Chapter 2

Yin Xiaoxiao's cheeks burned and she was overwhelmed with a sudden urge to cry.

She was shaking uncontrollably and her hair hung loosely, covering half her face. Nonetheless, she was still intent on hearing Xiang Chen's answer. She turned around and there was still a sliver of hope in her eyes as she asked, "Tell me, who is your girlfriend?"

"Yin Xiaoxiao! No matter what, you are still the eldest daughter of the Yin family. I know you aren't fond of me but this is your sister's birthday party and this is also the first time she is introducing Xiang Chen as her boyfriend in public. Must you embarrass everyone in this manner?" Li Meng, Yin Xiaoxiao's stepmother, said. She trembled with rage, as though she found it hard to stand after the blow Yin Xiaoxiao had dealt to their image. "Xiaoxiao, let's speak later at home. Don't ruin your reputation along with your sister's!"

Yin Ruoyun immediately ran over to her mother and put an arm around her to steady her. She pleaded on behalf of her sister. "Mom, please don't do this. My sister... she just did it in a moment of folly."

This was the first time Yin Xiaoxiao had been so obstinate. She ignored her stepmother and her sister and her gaze never left Xiang Chen as she said stubbornly, "Xiang Chen, give me an answer. Am I your girlfriend or is Yin Ruoyun your girlfriend?"

Those around them couldn't help but frown because something seemed odd about the situation. Nonetheless, they continued to gossip in hushed voices. Yin Xiaoxiao was as famous as the Jing family in T City, but they were famous for completely different reasons.

The eldest daughter of the Yin family was rumored to have loose morals and be of poor conduct.

The Jing family were known to be a powerful, virtuous family who kept a low profile.

"What has gotten into Yin Xiaoxiao today? I remember her as a weak young lady. Why is she being so stubborn all of a sudden?"

"Who knows? The Yin family is a complete mess. Let's not waste too much time thinking about them."

Everyone turned to stare at Xiang Chen after hearing Yin Xiaoxiao's question. This was the first time the crowd truly looked at the handsome man who had been silently watching everything unfold.

"I..." Something flickered in Xiang Chen's eyes and he seemed a little conflicted but Yin Ruoyun interrupted before he could answer. "Xiang Chen, go ahead and say your girlfriend is my sister! I'll be fine!" she said, as though she was being very considerate of her sister's feelings.

The crowd immediately sneered at Yin Xiaoxiao's shameless actions.

Xiang Chen looked a little torn as he looked at Yin Ruoyun. Then, he walked toward her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders before he said softly but surely, "Ruoyun, I can't hurt you just to protect your sister's reputation. Are you not my fiancée?"

Yin Xiaoxiao stared at the couple who smiled contentedly and felt a lump form in her throat. Her vision became blurry and before she could even react, she was dragged away from the venue.

She didn't even notice that the man who was tugging her away was in his forties and that he was leading her to the Yin family's private room at Tridecember Hotel. The crowd gaped in shock.

"I knew it! The eldest young lady of the Yin family must be a loose woman. Look, she has even found herself another lover."

"If I'm not wrong, that man is the manager of the Zhang Group. I heard that the Yin family and the Zhang family have become close recently because of some deals they are working on..."

"Oh, so I guess the eldest young lady of the Yin family is willing to sacrifice herself for her family after all. Haha..."

"As expected, the eldest daughter of the Yin family is truly something else."

The crowd gossiped blatantly about Yin Xiaoxiao in the presence of the Yin family, and even though Li Meng was her stepmother, she still joined in the conversation. While everyone was distracted, Yin Ruoyun and Xiang Chen followed Yin Xiaoxiao...