A Falling-Out

The pleasant piano music gradually gave way to hotter, more frenzied electronic beats, and the party atmosphere slowly reached its peak.

But for Ronan, this party was nothing short of torture.

He truly had no interest in attending occasions like this, but since it was a party hosted by Wei Wei, he had to show up at least briefly as a member of Yi Lin Manor.

After making an appearance at the beginning, he simply hid in a corner and watched coldly.

The people attending Wei Wei's party were all young. Unlike Christine's birthday banquet last time, many more young nobles from Bo Ning District had come this time. Their clothes and behavior were relatively less formal as well. Many gathered in groups of three or five, seemingly discussing something enthusiastically.

Yet most people's gazes drifted as they talked, especially the men's.

"Boring and hypocritical socializing," Ronan silently concluded.

As the host of the party, Wei Wei was surrounded by everyone. After finishing a song, she was pulled away by several friends to drink. It seemed the ambush had indeed hurt her badly. Only with several close female friends accompanying her on either side did her expression become more natural.

Thinking of Wei Wei reminded Ronan of what Su Xiao had said to him earlier.

"She dislikes me because she thinks I'm a lazy toad trying to eat swan meat. If we clear up that misunderstanding, it should be fine, right?"

Unfortunately, there was no chance for them to be alone right now. Ronan planned to wait for an opportunity. If things became too boring, he could always find a chance to slip away.

After all, he knew very few people at the party. The only one who could be considered a friend, Su Xiao, did not exchange many pleasantries with him because of her connection to the Li Family. They merely nodded at each other from afar before avoiding one another. Ronan noticed that Su Xiao had not come alone this time. A somewhat immature-looking boy followed beside her.

As for everyone else, although most of the young people had tentatively tried to speak with Ronan, they could not figure out this young master's position within Yi Lin Manor. His head-on clash with Xiang Feihu last time had greatly pleased many youths dissatisfied with the Li Family. Unfortunately, Ronan never played by the rules and was not good at socializing. It was difficult for them to find common ground, and their conversations often ended unpleasantly after a perfunctory greeting.

So, from beginning to end, Ronan was the only one in that corner, quietly drinking water.

The peace in the corner was soon broken.

At some point, Wei Wei, dressed in formal attire, quietly arrived.

Her cheeks were flushed, clearly from having drunk some wine. No close female friends accompanied her. She was alone.

"Don't like this kind of occasion?" she asked softly.

Ronan nodded, then scratched his head. "A-are you feeling better?"

Wei Wei could not help but laugh softly. A sly look appeared in her eyes as she lowered her head and whispered,

"Do you think I'm really some fragile young lady? It's true that I was frightened, but it wasn't that serious. The weakness and fear I showed before were just an exaggerated performance for certain people to see."

Ronan was stunned, then fell silent.

He truly did not understand the ways of the world. Even a little girl like Wei Wei seemed to be thousands of times better at them than he was.

Wei Wei was not surprised to see Ronan fall silent.

This guy did not talk much to begin with. He was probably the quiet, bottled-up type. It seemed she would have to take the initiative.

Thinking that, she said somewhat shyly,

"C-can you dance with me?"

Ronan's eyes widened at once. Here it comes again!

It was exactly the same trick as the Rock Cake—Ronan did not know how to dance at all!

This little brat really wasn't going to let me off, even after I saved her life?

Ronan was deeply troubled.

But in truth, he had completely misunderstood the situation.

Before the party, Wei Wei had personally confirmed with her father that Ronan was not a death warrior raised by Yi Lin Manor. His origins were rather unusual, but the Earl thought very highly of him.

That alone was enough to sweep away the gloom in the little witch's heart.

These past few days, while lying in bed, no matter how unwilling she was to admit it, whenever she recalled that resolute silhouette walking away in the valley amid the storm, her heart would pound wildly, her blood would race, and her skin would grow faintly warm. She did not know what was happening to her, but she had always acted according to her feelings. She knew that following them was the right thing to do.

For example, right now, little witch Wei Wei was actually taking the initiative to invite a man to dance?

If news of this got out, the men of Bo Ning District would probably drop their jaws.

Thinking of that, Wei Wei could not help lifting her chin proudly. Her smile was sincere, though also a little shy.

But to Ronan, those expressions looked like a little devil's smile.

Wei Wei had pranked him too many times. If not for Su Xiao earlier, he might really have obediently gone to chew that Rock Cake as hard as iron.

So he thought it over and finally decided to lay everything out.

"Actually, there's no need for you to target me like this."

"I can't dance. I really can't. That's the first thing."

"I don't like you, so I can't marry you. That's the second thing."

"So you shouldn't have anything to worry about now, right? You have so many friends. You probably don't lack dance partners either."

Ronan said awkwardly.

Wei Wei's face instantly went pale, like a flimsy sheet of paper!

Ronan clearly realized that his words might have been too direct and wanted to make up for it, but the next second, her eyes turned red!

She stared at Ronan fixedly, covering her mouth with one hand. After a long while, a tear fell.

"Bastard!"

She turned and left without looking back.

Christine and Wang Xiaoman, who had noticed from nearby, stared in astonishment before hurrying after her. The three figures quickly vanished from Ronan's sight.

He did not understand what he had done wrong.

Didn't Wei Wei dislike him? Laying it all out had been a little too blunt, perhaps, but surely it did not warrant such a huge reaction?

Ronan's head was starting to hurt.

In his eyes, these social intricacies were ten thousand times harder than any sorcery or technological knowledge.

Sometimes, he suddenly felt that the library at Crescent Prison was truly a wonderful place. At least there, no one would disturb him, and he could quietly read alone for a very, very long time.

The party continued. Wei Wei's brief departure did not attract anyone's attention.

Besides, Wang Xiaoman and Christine covered for her, and the faint redness around her eyes disappeared completely beneath her light makeup. Still, Ronan felt as though he had needles pricking his back.

An occasion like this truly did not suit him.

He stood up, preparing to sneak away.

But at that moment, a voice suddenly rang out through the hall. "We've been having fun for so long. How about we go play at the training hall?"

"I heard Yi Lin Manor's training hall has the most complete equipment, even a latest-generation Virtual Mecha Battle Room!"

It was a boy with thick eyebrows and large eyes, dressed casually. Yet Ronan could tell at a glance that his nearly ordinary body contained great strength. He was probably someone who had trained in martial arts and fitness for a long time.

The moment the suggestion was made, it received cheers and approval from everyone.

The Steel Empire greatly valued martial prowess. This was reflected not only in mechas, but also in the martial arts training practiced among commoners and nobles alike. Setting aside how much martial arts training actually helped with operating mechas, children from great families all had some foundation in martial arts, and they rarely skipped the gym or training hall in their daily lives.

Sometimes, these places were also the best venues for nobles to vent their jealousy and rivalry.

Everyone's gaze settled on Wei Wei. After all, she was the host here.

Wei Wei raised her head with a faint smile and gently nodded.

Everyone immediately burst into cheers!

By the side door, Ronan lowered his head and started to leave.

But at that moment, Wei Wei's voice carried over from afar through the microphone.

"Young Master Ronan, aren't you joining us?"

Her tone was calm, but anyone could hear the faint barbs hidden in her words.

In an instant, everyone's eyes focused on Ronan, who had been preparing to slip away.

He sighed softly. Though he did not know why, it seemed Wei Wei was truly angry this time.

He looked up at Wei Wei's icy expression from afar and said calmly, "Sorry, I'm not interested."

Good morning! As always, recommendation votes!