CHAPTER 558: SETTLING ACCOUNTS WITH THE YU FAMILY_3

Inside the private room sat a young man and a young woman, both appearing to be teenagers.

Xue Qingfang, who had just walked out, overheard these words and turned back to glance at Yu Ruohuan.

Shen You’an turned her head toward the door, her gaze sweeping past the pair, her expression unusually calm.

She looked at Liu Runxi and slightly nodded as a greeting, then lowered her head again, quietly resuming her meal.

Luo Qian remained silent, his gaze fixed on nothing, seemingly lost in his thoughts.

Yu Ruohuan pushed the door open and entered. The private room was spacious, enough to seat four more people comfortably.

"Shen, here dining with your friends, huh?"

Luo Qian frowned at Yu Ruohuan.

Shen You’an set down her chopsticks and picked up a napkin to gently wipe her mouth. "Qingfang, weren’t you heading to the restroom?"

Xue Qingfang turned back, stepping in front of Shen You’an, her gaze alert and fixed on Yu Ruohuan.

"Sister An, is she here to cause trouble for you?"

Her hostile intent was evident.

"Then sit down and eat." Shen You’an remained composed.

Xue Qingfang obediently sat down but continued staring at Yu Ruohuan like an annoyed little tiger.

Yu Ruohuan pulled out a chair and sat across from Shen You’an.

"Liu came with me today to Qingxia Mountain. The snow-covered golden summit was breathtaking."

Liu Runxi shook his head helplessly.

Shen You’an smiled faintly.

Jing Zhan frowned. "What are you smiling about?"

"Miss Yu, if you came here to discuss this with me, you’ve got it entirely wrong. Liu Runxi is free to spend time with whomever he wishes. Miss Yu, I kindly ask you to leave here and stop disrupting our dinner. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to call security." Shen You’an’s indifferent rejection provoked a flare of ire from Yu Ruohuan.

Yu Ruohuan stared intently at Shen You’an’s face, a face so dazzlingly beautiful that even glasses couldn’t diminish its allure—it instead added an air of restraint and cold, unearthly elegance.

From the moment she first met Shen You’an, she felt a discomfort deep within.

Looking back, she suspected it was a natural, inexplicable incompatibility.

She wasn’t sure why she wasted so much time feigning interest with Liu Runxi. Maybe Liu was right—she was jealous. But she would never admit it.

Would the proud and lofty "Miss Yu Ruohuan" truly envy an orphan with nothing to her name? What a laughable notion.

She was determined to get whatever she wanted, no matter what it cost her.

Like Liu Runxi.

As she interacted with him more, Yu Ruohuan found him increasingly intriguing—a rare person who stirred her desire for conquest.

Those she despised, she would spare no effort to eliminate.

Like Shen You’an.

Crushing her would be as easy as squashing an ant.

All external poise and composure were merely fragile façades, utterly unable to withstand turbulence.

Yu Ruohuan refused to stay and play the role of some jealous, embittered rival beneath overt ridicule and provocations.

She should walk away proudly, maintaining the grace and dignity befitting the Yu family’s eldest daughter.

Phoenix versus yardbird. Moon versus mire. These exist worlds apart.

"Shen You’an, farewell." She spoke with a gentle smile, appearing kind and lovely.

Farewell—signifying never to meet again.

Miss Yu stood up and departed, her back straight and proud like a peacock.

Liu Runxi frowned slightly, seemingly lost in thought.

Jing Zhan whined coquettishly, "Runxi-ge~"

Liu Runxi cast Shen You’an a final glance before turning away.

The group came swiftly and left just as suddenly.

The private room returned to its former silence.

Xue Qingfang remarked bitterly, "That woman’s got issues, huh? Completely irrational."

Luo Qian’s worried gaze landed on Shen You’an. "Sis..."

He had always been more perceptive than others. That woman’s gaze towards his sister just now was far from kind.

Shen You’an smiled, "Eat your meal; let’s not waste it."

"But Sister An, that woman..."

"She won’t cause any trouble." Her tone was gentle, carrying an undertone of reassurance.

The girl’s eyes shimmered with a faint smile. Her dark pupils seemed endlessly deep, yet occasional iciness cut through like a fleeting blade.

In Yu Ruohuan’s gaze, Shen You’an had seen murderous intent.

How fortunate. She had a score to settle with the Yu family anyway.

Yu Ruohuan might as well become her first target.

~

Liu Runxi’s turbulent thoughts refused to calm.

Using an excuse to step away, he splashed his face with cold water and stared at his reflection in the mirror.

He despised himself.

Faced with a reflection he loathed, Liu Runxi could no longer maintain his act.

He couldn’t lie to himself.

But...

Leaving the restroom, he noticed a young girl standing quietly by the railing at the exit.

Liu Runxi froze for a moment.

"An’an..."

Shen You’an turned around. She wasted no time cutting to the point: "Liu Runxi, stay away from Yu Ruohuan."

Her tone was calm, with an inherent assertiveness.

Liu Runxi’s heart pounded violently. His hand clenched at his side, nails digging into his palm to anchor himself in painful clarity.

Shen You’an was keenly aware of his thoughts. "I’m advising you as a friend—distance yourself from her."