Chapter 105: Zhang Xiluo, Why Are You Running?

Upon entering the venue, Mother Zhang was immediately whisked away for conversation, leaving Zhang Xiluo on her own. She took a glass of champagne from a waiter and decided to find a seat to the side. This feeling of being unnoticed made her feel relaxed and at ease.

"Luoluo!" Xu Xinyi, dressed in a pink princess gown, spotted Zhang Xiluo instantly. She smiled and walked over. "I'm so glad you came; I would have been bored to death otherwise."

Jiang Xueting was currently in confinement after childbirth and unable to go out; otherwise, she surely would have joined in the fun.

"You're dressed quite elaborately today," Zhang Xiluo said with a faint smile, eyeing Xu Xinyi. She rarely saw her friend dressed this way.

"Sigh," Xu Xinyi let out a deep sigh. "My parents are pressuring me to get married, saying they want to introduce me to a suitable candidate today."

"That's not necessarily a bad thing—it's good to meet more people," Zhang Xiluo consoled her. "You can't just spend your whole life busy saving others; you need to consider your own future as well."

Xu Xinyi pulled Zhang Xiluo closer and whispered in her ear, "Actually, I've been talking to that flight attendant lately, and we’re just about ready to start dating."

"You two have been dancing around each other for over four years now."

"I suppose it's a case of growing affection over time."

Xu Xinyi’s face flushed slightly. She had rejected him countless times, yet he remained persistent. His devotion had moved her; during the days when Jiang Xueting was getting married and Zhang Xiluo was abroad, he had been by her side the entire time. As time passed, Xu Xinyi had grown dependent on him, and slowly, she had fallen in love. While they hadn't formally crossed that line, they had both already chosen one another in their hearts.

"If that's the case, why not tell your parents?" Zhang Xiluo asked, looking at her earnestly. Ever since she had known Xu Xinyi, she had never seen her truly moved by a man. Since she had finally found someone she liked, Zhang Xiluo didn't want her to miss out.

Xu Xinyi sighed deeply, looking helpless. "Because of the social gap. I hinted at it to my mother, and she warned me straight out: I can marry down, but not too far down."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiluo didn't know how to comfort her. Such feudal mindsets were incredibly difficult to eradicate.

Just then, a stir went through the crowd as several people descended the stairs. In the center was Mu Peipei, the daughter of the Mu family, walking arm-in-arm with her only brother, Mu Changjia.

Mu Peipei wore a purple haute couture gown, her makeup exquisite and adorned with top-tier jewelry. Every gesture exuded nobility, and she held her head high, looking down at the crowd below as if they were beneath her. Her face was etched with arrogance; Zhang Xiluo took one look and promptly averted her gaze. She disliked women like that—the type who seemed desperate to broadcast their perceived superiority to everyone they met.

The Mu family had once been a major clan in Long City. When Mu Peipei’s grandfather was in power, they had liquidated their local assets and moved abroad. Decades had passed, and as the family prospered, they had chosen this moment to return to Long City. Mu Peipei and Mu Changjia had returned with vast capital, hoping to find partners and re-establish their roots. The men in the room were all there to fawn over Mu Peipei, while the women hoped to make an acquaintance with Mu Changjia.

Amidst the crowd, Mu Peipei’s gaze locked onto Zhang Xiluo, and she stared at her with hostility. Sensing the unfriendly look, Zhang Xiluo raised her eyes to meet hers. Even though it was their first meeting, she felt Mu Peipei’s malice and couldn't help but frown. She didn't recall ever meeting the woman, let alone having a grudge against her.

Mu Peipei curled her lips in a provocative smile, her eyes filled with annoyance. Confused, Zhang Xiluo met her gaze with cold eyes, refusing to back down. She never went looking for trouble, but she wouldn't shrink from it if it came to her.

Suddenly, Mu Peipei’s expression shifted. A look of astonishment and joy flickered across her face, so intense that she would have run down the stairs had Mu Changjia not restrained her.

Following Mu Peipei’s line of sight, Zhang Xiluo looked toward the entrance. A familiar figure appeared, and her heart gave a violent jolt.

"Li Mingye is here."

Someone in the crowd exclaimed, and the guests naturally parted to clear a path. His arrival pushed the reception to its climax. Ever since Zhang Xiluo had left, Li Mingye had devoted himself entirely to his work, with no rumors or scandals to his name. He had taken a keen interest in charity, even moving Guo Chun to Long City and arranging for her care in a facility under the Li family’s name. This was the first time in three years he had attended a reception like this.

Li Mingye wore a black suit, his face colder than ever—the very image of an ascetic, high-and-mighty CEO. His deep, dark eyes fixed on the path ahead as he strode to the center of the room. He came to a halt, and a group of people immediately crowded around to greet him, pushing Zhang Xiluo and Xu Xinyi to the side. Mu Peipei and Mu Changjia approached him as well, taking the initiative to greet him, but he remained indifferent, his words few and clipped.

Li Mingye seemed to draw all the light in the room, capturing everyone’s attention. Zhang Xiluo and Xu Xinyi retreated from the crowd, hoping he wouldn't notice her.

"I thought they said he wasn't coming?" Xu Xinyi frowned, staring at Li Mingye with displeasure. Because of Zhang Xiluo, her impression of him had only worsened.

The moment Zhang Xiluo saw Li Mingye, her first instinct was to leave; she didn't want to see him at all.

"Xinyi, I’m going to head out," Zhang Xiluo said, disliking the scene. "Please tell my mother for me."

"I’ll walk you out."

"No need. Take this for me, and call me if anything happens." Zhang Xiluo handed her glass to Xu Xinyi, smoothed her dress, and slipped away quietly.

Stepping out of the ballroom, she let out a breath and sat in the first-floor lounge, taking out her phone to ask Xiao Zhao to pick her up. She kept her head down, scrolling through photos of Jiang Xueting’s baby. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, her eyes full of affection; the baby was just too cute.

"Zhang Xiluo?"

Li Mingye’s voice came from nearby. He had called her name with a hint of hesitation and surprise. He walked toward her, step by step, his eyes reflecting a complex emotion.

Zhang Xiluo pretended not to hear him, keeping her eyes on her phone. Seeing a message from Xiao Zhao, she stood up and started to walk away.

"Zhang Xiluo, stop," Li Mingye commanded coldly, following her.

Zhang Xiluo sneered. As if! Why would she listen to him? They had no relationship left; both had moved on to new lives, and they should treat the other as if they were dead.

She quickened her pace, trying to lose him. Distracted, she missed a step. Just as she stumbled, a force pulled her upward, and she collided into Li Mingye’s chest.

"Why are you running? You aren't even looking where you're going!" Li Mingye said, annoyed, his grip tightening on her arm.

Zhang Xiluo steadied herself and immediately stepped back, putting distance between them. She offered a polite, distant smile. "Thank you, Mr. Li."

Li Mingye frowned, clearly disliking her cold, estranged demeanor. "Zhang Xiluo, is this really necessary?"