Tempting Huo to Marry

Chapter 26: Tired of Living? It wasn’t an unfamiliar voice. Xia Wan turned around calmly, her clear, peach-blossom eyes glancing at the person in front of her. Xie Yixiang, Xu Jialing’s best friend. “What’s up?” Xia Wan raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a casual smile. Xie Yixiang was instantly infuriated by her lazy, indifferent attitude. “What are you doing here?!” She snorted coldly, her gaze toward Xia Wan brimming with deep contempt. Xia Wan raised her eyes coolly, her expression somewhere between a smile and a frown, and retorted, “What’s it to you?” “You!” Xia Wan couldn’t be bothered to respond; she turned away leisurely and continued browsing for a drink. Blatantly ignored, Xie Yixiang’s anger flared even more. She shot Xia Wan a look of utter disgust. The next second, she took a step forward to stand before her again, lifted her chin haughtily, and warned her viciously, “Xia Wan, let me tell you this: put those schemes of yours away. If you dare to bully Jialing again or try to break her up with Xiao Ran, I will never let you off the hook! Go ahead and try!” Upon hearing this, Xia Wan paused in her movements, a cold laugh welling up inside her. Hadn’t she forgotten that she herself had once tried to drive a wedge between her and Xiao Ran? A cold expression spread across her lips as she sneered, showing not the slightest regard for her: “With you?” Faced with such blatant contempt, Xie Yixiang was livid, her chest heaving violently. However, catching sight of the people around her out of the corner of her eye, an idea struck her, and a flash of smugness immediately crossed her eyes. With a cold snort, she pointed at Xia Wan and unleashed a torrent of abuse, her fury reaching its peak: “Xia Wan, have you no shame? Do you find it amusing to steal your own sister’s boyfriend? Do you really enjoy being the other woman?! How can you live with yourself after what you’ve done to Jia Ning?!” Her voice was loud enough that her outburst caused people who had been about to come over for drinks to stop in their tracks. In the next instant, gazes—some filled with contempt, others with curiosity—all turned to Xia Wan. Xie Yixiang shot Xia Wan a defiant glance. Hmph! She was determined to push Xia Wan into the spotlight and see how she’d act then! A strand of hair fell playfully across her face. Xia Wan raised her hand and, with a lazy gesture, tucked it behind her ear. Looking up, a mocking smile played at the corners of her lips: “How can you even say something so twisted?” “……” Xie Yixiang flushed, clenched her fists, and opened her mouth to retort. Xia Wan’s narrow, clear peach-blossom eyes glared coldly at her, and her crimson lips curled into a mocking smile: “Do you want me to call Xu Jialing over and have her demonstrate it right here in front of everyone—how she cried and begged for my forgiveness and my blessing the very day I returned to the country? Hmm?” Suddenly meeting that utterly cold smile in her eyes, Xie Yixiang couldn’t help but shudder! Her face flushed alternately pale and crimson in an instant. Her lips trembled, yet she couldn’t utter a single word. After a long, agonizing pause, she finally managed to force out a furious retort, her face crimson with rage: “You… you’re talking nonsense!” “Hmph.” Xia Wan snorted derisively. Xie Yixiang’s eyebrows shot up in fury: “It’s obvious you’re the one clinging to Xiao Ran!” Xia Wan lifted her gaze and caught sight of Xu Jialing and Xiao Ran approaching from not far behind her. Her thin lips curved into a lazy smile, her voice cold and laced with disdain: “He’s just someone I don’t want. Clinging to him? Are you kidding me? I’m not Miss Xie, after all.” “You… what do you mean?!” A flicker of panic crossed Xie Yixiang’s eyes. Clenching her fists, she puffed out her chest and glared at Xia Wan, feigning composure. “Don’t you dare make things up!” Xia Wan watched her, a faint, icy smile playing at the corners of his eyes. “Back then, Miss Xie, you pestered Xiao Ran time and again. Even now, that determination hasn’t waned. Are you sure I’m making this up?” Xie Yixiang’s body stiffened suddenly. Xia Wan pretended not to notice and continued with a hint of amusement: “Miss Xie, let me give you some advice. After all, you and Xu Jialing are best friends. It’s best not to set your sights on your best friend’s man.” As she finished speaking, Xu Jialing and Xiao Ran happened to walk up. Xiao Ran’s expression shifted repeatedly as he stared at Xia Wan, his gaze filled with an indescribable complexity. Xu Jialing’s eyes darkened. “Jialing! I… you…” The moment Xie Yixiang saw Xu Jialing appear beside him, he panicked instantly, stammering and unable to even look at her. “Yixiang…” Xu Jialing felt both annoyed and flustered; she wasn’t in the mood to comfort her right now. Instinctively, she turned to Xia Wan, “Wanwan…” Xia Wan gave a dismissive snort, not even bothering to look at her. Having no interest in watching their little charade any longer, she turned to leave. Xie Yixiang’s eyes turned red with rage, her mind a chaotic whirlwind. All she knew was that not only had she failed to help Jia Ning get her revenge and humiliate Xia Wan, but Xia Wan had effortlessly defused the situation with just a few words. How could she possibly swallow her pride? Furious and humiliated, she caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye. Without a second thought, she grabbed a drink from the table and threw it at Xia Wan: “Xia Wan!” “Wanwan!” “Xia Wan!” Two male voices rang out in unison. The next moment, Xia Wan was pulled into Gu Yan’s arms. And that drink landed squarely on Gu Yan! “Yan Yan?!” Seeing how disheveled he looked, Xia Wan’s expression immediately turned cold. “I’m fine.” Gu Yan shook his head at her. His temper flaring, he turned to take them on. Dare to bully his Wanwan? Are you tired of living? Xia Wan acted quickly, grabbing him by the arm. Thanks to their unspoken understanding, Gu Yan quickly caught on. With a meaningful curve of his lips, he stepped aside. Only then did Xia Wan look up, fixing his gaze squarely on the instigator, Xie Yixiang. “You… you…” Stared at by those eyes as cold as ice, Xie Yixiang’s body trembled involuntarily. For the first time, she felt that Xia Wan could be described as terrifying. But with so many people watching, her competitive spirit flared up. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to glare at Xia Wan: “Xia…” “Yixiang!” Coming to her senses, Xu Jialing furrowed her delicate brows in disapproval and interrupted her. With a quick glance, she hurriedly turned back to Xia Wan, biting her lip with a look of deep regret. “Wanwan, Yixiang acted rashly. She didn’t mean it. I’m apologizing to you on her behalf. I’m sorry. Wanwan, please forgive her this once, okay?” Her usual gentle, demure demeanor and sense of propriety made it easy for people to feel pity for her and refrain from harsh criticism. Xia Wan suddenly laughed, her eyes brimming with cold arrogance and sarcasm: “You’re apologizing for her? On what grounds? Is she a child? Can’t she take responsibility for her own mistakes? Does she need you to clean up her mess?” “Xia! Wan!” Xie Yixiang gritted her teeth, her face flushing crimson with anger once more. Xia Wan didn’t even glance at her, continuing to regard Xu Jialing with a smirk. “Wanwan…” Xu Jialing clasped her hands together helplessly, her eyes instantly filling with a mist of resignation and sorrow. Having had enough of her pitiful act, Xia Wan’s lips curled up imperceptibly. “You want me to forgive you, is that it?” Xu Jialing’s eyes lit up: “Wanwan, will you forgive me?” Xia Wan smiled faintly without speaking, finally shifting his gaze to Xie Yixiang. Xie Yixiang felt a pang of anxiety at her half-smiling expression and instinctively tried to step back: “You… what do you want?!” “I’m waiting for your apology,” Xia Wan said slowly, her cool voice sounding unusually soft and gentle at that moment. “After all, Miss Xie, you inexplicably tried to throw a drink at me—don’t you think you need to apologize?” Xie Yixiang was furious, her face clearly showing her reluctance. “Yixiang…” Xu Jialing grew impatient, frantically signaling to her with her eyes while no one was looking. Xie Yixiang was biting her lip so hard it was about to bleed. After a long moment, she took a deep breath, reluctantly turned her gaze back to Xia Wan, gave a soft snort, and said stiffly, “I’m sorry!” For someone as proud as she was, this was the absolute limit. Xia Wan curled her lips into a smirk, grabbed a drink, and flung it at Xie Yixiang! Everyone froze in shock! “Ah—” Xie Yixiang scrambled to her feet, a raging fire burning inside her. She screamed, “Xia Wan, what do you think you’re doing?!” Xia Wan smiled faintly and said calmly, “I, Xia Wan, have never had a good temper. I like to give people a taste of their own medicine. Well, now that this has happened, I’ll accept your apology.” An aura of confidence radiated from her, and coupled with her composed demeanor, the snarling Xie Yixiang looked all the more like a spoiled brat in comparison. Gu Yan walked over at just the right moment, looking down on Xie Yixiang with disdain. “Miss Xie,” she said, “please don’t forget to compensate me with an identical outfit. Everyone knows I don’t have as good a temper as Wanwan. If you don’t make amends, I can’t guarantee what I might do.” Xia Wan has a good temper?! Xie Yixiang’s chest heaved up and down; her head felt like it was about to explode! But when it came to Gu Yan, she dared not speak her mind. Everyone in this circle knew that Gu Yan was the one who protected Xia Wan the most—once the Little Tyrant’s temper flared, no one could control her! The commotion finally drew the attention of others. Xia Zhengtao rushed over upon hearing the commotion and immediately noticed the fleeting look of hurt on Xu Jialing’s face. He almost couldn’t resist slapping Xia Wan. “Zhengtao,” Jiang Manni said, grabbing him with a complex look in his eyes, “Don’t do this.” “You! He glared at Xia Wan, seething with rage. Xia Wan stared at him coldly, a mocking smile playing at the corners of her lips. Jiang Manni sighed silently, then had to speak up to break the awkward silence: “Wanwan, you’ve got a little drink on your skirt. Let me take you upstairs to the restroom to clean it up.” She paused, forced a smile, and turned to Gu Yan, “Gu Yan, come with us.” The crowd quickly dispersed. Xiao Ran stood where he was, watching Xia Wan’s retreating figure as she went upstairs, remaining motionless for a long time. After quickly cleaning her skirt, Xia Wan left the restroom. Unbeknownst to her, as soon as she stepped out, she ran into Xu Jialing, who had been waiting there. With a cold snort, she walked around her toward the stairs. “Wanwan!” Xu Jialing, her eyes slightly red, grabbed her hand and said timidly, “Don’t be mad anymore, okay?” “Angry?” Xia Wan stopped in her tracks as if she’d heard something hilarious, her thin lips curling up. “Xu Jialing, what right do you have to make me angry? Do you think too highly of yourself?” With that, she shook off Xu Jialing’s hand. Xu Jialing turned pale. “Wanwan…” She lifted the hem of her skirt and jogged to catch up, grabbing her hand tightly once more, on the verge of tears. “Yell at me, hit me if you must, but please don’t torment me like this anymore, okay? Wanwan, I’m suffering…” This time, Xia Wan actually let out a cold laugh. She stared at Xu Jialing, enunciating each word clearly: “You’re in pain—what does that have to do with me?” With that, she impatiently shook her off again. But Xu Jialing stumbled, her body lurching backward! And right behind her was the staircase! “Ah!” Important Notice: Please use our ad-free app to bypass Fei Xiao, bypass anti-piracy measures, and enjoy fast updates. Your bookmarks will sync across platforms. Follow the We Chat official account appxsyd (hold for three seconds to copy) to download the free reader!!