Chapter 56: Without Qin Mohuai, She’s No Longer a Princess

Qin Mohuai adjusted her tasseled shoulder sleeve, covering her fair shoulder but revealing the soft, full skin near her underarm.

His long lashes lowered, and he looked as if he were dealing with a tricky billion-dollar contract, adjusting it repeatedly without achieving the desired effect. His brows furrowed slightly, and even his shadow on the ground seemed to snarl for a moment.

Ten minutes later, Xia Yuan grasped Qin Mohuai’s slender, cool, white fingers. “If you keep fussing like this, we might as well skip the family banquet and stay home, fighting with this outfit instead.”

Qin Mohuai bent down and kissed the soft, full flesh near her underarm, then gently tugged the tasseled sleeve back over it.

“Fine, showing some shoulder is no big deal.”

“Ugh!” Xia Yuan squealed softly. She grabbed the hem of her silver tasseled and gauze-trimmed dress and kicked Qin Mohuai’s calf with her pointed high heels. Even when she hit him, the movement was still fragrant with charm. He let out a muffled grunt, signaling an end to their playful scuffle.

Xia Yuan sighed and earnestly discussed with Qin Mohuai that he should keep his hands to himself in public, but he could be as intimate as he wanted in private.

She didn’t want people to think she had a perverted husband.

Qin Mohuai’s voice was teasingly ambiguous. “I can behave.”

“…”

When they spotted the car outside, Xia Yuan asked, “Is the Maybach repaired?”

Qin Mohuai replied, “No, this is a new one I bought.”

Xia Yuan asked, “Just for a banquet?”

Qin Mohuai nodded. “Yeah, for a formal event, this car is more appropriate.”

Xia Yuan learned something new—another useless lesson in the life of the rich.

Without Qin Mohuai, she wouldn’t be a princess, nor could she afford a Maybach.

“What are you getting sentimental about?” Qin Mohuai gently stroked her ear, a sensitive spot. Xia Yuan’s body trembled involuntarily, a wave of tingling spreading through half her body like electricity.

His sharp perception was astounding—he could tell something was off with just one glance. Xia Yuan pouted, “If I end up somewhere without you, how am I supposed to ride in a Maybach?”

Qin Mohuai answered, “Then don’t leave me.”

He was seriously contemplating what would happen if that ever came to pass. Love often brings anxiety and insecurity, but Qin Mohuai reassured himself that he wouldn’t let that happen.

At that moment, Qin Mohuai couldn’t help but think of Qin Jingye. No wonder the ‘heir apparent,’ who was favored by all the elites, broke away from the Qin family. How could anyone stay sane without a wife?

–

At the Zhou family’s house.

Zhou Mao had cleared her schedule long ago to attend the family banquet. The star of today’s event was her aunt, Zhou Yun.

Zhou Yun was an art collector who had settled in France since her university days. Her family had been urging her to get married since she was 25, and by the time she was 40, she still hadn’t tied the knot.

Zhou Mao greatly admired her free-spirited and carefree aunt.

That is, until recently, when Zhou Yun had a whirlwind marriage with Maxence from a prestigious French family. The two were similar in age, shared common interests, and both had hidden their identities while dating. After getting married, they revealed their true backgrounds—both turned out to be incredibly wealthy.

Everyone at the banquet was talking about the newlyweds.

Since the conversation had shifted to newlyweds, someone inevitably mentioned Qin Mohuai’s name.

“Both were whirlwind marriages, but look how dignified Zhou Yun and Maxence are.”

“How could you say that? If Qin Mohuai isn’t dignified enough, then none of us are.”

“He’s dignified, alright, the epitome of nobility. But his wife? She’s practically a fast-food girl.”

The elegance of high society is built on wealth—it’s superficial and merely a fantasy the outside world has about the upper class.

Because Xia Yuan’s mother, Liang Min, ran a fast-food restaurant, Xia Yuan was labeled as a “fast-food girl” by high society—a deeply insulting term.

“Qin Mohuai has such high standards. How did he end up in a whirlwind marriage with a fast-food girl? She must be quite the strategist.”

“If she weren’t, how could she have beaten Ouyang Jing to become the eldest daughter-in-law of the Qin family?”

“Old Master Qin never acknowledged her.”

At that moment, a stir erupted near the entrance. The Zhou family banquet was held at KG Hotel, and Xia Yuan, arm-in-arm with Qin Mohuai, was welcomed inside without even presenting their invitation.

Qin Mohuai always stood out in a crowd, much like the moon among the stars—no one could compete with the dazzling charm of the talented and handsome heir apparent.

What surprised the wealthy socialites and heirs was that Xia Yuan, standing next to Qin Mohuai, was equally impressive. He was noble and aloof, while she was graceful like a poem; he was tall and strikingly handsome, while she was ethereal and refined; his aura was powerful, hers gentle and reserved.

It was clear from one glance that they complemented each other perfectly, an ideal match.

Qin Mohuai picked up a glass of champagne, and the waiter, clearly briefed in advance, offered another glass of water from the tray for Xia Yuan.

Qin Mohuai spotted a few familiar elders and friends and led Xia Yuan over to greet them.

As they mingled, Xia Yuan’s palms became sweaty, afraid she might say something wrong and embarrass herself.

Earlier, Qin Mohuai had asked the Zhou family for a guest list, hoping Xia Yuan could memorize some names. But after glancing at it once, Xia Yuan had forgotten them all.

“Don’t worry, darling, we’ll attend plenty of banquets like this. You’ll get used to it,” he reassured her.

“…This is no different from torture. You must’ve come up with this just to torment me,” Xia Yuan muttered quietly.

She had never attended such high-end events before. The atmosphere made her uncomfortable, and she couldn’t find any enjoyment in it. She would’ve been more at ease wearing a server’s uniform and carrying trays around.

Qin Mohuai didn’t want to force her into anything, but if he didn’t bring her along to be seen, who knew if his grandfather would arrange another “fiancée” for him?

He bent down and coaxed Xia Yuan gently. Though a simple gesture, to onlookers, it was anything but. The lofty heir was humbling himself for love, spoiling a “fast-food girl” to such an extent—why?

Unlike others, Pei Jingchen wasn’t just curious; he was jealous of Qin Mohuai.

Does this guy have some destiny to be blessed with a wife?

Slightly tipsy, his fox-like eyes gleamed with charm as he led Yang Yi and Zhou Xuan over to Qin Mohuai.

“Mohuai, you’ve dealt with Maxence’s family before and speak fluent French. Come on, help us out. We can’t understand a word he’s saying. Luckily, you’re here.”

The three of them whisked Qin Mohuai away, as if Xia Yuan were a helpless infant who couldn’t walk on her own, needing to be constantly guarded.

Xia Yuan didn’t mind Qin Mohuai leaving to socialize; in fact, she preferred it. She planned to find a quiet spot to wait until the banquet ended.

However, after taking just a few steps, five or six socialites gathered around her.

“Xia Yuan, hello. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”

“Actually, you should be calling her Mrs. Qin,” someone reminded.

“If we call her Mrs. Qin, doesn’t that make her sound old? I’m Ning Kou, though you probably don’t know me. I’m Ouyang Jing’s cousin. You know Ouyang Jing, right?”

Ouyang Jing was Qin Mohuai’s former fiancée. If Xia Yuan claimed not to know her, that would be too obvious a lie. But if she admitted she did, this blatant provocation surely had a follow-up trap waiting for her.

Ouyang Jing, as the heroine of the story, was as pure as a lotus flower. She didn’t need to get involved in petty jealousies because plenty of others, like Ning Kou’er, were eager to fight her battles.

Xia Yuan swirled her crystal glass, bubbles shimmering from her head to her toes, her lips laced with poison. “Nice to meet you too, I’m Xia Yuan, and I’m not particularly pleased to meet you.”

Whoever lacks manners gets to enjoy it. 🙂

Zhou Mao rushing over to rescue Xia Yuan, heard this and thought, “…Wow, Yuan Yuan’s spirit is absolutely radiant today!”