Xia Shi Xue's gaze towards Yan Xi was filled with a venomous rage that made Yan Xi's skin crawl.
Yan Xi understood that with her return to the He family, Xia Shi Xue was no longer the pampered eldest daughter. Xia Shi Xue's hatred for Yan Xi was, therefore, understandable.
However, if Xia Shi Xue believed this would be enough to deal with Yan Xi, she was gravely mistaken.
A faint smile played on Yan Xi's lips.
She followed Xia Shi Xue to a deserted corner.
Xia Shi Xue had intended to lure Yan Xi there, but Yan Xi's uninvited arrival had surprised her.
It seemed Yan Xi was even more foolish than she had imagined.
A slight smile curved Xia Shi Xue's lips.
Yan Xi knew exactly what Xia Shi Xue was thinking, but she decided to play along.
Sizing up Xia Shi Xue, Yan Xi asked indifferently, "Speak. What do you truly want? What must I do for you to leave me be?"
"Leave you be? Yan Xi, why should I? If it weren't for you, Fu Yan Ting would be with me. It was your appearance that made Fu Yan Ting fall for someone else. Now, Fu Yan Ting died because of you, yet you can act as if nothing happened and return to the He family to be their cherished daughter. The world isn't that kind."
Hearing Xia Shi Xue's words, Yan Xi couldn't help but frown.
Yan Xi said calmly, "Xia Shi Xue, can you stop being hysterical? Fu Yan Ting's accident was not something I wished for. As for his feelings for you, it was your fantasy from the start. Otherwise, he wouldn't have fallen for me after I appeared."
"You..." Xia Shi Xue grabbed Yan Xi's sleeve, intending to attack her.
But before Xia Shi Xue could lay a hand on Yan Xi, Yan Xi quickly grabbed her wrist. Yan Xi's grip was so strong that Xia Shi Xue immediately felt a sharp pain.
Xia Shi Xue had never realized Yan Xi possessed such strength. Now, with her wrist held tight by Yan Xi, she struggled to break free but couldn't.
Xia Shi Xue spat viciously, "Yan Xi, don't think I'll be afraid of you just because of this. If my grandfather finds out, he won't let you off."
Yan Xi remained unfazed by Xia Shi Xue's threat.
Since Yan Xi dared to act this way, she had already prepared herself mentally.
Xia Shi Xue, as if struck by a sudden thought, blurted out, "Yan Xi, you might not know this, but my grandfather treated you so well and agreed to let you return to the He family as his beloved daughter precisely because he knew you possessed the formula for that medicine. He doesn't like you at all. He just wants to use you."
"Mm, thank you for telling me all this."
Yan Xi was indifferent to Xia Shi Xue's revelation.
Yan Xi now held the formula for the medicine.
It wasn't just Old Master He who wanted to use her.
Yan Xi had agreed to return to the He family precisely to use herself as bait to lure out the mastermind behind that mysterious organization.
Yan Xi was doing this solely to avenge Fu Yan Ting. Nothing more.
Now, only hatred filled Yan Xi's eyes.
Seeing Yan Xi dismiss her revelation with a simple "thank you" and nothing more, Xia Shi Xue was truly enraged.
She pointed at Yan Xi and berated her, "Yan Xi, are you crazy? Even now, you insist on returning to be the pampered daughter? Do you think that with Elder Brother He Yun backing you up, you can do whatever you please? Don't be foolish. On the surface, He Yun is in charge, but that's not the case. Grandfather is controlling everything from behind the scenes. If you don't want to die, I advise you to leave as soon as possible."
As soon as Xia Shi Xue finished speaking, footsteps sounded nearby.
A smile graced Yan Xi's lips. She looked at Xia Shi Xue and said softly, "Although I don't particularly need it, thank you for telling me all this."
After speaking, Yan Xi forcefully released Xia Shi Xue's hand, then deliberately stumbled backward and fell directly into the swimming pool.
It was early autumn, and the pool water was already icy cold. Yan Xi was wearing a haute couture evening gown, a mere thin layer. Now, plunged into the pool, the biting wind assailed her, and Yan Xi struggled desperately in the water.
Hearing the commotion, the lights in the area were switched on.
He Yun and Mr. He hurried towards the scene.
Upon seeing Mr. He, Xia Shi Xue cried, "Grandfather, it wasn't me! I swear I didn't know anything. It was Yan Xi! She deliberately fell in to frame me and make everyone misunderstand me."
Hearing Xia Shi Xue's words, no one believed her.
Yan Xi, the beloved daughter of the He family, why would she do such a thing?
On such an important occasion, would she recklessly jump into a cold pool just to frame Xia Shi Xue?
It was clear that everyone sided against Xia Shi Xue.
Seeing everyone looking at her with suspicion, Xia Shi Xue tried to explain, but no one believed her.
After He Yun rescued Yan Xi from the water, he took off his suit jacket and draped it over her. Then, he carried Yan Xi back to her room to rest.
As he passed Xia Shi Xue, He Yun paused. Xia Shi Xue knew that He Yun had truly misunderstood her. This time, no matter how much she explained, He Yun would not forgive her.
Xia Shi Xue still didn't want He Yun to misunderstand her.
She tugged at He Yun's sleeve and whispered, "Brother, I didn't push her. She jumped in herself."
He Yun ignored Xia Shi Xue.
Yan Xi lay in her room, and a maid brought her some ginger tea.
Seeing He Yun's extremely grim expression, Yan Xi couldn't help but say softly, "I'm sorry. It's all because of me that your banquet couldn't end perfectly. I've spoiled everything."
"Xi Xi, don't say that. It's not your fault. I know you didn't want this to happen."
He Yun gently comforted Yan Xi, but Yan Xi remained lost in her own world, blaming herself, and unable to heed his words.
Mr. He approached Yan Xi's room and overheard their conversation.
"He Yun, I don't think I'm suited to live in the He family. Once I'm a bit better, I'll leave."
Mr. He abruptly pushed open Yan Xi's room door.
He snorted coldly and declared, "You are the true daughter of the He family. If anyone is leaving, it won't be you. I will immediately expel Xia Shi Xue and her mother from the He family."
Although Mr. He's voice was filled with anger, his tone was robust.
However, Yan Xi knew that his actions weren't driven by genuine concern for her.
It was solely because of the medicine formula she possessed.
Yan Xi understood Old Master He's calculations all too well.