The Amnesiac Drama Queen Is Crashing the Live Stream - Chapter 24.2

Hearing the use of her full name, Xia Xingtang timidly looked at Xia Qingyue and whispered meekly, “Sis, it’s just like she said.”

“Ha!” Xia Qingyue scrutinized the two of them back and forth, let out a cold laugh, and teased Pei Luoqing with a raised chin, “So, by playing the hero, you’ve managed to win over our little princess?”

Pei Luoqing didn’t respond, and Xia Qingyue practically wore her glee on her face: “Jumping into the lake must have been quite the effort. My sister’s pretty heavy, isn’t she? Since you’ve already managed to coax her, I won’t say much more. But since your outfits and stylist are courtesy of me, remember to transfer ten million to my account.”

Xia Xingtang immediately protested, “How did you come up with that figure? Two pieces of fabric are worth ten million?”

Xia Qingyue pointed to her own head, “Then what about my emotional distress fee for worrying about you? Surely that’s worth ten million, right? Or do you need me to hire a hundred bodyguards to protect you 24/7, so they can witness your beautiful love story?”

The thought of her future outings turning into a spectacle like a gangster parade made Xia Xingtang instantly shut her mouth.

After saying this, Xia Qingyue took a glass of champagne from a waiter’s tray and headed toward the center of the banquet.

The surroundings buzzed with lively conversation, not only were there CEOs in suits and ties, but also their glamorous partners and many young juniors mingling among them, clinking glasses and chatting merrily.

Pei Luoqing glanced sideways, meeting Xia Xingtang’s bright eyes, which held a hint of innocence and ingratiation, making her both amused and exasperated.

Xia Xingtang was in a rather good mood as she took a champagne flute from a waiter and took a small sip. Unexpectedly, she heard Pei Luoqing’s distinct, slender fingers tapping lightly on the table.

Xia Xingtang’s hand trembled slightly as she set down her glass, a few drops of champagne splashing onto her fingertips.

She froze for a moment, then turned to look at Pei Luoqing.

Pei Luoqing swirled the champagne in her glass, asking nonchalantly, “Don’t you have anything to say?”

Confused, Xia Xingtang searched for a napkin to wipe her hand, thinking to herself, Surely, a grand banquet like this wouldn’t lack napkins on the tables?

But seeing Pei Luoqing still holding her glass, Xia Xingtang tentatively clinked her own glass against Pei Luoqing’s, producing a crisp, delicate sound. “Is this enough now?”

Yet Pei Luoqing remained motionless. Xia Xingtang urged, “Why aren’t you drinking?”

At this, Pei Luoqing simply set her glass down on the table, looking over with a faint, teasing smile. “Someone made me spend money for no reason. A simple ‘thank you’ would suffice, no need to offer so many toasts.”

Xia Xingtang was taken aback before finally grasping Pei Luoqing’s meaning.

She had only been looking for a napkin, could Pei Luoqing have thought she was eyeing the other tables to grab more glasses for toasts?

No way, right?

“Who said I wanted to thank you?” Xia Xingtang sniffed lightly. “This was your responsibility anyway, and aren’t you wearing it too?”

Pei Luoqing looked genuinely hurt. “But your sister said that money was her compensation for emotional distress, I paid it on your behalf. Don’t I even deserve a ‘thank you’?”

Her lowered tone was deliberately tinged with grievance, as if Xia Xingtang had truly done something like abandoning her wife and child.

Xia Xingtang retorted, “Well, you didn’t have to agree to it.”

Pei Luoqing replied, “It’s only because I ‘stole’ someone away that I had to offer your sister a bit more in bride price.”

The one who had been ‘stolen’:

Wh-what did she mean by ‘bride price’?

Is that even the right term to use?

Never mind that they were already married, even if it were applicable, it should be…

“Dowry.”

“Hmm.” Pei Luoqing reached out and ruffled the hair by Xia Xingtang’s left ear, as if petting a little dog. “Alright, it’s because I didn’t want to be bothered by bodyguards that I took the liberty of making the decision without your permission.”

Pei Luoqing’s voice was soft, yet inexplicably carried a gentle warmth.

It made Xia Xingtang forget all about her beautifully styled hair being messed up. She muttered under her breath, “Well, it was your own idea to play the generous spender.”

Pei Luoqing steered the conversation back. “So then, any compensation?”

Xia Xingtang racked her brain for a moment before coming up with a rebuttal: “Good deeds should be done anonymously. Who goes around bringing them up like you do?”

The more she spoke, the more confident she became, wearing a look that clearly said, *‘Now you realize you were wrong, right? Pei Luoqing chuckled softly, adopting a tone one might use to coax a child. “But I was afraid if I didn’t mention it, a certain ungrateful little one would just pretend nothing happened.”

Xia Xingtang, who had indeed intended to pretend nothing happened but was now exposed:

Pei Luoqing sighed with a hint of regret. “In that case, wouldn’t my efforts have been in vain?”

“H-how about I treat you to a movie on the 20th?” Xia Xingtang’s face warmed as she calculated the date, then added as if explaining herself, “It’s only because of the ten million.”

The 20th happened to be the following weekend. Pei Luoqing agreed, “Alright.”

After Pei Luoqing agreed, Xia Xingtang quickly changed the subject to avoid revealing any clues.

She linked arms with Pei Luoqing and casually chatted about the gossip circulating at the event.

During the more than half a month she had spent going out with Yu Feifei, aside from eating, drinking, and having fun, her biggest gain had been hearing numerous pieces of gossip about the upper-class circles of Yuncheng.

She animatedly introduced the familiar rich second-generation heirs to a workaholic like Pei Luoqing: “This one swings both ways, this one has cheated, this one and that one are having an affair behind her husband’s back, and that one is rumored to be getting married for the fourth time…”

However, just as Xia Xingtang was getting into the flow of her storytelling, the organizers of the daytime summit approached nervously to greet Pei Luoqing.

Xia Xingtang’s gossip session was abruptly cut short, and the genuine smile on her face instantly turned into a forced one.

After all, gossip only truly shines when shared with others, keeping it all to herself felt rather lonely.

No one had anticipated that the leaders of Huanyu and Yunji would appear together at this banquet. The organizers had barely finished entertaining Xia Qingyue before rushing over to Pei Luoqing, afraid of offending either of them.

The Yuncheng Summit had a long-standing tradition, usually co-hosted by several well-established companies. Setting aside corporate achievements, in terms of seniority, both Pei Luoqing and Xia Qingyue were considered juniors.

The once-youthful girls had now grown into mature and steady young CEOs, decisive and strategic, capable of shaking the capital market of China with a single move, a thought that evoked quiet admiration.

At the same time, Xia Xingtang, as an unfamiliar face, also drew considerable attention.

Some who were not well-informed, seeing Xia Xingtang’s appearance and her accompanying Pei Luoqing, instinctively assumed she was Pei Luoqing’s lover. Their gazes held a mix of admiration and curiosity.

However, after hearing from those around them, their expressions shifted as they realized this was none other than the Second Young Miss of Huanyu!

The sensational marriage alliance from three years ago was brought up once again, eliciting waves of envy and admiration.

Xia Xingtang paid no mind to the chatter, diligently playing her role as the “Madam.” She glanced around, effortlessly outshining everyone present.

After chatting for a while, several senior organizers suggested that Pei Luoqing join them for a more private conversation inside. The banquet was set up in multiple areas and would last for hours, so it was impractical to stand around idly the entire time.

Allowing someone of Pei Luoqing’s status to casually take a seat in the open would not only be improper but also invite numerous attempts at conversation. Thus, the organizers were genuinely considering her comfort.

Surprisingly, however, Pei Luoqing turned her gaze to Xia Xingtang beside her, as if seeking her opinion.

Among those who brought companions, who didn’t prioritize their own image above all else?

This small gesture from Pei Luoqing surprised those around her, and their gazes toward Xia Xingtang grew even more respectful.

Perhaps due to the intensity of the onlookers’ stares, Xia Xingtang felt a bit embarrassed and subtly nudged Pei Luoqing.

But these people clearly had no intention of missing such a prime opportunity to flatter and gain favor: “I’d heard some rumors recently that you and the Second Young Miss of Xia were merely putting on a united front, but seeing you today, that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“Exactly, who started such nonsense? The two of you look perfectly matched together.”

“I think it’s because the Second Young Miss of Xia is so stunning that President Pei wanted to keep her hidden at home and not bring her out, right?”

“So that’s why you can’t trust rumors. I even heard they were getting divorced back then, but honestly, it seems like they’re destined for three lifetimes together, doesn’t it?”

Xia Xingting offered an awkward smile. This was the first time since waking up that she’d encountered such an absurd yet widely circulated rumor.

Even if she and Pei Luoqing were merely putting up appearances, their marriage was still a business alliance, a move in the game of capital. They wouldn’t just casually divorce. Stirring trouble between them meant stirring trouble between Huanyu and Yunji. If stock prices plummeted, whoever was behind it would probably laugh themselves awake.