Chapter 52: Killing the Body, Damning the Soul

Though Jiang Ciyou wore a smile on her lips, her presence radiated an unmistakable chill. She showed no trace of fear; the look in her eyes as she observed the crowd was that of disdain, as though she regarded them all as a flock of hapless amateurs. This nearly provoked open outrage; many began to egg Jiang Xiaoxiao on, urging her to teach Jiang Ciyou a lesson.

Yet Jiang Xiaoxiao held back, making no move. She understood well the true measure of Jiang Ciyou’s abilities. As a child, Jiang Ciyou had trained in taekwondo, and rumor had it she held a ninth-degree black belt. Although Jiang Xiaoxiao had never witnessed her full strength, their past encounters were enough for her to judge—she was no match for Jiang Ciyou. Even with the numbers on their side, victory was far from certain.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was no fool; she would not risk ruining her meticulously arranged birthday banquet with a careless brawl. Glancing at the time, she knew it was nearly the appointed hour. Sure enough, she soon spotted a slender figure in white not far away. A glint of cunning flashed in Jiang Xiaoxiao’s eyes.

Suddenly, she turned to Jiang Ciyou with a bright smile. “Sister, it’s just a pair of shoes—if they’re ruined, so be it. After all, I have so many custom-made pairs worth millions. Why would I begrudge you over something so trivial?” The guests were puzzled by Jiang Xiaoxiao’s sudden change in attitude. Then she raised her hand and waved toward the figure in the distance. “Sister Xia Ling, I’m over here!”

At the mention of Xia Ling’s name, Jiang Ciyou instinctively furrowed her elegant brows. Jiang Xiaoxiao was inwardly delighted—her plan was unfolding perfectly. Only a fool would confront Jiang Ciyou head-on; true victory lay in striking where it hurt most. And Xia Ling was undoubtedly the sharpest blade with which to wound Jiang Ciyou.

Meanwhile, Xia Ling had already made her way over. Skirting around Jiang Ciyou, Jiang Xiaoxiao hurried to her side and linked arms with her, approaching the group in a display of intimacy. She presented Xia Ling to the crowd: “Let me introduce my dear friend Xia Ling, a returning scholar who has just come back from overseas.”

The guests, unaware of the true situation, took Xia Ling for Jiang Xiaoxiao’s close confidante and quickly showered her with flattery. In truth, Jiang Xiaoxiao and Xia Ling had barely interacted before; the invitation to the birthday banquet had come as a surprise. After a brief conversation, however, they found themselves perfectly aligned in their aims.

Both longed for Jiang Ciyou’s utter ruin and isolation; that alone made them allies. Moreover, Xia Ling had an additional goal—she needed to ensure Jiang Ciyou and Yan Feng divorced. Thus, she was more than happy to cooperate with Jiang Xiaoxiao.

Xia Ling greeted everyone with polite deference. When it was Jiang Ciyou’s turn, she offered a special acknowledgment: “Ciyou, happy birthday.” Some people sensed a strange undercurrent and quickly interjected, “Miss Xia, are you and the eldest Miss Jiang acquainted?” Jiang Xiaoxiao replied with a sweet smile, “More than acquainted—we’re very close indeed.”

Seeing Jiang Ciyou’s frosty expression, Jiang Xiaoxiao was inwardly exultant. As expected, only Xia Ling could inflict a true wound on Jiang Ciyou’s heart. The real drama of the night had only just begun.

Jiang Xiaoxiao deliberately placed a hand on Xia Ling’s abdomen. “Sister Xia Ling, why did you come alone, especially since you’re expecting? Where is your boyfriend?” She turned to the others. “Sister Xia Ling’s boyfriend is none other than Yan Feng, heir to the Yan family.”

At this, the crowd’s gaze toward Xia Ling grew even more admiring and ingratiating. The Yan family was one of the most powerful in Rongcheng, with its subsidiary, Haifeng Construction, renowned nationwide.

“So you’re the future madam of the Yan family, Miss Xia. My grandfather’s company works with the Yan family—we’ll be counting on Mr. Yan’s support in the future.”

“Miss Xia, you truly look blessed—how envious I am of you.”

Compliments poured forth, which Xia Ling accepted with practiced humility, though her gaze kept flickering toward Jiang Ciyou.

“By the way, Miss Xia, how far along are you?” someone asked.

“Almost three months,” Xia Ling replied.

Jiang Xiaoxiao chimed in, “Three months isn’t quite stable yet. Sister Xia Ling, you must take care of yourself—after all, many eyes are fixed on the position of Mrs. Yan.” As she spoke, she shot a meaningful glance at Jiang Ciyou.

At last, the crowd caught the scent of intrigue. The Jiang and Yan families were among the foremost in Rongcheng, their ties extending back for generations. There had even been rumors of a childhood engagement. It was not hard to imagine that the Yan family would never accept a counterfeit heiress as a daughter-in-law now. Having played the role of Jiang family heiress for twenty years, Jiang Ciyou was surely well acquainted with the young master of the Yan family—perhaps she even harbored feelings for him.

But now, Miss Xia was Yan Feng’s girlfriend. What a spectacle this was turning out to be. No wonder Jiang Ciyou’s expression had changed so dramatically at Xia Ling’s arrival. The guests redoubled their praise for Xia Ling, hoping to provoke Jiang Ciyou further.

Jiang Ciyou, however, had no interest in watching their performance and turned to leave.

Just then, Xia Ling’s clear voice rang out, “My boyfriend has arrived.” All eyes turned to the entrance of the banquet hall, where a man in formal attire, strikingly handsome, approached. So this was the famous Yan Feng—elegant and dashing, though already claimed, to the regret and envy of many.

As Yan Feng stepped inside, he sensed something amiss. He hadn’t realized this was Jiang Xiaoxiao’s birthday celebration. Despite the close relationship between the Jiang and Yan families, Yan Feng’s parents had always favored Jiang Ciyou. In previous years, even if invited, they would never attend Jiang Xiaoxiao’s banquets, instead celebrating Jiang Ciyou’s birthday at home.

But this year was different. Jiang Ciyou had left the Yan family, and though Yan Feng’s mother had planned a celebration for her, Jiang Ciyou claimed she had other plans and declined. Yan Feng had only heard about it in passing and thought little of it.

He had not expected to encounter Xia Ling, Jiang Xiaoxiao, and—most unexpectedly—Jiang Ciyou at this party. Xia Ling had called him earlier, asking him to accompany her to a friend’s birthday gathering, and he had agreed without much thought, never imagining that friend would be Jiang Xiaoxiao.

Yan Feng now stood before the group. Jiang Xiaoxiao deliberately nudged Xia Ling to Yan Feng’s side. “Brother Yan, Sister Xia Ling was just talking about you—speak of the devil, and here you are.”

Yan Feng’s expression was grim. He cast a sharp glance at Xia Ling, who felt a pang of guilt—she had deceived him about whose birthday it was, not revealing that both Jiang Xiaoxiao and Jiang Ciyou would be present. Would he be angry with her?

In the past, Yan Feng would never have been upset. Even before a crowd, he would have confidently declared Xia Ling as his girlfriend. Compared to Jiang Ciyou’s secret, shadowed status as his wife, Xia Ling had always seemed to stand boldly in the light. Just as at the royal golf club last time, he had publicly announced that she was Mrs. Yan.

But today, Yan Feng seemed distinctly displeased—his entire demeanor radiating coldness, his gaze icy. And as his eyes swept the room, they finally came to rest upon Jiang Ciyou.