The Obsessive Tycoon Claims the Deserted Heiress-Chapter 61 - 060: Go to the Banquet

"I won't." Yu Xinman was magnanimous: "No matter what, she's my sister. I won't hold it against her."

"Are you sure you want to bring her back?" Baisong confirmed with her once again.

"Yes." Yu Xinman pouted, starting to act coy: "Dad, just make the call for her, please."

Baisong had no choice but to unlock his phone and dial the number he had never once called before.

The moment the call was answered, Yu Xinman's round eyes flickered with a shadow of gloom.

Thinking of the "gift" she had meticulously prepared for Yu Zhi upstairs, a faint impatience bubbled within her.

The night fell deep.

One vehicle after another gradually parked outside Yu Family's residence. The arriving guests, paired together, stepped onto the prepared red carpet and slowly made their way into the grand hall.

Baisong stood at the door with Yuan Li at his side, warmly and familiarly greeting the guests, their laughter wafting across the entire villa.

Yu Zhi glanced unceremoniously at the cars near the entrance, hands stuffed in her coat pockets, her posture casual as she approached the two not far away.

Yuan Li was the first to spot her. She quickly moved forward, her tone brimming with affection: "Little Zhi, you're finally here. Xinman has been waiting for you for ages."

Yu Zhi gave an indifferent response, not stopping, directly brushing past her side.

"What's with this..." Baisong frowned, scrutinizing her with a glance, visibly displeased with her simple attire.

With outsiders around, he kept his words subtle: "How could you stay out for so long? Go upstairs and change; I've prepared some clothes for you."

"No need, I'm fine like this." She had merely come to watch the scene; there was no need for such a fuss.

Baisong hesitated to say more, but ultimately held his tongue. Still, his face carried traces of displeasure.

He waved at Uncle Fang behind him, signaling him to find Yu Zhi a place to rest.

Inside the hall, glasses clinked and chatter mingled. The faint aroma of wine interwove with the scent of scattered roses, intoxicatingly pleasant.

A pink layered cake, roughly a meter tall, occupied the center of the long table. Surrounding it were fruit snacks, red wine, champagne, and other refreshments.

In addition, paintings and porcelain were arranged around the hall for people to admire.

Yu Zhi sat in a dimly lit corner, casually kicking away the balloon by her feet, her cold gaze surveying the surroundings. It was as if none of it held the slightest connection to her.

The sofa beside her suddenly sank in a spot. As Yu Zhi turned her head, she met a pair of innocent round eyes.

"Sister, when did you arrive? Why didn't you let me know?" Yu Xinman tucked her hair behind her ear, deliberately revealing the necklace on her neck.

But to Yu Zhi, this gesture made her look nothing more than a petty clown.

She shot her a glance without any extra emotion on her face: "Doesn't it tire you out pretending?"

Yu Xinman's smile froze. She dusted off the hem of her dress, crossed her arms, and let her tone cool: "Sister, there's no need to be so unpleasant."

"What's interesting or not isn't up to you," Yu Zhi replied, lazily leaning back against the sofa, her demeanor entirely dismissive of her.

The tension in the atmosphere sharpened immediately. Just as Yu Xinman was about to retaliate, something flitted across her mind, forcing her to swallow her anger.

She leaned closer to Yu Zhi and whispered in a voice only they could hear: "I need to ask you something. Shall we step outside?"

"No." Yu Zhi refused without hesitation.

Even being with her in the same space was bothersome enough; she had no interest in watching her act.

Yu Xinman baited her: "What's wrong? Afraid?" Her words were laced with blatant provocation, stripping away all traces of her usual facade.

Yu Zhi scoffed lightly, unfazed.

Her sharp gaze locked onto Yu Xinman: "What game are you playing this time?"

Yu Xinman felt a pang of intimidation under her eyes, forcing herself to remain composed, feigning sincerity: "Am I really that despicable in your mind?"

To avoid Yu Zhi rejecting her again, she added: "We're family, after all. Can't you grant me even a sliver of trust?"

Yu Zhi smiled. When she smiled, the cold chill around her dissipated, and it was as if flowers bloomed in full glory, mesmerizing anyone who saw her.

She rose leisurely and cast a glance at Yu Xinman: "Aren't you leaving?"

Yu Xinman hid the jealousy beneath her gaze and lowered her head slightly, quickening her steps to follow.

Just as they were about to exit the room, Zhou Lu and He Zhenzhen intercepted their path up front.

Zhou Lu stared at Yu Zhi with hostility: "Where are you taking Xinman?"

Ever since she was humiliated by Yu Zhi in the classroom, Zhou Lu had harbored deep resentment against her.

While earlier she'd only wanted to support Yu Xinman to vent, now she truly wished nothing but misery for Yu Zhi—death or worse.

"Move." Yu Zhi didn't even spare her a glance, her tone brimming with defiance.

Zhou Lu seemed determined to provoke her. Not only did she refuse to back down, she stepped forward: "I won't. What can you do to me?"

"Lu Lu, don't act this way..." Yu Xinman clutched Zhou Lu's wrist, her face anxious, but deep down, Zhou Lu's intrusion irritated her to no end.

Zhou Lu patted her hand lightly and offered her a reassuring smile: "Don't worry."

The exaggerated display of "sisterly affection" made Yu Zhi arch her brow slightly as she rubbed her fingertips: "You really haven't learned your lesson."

Zhou Lu glanced at the lively Baisong chatting nearby, her tone increasingly insolent: "Why don't you hit me? I dare you."

She assumed Yu Zhi wouldn't cause a scene during this occasion for fear of jeopardizing her standing with Baisong and her chances with the Yu Family.

"Since you're so eager," Yu Zhi flexed her wrists, formed her fingers into a tight fist, and was about to aim a punch at her face.

"Sister!" Yu Xinman instantly stepped between Zhou Lu and her, her voice trembling: "It's Lu Lu's fault. I apologize on her behalf... Could you not take it out on her?"

With a pitiful expression and imploring gaze, she hoped to prevent Yu Zhi from acting impulsively.

"Xinman, why are you lowering yourself like this?!" Zhou Lu snapped in frustration, pointing at Yu Zhi: "She's the one who should be apologizing!"

"Shut up!" Yu Xinman couldn't hold back and shouted at her.

The air froze for a moment.

Zhou Lu stared at her in disbelief, same as He Zhenzhen, stunned by the unexpected outburst.

Despite knowing her for years, they had never seen this side of Yu Xinman, so unlike her usual graceful self.

"Lu Lu... I..." Yu Xinman bit her lower lip, guilt-ridden: "I'm sorry. I was too anxious earlier. Don't be mad..."

Her slightly reddened eyes and cautious demeanor softened Zhou Lu's heart instantly.

She shook her head: "It's fine, I don't blame you." Although her lips said so, a faint sense of unease lingered deep within her, its source elusive.