Mrs Fox Heinous Revenge: Can You Love A Villainess like Me?
Chapter 224: Going South!

Chapter 224: Going South!

On the stage was a familiar host of the century. The famous host was also once an actor known so well as one of the best in his career, and his appearance tonight, despite his retirement, speaks of the wealth and authority that Elder Hua has. But that wasn’t what made AiLin frown. It was the fact that standing on the stage was Elder Hua who was holding Su HaiTan’s hands, looking extremely delighted with their night despite the hurtful words she had just said to her own family member earlier.

The people around her immediately clapped their hands, their applauses and fake proud made her feel as if she had dip her hand into an ant’s house —tiny and ticklish at first, but quickly turning into a stinging, crawling discomfort that spread through her veins.

It was uncomfortable to be here and watch everyone pretending their best to look sincere when not a single ounce about them was anything close to the word sincerity.

The Host was delighted to open the party, introducing to everyone the content of tonight’s party while subtly mentioning the authority that the Hua Family held over the years. Li ZiChen who heard this found it odd. Not odd because of the subtle reminder that came from Elder Hua that she wasn’t someone anyone should mess with but the fact that Su HaiTan’s eyes kept on falling toward AiLin.

There was an eagerness behind that gaze, the smile that spread his lips as if he had won.

When their eyes met, Li ZiChen’s cold brown eyes could see how Su HaiTan had pulled his lips, spreading it wider as though telling him that he should be careful of what was going to happen.

Just then, the host spoke up, "We should not forget about the wonderful guest that have came tonight despite the busy schedule, let us call and applause for Miss Hua AiLin into the stage!"

AiLin’s eyes widened, her heart thumping in worry and she turned to see Li ZiChen’s eyes that was devastatingly cold. His fists that laid beside his hips seemed to have turned white with how tight he had clenched his fists, the annoyance as well as pure rage for someone trying to harm his beloved was clear on his face as he held her hands.

"No," he said coldly, not to her but rather to the host who also seemed taken aback.

His voice wasn’t too loud as he didn’t yell but the sharpness and its depth was enough to have everyone even those on stage to hear his refusal clearly as the earliest ray of shine.

The guests who was about to cheer and applause their hands had all stopped awkwardly, eyeing Li ZiChen who they knew had a terrible history against Elder Hua.

Elder Hua who heard this from the stage raised her eyebrows, a clear face of dislike rested on her face as she despise those who don’t listen well to her which included both AiLin and Li ZiChen.

Su HaiTan, however, seemed utterly amused. His lips curled into something dangerously close to mockery, his fingers tightening briefly around Elder Hua’s hand before he gracefully pulled away, stepping forward as if he had expected this exact reaction. His enjoyment put AiLin at in ill ease, hoping she could have hit him at the jaw as this man didn’t seem to understand the meaning of "no" and refusal that comes with it.

"Ah, but how unfortunate," he said smoothly, his voice carrying through the hall with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how to manipulate an audience. "I was so looking forward to hearing Miss Hua AiLin share a few words with us tonight. It’s been a while since Elder Hua invited you to the party, so you must have had a few words to tell her."

His gaze landed on AiLin once more and she could tell that he was enjoying this.

AiLin swallowed, feeling Li ZiChen’s grip on her hand tighten. He was furious, no, beyond furious. His entire body radiated a quiet anger, one that could easily break into rage if provoked further. And Su HaiTan, damn him, knew exactly what he was doing.

The host, caught between Li ZiChen’s cold rejection and Su HaiTan’s eager insistence, looked toward Elder Hua for guidance. The old matriarch’s smile didn’t waver, but there was a distinct hardness to her eyes, a glint of pure displeasure beneath the carefully maintained mask.

She did not like to be defied. Li ZiChen’s refusal and her demand was currently being tested with the loser’s pride being torn apart if one of them were to give up on their stance and bow to another’s demand.

And AiLin knew that this wasn’t just about her stepping onto that stage. It was about control. It was about sending a message.

Elder Hua wanted to remind everyone, including AiLin herself, that no matter how far she tried to run, no matter how fiercely Li ZiChen stood by her side, she was still a Hua. A member of her family. And she would always be bound by that name. What’s worse was the one to control every Hua members is her, the one who reign in this family.

AiLin took a slow, careful breath, the weight of dozens of expectant gazes pressing down on her shoulders. She could feel the eyes of the entire room watching, waiting to see what she would do. Those gaze felt like an ant bite all over her body but she remained calm, knowing composure is always the key to solving every problem.

"Miss Hua?" The host finally spoke again, hesitant, trying to navigate the tension in the air. "Would you—"

"I said no."

Li ZiChen’s voice was even colder this time, each syllable cutting through the silence like a blade. He took a step forward, positioning himself slightly in front of AiLin, his stance protective and unyielding.

The air in the banquet hall grew thick.

AiLin glanced toward Elder Hua, whose fingers twitched against her gown, her irritation barely concealed. The message was clear: This defiance would not be forgotten and one of them were about to be made to pay.

Sucking breaths into her lung, Ailin stepped forward and this made Li ZiChen’s fingers around her wrist to turn tight as an iron.

She turned back at him, shaking her head with a smile. Then she raised her hand, "A mic please."

The host looked at Elder Hua and seeing her anger, he fearfully thought to ignore AiLin’s request but upon seeing Elder Hua who nod despite her irk, he gave a mic to the servant who then quickly made his way toward AiLin, placing the said mic on her hand.

She looked at the mic, hitting it once and twice before smiling and speaking through it, "Grandmother, I know you are very thoughtful about bringing me here tonight, and I am deeply honored that you wish to hear my words."

Elder Hua watched her, the gaze hard as she seemed to realize the threatening tone she hid under her polite words. Her fingers curled subtly around the microphone, and in that moment, she wasn’t just addressing Elder Hua. She was addressing everyone in the hall, those guests who had been waiting for her to bow, to break.

Li ZiChen didn’t release his grip entirely, but he loosened it just enough for her to move forward on her own. His gaze never wavered from Su HaiTan, his presence a silent, looming warning.

"Since you’ve gone through such effort to make me the center of attention," AiLin continued, her lips curving into a delicate smile, she faintly chuckled, "I suppose it would be rude of me to decline your request."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some exchanged wary glances, while others leaned in with interest. Even Su HaiTan’s amusement flickered into something sharper, more watchful.

"Then you will come up here?" Elder Hua asked but her tone was demanding.

AiLin lowered her face before shaking her head, "However standing on that stage still feels surreal for me. Considering that we are family but never so close to act like one. I fear that if I step there, I would make you disappointed and no one should ever make Elder Hua disappointed right?"

Everyone gulped in the room, the subtle mention of Elder Hua’s knowing anger and act of revenge she does whenever her target refuse to bow or fulfill the role she wanted them to do was clear. AiLin’s words, however, left no one to argue as she sounded like a thoughtful granddaughter who simply didn’t want to ruin her grandmother’s best night.

"Though I suppose there is simply a lot of things I wish to talk to you, grandmother." AiLin lowered her eyelids, "Which is why I would rather speak it here to you, I wish you a long long life," long enough to die on the hands who hate you and those who you have hurt, "I wish that you would be happy," so your despair comes twice the heavier in weight to you, "And I wish that in this year that you would learn more about human relationships," so you would know regret but would never be able to end that suffering that came with regret.

"A.. Ahaha," the host awkwardly filled the empty hall that had gone too eerily quiet, "It is Young Master Su HaiTan’s birthday today, Miss AiLin, I think you have mistaken your wishes."

AiLin shook her head, "No, grandmother’s birthday is just around the corner. I mean there is around six months left but I just fear that I won’t be able to say it when the time comes again."

Su HaiTan looked at Elder Hua’s eyes. She remained still, her nails pressing into the silk of her gown, her carefully curated expression a mask of ice.

"Thank you so much AiLin for your wishes," Su HaiTan cut between the tension, "I think to thank you for your kind words, I should gift you a present."

"No, HaiTan," said Elder Hua who had broke into a smile, "Indeed AiLin, your words have moved my heart a lot. I think it’s time for me to break to you the real reason why I had called you here."

AiLin furrowed her eyebrows, feeling that Li ZiChen’s gaze between her had deepened as they knew this was were it would go South.