The White Moonlight Who Went Mad in Silence [Rebirth] - Chapter 5

On her drive home, Ming Lan’s mind was still spinning. After lunch, she felt a wave of drowsiness and ended up sleeping through the afternoon, only waking when the butler reminded her that it was almost time for the welcome dinner.

A stylist had already been booked and was waiting at the house. Ming Lan sat calmly while her hair and makeup were done. Despite having slept for hours, she still felt emotionally drained. She lazily picked a simple black evening gown, propped her chin on her hand, and glanced at her phone. Though it had been on silent, she had received a flood of messages. Most were from people she had not spoken to in years, suddenly resurrected by the news of her welcome dinner.

In the past, Ming Lan would have replied to each one. But now, she found it pointless. Maintaining superficial relationships served no purpose. Connections without benefit were even more scattered than loose sand.

When the stylist finished, Ming Lan stood and looked at herself in the mirror. Her usual look was simple and understated, but tonight was different. The black gown fit perfectly, the luxurious fabric made her skin look smooth and radiant. A touch of color brought out her refined features. With her chin slightly raised, her half-lowered gaze carried a noble and untouchable air.

Flawless.

She glanced at the time, threw on a white coat, and left for the party.

She arrived right on time. Everyone else was already there. As she stepped into the banquet hall, all eyes turned toward her.

“Surprise!”

Someone shouted, and suddenly petals rained down from above. Ming Lan instinctively stepped back, watching the spot where she had just been standing become buried under falling flowers. She could not help but wonder if she would have been smothered if she had not moved.

Expressionless, she scanned the crowd. She ignored the petals clinging to her gown and walked forward, crushing the flowers under her satin white heels. Crimson juice from the petals stained the fabric as she passed.

Bai Tingqiu, who had been waiting at the front, froze mid-applause. He stared, momentarily dazed, and only snapped back to reality when Ming Lan stopped in front of him.

“Ming Lan, we—”

Before he could finish, a loud roar came from outside. The sound of a motorcycle echoed through the hall, interrupting him. Bai Tingqiu frowned with clear irritation. Ming Lan, on the other hand, looked toward the entrance as though about to enjoy a show.

Xiao Shaoyan rode his motorcycle straight into the banquet hall and stopped in front of Ming Lan. In one smooth motion, he hopped off, pulled off his helmet, and held out a massive bouquet of roses.

“Welcome back!”

“They’re too heavy. I don’t want them. Take them away,” she said without even lifting a hand to accept them.

Xiao Shaoyan awkwardly pulled them back.

“Then I’ll hold them for you. There’s a gift in here too. Why don’t you open it—”

Before he could finish, the rumble of a helicopter overhead interrupted him. Ming Lan closed her eyes briefly. For the first time, she clearly realized just how absurd this world had become.

Wind from the rotors swept through the open entrance, lifting the petals from the floor and sending them flying across the room. Ming Lan grabbed Xiao Shaoyan and pulled him in front of her to block the blast. While those around her struggled to shield their eyes and hold their hair in place, she calmly adjusted her own slightly wind-tousled hair.

Then, under the forceful wind, Li Jue entered through the main door just as the helicopter flew off. He pushed aside Xiao Shaoyan, who was still rubbing his eyes, and handed Ming Lan a box.

“Sorry. I’m late.”

“That’s enough!”

Bai Tingqiu could no longer maintain his calm facade. Furious, he glared at the two men, practically gritting his teeth.

“If I recall, neither of you were even on the guest list.”

“I didn’t come for you, so I don’t need your invitation,” Li Jue said with a dismissive glance.

Xiao Shaoyan, having been shoved aside, turned back and grabbed Li Jue by the collar.

“Who do you think you are, pushing me?”

Ming Lan watched from the best spot for spectating, clearly entertained. She almost clapped and cheered, but held back, not wanting to ruin the beautifully tense scene between them.

“That’s enough. This is Ming Lan’s welcome dinner. If you want to fight, take it outside.”

Embarrassed in front of so many guests, Bai Tingqiu had to say something to preserve what little dignity he had left.

As the tension finally eased, Ming Lan lost interest. She quietly walked away from the center of the chaos and found an empty seat in a quiet corner. The whole thing had become dull.

The venue was still in disarray. As the host, Bai Tingqiu had to take responsibility. He rushed to have the floor cleaned and the dance floor set up. Once the mood picked up, he figured the guests would forget about the mess.

During the commotion, Ming Lan casually sipped champagne. Though she looked bored, her eyes were scanning the crowd for one specific person.

The Ye family had always been extremely low-key. They had not even publicly announced the return of their heiress. Ming Lan could not just go asking around, so she had to find someone close to Yi An.

For example, the original female lead, Cheng Yurong.

Ming Lan had never known they were connected. But the book had mentioned that Cheng Yurong and Yi An had once been each other’s only friend. While the later parts exaggerated some dramatic love rival nonsense between them, their early friendship seemed real enough.

As for why Ming Lan was certain Cheng Yurong would be here, it had nothing to do with the guest list. It was because in any scene where Li Jue, Xiao Shaoyan, and Bai Tingqiu all appeared together, the female lead would inevitably show up too. It was like some unspoken rule.

The only problem was, she still had not seen her.

Just as Ming Lan was wondering if her assumption had been wrong and considering whether to approach someone from the Feng family, who had ties to the Ye family, a hand suddenly entered her field of vision.

The music had started, and as the guest of honor, Ming Lan was expected to open the first dance. The hand extended toward her belonged to Li Jue.

As the male lead, his appearance was flawless. He wore a custom-tailored suit that highlighted his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Normally stern and cold, his features were now tense. He pressed his lips together, his ears slightly red, waiting for her response.

Ming Lan tilted her head slightly, eyes full of indifference. Her red lips parted.

“Get lost.”

Li Jue almost thought he had heard wrong. He stared at her in disbelief, hand still frozen in place. His face darkened immediately. Being rejected so bluntly in front of everyone would be humiliating for anyone.

Standing nearby, Bai Tingqiu, who had been a step too slow, lit up the moment he heard her reply. Smiling, he stepped forward and confidently extended his hand.

“Ming Lan, shall we dance the opening waltz?”

Without even looking at him, Ming Lan caught a glimpse of someone in the corner. It was Cheng Yurong, her expression a mix of shock and sadness. Finally, she had found her.

Ming Lan downed the champagne in her hand and turned away. She had no time to deal with these two.

“You can get lost too.”

Bai Tingqiu’s pleasant expression froze. He withdrew his hand, clearly embarrassed. Beside him, Li Jue smirked at Bai Tingqiu’s rejection, clearly pleased to see someone else suffer the same fate.

Once the two men had finally backed off, Ming Lan turned toward where she had seen Cheng Yurong. But in the short time it took, the girl had already vanished.

Ming Lan stood, preparing to go look for her, when her path was suddenly blocked.

She looked up and saw a group of women led by Miss Ma, a well-known socialite. They did not look friendly.

Ming Lan barely knew her. In fact, she hardly recognized her. But she could guess the reason behind the sudden confrontation. According to the book, Miss Ma had been one of Li Jue’s many admirers. Most of her scenes involved bullying the female lead and being slapped down by the protective male lead.

But had she picked the wrong target this time? Ming Lan was not part of that storyline.

“We haven’t welcomed Miss Ming back yet. I’d like to offer a toast. Surely you won’t refuse, will you?”

A server walked over with a tray of drinks. Several others brought out bottles of red wine and champagne. The intention was very clear.

“Wait a moment.”

Ming Lan picked up her phone and dialed a number. It was answered instantly.

“Come here.”

She hung up right after saying those two words.

Miss Ma looked confused. Moments later, Li Jue returned, his face still dark from earlier.

“L-Li Jue…” Miss Ma quickly dropped her haughty attitude, blushing as she looked down shyly.

“If you want to see him, just call him. Don’t pull stunts like this again. Next time, be smarter.”

Ming Lan then looked at Miss Ma, who was still standing there awkwardly.

“Move.”

“Oh. Right.” Miss Ma quickly stepped aside.

Ming Lan didn’t spare a glance at Li Jue, whose face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. She walked away without a word.

She followed the direction where she had seen Cheng Yurong and found a small gate leading to the back garden. There were fewer people out here, but the lighting was still decent.

As she moved forward, she began to hear faint sounds of an argument. Ming Lan followed the voices and saw Cheng Yurong standing under a tree, along with Xiao Shaoyan.

Xiao Shaoyan, who was now wearing a white suit, had a large red stain on his chest. It was not hard to guess what had just happened.

Just moments ago, Cheng Yurong had witnessed the way both Li Jue and Bai Tingqiu treated Ming Lan. Her heart was filled with shock and pain. Disoriented and upset, she turned to leave but accidentally bumped into Xiao Shaoyan, spilling the glass of wine he was holding all over his suit.

Xiao Shaoyan had already picked on her a few times in the past, and this time, he clearly had no intention of letting it go.

“This suit cost over ten thousand. How do you plan to pay for it?”

“I’m sorry, Young Master Xiao. I’ll have it professionally cleaned.”

“Cleaned? Do you think something like this can be cleaned that easily? Do you think this is the same cheap garbage you’re wearing?” Xiao Shaoyan sneered, tugging at the fabric of her uniform with visible disgust. “You really do pop up everywhere, don’t you? Wearing that work uniform to sneak in again. What is it this time? Trying to crawl into someone else’s bed?”

“I didn’t!” Cheng Yurong trembled with anger. Her face flushed red, and tears welled in her eyes as she glared at him stubbornly. “I’m just here to work!”

“Tch, like I don’t know what you’re really after. Why don’t I help you decide? Tonight, whose bed do you want? Li Jue’s or Bai Tingqiu’s?”

With a cruel smile, Xiao Shaoyan reached out and pinched Cheng Yurong’s chin, forcing her to look up at him.

“You…”

Cheng Yurong was shaking with fury. She raised her hand to slap him, but facing Xiao Shaoyan’s mocking, contemptuous gaze, her hand hesitated midair. She simply did not dare to strike.

Suddenly, a crisp slap rang out.

A different hand, white as jade, flew in from the side and struck Xiao Shaoyan hard across the face. His head snapped to the side from the force of it.

Cheng Yurong stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief.

Ming Lan gave her a quick glance. “If you want to slap someone, just do it. Why hesitate?”

“H-He’s Xiao…” Cheng Yurong stammered, clearly overwhelmed by fear and confusion as she tried to explain Xiao Shaoyan’s identity. But she hadn’t noticed that after the slap, Xiao Shaoyan was stunned. He didn’t lash out. Instead, he stood frozen, caught off guard. When Ming Lan spoke, he suddenly seemed to wake up and panicked, unsure of what to do.

“Ming Lan, let me explain.” Xiao Shaoyan immediately released Cheng Yurong and stepped in front of Ming Lan, eager to distance himself. “I have nothing to do with her. She’s the one tangled up with Li Jue and Bai Tingqiu!”

“What does that have to do with me?”

Ming Lan shot him a cold look, then frowned slightly and glanced at her reddened palm. She had slapped him harder than she thought. Her hand was starting to ache.

Xiao Shaoyan followed her gaze and saw her hand. It was soft and delicate, fair like a baby’s. But now, the palm was flushed red and looked painfully tender.

“Are you alright? Does it hurt?” he asked anxiously.

Cheng Yurong glanced at his still-swollen cheek. Her mind went completely blank. Was this really the same arrogant, cruel Xiao Shaoyan?

Ming Lan withdrew her hand.

“Does that slap cover the cost of your expensive suit?”

Cheng Yurong nearly thought she misheard. Was she saying that one slap was enough to pay for ten-thousand-yuan worth of clothing?

But Xiao Shaoyan only paused for a moment, then nodded.

“Whatever you say. But Ming Lan, you’re being too kind. That girl isn’t worth your help. She—”

“I don’t need you telling me what to do,” Ming Lan interrupted coldly. Then she turned to Cheng Yurong. “Come with me.”

Cheng Yurong looked between Ming Lan and Xiao Shaoyan, hesitated for a second, and then quietly followed behind her.