Chapter 368: Do you think you’re capable with just that?

Yan Mother, at her wits’ end with her headstrong daughter, sent another WeChat message to Yan Shixiu, “Shi Xiu, you must remember to come to your sister’s cocktail party tonight, don’t forget.”

After a while, Yan Mother sent another WeChat message: “Shi Xiu, I’ve sent you the address for the cocktail party again.”

Seeing Yan Shixiu’s mobile phone continually flashing, Xun Yinghua handed him the phone and said, “Your aunt has sent you quite a few messages.”

Yan Shixiu took the phone, unlocked it, glanced at it, and then immediately turned on silent mode.

By this time, it was already half past five in the afternoon, and Shi Lan, along with Xiao Yue, were already on their way to the cocktail party. But Shi Lan knew that today the Yan Family would be ceaselessly harassing Yan Shixiu. Before they had that day’s conversation about his family, she had been afraid that Yan Shixiu would be hurt by his increasingly troublesome family. However that evening, Yan Shixiu had told her, asking her to believe in him.

So she decided to let go of the heartache that pricked her like needles, and let Uncle Yan break free from his family’s cage by himself.

“When we get to the cocktail party later, Yan Ziqing on that side will surely heap a lot of humiliation on you. At that time, I’ll protect you based on the situation.”

Shi Lan gave Xiao Yue a light and indifferent glance, as if her look was asking, “Do I need your protection?”

Xiao Yue straightened his tie and said, “Alright, I overestimated myself.”

Shi Lan let out a soft snort, at that moment pondering Yan Shixiu’s thoughts as well.

If she were in his shoes, enjoying the desperate Yan Family, with both Shuangshi and Huahai’s firepower gathered against them that evening, she would consider the incessant urging WeChat messages and the deadly phone calls from the Yan Family as a form of enjoyment.

In fact, for Yan Shixiu, that was indeed the case.

Soon after, Binbin’s call came through to Xiao Yue’s phone, asking, “Brother Yue, where are you? Why haven’t you come to pick me up?”

Xiao Yue looked at Shi Lan beside him and replied, “Since it’s a company event, you should go on your own. Miss Yan has asked me to keep an eye on An Lan tonight, so I cannot afford any slip-ups.”

Xiao Yue’s reason was extremely valid.

“Doesn’t that mean you’ll have to follow her around all evening?”

“Miss Yan is worried she’ll cause trouble.”

“Let her cause trouble then, wouldn’t that be more embarrassing?” Binbin said somewhat angrily, “You’re my broker.”

“Be sensible for once, that will make you more likable to Miss Yan. If you are willful in this kind of situation and Miss Yan finds out, be careful of inviting trouble upon yourself.”

After hearing this, Binbin was finally intimidated and said, “Alright then.”

Shi Lan was listening to Xiao Yue’s phone call all the while, her eyebrows raised as she said, “You certainly know how to give people the runaround.”

“What else can I do? She won’t listen to reason and refuses to repent, so I just flatter her and call it good.”

In this respect, Xiao Yue was more like her.

Since tonight was the Yan Ziqing family’s time to shine, Shi Lan naturally could not steal the spotlight, so she didn’t dress up too extravagantly for the evening.

She only wore a white bubble-sleeve chiffon dress, her hair styled in loose waves with a side-swept fringe, complemented by a soft and comfortable-looking makeup.

No matter how strong the aura of authority she exuded, An Lan’s youthful appearance was undeniable, making her seem very easy to deceive when she was calm.

Only Xiao Yue knew the kind of background and capabilities possessed by the powerhouse at his side.

…

The superstar’s cocktail party was extremely grand, having booked the entire international luxury hotel in Yancheng.

Watching one luxury car after another enter the hotel’s grand entrance, the faces of those with privileged identities also appeared very familiar in front of Shi Lan.

“Famous actors, renowned directors, heads of other companies, and business partners, indeed many have come,” Xiao Yue remarked from inside the car after observing for a while.

But their presence was not for Yan Ziqing, but for Yan Shixiu.

Unfortunately, the great President Yan would not be showing up tonight at all.

Shi Lan had intended to stay in the car for a while to have a moment of peace.

However, at that moment, Binbin, dressed in a black one-shoulder gown and looking mature, knocked on the car window because she recognized Xiao Yue’s car.

When Xiao Yue rolled down the window, Binbin gave Shi Lan a disdainful smile and asked, “You’re at the door, why don’t you dare to go in? What’s wrong? Scared?”

“Yes, I’m scared,” Shi Lan admitted generously.

“With a background like yours, coming to a place filled with stars, it’s natural to be scared. If I were you, I’d find a broken restroom, lock myself in, and avoid showing my face to save myself the embarrassment.”

“That’s true, but at least I have some exposure. As for you, going in… others might mistake you for a waitress.”

Having no advantage in the verbal exchange, Binbin left in a huff, saying, “Just you wait.”

“Let’s get out of the car,” Xiao Yue said to Shi Lan.

Since they were discovered, it indeed wasn’t appropriate to keep sitting in the car.

When it comes to the King’s artists, the most controversial figure right now is undoubtedly Miss Shi Lan.

So, when she walked the red carpet, media couldn’t help but snap a few more pictures of her.

Everyone thought that she wouldn’t be involved in the King’s events anymore, but unexpectedly, she still came.

Shi Lan picked up her dress and stepped into the banquet hall where many distinguished guests had already arrived, all either rich or noble.

Yan Ziqing was dressed to the nines today; she wore a one-shoulder ruffled fitted gown that accentuated her curves delicately and sexily, exuding femininity. Coupled with the sparkle of jewels and diamonds, her center stage debut today indeed seemed unproblematic, if only her face wasn’t so sharply featured.

When Shi Lan glanced at Yan Ziqing, Yan Ziqing also saw Shi Lan.

Immediately after, she gestured Han Hao to deal with this little artist who was a thorn in the eye.

This little wretch should have seen the grandeur of tonight’s event, and by opposing her, there was only a dead end.

Han Hao promptly approached with two security guards, intercepting Shi Lan with a harsh tone, “Tonight’s guests are of noble status and not someone a small-time artist like you can afford to offend. So tonight, you just sit in that corner, don’t speak, and certainly, don’t move around.”

Han Hao’s voice was loud and his approach was high-profile, making a clear statement to everyone watching that this artist, this An Lan, was nothing more than a dog in the King’s presence.

If she’s told to stand, she wouldn’t dare to sit; if she’s told to stay quietly in the corner, she must… stay in the corner.

The surrounding guests all watched Shi Lan, as quite a few among the elite enjoyed seeing such displays of elevating and lowering.

Xiao Yue initially wanted to step forward and speak for Shi Lan, but she stopped him.

She looked at Han Hao, neither servile nor overbearing, smiling as she said, “I will wait and see how Yan Ziqing ends up crying in a while.”

“Just by yourself?”

“Rather than humiliating me, you might want to have your master confirm whether Yan Shixiu will come or not, or else I’m afraid she’ll be the one with nowhere to hide.”

After speaking, Shi Lan, accompanied by Xiao Yue, walked towards a corner of the banquet hall.