Chapter 200: Is It My Fate to Be Manipulated?

Although Fang Zhou had only met Chu Xuan once, over two years ago, the impression she left on him was unforgettable.

Who would have thought that the elegant, dignified lady maintaining her poise at the event could look at a college student with such disdain, as if he were garbage?

Yes, Fang Zhou admitted he didn’t have money and couldn’t provide much materially for Chu Xinran back then.

But he had genuinely liked her, and he couldn’t stand such contempt and threats.

With the passage of time, old memories resurfaced with Chu Xuan’s appearance.

The humiliation and discrimination he faced back then couldn’t hurt him now.

But the impression of Chu Xuan being difficult to deal with remained in his heart.

Next to him, Chu Xinran saw Fang Zhou turn around, a flash of joy in her eyes quickly overshadowed by gloom.

He just noticed me now?

And the person she saw in the corner earlier wasn’t a hallucination, right?

Was he purposely avoiding me?

The more Chu Xinran thought, the more distressed she became, her gaze growing increasingly sorrowful. Her whole being radiated resentment, almost enveloping those around her.

Han Xi also noticed the mother-daughter pair, surprised but not overly so.

Given the Chu family’s status, attending this banquet was entirely within their reach.

Noticing Fang Zhou’s troubled expression, she leaned over and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Fang Zhou looked away and shook his head, saying nothing.

“It’s nothing. When can we leave?”

If possible, Fang Zhou didn’t want to face Chu Xuan.

Back then, he had been threatened partly because he lacked power.

Two years had passed, but he still didn’t want to see the person who had been so unfriendly to him, bringing back unpleasant memories.

“We’ll need to stay for about another hour. The dinner hasn’t started yet.”

Han Xi checked her watch and gave a timeframe.

Fang Zhou nodded, understanding that Han Xi would need to network with potential business partners and couldn’t leave too early.

An hour was manageable.

They silently agreed not to mention the two women behind them, focusing on the auction on stage.

Chu Xinran’s distress hadn’t gone unnoticed by Chu Xuan.

Following her daughter’s gaze, Chu Xuan saw a young man’s back that seemed familiar but couldn’t place where she had seen him before.

When the young man stood up and picked up a female handbag, walking away, she recognized him.

It’s him.

No wonder Xinran was so distraught; she had seen the person she couldn’t forget.

At this moment, she wasn’t angry at Fang Zhou but felt heartache for her daughter.

The strong-willed woman sitting next to him seemed too formidable for her gentle, rabbit-like daughter to compete with.

Then she heard her daughter say, “Mom, I need to use the restroom.”

Chu Xinran stood up, but her direction was clearly towards the man.

Chu Xuan felt a lump in her throat, discomforted.

Her daughter was still too stubborn, never backing down from difficulties, only to be hurt in the process.

But she didn’t voice her feelings.

Let her experience this heartache. Once this period is over, she’ll let go.

Only then can she rise from the ashes and be reborn.

Fang Zhou had gone over to return Zhang Zhiyin’s bag.

They shared a smile, understanding each other without words.

For a moment, it was like being back in high school when a single glance could convey their thoughts.

Zhang Zhiyin found a seat, and Fang Zhou was about to return to Han Xi.

Suddenly, he turned and bumped into someone.

“Sorry, sorry, I didn’t see you. Are you okay…?”

Turning around, he saw it was Chu Xinran, and his apology trailed off.

Why is it her?

Wasn’t she sitting over there just now?

And coincidentally, the glass of red wine she was holding had spilled all over her.

Her clothes were soaked, and she was looking at him with her sad, wet eyes, filled with endless sorrow.

“My dress…”

Chu Xinran pouted, looking aggrieved, her soft voice evoking pity.

Fang Zhou felt a pang in his heart, seeing the large, wet stain on her dress.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. Let me see if there are any spare clothes.”

Fang Zhou stepped towards Han Xi, thinking she could find some spare clothes in the hotel.

Just as he took a step, Chu Xinran grabbed his arm.

“No need, I have some in my room. Can you come with me?”

Chu Xinran tilted her head, her eyes pleading, wanting Fang Zhou to shield her from prying eyes.

Fang Zhou thought it through. He had caused the accident, and with so many people around, seeing a girl with a stained dress might lead to unfriendly assumptions.

So he nodded in agreement.

They walked along the edge of the hall, guided by hotel staff, to another building’s accommodation area.

Chu Xinran pressed the button for the fifth-floor elevator. Once inside, away from prying eyes, she sighed in relief.

“Thankfully, no one noticed. Otherwise, my mom would scold me.”

She mumbled to herself, pouting.

Fang Zhou couldn’t help but find it amusing. She was so grown up but still afraid of her mother?

But considering how strong-willed Chu Xuan was, she probably paid attention to every detail of Chu Xinran’s life.

“Sorry, how much is the dress? I’ll pay you back.”

Fang Zhou knew such dresses were expensive, but having just accepted Han Xi’s employment, he could afford it.

Chu Xinran didn’t respond, and when the elevator arrived, she used her key card to open her room door.

“I’ll wait outside.”

Fang Zhou stopped, politely waiting outside.

However, Chu Xinran looked up with her teary eyes and said, “Do you dislike me so much that you can’t even be in the same room with me?”

“Can’t you tolerate being with me?”

Fang Zhou’s eyes widened in surprise. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then come in. I have something to tell you.”

Here we go again with “I have something to tell you.”

Qiao Sisi had said the same thing to him.

Fang Zhou felt a surge of rebellious defiance.

Why do they always see me as a pushover?

Am I destined to be manipulated?

TLN : AAHH Finally guys, 200 Chapters mark. i’m so tired, but thanksfully my coin reader is here to support me, also my dearest readers. If u guys like my translation , please consider donating me on my Ko-Fi , it will surely help me to maintain my translation and health. thanks you guys for supporting me, i hope my translation is good enough for you guys.