Without Me

The birthday banquet of Ruo Yan was undoubtedly a rare opportunity to gain new business contacts. Those who were slightly less significant tried everything to get an invitation and use their chance to cooperate with powerful companies. Such an opportunity happened once in a hundred.

The most desirable man in the world of business was undoubtedly the young CEO of Li Corporation, Li Ye Han. There was not a single person, who wouldn't like to enter the cooperation with him.

Li Ye Han was rarely seen at similar events, so today's evening could be the only chance for many people to get to know him.

The table at which he sat was extremely busy with people, who wanted to leave their business cards and share great ideas of cooperation.

The man was irritated by the crowd of people around him. Without looking up from the glass of red wine holding in his hand, he spoke only two words to get rid of the intrusive flies: " Get lost!"

One brief sentence, spiced with a powerful dose of authority, combined with a steel voice was enough for the crowd to escape two meters from the Li Ye Han table. And he didn't need bodyguards for that.

Li Ye Han continued sipping his wine with a stony face, and the man sitting next to him couldn't help but comment: "Ruthless, as always," Long Fei said, smiling at the women who were watching them from afar. " But you didn't have to deter beautiful ladies too. It wouldn't hurt you, if you lend your best friend your charming aura to attract a few helpless sheep."

Li Ye Han gave his friend a dark, irritated look, but he didn't comment.

"By the way, you set a good deal," Long Fei said with a conspiratorial smile. "You seem to hate women so much, but you have a wife and a mistress. For someone who despises women, you have quite a few. I don't understand, why you haven't been divorced yet? Ruo Yan is just waiting for title of Madame Li."

Li Ye Han concentrated on the glass in his hand, still refusing to answer.

"I know all this marriage is the work of your grandfather," Long Fei continued, not caring at all for being ignored. He has long been used to the fact that his friend doesn't speak much. "But lets not deceive ourselves, we both know that even he couldn't force you into anything if you objected. In the end, thanks to you, Li Corporation has grown into foreign markets. At first, the old man would not be happy, but eventually he could not make you do anything.

Long Fei didn't pick up words, but he was right. If Li Ye Han wouldn't want to do something, no force on earth would be able to change it. So why bother in a marriage, that doesn't have any benefits? Long Fei has been asking this question for over three years, and still hasn't received an answer. He considered himself as the best friend of Li Ye Han, but in this case, he couldn't say what was in his head.

He was about to drill the subject until Li Ye Han finally burst and tell him everything he wanted to know, but there was a commotion at the entrance to the banquet hall.

Long Fei looked up to see what was happening, and in the next moment almost spat out the wine he had just drunk.

"Oh boy ..." he whistled in surprise, seeing Ruo Yan in a blood-red tight dress. "Now I understand why you are holding her. But, don't you think that a woman should keep such an image when you are just the two of you?"

Li Ye Han raised his head and looked towards the entrance, but there was no change on his face. It was as if Ruo Yan's half-n.a.k.e.d body made no impression on him. He returned to drinking wine, as if he saw a stranger. Even when Ruo Yan appeared in front of him, he still didn't look up.

Long Fei was already used to his friend's cold attitude, but Ruo Yan couldn't hide her disappointment. She didn't know what to do to keep Li Ye Han's eyes on her for more than a few seconds.

After a short moment, she returned to her senses, taking on a sunny expression, as if she didn't feel offended at all. She moved closer, almost touching the knee of Li Ye Han's knees, but the man moved away sharply. Ruo Yan almost flooded with tears for such glaring rejection. She clenched her fists tightly until they blushed her knuckles and forced herself to rest.

"Li Ye Han, Log Fei, thank you for your coming," she said politely, keeping her eyes on Li Ye Han. "I hope you two will have fun today."

Long Fei raised his glass in a greeting gesture, not hiding his line of sight, aimed at Ruo Yan's bust.

Li Ye Han said nothing but nodded almost imperceptibly.

Ruo Yan looked at him with pleading eyes, an expression of wounding on her face. She couldn't come to terms with the fact, that even in this outfit she couldn't catch his attention. She felt wounded and humiliated. For years, she has been creating her image of a well-behaved and well-dressed girl from a good home. Today, for this guy, she was ready to give up all that she worked for years. But he didn't even look at her.

She wanted to cry and run away. She felt humiliated, and all the comments full of mockery reaching her ears only worsened the situation.

All she could do to keep her face was to smile proudly and pretend nothing had happened.

" Excuse me gentlemen, but I should greet a few more guests."

Then she left with her head high, and Long Fei was still eyeing her s.e.xy body.

Soon after, the banquet began. The most-known band from EMPIRE played their most popular songs, and invited guests made Ruo Yan birthday wishes and handed her expensive presents.

Specially employed for the occasion, the announcer rattled the guests and invited those who wanted to congratulate the jubilee on the stage.

Ruo Yan sat on a comfortable chair located on a small stage. She looked like an ancient empress, while Ruo Yunxi received gifts on her behalf and put them on the table next to her.

Ruo Yan's mouth didn't leave a wide smile when she thanked each one separately, but she was furious inside. Li Ye Han publicly ignored her and many people witnessed it.

She specifically ordered her people to spread the gossip about an extremely expensive gift from him, but now she was praying that he would not give her any presents. If he gave her something worthless, she would have been humiliated for the rest of her life. Especially when she knew that Li Ye Han would never give her such an expensive gift as his newly built estate.

In the head of Ruo Yan, all cogs were working at full speed, looking for a way out of this situation, when suddenly the hall door opened wide and everyone present turned their heads in that direction.

Ruo Yan breathed a sigh of relief when her prayers were answered, but the next moment she almost fainted at the sight of a woman whom she had never expected to see in her wildest dreams.

However, at first she did not recognize her, and at a closer look, she was sure of who she was.

Yao Xi came in with the grace of the queen, and the crowd gave way to her as she walked past with her head raised high. Dressed in a silvery moonlight dress, she looked special. The corset was intricately hand-embroidered in beautiful lace patterns, with a deep neckline, which, despite the fact that it was large, didn't reveal too much. From the waist down the material was silky and shiny, with a deep slit showing her shapely leg. As she walked, the dress was as if it was made of liquid mercury. Yao Xi's amber hair has been gathered together, and slung over the left shoulder, revealing a straight line of porcelain-white neck and a tempting collarbone, decorated with a silver necklace with a single drop of tears. It looked captivating, especially seen in the light of a thousand diamond crystals reflecting off the chandeliers.

She looked like a fairy in a fairy tale and people couldn't take their eyes off her, especially the male part of the guests.

"What a beauty " someone exclaimed excited when the rest of them returned to their senses. "Is it some world-famous celebrity?"

Some even took out their cell phones and started snapping her pictures, others even recorded short videos as if they wanted to capture the way she moved - as if she were an immortal goddess, walking among ordinary mortals.

The aura that radiated from her was out of this earth, and the look of her emerald eyes ... Unseen and so deep ... So cold and indifferent, that people had the impression that they are not the eyes of a woman, but a doll. And it was thanks to this, that she caught so much attention.

At that moment everyone was thinking the same: unparalleled beauty!

She had a face that could steal the splendor of the stars themselves, and people around her wondered how someone could look so elegant and sensual only by walking.

There was one more person who remained speechless. Li Ye Han didn't take his eyes off Yao Xi from the moment she walked through the wide door. and his mind was empty of disbelief.

He saw an ice beauty that he had never seen in such an installment before. Even on their wedding day, she didn't look so phenomenal.

He was aware of her beauty, but the impression left on him today went far beyond the canons of ordinary beauty.

Her carefree and lazy aura gave her the appearance of an ancient goddess; oblivious to the affairs of ordinary people.

This was the first time that he saw this side of Yao Xi. He remembered her image from a few months ago. She was like a teenager, blindly staring at her idol. Her eyes always shone brightly at his sight, fighting for his attention.

And for several days she was acting strangely, as if she was avoiding him. As if she gave him peace. As if he was indifferent to her. Li Ye Han had to admit that this change in her personality gave him a vague feeling. Being aware that Yao Xi may not have feelings for him anymore, made him feel a gentle prick in his c.h.e.s.t. Especially after what he learned a few hours earlier ...

She looked like a lonely soldier, making her want to go and fight at her side, protecting her from danger.

The table where Li Ye Han was sitting was in a place of honor, right at the stage, where Yao Xi was heading now. As she approached, her eyes involuntarily rested on Li Ye Han, who immediately began an electric shiver running down his back. He saw how dead her eyes were. Compared to her eyesight a few months ago, which irritated him, it now had a strange fear. However, Yao Xi's eyes didn't remain on him for long, almost in the same second, went further, as if he were invisible.

He watched Yao Xi from under half-closed eyelids as she slowly climbed the steps leading to the stage. When she lifted her leg, wanting to take the first step, the crowd gasped in delight as a long, a white jade leg appeared to their eyes through the high gash in the gown.

Reaching the stage, Yao Xi reached out to the announcer for the microphone. Turning to Ruo Yan, she didn't hide her disgust. She considered the woman as the only friend. Someone to whom she could entrust her life without hesitation. For this unshakable faith, she got a knife in the back.

Yao Xi had to put a lot of effort into making sure her voice wouldn't shake. The death of a grandfather in a previous life from the hand of Ruo Yan had more influence on her than the death of her own. She never took care of herself. Since the Yan family adopted her, they kept telling her that she wouldn't live long. So she didn't even regret Li Ye Han for killing her. She did not care about her life, so naturally she didn't care about her death.

She hated him for killing her child.

She hated Ruo Yan for killing grandfather.

These two things will never be forgiven!

Ruo Yan looked as if all the blood had been s.u.c.k.e.d out of her. This view gave Yao Xi great satisfaction.

[Why did you invite me, since you are so surprised by my view?] She mocked in her heart.

Yao Xi cleared her throat and spoke to the microphone in her hand, words which she had been saying over the past few days:

"Thank you for the invitation. I am happy that I can celebrate the birthday of my closest friend."

The voice was delicate but unusually clear, it sounded like bells moved by the wind. Quiet, but when someone disturbs their peace, the sound spreads around the area, strengthened by the wind.

"You know very well that as an adopted daughter I don't have much," she said miserably, and her statement caused a wave of confusion in the room.

"I know who it is," exclaimed one of the women. "It's the adopted daughter of the Yao family, Yao Xi, if I'm not mistaken. I remember that they have been friends together for several years.

" Who would have thought that such a beauty is just an adopted daughter" someone next said, and immediately the whole room whispered among themselves.

" I thought that her attitude and aura is the effect of a long-term practice of some prestigious family, but it turns out to be an ordinary stranger. "

" Come on " A young man defended Yao Xi, fascinated by her beauty. "So what if she's adopted? More than one woman must be jealous of her."

"I agree," said another man. "It doesn't matter where she comes from, just one look at her, and you know that she has received the appropriate education and label."

"You just say it's because she's your type," one of the women said, emitting jealousy. " She may be pretty, but with her background she can only become someone's lover. She will never be a Madame of a prestigious family. Which family would endure such humiliation?"

The female part of the room laughed mockingly, while the men noticed the opportunity. Everyone had the same thought in mind: make Yao Xi their mistress. Even those who were at her father's age.

All these voices reached the ears of Li Ye Han and Long Fei.

Only then did Long Fei recognize the woman as his friend's wife. He gave him a startled look but Li Ye Han didn't pay any attention to him. All the time he was focused on a small woman on the stage, wondering why she was there. And the hand that held the glass of wine tightened.

"I remember, however, when you said that memory and good intentions only matter," Yao Xi continued calmly, as if not hearing all the comments. "That's why I decided to give you something that once belonged to you."

Yao Xi took a small box from her purse with her free hand, resembling a glasses case.

"I wanted to give you this because I remember how you said, how important these things are to you when you gave them to me. However, after thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that I can't keep something that you value so much. What a friend I would be, if I took something that is so important to you? That is why today, my birthday present for you are all the things you have given me through all these years of our friendship."

Yao Xi was watching the changing face of Ruo Yan with satisfaction. From green to black - when she threw herself forward to snatch the box, but it was too late. Yao Xi opened the lid, and from the inside all the contents spilled onto the floor, appearing to everyone.

People stretched out their heads to get a better look, and when they realized what the things were, the room burst into laughter.

" Are you kidding me? Do you want to tell me that someone with the status of Ruo Yan would give her friend such rubbish?"

" What did you think?" Someone else asked. -"You didn't think that someone like Ruo Yan would spend money to make fun of the adopted daughter?"

" So what if she's adopted? If Ruo Yan thought she was her friend, she shouldn't care what the origin of Yao Xi is, don't you think? I believe that she should help her friend, not make matters worse by giving such trash. Nothing would happen if she shared, for example, clothes that she didn't like anymore. Instead, she made fun of the girl she called friend. It's cheeky and below dignity. And I thought Ruo Yan was more s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e."

" I think Ruo Yan would never be friends with someone like that. Probably she felt sorry for such a pathetic girl and gave her a few random things that would not make her sad."

" But what's that? I do not see well."

" Hahaha ... Some hairpin that you can buy in any kiosk, a piece of yellowed cloth, probably a handkerchief. And some dried weeds."

- Hahaha ... I can't stand it!"

The crowd burst into loud laughter as Ruo Yan wanted to collapse underground. In her wildest dreams she did not think that this strayer would be able to appear at the party and make her ashamed.

Ruo Yan only invited Yao Xi because she was convinced that the girl would be too embarrassed to appear. She specifically mentioned the presence of Li Ye Han, wanting to hurt her. She didn't expect such a turn of events.

She now looked like a miser who does not respect friendsh.i.p.s. Such humiliation ...

Not knowing what to do, she glanced toward Li Ye Han's table and saw his dark face. She knew that he hated the woman as much as she did, and on his face, she realized that he must have been furious with Yao Xi for her indecent behavior and felt relief inwardly. With Li Ye Han at her side, Ruo Yan was not afraid of any rumors.

" What are you talking about?" She asked innocently, bending down to pick up things. " I perfectly remember how you said you didn't like when someone spends money on presents for you and much more you prefer these from the heart. I didn't think you could blame me." She spoke in a weak, tearful voice. She looked like Yao Xi's words really hurt her. " If you don't like what I gave you, I'm sorry. If you want, I will take you shopping one day and choose something you like, but please do not treat me as if I didn't care about you."

Indeed, Yao Xi remembered that she had once said something similar. But she meant gifts from a sincere heart. She didn't need Ruo Yan's mockery and falsehood.

In the eyes of outsiders, Ruo Yan sounded like a caring friend. Tears arose in her eyes as she rose from the floor, holding objects in her hands that she hugged to her c.h.e.s.t, as if they were some priceless treasure.

At that moment an elderly woman appeared on the stage. She stood at Ruo Yan and with a protective gesture, put her arm around her. She turned her sharp eyes to Yao Xi, as if she wanted to burn a hole in her.

" How dare you treat my daughter like that ?!" She shouted, and the whole room died away. Everyone was well aware of the overprotection of her daughter, whom Madame Ruo was famous for. "My little Yanyan was nice to you because she knew that the Yao family was not interested in you at all, she wanted to give you something that you could associate with her in difficult times, and how do you pay for her good heart? You should be ashamed! If I knew that you care only for riches and not for goodness, I wouldn't let my daughter be friends with you. You don't deserve the sympathy of my daughter! Go, come back to the Yao family, I wonder if they've ever given you anything better. Guards! " she shouted, waving her hand, and a few seconds later appeared three attentive men dressed in black suits. " Take this ungratefulwoman! My family Ruo, will not meet a stray who wants to use my daughter's good heart to become a phoenix!"

The men, with a stony face, stepped onto the stage to execute the order. However, they stopped at the sight of Ruo Yan, facing Yao Xi. " I don't agree. Yao Xi is my precious guest, and I can't imagine that I would spend that day without her." She turned to Tang Qiang with a pleading look on her face. " Mother, it's all my fault. I misunderstood Xiao Xi's words. She's not what you think. If you want her to leave, I will go with her."

Madame Ruo was speechless. She didn't understand how her daughter could be so naïve, that she would not see the black heart of this horrible girl.

" My sweety, she uses you!"

Ruo Yan showed her pathetic face when she said, " That's not true, Xiao Xi would never do something like that. Its all my fault. I misunderstood her."

Yao Xi remained impassive all the time. She watched calmly the excellent acting game of Ruo Yan. A mocking smirk appeared on her face as she applauded her skills internally.

And the crowd kept watching her.

Even in the face of a sharp temper, Tang Qiang, Yao Xi could keep her cool. This hasn't escaped the attention of some guests. Maybe she didn't have a prestigious background, but her attitude was an attitude worthy of a noble family.

Meanwhile, Yao Xi has already gone through all this. Any comments, weren't able to hurt her. Nothing was said that she didn't hear. She even began to wonder if people could move their brains to come up with something new, that had not been heard before. Maybe then she would be impressed. But now, all she felt, was disgust and amus.e.m.e.nt.