Chapter 53: Falcon Crown

On one side was Han Xuan, whom she could find anytime, and on the other was the client executives she usually couldn’t contact. Matters had their priorities—anyone not an idiot knew how to choose.

Chu Susu had a brain, so she naturally understood the reasoning, yet she hesitated without giving an answer.

Zhou Xiaoying behind her shot her a shocked glance. Could it be…

“Sorry.”

Chu Susu swallowed, slowly uttering these words. Her eyes lowered, an aura radiating from her as if she’d made some decision. “I have some urgent business. Can we chat later?”

Later?

Opportunities didn’t come every time. Once this village passed, there’d be no more shop. And since she’d come to the birthday banquet with intention, what urgent matter could there be in this short time?

The clients hadn’t expected this response from her. They raised their brows in surprise.

Even if they didn’t quite understand inwardly, they wouldn’t embarrass her in such a setting. They magnanimously said, “Alright, no problem. Go ahead with your business.”

With that, they didn’t linger, their backs soon vanishing from sight as they blended into the banquet crowd over there.

“Are you insane?”

Zhou Xiaoying squeezed the words through gritted teeth, ruthlessly knocking Chu Susu’s shoulder with her hand, hating iron for not becoming steel. “What are you doing?”

To publicly reject the olive branch tossed by the clients—talk about bold. Wasn’t she afraid of leaving a bad impression? Consulting firms thrived on reputation and credibility.

The moment she’d spotted Han Xuan over there, Zhou Xiaoying’s heart sank, thinking it bad news. Sure enough, her silly friend acted like her soul had been hooked away by some vixen, looking utterly lost, even making such a… brainless decision.

Chu Susu stood there woodenly, softly saying, “Thanks for worrying about me, Xiaoying. I get it all. But right now, I have to go find Han Xuan.”

“Why? Han Xuan’s right there and won’t run off. Does it have to be now?”

“Mm.”

Zhou Xiaoying was speechless for a long moment after hearing this, her face screaming utter exasperation.

Qiao Qian had stayed silent the whole time, while Li Le’er, who hadn’t worked in this industry, had no clue about the gravity. She tugged Zhou Xiaoying’s sleeve. “Come on, Susu knows what she’s doing. The emperor isn’t anxious, so why are you, the eunuch, freaking out?”

Zhou Xiaoying’s brow twitched as she pursed her lips. “Fine, fine. Do whatever.”

Whatever happens, happens. May the world be free of love-brained fools.

But Chu Susu hadn’t been like this before. Forget love-brain; even when dating, she rarely mentioned her private life among friends, let alone lose composure over it.

Zhou Xiaoying looked up toward the somewhat conspicuous black skirt hem over there, then shifted her gaze to those eyes facing sideways at her, involuntarily shuddering.

It was a perfectly harmless face, yet the moment their eyes met, an inexplicable chill surged through her.

Zhou Xiaoying quickly looked away, not daring to stare. She didn’t even know why she was scared; it was pure instinct.

Chu Susu said no more, just squeezing through the crowd, politely saying “excuse me” now and then. Soon, she drew closer to Han Xuan.

The people surrounding Han Xuan hadn’t left. Instead, they crossed their arms, eyeing her mockingly.

They were young women dressed flashily with exquisite makeup, like proud birds of prey, disdainfully staring at the ugly duckling in the middle.

“Some people sure have guts.”

One flipped her hair, rolling her eyes dramatically, her voice shrill with sarcasm.

“To show up so brazenly on a day like this—hilarious. If I were her, I wouldn’t dare be so flashy, or else if Yaoyao gets unhappy, her fate’s sealed.”

“Exactly.”

Her little sisters chimed in. Seeing Han Xuan remain unmoved, they named her directly. “Han Xuan, everyone’s come in groups. You in that outfit, standing there all alone—doing it on purpose to embarrass Yaoyao today?”

“I see Yaoyao’s usually nice to you, and this is how you repay it? Smashing the scene? Tsk, what an ungrateful wolf.”

The business folks with agendas had rushed off to network. Only young men and women remained here—either Han Yao’s friends or those tagging along with family.

These people spoke so viciously, without regard for volume, clearly intending to humiliate Han Xuan.

“Black skirt, black shoes—so ominous.” They didn’t hide their disgust, scanning her up and down. “Are you a ragpicker or what?”

“Or just something that can’t see the light of day.”

They mocked endlessly, but Han Xuan said nothing. Even under such humiliation, she showed no embarrassment, letting them carry on.

Suddenly, a clear voice cut through their chatter. “Han Xuan.”

Chu Susu slightly hiked her skirt hem, too focused to care about the few neat strands of hair falling by her ear. Finally ducking through the crowd, she arrived before Han Xuan.

“Why are you here?” She covered the distance at top speed, her breathing slightly unsteady. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

This person? Looking for Han Xuan?

The girls thought they’d misheard, exchanging incredulous looks. “Ha?”

Chu Susu took Han Xuan’s wrist without a glance at them, smiling faintly. “Let’s go.”

“Wait.” One blocked her path with a frown, finding the face before her unfamiliar. Never seen her before. “Who are you?”

Blocked, Chu Susu glanced coolly at her, tone icy. “None of your business.”

The girl gave a fake smile toward Han Xuan behind her. “Oh, got a friend shielding you now?”

Chu Susu wasted no words, shoving her aside and leaving.

Caught off guard, the girl stumbled sideways, nearly yelping out before her companion steadied her.

“Fuck.” She cursed under her breath. “This person’s nuts. Who the hell is this chick…”

Before she finished, Han Xuan suddenly turned back, glancing indifferently at them.

Her eyes shimmered with flowing light, like rippling water.

In an instant, the companions holding her toppled one after another like dominoes. This time, they couldn’t hold back, shrieking loudly.

“Ah!”

“Shit!”

They piled in a heap, heels flung who-knows-where—one even dangling from the chandelier, heaven knows how.

They became the center of attention instantly. Unable to bear the silent humiliation, they turned on each other. “Why’d you push me?”

“I didn’t! You fell on me!”

Whatever happened behind, Han Xuan had already withdrawn her gaze, silently following Chu Susu forward.

“Where are you taking me?” Only after leaving the hall did she ask.

“…I don’t know.” Chu Susu murmured lowly, without turning back.

Her mind was a mess. She just wanted a place away from the crowd to talk properly with Han Xuan.

“Want to come with me?” Han Xuan said. “I know a lounge. No one’s there.”

“Okay.”

It was called a lounge, but a “Guests Not Allowed” sign hung on the door.

Chu Susu hesitated at the entrance, but before she could ask if they could enter, Han Xuan pushed the door open, gesturing her in.

As she’d said, it was fully equipped for rest. A whole leather sofa section, a coffee table stuffed with snacks and drinks, and further in, even a soft bed.

“Come sit.”

Now Han Xuan led Chu Susu to the brand-new, pristine white bed without a single wrinkle, sitting down on it.

The lighting here was dim yellow, casting on Han Xuan’s butterfly-wing lashes and her crimson lips. “What do you want to say to me?”

The question was simple, but minutes passed with only silence hanging in the air.

Chu Susu was lost in thought, biting her lip hard before asking in a dazed tone:

“Those people bullying you earlier—was it because of Han Yao?”

“Probably.” Han Xuan’s tone was nonchalant, blinking.

“She… is your sister?”

Han Xuan’s expression didn’t change as she admitted candidly, “So you found out. Makes sense—most people here have probably heard.”

Watching Chu Susu’s fluctuating expression, she smiled indifferently. “Those young masters and misses all have family situations like this, so they hate illegitimate daughters like me the most.”

Indeed, seeing Han Xuan probably reminded them of their own circumstances, prompting the insults.

Chu Susu’s lips parted. “I used to think you were Han Yao’s…”

Lover.

But those words wouldn’t come out, lingering at her lips for ages.

Han Xuan listened attentively, showing no impatience whether she paused or continued.

“What?” She widened her eyes curiously. “Have you seen me with Han Yao before?”

Chu Susu, usually silver-tongued with clients, was now mute-like, feeling blocked inside. It took great effort: “…I received some photos.”

It took her ages to recount the whole story.

“Ah.”

Han Xuan kept her smile, but the emotion in her eyes visibly shifted.

She murmured softly, “So during that time, you misunderstood me as lying and became distant.”

Words were always lethal weapons. Facing such gentle and soft accusation, Chu Susu had no way to refute it.

“Yes.” She said slowly, “Sorry, I should apologize to you.”

Han Xuan let out a quiet sigh, suddenly lifting her hand. Her fingertip smoothed Chu Susu’s messy hair behind her ear. “No need to apologize, Susu. I’m not angry.”

Even after completing the motion, her hand didn’t stop. It trailed directly over her neck, leaving a faint tingling sensation.

“But I want to know.” Her lips parted in a charming smile. “Why did you subconsciously think I was lying?”

“…It’s my problem. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions about the facts. No matter what happens, I should confirm it with you.”

Han Xuan cut straight to the point. “No, it’s because you subconsciously don’t trust others.”

“But why?”

In this moment, she boldly leaned in closer, forcing Chu Susu to meet her gaze directly. There was a hint of resentment mixed with grievance as she said softly, “I’ve told you all my secrets.”

Her eyes were like stars and the moon, her gaze flowing captivatingly, drawing people into their depths.

“Tell me, what happened in the past to make you distrust others so much?”