Chapter 2 Unprecedented

Zong Du leisurely peeled a lychee and held it up to Lin Yanyan. “Wanna try?”

Lin Yanyan’s face flushed a bit. She delicately took the white fruit from his hand and brought it to her lips, licking it with a pink tongue.

Her innocent eyes curved into a smile. “It’s so sweet!”

Watching their interaction, Xi Yue felt a sense of falling into an abyss. Their closeness felt like a huge slap, leaving her dizzy and disoriented. She curled her fingers, lowering her head to hide her expression.

Mrs. Zong glanced at Xi Yue. “Xi Yue, can you do it?”

Xi Yue replied softly, “Mrs, it’s not appropriate.”

Her voice was so soft and low, like a whisper.

Mrs. Zong frowned, displeased. “What did you say? Speak up!”

Xi Yue bit her tongue, raising her head slightly but still keeping her eyes downcast. “Mrs, I said it’s not appropriate. I—”

Mrs. Zong’s face grew cold, her gaze icy and piercing. “I can’t hear you.”

Xi Yue paused, then raised her head a bit more, only to meet Mrs. Zong’s harsh, stubborn eyes, leaving her stunned. “Mrs., I—”

“Pop!”

“Ah!”

A cup of hot tea flew past Xi Yue’s ear and shattered at the door, splashing hot water everywhere.

Zhuang Yi was standing at the door, and the boiling water splashed onto her bare legs. She gasped in pain, instinctively stepping back, only to bump into the door frame and fall to the ground.

Xi Yue turned stiffly, seeing Zhuang Yi scramble to get up before kneeling down with a thud. One leg, scalded red, pressed against the ground as she knelt.

Xi Yue stepped forward to help her up, but Zhuang Yi, tears in her eyes, shook her head and instead pulled Xi Yue down to kneel with her, choking out, “Apologize to Mrs.”

“Mom...”

Zhuang Yi’s voice grew louder, her eyes filled with pain, embarrassment, and determination. “Apologize!”

Xi Yue’s eyes stung, her fingers digging into her palms as she lowered her head. “Sorry, Mrs...”

Mrs. Zong wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and looked at Lin Yanyan. “Yanyan, what would you like to see?”

Lin Yanyan, surprised by what had just happened, bit her lip and hesitated.

Zong Du reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind Lin Yanyan’s ear. “What’s wrong?”

His voice was gentle, soothing.

Lin Yanyan smiled shyly, glancing at Zong Du before looking at Xi Yue. “Is it really okay?”

Xi Yue didn’t respond.

The silence was awkward.

Lin Yanyan instinctively looked at Zong Du, who gave her an encouraging look.

Blushing, she spoke again, “Hello Miss, can you dance pole dance?”

Xi Yue’s face went pale as she quickly looked up at Lin Yanyan.

Seeing Xi Yue’s reaction, Lin Yanyan’s excitement grew. “My friends told me that the Jazz pole dance at Vee Bar is super cool. I’ve always wanted to see it, but my mom said those places aren’t decent and wouldn’t let me go. Miss, do you know how to dance it? Can you dance for me?”

Xi Yue’s heart pounded as she looked at Mrs. Zong, who remained silent, enjoying watching her son and Lin Yanyan interact.

Xi Yue then looked at Zong Du. He was fiddling with his phone, not paying her any attention.

Cold sweat broke out on Xi Yue’s back as she wondered if Mrs. Zong had discovered something.

After hesitating for a moment, Xi Yue finally said, “I don’t know how.”

Lin Yanyan didn’t believe her and turned to Zong Du. “Brother Zong, please... I really want to see it.”

“You really want?” Zong Du smirked.

Lin Yanyan nodded eagerly. “I heard the performers wear tight leather outfits. They look so wild and sexy!”

Zong Du tapped her nose with his long finger. “You only want to see the Miss?”

Xi Yue caught a glimpse of his hand, which had been all over her body just half an hour ago.

Her palms were clenched so tightly that they were almost bleeding, the pain barely keeping the turmoil inside her at bay.

Blushing, Lin Yanyan stuck out her tongue. “Well, if there’s a cute guy...”

Zong Du chuckled softly and whispered something into her ear, making Lin Yanyan’s face turn even redder. She scooted away from him, looking at Xi Yue with teary eyes. “Miss, can you dance?”

Xi Yue’s already pale face turned even whiter.

The lover’s matchmaking event demanding she dance seductively for entertainment, which was truly unprecedented.

Embarrassment, anger, and shame surged within Xi Yue, nearly driving her mad.

Seeing Xi Yue’s long silence, Zong Du frowned. “Are you mute?”

Xi Yue bit down on her tongue, the sharp pain and taste of blood forcing back the lump in her throat.

She whispered, “Mr, I can’t.”

“You can’t?” Zong Du’s eyes turned cold as he looked past her to Zhuang Yi. “Aunt Zhuang, can’t Xi Yue dance?”

Xi Yue’s body tensed up.

Zhuang Yi trembled, looking helplessly between Zong Du and Xi Yue. “I, Yue, Yue can...”

Zhuang Yi, already in poor health, paled even further in her panic, her sweat pouring down.

Xi Yue grabbed her hand to reassure her. “Mr, I studied ballet.”

“So what,” Zong Du sneered. “What, are you some kind of dance star? A big celebrity? Don’t be pretentious with me.”

The coldness and pressure in his words made Xi Yue realize that there was no escaping this dance.

She pinched her leg hard, the sharp pain making her whole body tense. The surge of adrenaline brought a moment of clarity.

Clarity was her only card in this cat-and-mouse game.

Xi Yue lowered her head. “I know what I should do, Mr.”

Mrs. Zong was pleased.

“If you’re going to dance, do it well. Butler, get somebody from the downstairs club to set up.”

The butler acknowledged and left.

Seeing her cup was empty, Mrs. Zong reached for the teapot. But Zong Du had already grabbed it and was pouring tea for her.

“Oh my...” Mrs. Zong said with satisfaction, though she complained, “Yanyan is the guest. How can you only serve me?”

The tea should have been poured halfway.

As the clear tea filled the cup, it overflowed, spilling hot water everywhere.

Zong Du stopped and placed the teapot down, smiling. “It’s been a while since I made tea. My hand slipped.”

Mrs. Zong laughed. “We’re family. I won’t laugh at you.”

Reaching for the cup, she noticed someone moving at the door.

She looked up instinctively—

In that brief moment, Mrs. Zong’s hand veered, touching the hot teapot instead of the cup.

The burning sensation made her scream and push away instinctively.

The teapot, placed on the edge of the table, toppled over, spilling steaming water onto her skirt.

“Huh! It hurts!!!”