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At that moment, a strong arm reached out to steady her from behind. But the momentum carried it into the shelf. "Bang." The shelf wobbled twice but did not fall. The blue-and-white porcelain vase on top slid off and shattered into countless pieces. The entire banquet fell silent, with only the lingering music echoing through the room. Everyone stared at the broken vase. No one had expected an accident like this. Jiang Yining turned her head to look at the person beside her. His beautiful eyes were cold as frost, his thin lips pressed into a faint line, and an aloof, solitary arrogance radiated from him. The pressure around him was impossible to ignore. Their eyes met. The next second, Jiang Yining quickly looked away and murmured, "Thank you." The man’s lips curved slightly, and a glint flashed through his frosty beautiful eyes. Zhao Xuexian was startled as well, guiltily staring at the shards on the floor. This vase was just an ordinary decoration, right? Something truly valuable would not be placed somewhere like this. In the next moment, Ming Qingcheng shattered her hope. "This is my father’s favorite blue-and-white porcelain vase. It’s worth more than $1 million. What are we going to do now?" Her voice was full of anxiety and worry. Zhao Xuexian’s heart lurched. A vase worth more than $1 million was not something she could afford to repay. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Jiang Yining standing in front of her. Before her mind caught up, her mouth had already spoken. "Jiang Yining, you broke my uncle’s favorite blue-and-white porcelain vase." The shameless accusation made Jiang Yining’s brows lift as her gaze snapped toward Zhao Xuexian. Her eyes were icy and steady, a composure beyond her years that sent a surge of panic through Zhao Xuexian. But looking at the fragments scattered across the floor, she refused to take responsibility. She had to push it onto Jiang Yining. Maybe her uncle would send that wretched girl back to the countryside. Zhao Xuexian straightened her back and said, "You smashed my uncle’s antique vase and you still dare to glare at me? You’re really something. Hurry up and pay for it." At first, only the people nearby noticed the argument between Zhao Xuexian and the Ming family’s newly adopted daughter.
Hearing Zhao Xuexian's assertive declaration, everyone assumed the vase had been broken by the foster daughter, pointing and whispering among themselves. Those who had seen the whole incident unfold, of course, had no intention of clearing the name of this mysterious new member of the Ming family, and some even relished the unfolding drama. "Pay up!" Zhao Xuexian, having extricated herself from blame, smugly raised her eyebrows in a challenge to Jiang Yining. "The Ming family's furniture bumped into my arm. Shouldn't you compensate me for that?" A deep, cool voice rose gradually, laced with a subtle chill. The crowd turned to see the man who had just assisted Jiang Yining, now leaning nonchalantly against a decorative shelf, watching Zhao Xuexian with a half-smile. Zhao Xuexian, previously smirking, soured at his words. It seemed every opportunist was showing up to extort the Ming family. She spun around to glare at him and snapped, "And who might you be? Think you're made of gold? Expecting a payout for a mere bump? Ridiculous!" The man quirked an eyebrow. "Gold? Perhaps." Ming Qingcheng's gaze also shifted to the man. He exuded an air of distinction and grace, his handsome features and demeanor radiating nobility and elegance. Whether by his looks or his presence, it was clear he was no ordinary man. Ming Qingcheng hesitated, her lips pressed together, before deciding to remain an observer. Zhao Xuexian squinted at the man, assessing him. He was attractive, sure, but she questioned his intellect. Her eyes flickered between him and Jiang Yining, quickly piecing things together. She could not hide the scorn and mockery that crept onto her face.
