Chapter 245

Chapter 245: Such a Beautiful Woman, Her Fate Must Be Miserable After lingering in the room for a while, Shu Mingyue's call came in. Jiang Shixu glanced at Chutang's phone and said coldly, "Hang up." Chutang reminded him, "We're here for her birthday party." Then she answered the call. Shu Mingyue's voice showed no sign of displeasure. "Tangtang, don't stay cooped up in your room—come out and have fun! I also invited Zhou Xueluo and Chen Yuanyuan. I just saw them board the ship." "Okay, we'll be right there." Chutang hung up and said to Jiang Shixu, "Let's go out and have some fun. Xueluo and Yuanyuan are here too." His mood spoiled, the man's eyes were cold and distant as he gave a flat "Mm" in response. The first-floor lobby was spacious, with a magnificent crystal chandelier glittering with dazzling light. Beneath the lights, everyone had gathered to drink, chat, and laugh together. All the guests had arrived, and the cruise ship slowly pulled out of the harbor. After walking a short distance, Jiang Shixu received a call on his phone. He glanced at the screen and said to Chutang, "Tangtang, I need to take this call. Go find them and have fun—I'll come find you in a bit." Chutang nodded. "Okay." Jiang Shixu answered the call and walked toward a quieter spot. Chutang headed toward the lobby. Once in the lobby, Chutang scanned the area but didn't see Shu Mingyue. As the guest of honor, she had many guests to receive, so she was probably somewhere else at the moment. Chen Yuanyuan and Zhou Xueluo weren't there either. Chutang took out her phone to call Zhou Xueluo and ask where she was. Suddenly, someone shoved her hard from behind. Caught completely off guard and wearing high heels, Chutang stumbled, her body swaying dangerously as she was about to fall. Just then, a pair of hands steadied her. "Thank you." "No need to be so polite." The person's voice was warm and gentle. A very familiar voice. Chutang paused slightly and turned to look. It was Lu Shuci. What was he doing here? Noticing the confusion in Chutang's eyes, Lu Shuci smiled and said, "Miss Shu invited me." Chutang nodded. It made sense that Shu Mingyue would invite Lu Shuci. Shu Mingyue had mentioned that she'd invited many people this time—some were friends, and some were friends of friends. Shu Mingyue had commissioned their law firm to handle a case, and since Lu Shuci was a partner at the firm, it wasn't surprising that the two had become acquainted over time. Whether Lu Shuci came as Shu Mingyue's "friend" or was invited as Chutang's friend, both were perfectly reasonable. Chutang nodded slightly and used the support to steady herself. "Thank you for earlier." Lu Shuci released Chutang and stepped back to maintain a proper distance, elegant and gentlemanly. "There's no need to be so formal between us." Just then, a sarcastic female voice came from behind. "Oh, isn't this my counterfeit sister? I really can't believe it—counterfeit sister actually managed to get on this cruise ship. I really underestimated you." Chutang turned around and saw that sharp, mean-spirited face. Liang Chuman stood with her arms crossed, glancing at Lu Shuci beside Ruan Chutang before looking at Chutang with contempt and sneering, "I was wondering how a broke nobody like you could possibly get on this ship. Turns out you're just good at seducing men." Chutang's expression darkened as she said coldly, "Seems like detention wasn't enough to teach you a lesson." Mentioning detention made Liang Chuman furious. She'd suffered a major loss at the mall last time and had been holding a grudge ever since. If it weren't for Tan Bin's powerful connections getting them out, they'd still be sitting in the detention center. Liang Chuman glared at Chutang and snapped angrily, "You dare bring up detention? I've been looking for a chance to get back at you, and here you are, delivering yourself right to my doorstep." Lu Shuci looked at Liang Chuman with a cold, piercing gaze. "Miss, you're an adult, and you need to take responsibility for what you say. If you continue to slander and insult my friend, I will pursue legal action against you." "Oh, I'm so scared~" Liang Chuman rolled her eyes, curled her lips, and said mockingly, "Then go ahead and sue me. Go on." The reason Liang Chuman dared to be so arrogant today was that several of her friends were on this cruise ship. Those friends were young masters and ladies from Suzhou's upper-class circles, the kind who looked down most on women like the one before her—poor, vain, and carrying fake bags every day. Besides, this woman had made an enemy of Tan Bin. The first thing Tan Bin said when he got out of the detention center was that he'd find someone to mess with her. And she'd just checked—that woman with the impressive fighting skills from last time wasn't here, which was why she dared to provoke her so openly. People had already gathered around to watch the commotion. Liang Chuman, not satisfied with how big the scene had gotten, raised her voice even louder and shouted, "Everyone, come take a look! This poor, vain woman offended Young Master Tan, and she still dares to board this cruise ship looking for death!" The people on the cruise ship included Shu Mingyue's classmates and young masters and ladies from the same social class she'd met in her overseas study circles. Shu Mingyue's mother was from Suzhou, and she'd visited Suzhou often in the past, so she had quite a few friends there as well. But Chutang had never had any contact with anyone from Suzhou's upper-class circles. Tan Bin was a notorious ne'er-do-well in Su City, a spoiled rich kid who knew nothing but eating, drinking, and having fun all day long. Liang Chuman had hooked up with Tan Bin using her surgically enhanced face, worming her way into Su City's high society circles. She thought she was above everyone else now, constantly looking down on this person and that person—she had truly mastered the art of using her master's power to bully others. Many of the onlookers were from Su City. When they heard Liang Chuman mention Tan Bin, the looks they gave Ruan Chutang were tinged with sympathy. Some whispered among themselves. "What a pity for such a beautiful woman. Of all the people to offend, she had to offend Tan Bin. Her life is over." "Yeah, everyone knows who Tan Bin is. No one who offends him ever comes out well." "Remember that influencer Tan Bin tried to pursue but couldn't get? The girl somehow offended him, and her nude photos were spread all over the internet. Later I heard she developed depression from that incident and killed herself." "I heard about that too. It caused a big stir back then, but the Tan family suppressed it. The girl's company publicly claimed she got depression from work pressure, and many fans who didn't know the truth were cursing the company, never realizing the real culprit was Tan Bin." "Judging by how Liang Chuman is acting, Tan Bin must have a grudge against this woman. Knowing Tan Bin's nature, he definitely won't let her off easy." "Poor thing. Such a beautiful woman, and her fate is going to be tragic." ...... Just then, Tan Bin walked over wearing a floral shirt and triangular sunglasses, one arm wrapped around a beautiful woman on each side. When Liang Chuman saw the two beauties in Tan Bin's arms, her face turned cold. Tan Bin walked up, and the moment he laid eyes on Ruan Chutang, his expression suddenly darkened. He dropped his carefree demeanor, took off his sunglasses, and his eyes flashed with a sinister, cold light. His gaze was as icy and venomous as a snake's as he stared at Chu Tang and said through gritted teeth, word by word: "You're asking for death."