Chapter 198: Who? (2/6)

Liu Xie walked into the banquet hall just like that. In front of all the guests, she looked straight at her father on the high platform.

Liu Xie, who had been acting her part perfectly at home, had been struck by a sudden whim. ‘She could definitely help Liu Anran. Wouldn’t her presence at this venue make everything feel more authentic?’ She would be the one to perfect this play.

She spoke up, her voice loud and clear, “Why are you making Liu Anran leave our family?”

Mr. Liu glanced at Liu Xie at the entrance. For a fleeting moment, a trace of panic flickered across his face, but it was suppressed a second later. He didn’t even know how to face her, let alone how to answer. So, he turned his head and looked at Liu Anran.

It was obvious that Liu Anran hadn’t expected this situation either. His eyes were filled with shock and a hint of helplessness. Then, Liu Anran met Mr. Liu’s gaze, his eyes narrowing as if in silent interrogation.

After all, the two of them had just discussed the issue regarding Liu Xie. They had guaranteed she wouldn’t come here and wouldn’t interfere with Liu Anran’s plan. But now, Liu Xie had arrived, turning the entire situation into a chaotic mess.

Faced with the questioning gazes of both children, Mr. Liu couldn’t help but shift his eyes toward the crystal chandelier on the ceiling. Then, he looked toward the entrance at Mrs. Liu, who was rushing in behind Liu Xie.

Finally, he had someone he could hold accountable. He shot a distant, accusing look at his wife. Like passing a ball, he finally shifted the blame onto her. Now, it was Mrs. Liu’s turn to stare at the ceiling.

However, because of Mr. Liu’s glance, Liu Xie immediately spotted Liu Anran’s position in the crowd. It was one of the few empty spaces amidst the throng of people. She rushed forward, heedless of the guests as she pushed through the crowd blocking her path.

Seeing Liu Xie running toward him, Liu Anran instinctively took two steps back, wanting to leave, yet his feet wouldn’t move. In this situation, running away would be unseemly. So, he stood his ground until that bright, golden sun threw herself into his arms.

“Why? Why do you have to leave?” Liu Xie demanded the moment she reached him.

Yet, her tone was as soft as spring rain, like the mournful mist of a southern river town, or a lingering haze before the moon. It was an interrogation, but coming from her, it sounded like self-reproach — as if the person in the wrong wasn’t Liu Anran, but herself.

“This is the decision I’ve made,” Liu Anran said.

He could clearly feel her arms tightening around his waist. She held him in a desperate embrace, as if terrified that he would vanish the moment she let go.

“Do you hate me that much?” Liu Xie asked. “If you stay, I’ll do anything.”

Liu Anran’s movements froze. The responses he had been rehearsing in his mind vanished instantly. Because of her acting, he almost failed to hold back a smile.

“What is so good about them that you would give up on me, on our family?” Her voice carried the tone of a desperate plea. “If you hate me, I can stay away from you. If you can’t let go of that company, I’ll tell Dad to give you another one. Why? Why do you have to go…?”

“This is about returning to my roots…”

“To hell with returning to your roots! They abandoned you, so you owe them nothing. I picked you up, so your life is mine.” Liu Xie looked up. “I’m not asking for anything else now. I’m just asking… can you please not leave?”

“I was wrong. I know I was wrong. Can you please not go?” She adopted a posture of total contrition. Her slender body trembled slightly.

Yet, she hadn’t done anything wrong.

Liu Anran didn’t even dare to wrap his arms around her, but he could still feel her terror. He gritted his teeth. He had underestimated one thing. He had miscalculated his feelings for Liu Xie, and he had miscalculated her feelings for him. He had naively thought he could manage her and that she would wait quietly until he finished cleaning everything up.

“I know you must be hurting right now. You must feel so wronged. But it’s okay, I’m here. Let’s just go home, okay?” Her tone was still filled with infinite doting and tenderness. “Just like before. I’ll take you home. Don’t worry about what Mom and Dad say. As long as we’re together, it’s fine.”

A flash of pity crossed Liu Anran’s eyes, but he bit his lip and remained silent. He gritted his teeth and squeezed out a single sentence in a volume only the two of them could hear, “You’re addicted to the acting, aren’t you?”

But Liu Xie ignored him, continuing her performance. “I only want you, Liu Anran. That little home we shared… I can’t live there alone. It’s really cold in there.”

Liu Xie’s final words were like a needle, pinning Liu Anran firmly in place. It wasn’t just acting; there seemed to be genuine emotion mixed in. Currently, the most Liu Anran could do was keep his mouth shut. However, he could see the shimmering tears in the corners of her eyes.

The girl was waiting for his answer.

But Liu Xie wouldn’t force him to choose. Just like back then in the trash heap, she had reached out her hand to him — but she had only reached out. she hadn’t pulled him out of the filth; she had merely thrown him a vine called hope. Now, she was doing the same, but what she craved was for Liu Anran to give hope back to her through that same vine.

“If I may be so bold, Miss Liu, you should stop wasting your time on someone like this.”

A voice drifted over from the side, causing both Liu Xie and Liu Anran to turn their heads. It was a guy with a punchable face. Liu Xie recognized him as the one who had harassed the bird at her school opening banquet.

“He’s been kicked out of the Liu family now, which means his relationship with them has hit rock bottom. Never mind his future development; without their support, it’s a question if that company of his can even stay afloat.” A mocking smile played across his face.

“What does this have to do with you?” Liu Xie frowned.

“I just can’t stand seeing someone with no ability stir up trouble, only to be forgiven once their true colors are revealed,” the man said. “It was just a stroke of luck that the truth came out and exposed this guy for what he is.”

Liu Xie’s expression turned ice-cold. “Watch your mouth.”

“I’m just stating facts. The Liu family won’t move against me. They just announced the severance of ties. At a time like this, the Liu family should ignore anything I do. In fact, they might even thank me for helping them clarify their stance. So, I have nothing against you, Miss Liu. I’m only targeting the drowning dog next to you.”

Liu Xie seemed ready to say more, but Liu Anran covered her mouth. He turned around, his cold eyes staring at the arrogant man in front of him.

“So, you’re the one who did all this?”