At the bar.

  Xiao Ying and Long Mei booked a room and closed the door, cutting off all the noise outside.

  Xiao Ying ordered a bottle of wine.

  It had been a long time since she had drunk such spicy and strong liquor.

  Long Mei looked at Xiao Ying’s tired expression and knew that she was not in a good mood.

  Recently, the Duke and his wife had found their real daughter and she was that annoying Liu Yiyi, no less. Liu Yiyi liked to cause trouble in the palace and she even made things difficult for Xiao Ying after returning to the Duke’s palace.

  “Sister-in-law, did you move out?” Long Mei raised her glass and clinked it with Xiao Ying’s. “Was it because of that Liu?”


  Xiao Ying did not want to gossip about the Duke’s family. She could not get along with Liu Yiyi and it would be good for both of them if she moved out.

  It was just that she had probably felt a little greedy and reluctant because of the Duchess’ love for her.

  “Forget it. Let’s not talk about her.” Xiao Ying picked up her wine glass and took a big gulp.

  Xiao Ying was depressed but Long Mei was not any better.

  She had not recovered from the trauma of falling out of love, and having faced betrayal and hurt.

  She used to think that breaking up would not be painful even if she loved someone, and she would definitely leave easily given her personality.

  However, when it really happened to her, she realized that the heart-wrenching pain could not be healed in a short period of time!

  Long Mei and Xiao Ying drank one glass after another.

  They drank until eleven at night, when Xiao Ying’s phone rang.

  Xiao Ying furrowed her eyebrows. Who would call her so late at night?

  She took out her phone from her bag and saw the caller ID.

  She was slightly stunned.

  The Duke’s wife was calling.

  Xiao Ying stared at the flashing screen, not knowing if she should answer.

  The Duchess was a kind and warm mother who had given her a motherly love she had never enjoyed.

  She knew that the Duke’s wife would definitely not let her go if she had asked to leave in person.

  Xiao Ying’s mind was filled with thoughts. By the time she regained her senses, the ringtone had already gone off.

  “Sister-in-law, did the Duke’s palace call? The Duke’s wife really treats you as her daughter. Why don’t you go back? With your ability, won’t you be able to subdue Liu Yiyi?”


  Xiao Ying was not afraid of Liu Yiyi, but she did not want the Duke and his wife to be stuck between them.

  Besides, Liu Yiyi was the real daughter of the couple.

  Xiao Ying was unwilling to fight with Liu Yiyi for what rightfully belonged to her.

  Before Xiao Ying could say anything, her phone rang again.

  Xiao Ying did not see the caller ID and thought that it was the Duke’s wife calling. She could not bear to reject her call and answered the call.

  However, it was not the Duchess who had called.

  Instead, it was a deep and cold male voice. “Where are you?”


  Hearing the man’s voice, Xiao Ying froze for a moment.

  Who was calling her?

  “Why should I tell you where I am?” Xiao Ying leaned against the sofa, her red eyes slightly dazed.

  The man on the other end of the call froze for a second or two when he heard Xiao Ying’s tone. When he regained his senses, his voice turned colder. “You drank?”


  “You must be a pervert. What does it have to do with you whether I drink or not?”


  Xiao Ying planned to hang up.

  The man probably expected her next action and said in a low voice, “Wan Bao is not feeling well.”


  Hearing the name ‘Wan Bao’, Xiao Ying’s muddled mind immediately sobered up.

  “Y-You’re Long Ming?”


  “Who else could it be?” Xiao Ying could not see the man’s face, but from his voice, she could tell that his expression must be very dark and scary.

  Xiao Ying sat up straight, furrowing her eyebrows tightly. “Are you saying that Wan Bao is unwell? Where is she feeling unwell?”


  “Everywhere!” The man’s tone was rather mean.

  Xiao Ying had drunk a lot and her head was heavy, so she could not tell if he was telling the truth.

  “How is she now?”


  “Where are you?” The man’s voice was cold.

  “Mei’er and I are at Xingyue Bar.”


  The moment Xiao Ying finished speaking, the man on the other end of the call hung up.

  Xiao Ying stared at the darkened phone screen in shock for a few seconds.

  Long Mei sat beside Xiao Ying and looked at her beautiful side profile. “Sister-in-law, did my brother call?”


  Xiao Ying nodded and put her phone into her bag. “He said that Wan Bao is not feeling well. Mei’er, can you bring me to the palace?”


  Mei’er was confused. “When I came out, Wan Bao was fine!”


  Seeing that Xiao Ying was worried, Long Mei said, “I’ll call the driver to pick us up now.”


  “Okay.

  …


  Half an hour later, the chauffeur sent a message that he had arrived.

  Long Mei and Xiao Ying paid the bill and walked out of the bar.

  Two shiny black luxury cars were parked by the roadside.

  The driver was standing by the car in front. When he saw Long Mei, he said to her, “Miss Long, please get into this car.”


  Long Mei frowned. “I’ll go with my sister-in-law.”


  The driver glanced at the car behind. “Miss Ying, please take the one behind.”


  “Why?”


  Before Long Mei could finish, two bodyguards got out of the car and helped Long Mei into the car.

  Long Mei had drunk a lot and was taken away before she could resist.

  Xiao Ying froze for a few seconds.

  At this moment, the luxurious black car behind drove up to her.

  The car window was lowered and a well-defined and cold face appeared in front of Xiao Ying.

  Long Ming?

  Xiao Ying blinked, thinking that she was seeing things.

  Seeing that she had drunk too much and was slow to react, the man narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “Get in.”


  Xiao Ying stood still.

  “Don’t you want to see how Wan Bao is doing?”


  Xiao Ying went to the back of the car and pulled the door.

  She could not open it.

  “Unlock it.”


  The man pursed his thin lips and said coldly, “In front.”


  Xiao Ying walked toward the front passenger seat, feeling dizzy. This time, she managed to pull the door open.

  She got into the car and had just fastened her seatbelt when the man stepped on the accelerator and left.

  Xiao Ying looked at the man’s cold and sharp side profile and asked worriedly, “What happened to Wan Bao?”


  The man pursed his lips tightly and said nothing.

  Although she was a little drunk, Xiao Ying was still able to analyze the situation.

  Since he could come and fetch her personally, Wan Bao should not be in a very serious condition.

  Xiao Ying leaned against the seat, wanting to look out of the window, but her eyes somehow landed on the man’s side profile and shoulders.

  His shoulders were firm and strong, as if they could block all the wind and rain outside, giving off a sense of security.

  However, she could not get any closer.

  Too many things had happened recently. Xiao Ying was exhausted, but she did not even have a shoulder to lean on.

  However, since she was young, she was used to relying on herself for everything. She would swallow all of her bitterness and tears.

  Noticing Xiao Ying’s gaze, the man looked over at her, his eyes dark. “What are you looking at?”


  “Nothing. I just wanted to tell you that I can take Wan Bao away from here and never appear in front of you again.”