I Don’t Want to Be the Heroine Anymore - Chapter 10

The wealthy socialites were gathered around a table, chatting in small groups about topics Mang Ke couldn’t understand.

Perhaps because she was new, several women tentatively leaned toward her, but after taking in her clothes and accessories, they all rolled their eyes in unison.

“Hey, little sister,” the woman sitting across from her spoke up, resting her chin on her hand as she eyed the bag Mang Ke had placed on the table. “When did you buy that bag?”

Mang Ke froze—how would she know? Aunt Liu had prepared everything for her.

Seeing her hesitate, a few of the women snickered and “kindly” pointed out, “That bag is so outdated. The new one from Paris Fashion Week this fall—my husband already got it for me.”

With that, she proudly displayed a pink bag for everyone to admire.

The others giggled. “Oh, I wanted that one too, but I wasn’t lucky enough to snag it.”

“It’s all because big sister here is blessed, married to a fashion designer.”

“Exactly! Look at me, still stuck with last season’s bags.”

“Mrs. Qiao, you’re too modest. Isn’t that bag from last month’s new collection? And that supercar you drove here is way harder to get than my bag, isn’t it?”

“Hahaha, we have so many cars at home I can’t even keep track. I just grabbed one randomly to go shopping—no idea what it even is~”

“I envy you for having your own car. My husband never lets me drive—he insists on assigning me a chauffeur every time I go out. Says I just have to tell the driver where to go, that driving myself is too dangerous.”

“Ah, your husband is so thoughtful. Even with how busy he is, he still takes such good care of you.”

…

Listening to the conversation dripping with hidden meanings, Mang Ke could only shrink back and stay silent.

“Little sister,” the woman across from her said, “the table isn’t that big. Put your bag on the floor or toss it on the sofa. We’ll be having tea soon.”

“Oh, right.” Mang Ke quickly stood up and grabbed her bag, carelessly tossing it onto the nearby couch.

Clang!

It hit a crystal-embellished bag.

“Ah! That bag is expensive!”

A woman in a green business suit shot to her feet, furious, and pointed at Mang Ke. “I told you to put your bag aside, not hurl it! Are you here to play shot put or something?!”

The woman across from her feigned surprise. “Wow, little sister, you’ve got quite the arm. You must be great at shot put, huh?”

Mang Ke: “Sorry, I didn’t mean to throw it that hard.”

The woman in green scowled. “That bag cost over two million! It could buy a hundred of your bags! How dare you treat it like that!”

“Alright, alright,” another socialite tugged at her sleeve. “It’s just a two-million-yuan bag. No need to get so worked up.”

The green-clad woman gritted her teeth before forcing an ugly smile. “Right, just a bag. I just got a little carried away. It’s not like getting hit by it actually matters…”

Yue Yin leaned over and whispered to Mang Ke, “You really messed up this time.”

Mang Ke hunched her shoulders. Even after sitting back down, the woman in green kept glaring at her like she wanted to devour her whole, making Mang Ke too afraid to even lift her head.

Oh my god, a single bag costs over two million, and the people around her acted like it was no big deal. Is this the world of the wealthy?

No wonder everyone laughed when she mentioned her own bag earlier—they were probably mocking her for being poor.

But what could she do? Even her bag was borrowed from Xun Fangyun…

Just as everyone was enthusiastically discussing the new seasonal collections, the door to the private room was gently pushed open.

When Xun Fangyun stood at the entrance, all the women inside fell silent.

If a gathering of socialites and wealthy women only revolved around discussing husbands and children, they’d just be well-off housewives at best. But Xun Fangyun was different—she wasn’t some idle rich housewife. She was a genuine businesswoman, the city’s foremost young tycoon.

“Xun Fangyun?”

The woman seated closest to the door exclaimed in surprise, “Aren’t you Xun Fangyun? Are you here to—”

As she spoke, her gaze shifted toward Yue Yin.

It was no surprise. Everyone assumed Xun Fangyun and Yue Yin were a couple. Even though rumors of Xun Fangyun’s impending marriage were spreading like wildfire, which wealthy person didn’t have a favorite lover?

Marriage didn’t mean she couldn’t have someone she liked—at least, that’s what everyone thought.

Xun Fangyun glanced around the room at the glamorous women before finally settling her gaze on the one shrinking in the corner, pretending she didn’t exist.

So she was here.

Xun Fangyun knew her eyes hadn’t deceived her—the person who had gotten into Yue Yin’s car earlier was indeed her.

How nice. Playing the dutiful wife at home, then hopping into another woman’s car the moment she stepped out.

And now, attending some tea party with other women. Wouldn’t it have been better to just stay home, drink milk tea, and watch movies?

Hmph, this damn fool of a woman!

The whirlwind of thoughts in Xun Fangyun’s mind lasted only a second before she parted her red lips and smiled. “I happened to pass by and heard you were all here, so I thought I’d drop in. It’s been a while since I’ve had tea with friends.”

The word “friends” seemed to strike a nerve. Everyone quickly rose to offer Xun Fangyun a seat. As the woman with the most wealth and influence, she naturally took the most comfortable spot at the head of the table.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xun Fangyun swept her long black coat aside and sat down.

Those with quick wits immediately urged Yue Yin, “Yue Yin, come sit over here! Ms. Xun must be here for you.”

Yue Yin chuckled softly and stood, taking the seat beside Xun Fangyun.

With no one left to shield her, Mang Ke ducked her head even lower, nearly burying it in her chest.

“Fangyun, what brings you here?” Yue Yin gently tugged at Xun Fangyun’s sleeve and smiled. “I was just having tea with friends. Perfect timing.”

Xun Fangyun glanced at her, a faint smirk curling her lips.

You shameless woman, trying to seduce my wife!

But aloud, she merely said, “I happened to see you downstairs and followed you up.”

Then, she turned her gaze to Mang Ke and asked in a meaningful tone, “Mang Ke, what are you doing here?”

Mang Ke timidly lifted her head, but before she could speak, Yue Yin interjected, “I invited your secretary out for fun. Since I had nothing to do, I hope I didn’t disrupt her work?”

“Secretary?”

Whispers immediately broke out among the group. “No wonder she never mentioned what she did—she’s just a secretary…”

Xun Fangyun naturally heard it. She pursed her lips with a displeased expression and said, “Who told you Mang Ke is my secretary?”

Yue Yin blinked her eyes. “Isn’t she? Last time I saw you bringing her out for work.”

“There might be some misunderstanding.”

Xun Fangyun stood up and walked over to Mang Ke, patting the little rabbit’s head with her fair palm as she said, “She’s not any secretary.”

Mang Ke glared up at her, only to see Xun Fangyun smirk mischievously.

“She’s my wife.”