Chapter 8: I Will Not Let the Plot Repeat Itself Through Me

Song Xixi looked at the man she called her father and said with pointed intent, "Father, do you finally know what it means to be ashamed? For all these years, the dirty deeds you’ve committed—the truth will come to light one day!"

At these words, the members of the Song family were stunned. The guests, fueled by curiosity, were like starving dogs catching the scent of meat. They began whispering to one another, desperate to dig deeper into the scandalous secrets behind the Song family.

Qin Ze was momentarily dazed. He had never seen this woman act with such resolve and strength. A complex mix of emotions welled up within him—surprise, admiration, and a faint, lingering pang of sympathy.

Suddenly, Li Zhenkui stepped forward. Carrying a glass of wine, he walked toward the crowd with a leisurely pace. He deliberately raised his voice, "So, the Fourth Miss of the Song family isn't exactly favored by her own kin. No wonder that when she went on a blind date last time, she actually demanded a dowry of one hundred million. That is quite an appetite."

The entire room erupted in an uproar. The guests were instantly set abuzz, their gazes filled with shock, curiosity, and skepticism as they turned toward Song Xixi. What had been a relatively quiet banquet hall now felt as though a bomb had been dropped, with clamorous discussions rising one after another.

"A one hundred million dowry? That’s too outrageous. The Fourth Miss of the Song family clearly isn't someone to trifle with."

"Exactly. The Song family is probably trying to cash in on this!"

"Maybe it was just a deliberate attempt to make things difficult for the groom."

Song Xixi smiled unhurriedly. "Young Master Li, when exactly did I demand a dowry of one hundred million? Do be careful with your words."

Li Zhenkui, still playing the role of a spectator watching a show, shrugged his shoulders. "Oh? Is Miss Song trying to deny it? There were others besides me present at the time. If you’re going to backpedal now, it’s all rather tiresome."

Qin Ze stood to the side, his eyebrows slightly arched. He was very curious to see how she would handle this.

Song Xixi smiled faintly. "I am not denying anything. But given my status in the Song family, Young Master Li, do you honestly believe that one hundred million would ever end up in my hands?"

As these words fell, the faces of the Song family members turned ghastly. Her father was so furious he could barely stand still. "You rebellious daughter! Is embarrassing us not enough for you? Spouting nonsense—where are you putting our reputation?"

Song Xixi feigned a look of grievance. "Father, Mother, today you can say whatever you like! If the Song family's reputation cannot be lost, then let mine be the one sacrificed. But from today on, we are drawing a clear line. From this moment forward, my affairs have nothing to do with the Song family."

Having said this, she ignored the stunned gazes of the crowd. She took Ye Chunxi by the hand, held her head high, and walked resolutely toward the exit of the banquet hall.

Inside, the guests wore varying expressions, their whispers pricking at the Song family's frayed nerves. Those with close ties to the Song family stood there awkwardly, wanting to smooth things over but fearing they might get burned, so they could only exchange helpless glances. Those who were rivals of the Song family looked on with schadenfreude, hoping to see them stumble. Song Yanyan and her mother looked livid, caught between anger and panic, struggling to maintain a facade of dignity while dealing with the guests, who were now only offering perfunctory responses.

Li Zhenkui remained at ease, sipping his wine and enjoying the sight of the Song family's humiliation. Qin Ze narrowed his long, sharp eyes, a cold sneer of disdain for the Song family playing on his lips.

Just as Song Xixi and Ye Chunxi reached the entrance, they were blocked by the eldest brother, Song Boqi. He looked grave. "Xixi, how could you say such things at Yanyan's birthday banquet? With so many guests here, aren't you deliberately trying to embarrass the family and make Yanyan lose face?"

Song Xixi curled her lips and spat out four words coldly: "Good dogs don't block the road!" She was truly fed up with these people.

Ye Chunxi, already burning with rage, was now in a state of both excitement and fury. Gritting her teeth, she shoved Song Boqi hard. "Move! Your Song family is truly shameless!"

Song Boqi stumbled back a few steps, his face full of embarrassment and suppressed anger. But with so many guests watching, he couldn't afford to lash out. After all, Miss Ye was a guest, and if this escalated further, the Song family's reputation would only rot further. He steadied himself and shouted after them, "Xixi, if you walk out that door today, don't ever think about coming back to the Song family. You’d better think clearly!"

Song Xixi didn't look back, her pace not faltering for a second. Return to the Song family? She had long since ceased to have any desire for ties with them. They certainly thought highly of themselves!

Once inside the car, Ye Chunxi was still immersed in the satisfying scene that had just unfolded, unable to contain her excitement. "Xixi, you were so incredible today! I’ve been waiting for this day. You finally let out all the frustration you’ve been holding in for years. Seeing the expressions on their faces—it was so cathartic. They deserved to be slapped in public."

Song Xixi leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes for a moment. The confrontation had taken a toll on her energy. "Yes, after holding it in for so many years, the mask is finally off. From now on, I can truly have nothing to do with the Song family."

Yet, she didn't believe the Song family would let her go so easily. And if Song Yanyan had Qin Ze’s help in the future, things would be even harder to handle.

Thinking of him, a wave of irritation washed over her. That wretched man—he would be her opponent from now on!

Upon hearing this, Ye Chunxi patted her chest and promised, "Xixi, you still have me."

Song Xixi nodded, feeling a warmth in her heart. For all these years, she had been fortunate to have a friend like Ye Chunxi to support and accompany her. "Chunxi, thank you."

Ye Chunxi feigned anger and glared at her. "What are you thanking me for? We’re best friends; your business is my business."

"Right! My dear sister," Song Xixi leaned against her. In the book she had read, when she died during childbirth, the only person who stood up to seek justice for her was the friend beside her. This bond, whether it had played out in the past or not, she would never forget. Moreover, she would never let that plot line repeat itself in her own life.

After Song Xixi left, Song Yanyan suppressed her resentment and embarrassment, forcing a smile back onto her face as she attempted to continue the banquet. Straightening her gown, she moved gracefully toward where Qin Ze was standing. As long as she could keep him by her side, the banquet would have a perfect ending.

Reaching him, she tilted her head slightly, preparing to invite him to join her for the cake-cutting. The soft, sweet words were already on the tip of her tongue.

Little did she know, before she could utter a sound, Qin Ze acted as if he hadn't even seen her. He turned around without a word and walked straight toward the exit.

Song Yanyan never expected Qin Ze to leave so abruptly. Panicked and desperate, she trotted after him, the sound of her high heels clicking sharply against the floor. She stumbled several times, nearly falling, but her mind was fixed on stopping him. Watching him drift further and further away, Song Yanyan gritted her teeth and finally shouted, "Mr. Qin, the banquet—"