Chapter 64: Bringing Humiliation Upon Oneself

What I hadn’t expected was for Han Lingxue to suddenly stand up, hurl her drink straight at Jin Baoqiang’s face, and shout angrily, “What nonsense are you spouting? None of that ever happened. I don’t remember, and I don’t even know him.”

Jin Baoqiang, startled as the drink drenched his face, stammered in explanation, “Lingxue, how can you forget? It was me who stopped that guy from trying to assault you back then…”

He thought his past actions would earn him Lingxue’s understanding, and that she would listen. But to his surprise, Lingxue slapped him hard with a loud smack and said, “I think you’re drunk. Let me give you a slap to sober you up.”

Jin Baoqiang was caught completely off guard. Holding his cheek in shock, he couldn’t understand why Lingxue was furious, lashing out at him.

Perhaps Lingxue’s slap awakened Ayun as well; she lunged forward, giving Jin Baoqiang two slaps in quick succession and cursed, “Are you blind? How dare you insult my boyfriend like that! Do you think I’m so easy to bully?”

Now I understood: for the sake of her reputation, Ayun would never admit I was an ex-convict. Of course, it was only Jin Baoqiang’s word against mine—everyone else, including Ayun, was still uncertain.

Jin Baoqiang, slapped repeatedly by both Lingxue and Ayun, was bewildered. Had he really mistaken someone else for me?

The others were already skeptical. After all, someone with Ayun’s status would hardly date an ex-convict released from prison. Besides, Ayun had openly claimed her boyfriend graduated from Qianjiang University. If he hadn’t, she’d never have considered him. So, everyone assumed Jin Baoqiang was drunk, seeing things and talking nonsense.

Ayun, furious, turned to Young Master Chu and said, “I came to your party out of respect, but I never expected you to let this guy humiliate me on purpose.” Grabbing my arm, she said, “Let’s go, Afeng. No need to take any more insults from him.”

Fang Nana hurriedly tried to stop Ayun, saying, “Don’t be angry, Ayun. He’s obviously drunk and mistook you for someone else. I’ll make him apologize.” She kicked Jin Baoqiang and snapped, “Apologize to Ayun, now.”

Jin Baoqiang was reluctant, but Young Master Chu barked at him, “You idiot! You’ve ruined a perfectly good evening. Get on your knees and apologize to Ayun, or get out and don’t ever come back—I won’t be your friend anymore.”

Jin Baoqiang hurriedly said to Ayun, “Ayun, I’m sorry. I mistook you for someone else just now. Please forgive me.”

Ayun replied coldly, “You insulted my boyfriend and damaged his reputation. Is a simple ‘sorry’ supposed to fix that?”

Jin Baoqiang, at a loss, asked, “Then what do you want?” Mina interjected, “Didn’t Young Master Chu say you should kneel and apologize? If you don’t want to, then get lost.” Mina didn’t know Jin Baoqiang, so she had no sympathy for him and naturally sided with Ayun.

Jin Baoqiang stood before Ayun, torn. Kneeling in front of everyone was humiliating. Seeing his hesitation, Young Master Chu kicked him at the joints, forcing him to kneel before Ayun, his face full of embarrassment.

Young Master Chu grinned and said, “Ayun, are you satisfied now?” Ayun sneered, “I don’t care, but my boyfriend was humiliated. What do you think should be done?”

At that moment, I realized Ayun was not as gentle and easy-going as she appeared; her methods were shrewd. After Jin Baoqiang kneeled and apologized to her, she claimed she was indifferent, yet insisted he apologize to her boyfriend.

Jin Baoqiang looked at me, unwilling, for he could see in my eyes that he hadn’t mistaken me for someone else. But given the circumstances, he had to swallow his pride—just as he had back then, when he tried to assault the drunken Han Lingxue and made me take the blame.

Ayun said, “If you’re unwilling, forget it. My boyfriend doesn’t need your apology. Afeng, let’s go.”

I’d been wanting to leave with Ayun. As we departed, I splashed my drink in Jin Baoqiang’s face and cursed, “Blind fool! How dare you insult someone?”

Seeing me take advantage and act smug, Jin Baoqiang couldn’t restrain himself and lunged at me, shouting, “Li Shuifeng, even if you turn to ashes, I’ll never mistake you for someone else!”

To be honest, I could barely contain my anger. If Jin Baoqiang weren’t Jin Yulian’s brother, I’d have had half a mind to kill him.

In a fight, one-on-one, Jin Baoqiang was no match for me. After all, I’d spent over two years inside and had mixed with the rough crowd.

I acted decisively, landing a kick right in Jin Baoqiang’s abdomen. With a crash, he toppled to the ground, knocking over several plates as he fell.

Young Master Chu had spent a lot of money and carefully planned this party, only to see it ruined. He strode over and kicked Jin Baoqiang twice, cursing, “You idiot! You ruined everything!”

Young Master Qian, playing peacemaker, stopped Young Master Chu, saying, “It’s all just a misunderstanding—don’t be angry.” Fang Nana tried to persuade Ayun to stay, but Ayun pushed her away, taking me with her as she left.

I was elated, thinking Jin Baoqiang had finally gotten what he deserved. Yet I was puzzled: Ayun, for her pride, had to defend me, but why had Lingxue reacted so fiercely to Jin Baoqiang?

Mina and Wu Lanlan also came out to persuade us, but we didn’t look back as we left.

We had originally come in Mina’s boyfriend’s car, but since he was still inside, Mina accompanied us outside, said a few words, then went back in.

We walked to the entrance of the hotel, preparing to take a taxi. Ayun looked at me with a complex gaze and asked, “Did that guy really know you?”

I knew Ayun was suspicious about Jin Baoqiang’s words. But in front of others, she would defend me no matter what; now, if I admitted knowing Jin Baoqiang, it would be tantamount to confirming everything he’d said.

Actually, I wouldn’t have cared before, but after spending time with Ayun, I was reluctant to let her go. Women hope for men who can protect them, and men, too, desire unwavering support from their women. If she knew I was an ex-convict, she would surely leave me without hesitation.

I hesitated, biting my lip. Seeing my expression, Ayun was resolute: “Look me in the eyes and tell me—do you know that man?”

I lowered my head in silence, which was as good as admitting. Ayun was heartbroken, crying, “You bastard!” Suddenly she slapped me, then covered her face and ran off.

I wanted to chase her and explain, but after a few steps, I stopped. A Rolls-Royce had pulled up in front of Ayun; she jumped in and left.

I shook my head. Ah! If she’s not meant for you, don’t fantasize. That only brings pain and trouble. Meeting Ayun was nothing but a dream.

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