When We Meet Again, She's Pregnant - Chapter 3

The banquet was still in full swing.

Yang Xiyan returned to her seat and let out a long sigh. She was really unlucky. Her stomach had started hurting as soon as she arrived at the dance, and just moments ago, she had nearly tripped on her way out. How embarrassing. Her mother had insisted she attend this event to make an impression, but instead, she ended up making a spectacle of herself.

With a quiet sigh, Yang Xiyan sipped her juice and hid in the corner. She didn’t dare strike up a conversation with anyone, just hoping time would pass quickly. After all, this was her first time attending a dance where she didn’t know a single soul.

As the music swelled, the dance floor grew lively.

In the blink of an eye, two women and three men appeared before Yang Xiyan. Though their gazes at each other were filled with hostility, their expressions remained calm and smiling.

A man in a tailcoat handed her his business card with a smile. “Lovely lady, would you honor me with a dance?”

“Mr. Takar, first come, first served,” a blonde woman interjected, also presenting her card with a bright smile. “Sweetheart, how about a dance with me instead?”

As the five of them vied for her attention, Yang Xiyan hastily stood up and accepted their cards, flustered. “Um… I’m Yang Xiyan. I’m actually not feeling very well, so I might not be able to dance.”

“Ah, I saw you coming out of the restroom earlier. That’s understandable,” a raven-haired woman said, sitting beside her and ordering a glass of premium red wine. “How old are you, dear? Can you drink?”

“Sorry, I dropped my card in the restroom. I’m nineteen,” Yang Xiyan replied, trying to navigate the situation while suppressing her nerves. Normally, she’d scare people off with her icy demeanor at events like this, but she didn’t dare try that with this crowd.

She had assumed these young ladies and gentlemen would be more reserved, but they were no different from ordinary people. Once they saw her face, they clung to her like sticky candy. She had thought they’d have more self-control.

Not that she was narcissistic, but she was aware she was somewhat pretty. Still, their persistence was annoying. Glancing at their business cards, she noted they were either CEOs of well-known companies or scions of elite families. Her father would probably be thrilled.

Could any of them replace Tuoba?

Yang Xiyan’s mood grew complicated.

……

While Yang Xiyan dealt with her admirers, Liu Ying, sitting in the corner, wore a grim expression. Her sharp ears had caught Yang Xiyan’s self-introduction loud and clear.

Yang Xiyan, was she the Yang Xiyan destined to be her wife?

Liu Ying closed her eyes, savoring her wine. She couldn’t deny that her heart had skipped a beat when she first saw Yang Xiyan emerge, and she had nearly gone over to greet her until she heard the name.

Liu Ying didn’t believe in coincidences. Future Ying had said Yang Xiyan was stunning, so this had to be her.

But that only made her thoughts more tangled.

Was this girl planning to train in the training zone? If so, then in a month, they would inevitably be bound together, leading to Liu Ying’s sealing just like Future Ying’s fate. It felt inescapable.

But what if she didn’t go to the training zone? What would happen to Yang Xiyan then? Though Future Ying hadn’t explained the details, Liu Ying understood that Yang Xiyan had likely been drugged before their union. If Liu Ying stayed away, what would become of her?

Her mind was a mess.

“What’s the matter? You’ve been staring at that Yang family girl nonstop.” Xia Lingxi sat down beside her, a smile playing in her eyes.

“You know her?”

“Of course, I know her. How could anyone forget someone so beautiful? Even ordinary people would remember her.” Xia Lingxi shook her head with a sigh. “She’s the eldest daughter of an old aristocratic family, fundamentally different from all of you, just a super pretty face.” I heard her fiancé is planning to break off their engagement, and she’s here husband-hunting.”

Liu Ying frowned slightly. If what Xia Lingxi said was true, then her suspicion about the girl possibly resorting to drugging someone wasn’t unfounded. These old aristocratic families, or rather, those with ancient lineages, mostly descended from the era of swords and magic. Their ways of doing things couldn’t keep up with modern times.

“You know these kinds of families nothing good comes from getting involved with them. Many of them pride themselves on their so-called divine bloodline, arrogant and conceited but utterly lacking the strength to back it up.” Xia Lingxi shrugged. “Their way of raising children is also stuck in the old ways, utterly backward, especially when it comes to educating women. Some aren’t even allowed to attend school.”

“Although this girl went to a magic school, she only started attending when she was older. At her core, she’s been raised to be subservient to her husband and family, never daring to question their authority.” Xia Lingxi took a sip of wine and sighed. “It’s a shame she’s so beautiful, but beauty like hers isn’t necessarily a good thing.”

Liu Ying arched an eyebrow, crossing her long, snow-white legs and swirling the wine in her glass.

The music at the ball changed to something more soothing and graceful, and the lively dancing quieted down. Many began to mingle and chat as the ball continued.

Surprisingly, no one approached Liu Ying’s side, while Yang Xiyan was attracting more and more attention.

Yang Xiyan was nearly overwhelmed. No matter how many excuses she made, it didn’t help. Though dancing one dance wasn’t a big deal, her high heels were uncomfortable, and she felt that if she agreed to one person, she wouldn’t get any rest at all.

What time is it? Why isn’t this over yet?

These people were like wolves and tigers, and she was a little scared.

But despite her fear, she still responded politely. This was the grace expected of a noblewoman. She handled everything with poise and order.

“You’re quite tall, Miss Yang, but are you really nineteen? You look more like a girl of fifteen or sixteen. Are you in middle school or high school?” A woman beside her giggled. This girl was pure and innocent, naive as a blank sheet of paper, making people want to pull her into their arms and pamper her.

What’s more, her evening gown suited her perfectly. Her already fair skin was accentuated by the black dress, making her appear even more delicate and snow-like. The fullness of her chest also made it clear that her age wasn’t a lie.

“Yes, I’m nineteen technically a college student.” Yang Xiyan smiled shyly. Here, she found no confidence, which only made her seem even more fragile and lovely.

………

“Is that all?” Liu Ying swirled the wine in her glass, taking a small sip. Though her expression was calm, her ears remained attuned to Yang Xiyan.

She was bound to cross paths with Yang Xiyan in the future, so she paid close attention.

“You know the Apurodi family, right? Her mother is from there.” Xia Lingxi shook her head. “Many of history’s most infamous enchantresses were from the Apurodi line, a notorious family of seductresses. They’re born with a natural power to charm. Maybe that’s why we find her so beautiful.”

“Descendant of the Goddess of Beauty, huh?” A flicker of surprise flashed in Yang Xiyan’s eyes.

“Exactly. That’s why she didn’t dare show her name card,” Xia Lingxi muttered, sipping her drink gloomily. “I have to admit, she’s really beautiful—so much so that I couldn’t help but feel soft-hearted and want to save her. What do you think, Lady Liu Ying? The charm effect shouldn’t work on you, so you must see her for what she truly is.”

“She is indeed quite lovely, but the charm is just secondary,” Liu Ying replied honestly, picking up her glass and standing slowly. “I’ll go check on her. She seems completely clueless about socializing looks rather pitiful.”

With a soft snap of her fingers, the gloom around her instantly dissipated. The click of her high heels drew every gaze in the room as she strode forward.

“That’s…” Someone started to speak but was quickly hushed by another.

This was a gathering of the elite, half of them recognized Liu Ying. Even Zhou Ziling, who had been dancing, paused in surprise before her expression turned to sheer delight. She quickly excused herself from her partner and hid in a corner with her phone.

The music shifted again, this time to a gentler, ancient-style melody.

Liu Ying approached Yang Xiyan’s table with graceful steps, ignoring the stares as she extended her hand with a slow smile. “Hmm, would you like to dance with me? It’s a slow song shouldn’t hurt your stomach.”

The woman who had been chatting beside Yang Xiyan raised an eyebrow, glaring at Liu Ying. Who is this? How rude not even introducing herself? She was about to speak when the man beside her tugged her sleeve.

Others also wanted to intervene, but they were all held back no one dared interrupt.

“Oh, right. My name is Xia Qiu, same age as you,” Liu Ying added with a smile. “Girls our age always have something in common. Why not give it a try and dance with me?”

Yang Xiyan had been on the verge of tears from anxiety, but now someone had come to invite her to dance someone with an overwhelming presence. When she looked up, she was met with a pair of smiling eyes and a stunning face. This woman was breathtaking, unlike the frivolous others, and there was something in her gaze that Yang Xiyan couldn’t quite decipher.

Same age? She seems so much more mature.

“Um, I…” Yang Xiyan wanted to refuse, but the words stuck in her throat. Those eyes seemed to forbid rejection.

Frantically, she glanced around for help her usual tactic. The way these people looked at her, they’d fight to keep her to themselves. If she signaled distress, they’d surely attack this intruder, and she wouldn’t have to dance.

But this time, she froze. The people around her were… leaving?

What’s happening?

Stunned, she turned back to Liu Ying, only to meet that same amused gaze. One that inexplicably made her heart race and her cheeks flush. She quickly averted her eyes and obediently placed her small hand in Liu Ying’s palm, standing up to dance.

There was just no way to refuse.

In the corner, Zhou Ziling dialed a number. “Father?”

“What is it?”

“I’ve seen Liu Ying. She must be here for the contract standing in for her sister.”

“Are you certain?”

“Absolutely. She’s at the party now—I didn’t notice her earlier.”

“Wasn’t she supposed to be taking her graduation exams? Why would she be at your party? No matter. Having the younger sister is even better than the elder. Treat her well. I can’t leave right now.”

“Understood.”

In the ballroom, the crowd danced gracefully. The music was light and soothing, undoubtedly the most suitable for Yang Xiyan at the moment. Noticing her partner maintaining a ladylike and gentle demeanor, she began to relax completely, swaying slowly to the rhythm, and surprisingly, she felt a faint sense of joy and delight.

Yang Xiyan realized her partner was half a head taller than her, likely due to high heels. During the dance, every movement followed her partner’s lead. Despite wearing ill-fitting heels, she felt no pain at all. Her body was light and buoyant, even more comfortable and pleasant than during her dance practices.

Just one dance was enough for her to recognize how skilled her partner was. It was as if she knew Yang Xiyan’s heels didn’t fit properly.

As they danced, she suddenly caught sight of the gazes from the young ladies and gentlemen resting in the distance filled with admiration and envy? There was also appreciation.

None of the usual affection or greed remained.

This left Yang Xiyan even more astonished.

Who was this woman? How had she effortlessly made those people abandon their pursuit of her, leaving them without a single thought of contention? It was truly strange.

Though puzzled, Yang Xiyan secretly rejoiced. This person seemed to be protecting her. How wonderful to have a benefactor, she could finally make it to the end of the event.

Speaking of which this peer named Xia Qiu smelled so nice and was such an incredible dancer. Following her lead required no thought at all; her body could spin effortlessly without a hitch.

Yang Xiyan stole a glance at her, lost in her thoughts, but was quickly caught in the act. Startled, she nearly missed a step, her pretty face flushing crimson. What made her even more embarrassed was that the dance floor gradually emptied, leaving only the two of them in the center.

Everyone was watching them dance how utterly mortifying.