“You slapped someone and that’s okay? Don’t try to pull the seniority card here,” Ji Xueli scoffed. She hated this type—those who looked down on everyone while thinking themselves superior.

Chengdu couldn’t help giving Duan Qingyu a thumbs-up. “Wow, Lili’s tongue is unstoppable when it’s for you. That old witch is losing badly.”

Duan Qingyu tapped the table lightly with his fingers as he watched Ji Xueli.

“You speak to elders like that? Clearly you were raised poorly. I wonder what kind of parents—”

Chengdu immediately stepped in, sensing it was about to escalate. “Aunt Guan, it’s you!”

Now it was Ji Xueli’s turn to be confused. Wait… they know each other?!

Guan Jingru’s gaze shifted toward the room and sure enough, she spotted someone familiar. Her heart sank.

“Oh, Chengdu, you’re here. What a coincidence.” Her tone flipped instantly into a friendly smile—impressive acting speed.

“Snow Li came back from abroad, so we’re catching up.” Chengdu kept his fake smile in place.

Ji Xueli pressed her lips together. Crap… did I just stir up something big?

“Ji Xueli… from the Ji family?” Guan Jingru looked shocked. She hadn’t expected her to be from one of the Four Great Families.

“Yes. And so is Qingyu,” Chengdu added, gesturing toward Duan Qingyu.

Duan Qingyu lifted his eyes and cast Guan Jingru a cold glance, too lazy to speak.

“Qingyu, you’re here too…” That one glance made Guan Jingru break out in a cold sweat. Her voice trembled as she greeted him.

Duan Qingyu didn’t reply. Ji Xueli, observing the exchange, started putting pieces together. Looks like this woman isn’t on great terms with them.

“Aunt Guan, are you sure Duan Zong knows about this banquet?” Duan Qingyu finally spoke.

“Of course your father knows…” Ever since Duan Qingyu had backstabbed Duan Haohong, Guan Jingru had been wary. The boy was a lunatic…

“Don’t tell me you’re paving the way for that illegitimate child,” Duan Qingyu said slowly.

At those words, Ji Xueli had a lightbulb moment. Ah, so she’s the stepmother, possibly a homewrecker. Then I didn’t insult her for nothing.

No wonder Chengdu had said the Duan family was complicated.

“What illegitimate child? Qingyu, Youcheng is your brother…” Guan Jingru clenched her fists, forcing a smile.

“Auntie, that’s crossing the line,” Ji Xueli cut in, gesturing for her to stop.

A homewrecker really had no right to speak like that.

Duan Qingyu stood up and calmly told the waiter, “Go tell the manager—no more guests for the other rooms today. Dogs and she are not allowed in.”

Ji Xueli tried hard not to laugh.

“Yes, sir.”

“Duan Qingyu! I’m the lady of the Duan household. How dare you treat me like this?!”

“Peony Pavilion belongs to my mother’s family. Do you think I wouldn’t dare?” His cold laugh sounded like he’d just heard a joke.

“You… I’ll tell your father!” Guan Jingru seethed with anger, teeth clenched, but powerless.

Chengdu waved goodbye playfully. “Take care, Auntie. No need to see you off.”

“Hahaha! Qingyu, I bet she’s gonna blow a fuse after that one. And Lili, you were amazing,” Chengdu burst into laughter, giving them both double thumbs-up.

Ji Xueli gave an awkward laugh. Okay, I gotta stop being so impulsive… Lucky things went well this time, but what if it hadn’t?

She’d always thought the Duan family was powerful because of their business empire, but it turned out Duan Qingyu’s mother’s side was just as strong. Owning a place like Peony Pavilion said a lot.

“Guan Jingru’s becoming more and more blatant—paving the way for Duan Youcheng in broad daylight,” Chengdu grumbled angrily.

“Let her pave,” Duan Qingyu waved it off. His eyes darkened. Whether it works or not depends on whose game is better.

Ji Xueli was completely lost. Okay, so Guan Jingru and Duan Youcheng were the stepmom and illegitimate son… but what exactly had happened? She had no idea.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let them win,” Chengdu said.

Then he looked at Ji Xueli, who had gone quiet. “Lili, you probably don’t know what happened with Duan Youcheng while you were abroad, huh?”

It’s not just that—I don’t know ANY of this…

She nodded. “Yeah, what happened?”

“He’s running a law firm now. Took the bar exam five or six times before passing—and now he owns a firm,” Chengdu sneered.

“All because Guan Jingru used her connections to prop him up. The old man specifically said he wasn’t allowed into the family business before he passed.”

Ji Xueli nodded in realization. So that’s why everyone calls Duan Qingyu the crown prince. This Duan Youcheng guy doesn’t seem like much of a threat…

“Not just her—Duan Haohong is helping him too,” Duan Qingyu added nonchalantly.

He didn’t even want to say “father”—just the thought disgusted him.

Okay, never mind. He’s a major threat, Ji Xueli thought, lips pursed.

“That’s why the crown prince chose START Entertainment. Compared to Duan Corp’s other companies, it’s small potatoes,” Chengdu added, clearly feeling bad for Duan Qingyu.

Duan Qingyu lowered his gaze. It doesn’t matter where I go—eventually, the Duan empire will belong to me.

Ji Xueli finally felt like she understood a little bit more about Duan Qingyu’s past. She hadn’t expected his life to be so full of hardship…

Sigh.

Duan Qingyu looked at her thoughtful expression and spoke calmly: “Miss Ji, after hearing all this, you’re not going to run off and report it like before, are you?”

Chengdu looked over too.

That “someone” clearly referred to Ji Yanzhou. Last time, after Duan Qingyu had returned to Huacheng, Chengdu had arranged a reunion out of nostalgia.

He’d shared some things about the Duan family… but the next day, Ji Xueli’s original self had told Ji Yanzhou everything.

“…I’m not the same Ji Xueli as before. Don’t worry,” she said quickly, a little flustered.

Ugh, the original Ji Xueli really couldn’t keep her mouth shut…

“I agree. Lili must’ve been misled before,” Chengdu said loyally.

Duan Qingyu gave her a glance but said nothing.