Looking Unaffected by Memory Loss

“Third Brother?”

Pan Baohua watched reluctantly, “Leaving already? Well, let them fight.”

Xia Xiaolan had no idea why Fenn would punch Harold.

Harold wasn’t one to take things lying down – how could he just stand there and be hit? The two men exchanged punches and kicks on the staircase, creating a dangerous scene that caused guests at the ball to cry out in alarm.

Many people were running this way – Harold’s bodyguards and Fenn’s followers.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Pan Baohua protected Xia Xiaolan as they headed upstairs.

A middle-aged woman watched the fight on the stairs with an angry expression:

“Fenn!”

The woman wore light makeup and dressed modestly, yet carried herself with more grace than the wealthy ladies adorned in fancy dresses and jewels.

Born in 1940 and now 46 years old, she looked at least seven or eight years younger than her actual age. While not stunningly beautiful, she had an approachable appearance.

This kind of woman wasn’t striking, her features weren’t aggressive, but her facial features were pleasant and very easy on the eyes.

She was none other than Xu Zhongyi’s ex-wife, Grandmother Yu’s former daughter-in-law, and current City Councilor’s wife – Cui Yiru!

“Mrs. Zhang, hello!”

Xia Xiaolan darted in front of Cui Yiru.

She frowned at Xia Xiaolan, “I don’t know you. Who are you?”

The two bodyguards beside her moved to step forward, but Pan Baohua pressed down on their shoulders: “I advise everyone to stay calm. Let’s avoid using force if possible – I’ve always been a peace-loving person. We just want to have a word with your counselor’s wife. Is her security detail even grander than the First Lady’s?”

Cui Yiru felt uncomfortable at Pan Baohua’s jab.

She certainly couldn’t compare to the First Lady.

Even the First Lady had to appear approachable in public, otherwise how would she help gather votes?

“It’s fine, let her approach. I want to hear what she has to say.”

Cui Yiru had been staying in the small hall upstairs and hadn’t gone down to join the ball yet. Despite her son fighting with Harold on the stairs, she quickly composed herself and sat back down in the small hall.

“Go ahead, tell me who you are and what business you have with me.”

Xia Xiaolan smiled, “I’m very sorry to disturb you. I don’t know if you’ve heard my name before, but let me introduce myself – I’m Xia Xiaolan, from China, specifically Yunan Province. You remember Yunan, don’t you, Madam?”

Cui Yiru’s eyebrows trembled slightly.

“I know of you. Tina mentioned you. She was supposed to come to the ball today but didn’t. However, she never mentioned you were from Yunan.”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t care why Tina hadn’t come to the ball. She only wanted to know what Cui Yiru was thinking: “I wonder if Madam ever thinks about Yunan? It’s been 20 years since you left Yunan for America. Many things have changed in these 20 years.”

Xia Xiaolan handed Cui Yiru the reprinted family photo.

“I originally wanted to take things slowly, to probe gently, but when I think about how an elderly person has been waiting for 20 years, I feel that every minute spent testing the waters is wasting her life… Regardless of what happened in the past, I think you owe her an explanation.”

What Xia Xiaolan gave to Cui Yiru was the family photo provided by Grandmother Yu.

Compared to Cui Yiru’s current family photos, the photography technology back then wasn’t as good.

But Xia Xiaolan figured that unless Cui Yiru had amnesia, she should recognize this photo.

Among all the possibilities Xia Xiaolan had considered, she hadn’t expected Cui Yiru to react so strongly. Looking at the photo, she burst into tears: “This… this is… Where did you get this photo? Why do you have it?”

Cui Yiru grabbed Xia Xiaolan’s hand.

Her fingers were slender, her skin even more delicate than the young Xia Xiaolan’s.

Even holding hands with such a woman was pleasurable.

But her grip was surprisingly strong, inconsistent with Cui Yiru’s elegant demeanor.

Xia Xiaolan struggled to break free, “It’s not strange that I have this photo. What’s strange is your reaction – I thought you would deny everything!”

Cui Yiru was emotionally agitated:

“Why would I deny it? This is… Who exactly are you? What’s your purpose?”

Did Cui Yiru know nothing?

Xia Xiaolan tried to find any trace of deception in her expression.

But with her reddened eyes and tears at the corners, Cui Yiru showed no signs of acting.

Could it be that Cui Yiru had been kept in the dark all these years?

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t that naive.

She didn’t quite believe Cui Yiru.

“Thump, thump, thump-“

Someone quickly came upstairs to the small hall – it was Fenn with a bruised face.

Fenn’s eye corner was swollen, presumably from Harold’s punch. It wasn’t clear who had won the fight.

Mrs. Wilson followed Fenn upstairs.

Cui Yiru put away the photo and wiped her eyes.

“My friend, I’m so sorry!”

Mrs. Wilson knew why Fenn had fought with Harold. Tonight’s ball had its atmosphere ruined – many guests were whispering among themselves. Mrs. Wilson had just calmed the guests’ emotions and came up to apologize to Cui Yiru.

She hadn’t expected to find Xia Xiaolan here.

Mrs. Wilson suppressed her unease, “Regarding Harold-“

“Cynthia, my friend, this isn’t your fault. You can’t be responsible for others’ actions. I saw it myself – Fenn struck first. I should be the one apologizing. Fenn ruined your carefully planned ball.”

With Mrs. Wilson present, they couldn’t continue their previous conversation.

Xia Xiaolan also knew it was inappropriate and didn’t press further. She had confirmed that Cui Yiru hadn’t experienced any dramatic memory loss, so there was no rush.

“I won’t disturb you two ladies any further.”

Cui Yiru opened her mouth to stop Xia Xiaolan, but she had already headed downstairs with Pan Baohua.

Fenn moved to follow, “What did you say to my mother to make her cry?”

Xia Xiaolan looked at him with innocent eyes:

“Haven’t you considered? Your mother might be crying because she sees her adult son, despite his gentlemanly appearance, acting impulsively and childishly. That’s enough to bring anyone to tears.”

“…!”

Pan Baohua struggled to contain himself – if he hadn’t held back, he would have burst out laughing.

After delivering her retort, Xia Xiaolan ignored Fenn’s sour expression and went downstairs.

Fenn’s eye was swollen, and Harold wasn’t much better off – his lip was split and his carefully styled hair was disheveled.

Harold approached her.

Xia Xiaolan recoiled, “Please, I don’t want to become the center of attention for all the guests. They might think your beating has something to do with me. Harold, it was one thing to let the GMP people misunderstand – I even benefited from that incident. But this time is different. I don’t want to become the subject of gossip among Upper East Side’s wealthy again.”

Harold touched his split lip and laughed in exasperation, giving Xia Xiaolan a thumbs up.

“You’re something!”

A woman who could change her attitude so completely – Harold was truly eye-opened.

Who was he dancing with earlier?

Was it Xia Xiaolan?

Now thinking back, it all seemed so unreal, as if everything had been his imagination.