87: Chapter 87 A group of clowns, a farce in the Peony Hall

Inside the Peony Hall of Zhanghua Mountain Villa, the light from the crystal chandelier spilled onto the silver tableware, making the entire table shimmer with reflected brilliance. Pei Yunxiao sat in the seat of honor, his fingers pinching the gold-embossed menu. He deliberately slowed down his page-turning, pretending to be intimately familiar with it.

In truth, he barely recognized any of the dish names on the menu. In the past, it was always Song Zhiwei who ordered; he was only responsible for playing the part of "Young Master Pei."

"The member menus at Zhanghua Mountain Villa don't have prices," he cleared his throat, trying his best to sound nonchalant. "Just say what you want to eat, don't be polite. It's my treat today."

As soon as he said this, Ruan Shu immediately leaned forward, her eyes lighting up. "Young Master Pei, you're so generous! I've heard for a long time that the 'Peacock Spreading Its Tail Fish' here is very famous, and that Gold Leaf Ice Cream—I've seen it in short videos, it's super expensive!"

Blondie reached out to touch the knives and forks on the table. The cold metallic feel made him click his tongue in amazement. "Young Master Pei, is this cutlery pure silver? It looks like something out of a museum. I'm afraid it'll break if I even touch it."

"Of course!" Ruan Shu chimed in, not forgetting to take a jab at Song Zhiwei. "Young Master Pei is a high-level member of Zhanghua Mountain Villa. Would he use anything ordinary? Unlike some people whose parents are just a driver and a nanny, who can't even find the door to this place, yet dare to talk back to Young Master Pei at school. They really don't know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth!"

Li Na and Wang Ting quickly chimed in.

"Exactly! With Song Zhiwei's temper, it's only because Young Master Pei has a good personality; anyone else would have stopped bothering with her long ago!"

"I bet she might not even be able to get in today. Zhanghua Mountain Villa is so strict; they don't let anyone in without a member to lead them!"

"If she shows up later, Young Master Pei, don't forgive her easily. You have to make her apologize properly!"

These words were like candy being fed into Pei Yunxiao's heart; his smile almost reached his ears.

Spending Song Zhiwei's money while listening to others' flattery—this feeling was even better than when Song Zhiwei used to be completely submissive to him.

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, calculating in his mind: when Song Zhiwei arrives and sees this grand display, she will surely regret breaking up with him.

But after waiting for nearly ten minutes, Song Zhiwei still hadn't arrived. Blondie couldn't help but ask, "Young Master Pei, why hasn't Song Zhiwei arrived yet? She couldn't really be stuck outside, could she?"

Zhao Ya also chimed in, "Definitely! Without a member to guide her, the security at Zhanghua Mountain Villa wouldn't let her through the door. If she had any sense, she should have called Young Master Pei for help a long time ago!"

Pei Yunxiao knew perfectly well that Song Zhiwei had a primary card and entering this place was as easy as going home, but he simply enjoyed the feeling of being put on a pedestal.

He frowned and said to Ruan Shu, "Give her a call and hurry her up. Don't make everyone wait too long."

Ruan Shu was reluctant. She wanted to start eating and taste that Gold Leaf Ice Cream as soon as possible. What if that jinx Song Zhiwei came and ruined the mood?

But she didn't dare to defy Pei Yunxiao and could only say with a forced smile, "Young Master Pei, she said she'd come, so she definitely won't be late! How about we start serving the food first? We can eat while we wait. As a child of a nanny's family, she's lucky enough just to eat with us. Having some leftovers would be a blessing for her; why should we wait for her?"

"If I tell you to call, then call! Enough with the nonsense!" Pei Yunxiao suddenly exploded.

It was bad enough that Song Zhiwei was disobedient, but now even Ruan Shu dared to talk back to him?

He slammed the table hard, making the cups rattle. "Damn it, does every single one of you think you can defy me now?"

The private room fell silent instantly. Ruan Shu was so scared her face turned pale. She quickly fumbled for her phone. "I'll call! I'll call right now!" Her fingers were trembling so much she even mispressed the dial button twice.

Just then, the door to the private room opened with a click. Waiters stood respectfully on both sides, bowing and making a "please" gesture.

Song Zhiwei walked in arm-in-arm with Zhang Fan. Her champagne-colored cocktail dress set off her snow-white skin, her hair was styled into an elegant bun, and a delicate diamond necklace hung around her neck. Her aura of nobility was impossible to hide, making her look like a completely different person from the timid "little follower" who used to trail behind Pei Yunxiao.

Seeing her, Pei Yunxiao's heart skipped a beat. He subconsciously straightened his back, but his tone remained harsh. "Song Zhiwei, why are you only arriving now? Everyone's been waiting for you for ages!"

Song Zhiwei didn't even lift her eyes. She walked straight to a seat by the window and sat down. Zhang Fan also sat casually beside her, picking up a pre-meal snack from the table, chewing it, and commenting, "The taste is okay, just a bit salty."

This air of acting as if no one else was there completely infuriated Ruan Shu.

She had made 2,500 yuan by selling spots and thought tonight was Young Master Pei's show. Yet, not only did Song Zhiwei dare to be late, she even brought a man along to freeload! Did this bitch also learn from me and sell her spot?

She stood up abruptly and pointed at Song Zhiwei, cursing, "Song Zhiwei! Who do you think you are? Young Master Pei invited you to dinner, and you dare to bring some random man? Do you know how expensive a meal here is? Can you even afford to pay for it!"

Blondie also joined in the heckling. "Exactly! Song Zhiwei, you're being too inconsiderate! Young Master Pei was kind enough to invite you to dinner, and you brought an outsider. Do you even respect Young Master Pei?"

Li Na wanted to suck up to Pei Yunxiao and quickly stepped forward. "Weiwei, don't be angry with Young Master Pei anymore. Those things you said at the school gate this morning really hurt his heart. If you apologize now, I'm sure Young Master Pei will forgive you."

She thought these words would please Pei Yunxiao, but to her surprise, he suddenly grabbed a wine glass from the table and threw it at her.

With a "crack," the glass hit Li Na on the forehead before bouncing off and shattering on the floor. Red wine splashed all over her face.

"Can you fucking watch your mouth!" Pei Yunxiao roared, his eyes turning red. "Who told you to bring up what happened at the school gate!"

Li Na shrieked in terror, clutching her head as she crouched on the floor, tears streaming down instantly. "Young Master Pei... I didn't mean to... I just wanted to help you calm down..."

Everyone in the private room was stunned. Li Na clearly had good intentions, so why was she attacked? Ruan Shu was also dazed; she hadn't been at the school gate and had no idea what had happened that morning, so she could only freeze in place, not daring to speak.

Hearing the commotion, the waiters outside quickly pushed the door open, holding cleaning tools, and asked nervously, "Excuse me, does everyone need help?"

Song Zhiwei raised her hand, her voice calm but carrying an unquestionable power. "It's nothing, just a glass accidentally broke. You may leave for now; we'll call you if we need you."

The waiter looked at the furious Pei Yunxiao and then at the composed Song Zhiwei. After a moment of hesitation, they withdrew and closed the door behind them.

The atmosphere in the private room instantly froze, leaving only Li Na's muffled sobbing. Pei Yunxiao breathed heavily, his eyes staring fiercely at Song Zhiwei, yet he didn't dare to make another move—Song Zhiwei's aura today was so overwhelming that it made him feel intimidated.