Leng Yiyao tilted her head slightly, glancing up at the dazzling crystal chandelier. The room was so quiet that every breath seemed audible.
Xi Le’s intense gaze was fixed solely on her, as if he had cast aside the presence of everyone else in the room.
The white-robed man’s usual smile had vanished. He first looked at Leng Yiyao’s calm expression, then at Zhai Mu, who stood closest to her, frowning slightly. But in the blink of an eye, he composed himself, offering a courteous smile as he bowed slightly. “Everyone, the night is still young. Why not head downstairs and try your luck? The VIP lounge has everything you need—I hope you all have an enjoyable time.”
No matter the reason why the legendary gambling king was so fixated on this woman, his subordinate had already made it clear enough. Lingering any longer in this room would be tactless.
With a respectful bow, the casino staff opened the door and gestured for the guests to leave. Zhai Mu paused for a brief moment before stepping forward, as if he hadn’t noticed Leng Yiyao at all. He left with the others.
In an instant, the room was left with only two people.
The spacious room now felt even more empty.
“Who was that man just now?” A deep voice, as mesmerising as polished black marble, resonated in the room.
Xi Le turned, stepping directly in front of her.
His gaze was sharp and cold, but as it landed on the veil covering her face, he hesitated slightly. Then, without a second thought, he reached out and pulled away the obstructing fabric.
The black veil was thin and light, slipping from her face with a slight flick of his wrist, falling silently to the ground.
Leng Yiyao blinked. In the next moment, their eyes met midair.
She chuckled softly.
“I don’t know.” Her voice was as indifferent as the icy winds of a distant land. She smiled, her eyes open and unguarded.
Xi Le’s fingers instinctively curled into a fist, his tightened grip resting behind his back. He stared at her deeply, as if trying to peer into the depths of her soul.
She neither avoided his gaze nor flinched. Instead, she shifted her posture, casually leaning into the sofa. “As far as I recall, you never personally inspect the casino floors. Why the sudden interest today?”
“You never used to dodge questions either,” Xi Le countered, his gaze sweeping over her relaxed and carefree face. His expression gradually darkened. “Do you not realise how worried your sister must be after you ran away from home?”
Ah. Finally…
Leng Yiyao tilted her head, a light smile playing on her lips. After all this talk, he finally got to the real point.
No matter how much he tried to skirt around it, he couldn’t avoid mentioning her sister.
But…
“Who told you I ran away from home?” A sharp glint flashed through her eyes, as piercing as moonlight seeping into bone. Just a moment ago, she had been at ease, but now, she radiated a completely different aura.
She lifted her head and smiled faintly, but the chill in her eyes sent an inexplicable shiver down his spine.
Xi Le stiffened, a cold sensation washing over him. The familiar face before him was no longer the once-cautious, sweet girl he remembered.
At this moment, she was an enigma. Gone was the shy and delicate demeanour of the past. Instead, she exuded an air of detachment, her piercing gaze scrutinising his every move.
How long had it been since someone had looked down at him with such condescension?
At first, he found it absurd. But when his eyes met the icy light in hers, he found himself utterly speechless.
It was as if… something within her had fundamentally changed.
Leng Yiyao, however, had no interest in his thoughts. She let out a soft scoff before lowering her gaze slightly.
If being deceived into travelling to a desert oasis, nearly becoming a living sacrifice, and almost getting sliced to pieces by Lu Ming’s guards counted as “running away from home”…
Then she would make sure a certain someone got a taste of their own medicine.
An eye for an eye.
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