abcnovels
Chapter 787: Schadenfreude
Chapter 787: Schadenfreude
Chapter 787: Schadenfreude
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Ye Leng’an shot Huangfu Ruiling a disdainful glance. “What are you saying? I’m glad she’s leaving! But she seems to have some sense, she can tell I don’t care for her.”
“If she had any sense, she wouldn’t have approached us earlier,” Huangfu Ruiling remarked casually. “From start to finish, we could have made it clear we didn’t welcome her.”
Upon hearing Huangfu Ruiling’s blunt words, Ye Leng’an couldn’t help but chuckle. “Actually, I’m curious. Isn’t Murong Yumeng supposed to be the young lady of the Murong family? And isn’t she from the main lineage? How come she doesn’t have any trace of the pride typical in prominent families?”
Huangfu Ruiling raised an eyebrow, indifferent. “Probably because she’s not valued within her family, she developed this kind of personality.”
“Not valued?” Ye Leng’an arched an eyebrow. “But didn’t you say she’s the daughter of the younger brother of Master Murong? That should count for something! How can she be undervalued?”
“It’s precisely because she’s a daughter that she’s undervalued,” Huangfu Ruiling explained matter-of-factly. “The Murong family favors sons over daughters. Her father doesn’t pay much attention to her. But outsiders are oblivious to these family dynamics.”
Ye Leng’an nodded in understanding. “No wonder she doesn’t recognize you! And she seems unaware of our engagement!”
During their engagement, representatives from the four major families were present. Even if she didn’t attend, she should have heard about it. Yet, Murong Yumeng acted as if she knew nothing.
Or perhaps she did know but didn’t care.
Huangfu Ruiling continued, “Although Murong Yumeng is from the main lineage, her father’s lack of attention and her distant relationship with her mother have resulted in her low status within the Murong family. She’s unaware of many things.”
Ye Leng’an nodded again, devoid of sympathy. Despite Murong Yumeng’s lack of favor within her family, she still lived a luxurious life, unworthy of pity. Others struggled to eat; they were the ones deserving sympathy.
“Let’s finish eating and then go for a stroll,” Ye Leng’an suggested, changing the subject. “There are quite a few mini-games that seem fun.”
“Sure,” Huangfu Ruiling agreed, his eyes filled with affection as he looked at Ye Leng’an.
Meanwhile, Zi Zhijie led Murong Yumeng back to their table, where the others were waiting for their meals.
Seeing them return disheartened, Xiao Xueqing couldn’t help but gloat, her criticism directed at Murong Yumeng. “I really don’t understand what you’re thinking. You know they don’t like you, yet you insist on approaching them. Now you’ve bitten off more than you can chew!”
She had always disliked Murong Yumeng. Although her Xiao family wasn’t as powerful as the Murong family, she never sought to gain favors from Murong Yumeng. Her pride as an aristocratic young lady prevented her from stooping so low.
Her dislike for Murong Yumeng stemmed not just from Zi Zhijie but also from Murong Yumeng’s personality. Aristocratic young ladies had their pride, but Murong Yumeng appeared too accommodating, which Xiao Xueqing found repulsive.
As soon as Murong Yumeng heard Xiao Xueqing’s words, she immediately felt aggrieved. She quickly spoke up, “Xueqing, I just…”
Before Murong Yumeng could defend herself, Zi Zhijie intervened, standing up for her. “Xueqing, how could you say that? Yumeng meant well, but Ye Leng’an is the one at fault. Criticizing Yumeng like this is uncalled for!”
Hearing this, Xiao Xueqing’s expression soured. Her gaze turned fiercer as she looked at Murong Yumeng. “What did I say wrong? I warned her not to disturb them, but she insisted. Now that she’s facing backlash, why should I care? I didn’t ask her to suffer.”
“Let’s not dwell on the past,” Zi Zhijie said, his tone tinged with disgust as he looked at Xiao Xueqing. “Now that Yumeng is being mistreated, instead of consoling her, you’re kicking her while she’s down. Do you think your actions are justified?”
Zi Zhijie had always thought Xiao Xueqing was just spoiled, but now he saw she couldn’t differentiate right from wrong.
Xiao Xueqing felt like her heart was being torn as she was scrutinized by Zi Zhijie, the person she liked. She stood up, pointing at Murong Yumeng. “Why do you always blame me? Just because I can’t act as well as Murong Yumeng, you think everything I do is wrong?”
“Why drag Yumeng into our issues?” Zi Zhijie’s impatience seeped into his tone. “You’re not a child anymore. Why are you so immature?”
Each accusation caused Xiao Xueqing, usually proud and aloof, to flush with embarrassment.
“Alright, Zhijie, that’s enough,” Cong Haodong intervened, seeing Xiao Xueqing’s distress. He pulled Zi Zhijie aside and said, “Although Xueqing’s words are harsh, she means well.”
“Xueqing, Zhijie’s just overreacting. Don’t take it to heart,” Gu Lerong added, urging Xiao Xueqing to sit down. “We’re here to have fun, not to quarrel over trivial matters.”
Seeing Xiao Xueqing’s reddened eyes, Zi Zhijie realized he had misspoken. Although he disliked Xiao Xueqing, he didn’t want things to escalate.
So, he followed Cong Haodong’s lead and stopped talking. As for Xiao Xueqing, despite her discomfort, she remained silent.