Chapter 11: Brother Ye, was this your doing?

The sudden turn of events stunned everyone present. Those who managed to regain their composure quickly pressed the service bell to summon the staff for cleanup, while the rest crowded around.

"I... I didn't mean to."

Ye Hongxiao glanced at Deling, his dark expression obscured by the dim, warm glow of the lights. "Get out!"

Song Zigui gripped Ye Hongxiao’s arm, her eyes swimming with tears. "Brother Ye, please don't yell at Sister Deling. She definitely didn't mean to do it. It’s all my fault for upsetting you."

"Are you deaf?" Ye Hongxiao’s face darkened, a brewing storm swirling within his ink-deep eyes. "Do you want me to show you the door myself?"

"Who is it? Who are you trying to show the door?"

A crisp, bright female voice rang out alongside the sound of the door opening. Qin Sheng, standing beside Deling, let out a sigh of relief and called out to the newcomer, "Baby, you're here."

"Oh, Sister Zigui, why are you crying like that?" Lin Shanni clicked her heels as she strode into the room. Assessing the situation, she quickly made her way to Deling’s side.

"What happened? Your foot was just injured yesterday, and now this? Qin Sheng, you just stood by and watched Deling get hurt? Just wait until we get home; I’ll show you!" She then turned to Ye Hongxiao. "Brother Ye, don't tell me this was your doing again?"

At these words, everyone present caught the scent of gossip.

Cowering beside Ye Hongxiao, Song Zigui wept even harder, asking with a wronged air, "Brother Ye, how could you and Sister Deling..."

She wanted to ask how they were meeting in private, but knowing that would only antagonize Ye Hongxiao, she swallowed the words before they could escape.

Ye Hongxiao flicked a glance at Lin Shanni but ignored Song Zigui’s question. He pulled the girl to her feet. "That’s enough. I’m taking Zigui to get treated. You all continue eating."

"It’s not like only Zigui is hurt," Lin Shanni remarked. "Deling’s foot is injured, too."

Ye Hongxiao did not reply. His face grew even gloomier as he led Song Zigui away.

"Hey! You really are a jerk!" Lin Shanni shouted indignantly.

Those present were already accustomed to such exchanges between Lin Shanni and Ye Hongxiao. Since the Lin family handled all of the Ye family’s clandestine affairs, Ye Hongxiao could not afford to make an enemy of Lin Shanni, whether for public or private reasons.

Deling, wanting to avoid further provoking Ye Hongxiao, tugged at the hem of Lin Shanni’s dress. "It’s fine. I’ll take care of it myself when I get home."

Lin Shanni had no choice but to call a waiter for some antiseptic wipes to treat Deling’s injury.

With Lin Shanni protecting her, Lu Feng dared not cause any more trouble. The rest of the meal passed relatively peacefully, though the food tasted like ash to Deling. She worried that Ye Hongxiao might blame her for the disruption.

In truth, she had been feeling lightheaded. After waking up from her nap following her hospital visit, she had gone straight to find Ye Hongxiao, then back to the hospital, and finally here. She hadn't eaten all day and was suffering from hypoglycemia.

Watching him dote on Song Zigui, the bitterness Deling had fought to suppress surged back up. When they were together, he had never treated her that way. Because her family background was inferior to his, she was often gossiped about behind her back or mocked to her face whenever she met his friends, and he had never once stood up for her.

Now that Song Zigui sat by his side, he refused to let her suffer even the slightest grievance.

"What are you thinking about?" Lin Shanni nudged her. "Did you manage to discuss the project?"

Deling shook her head. Given the night's events, she figured she would be returning empty-handed once again.

As the two were speaking, the private room door opened. Deling turned to look, only to see Song Zigui leaning softly against Ye Hongxiao, her expression a mix of pathetic vulnerability and hidden provocation as she stared directly at her.