The Four Clans

Bai Ruoxi's slender fingers went across Gu Xing's face and stunned everyone. The tongue-tied girl stood silent for a good few seconds before finally reacting. Her eyes widened in utter disbelief and she raised a finger to point at Bai Ruoxi's nonchalant countenance.

"Y-you, what did you just do?!" Gu Xing shrieked.

With a smile, Bai Ruoxi crossed her arms on her chest. "Slapped you."

"Xiao Xi, how could you do that?! Xiao Xing has always treated you like her own sister!"

"Oh, really?" Bai Ruoxi chuckled softly and glanced towards the reddened Gu Xing, "No, thank you. Please, treat me like a stranger if you would."

When the crowds heard her words, it was all clear as the day to them that Bai Ruoxi wasn't even bothered to treat the family of her ex-fiancee with courtesy. Although it left a somewhat bad impression, they also silently noted this matter to distance themselves from the Gu's even further in order to get on Bai Ruoxi's good side.

Nevertheless, questions and doubts were still mixed along with the murmurs that spread across the venue. People started to contemplate the possibility of Gu Xing's words after witnessing the prior scene.

Could it be this man was really an impostor? Was that why Bai Ruoxi had lost her calm and attacked Gu Xing who told the truth?

Noticing the judging stares from the crowds, anger and impatience swelled inside Jun Yihan. How could he not feel angry when people were doubting Bai Ruoxi?

Just as he was about to open his mouth and silence the ignorant folks, several pairs of heavy footsteps were heard. Jun Yihan glanced towards the main entrance and when he spotted the bunch of people, he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Where is that Bai girl? Bring her before this young master!" A roar belonging to a man rang across the room. His tone was filled with arrogance, yet alluring and seductive.

"Ren Hu," A gentle voice spoke followed by a sigh, "This isn't your house, don't cause any trouble."

"What trouble?! This young master--"

"Tsk, idiot cat." Another man jeered.

"Cat, you said?! I am the heir to House of the White Tiger! This young master is clearly a vicious tiger!" Ren Hu then turned to the woman robed in a glamorous golden qipao, "Zexi, help me knock some sense into this stupid turtle!"

Han Zexi shook her head and sighed again, "Ren Hu, Xia Yimin, keep your composure. This isn't our territory."

"Screw that sh*t! Just bring me that Bai girl! This young master has already prepared a gift, why isn't she showing up?!"

Amid Ren Hu's loud clamor, people kept their silence as they watched the three newcomers' banter. It also didn't escape their ear when the blond man referred to himself as the heir to House of the White Tiger.

Ren Hu, Han Zexi, and Xia Yimin?

Weren't those the legendary heirs to the other three clans?!

Chaos erupted as people started to talk among themselves, not even bothering to whisper anymore. Their eyes darted back and forth from Bai Ruoxi to the four heirs.

"Is this another of her schemes? Not only did she pay one man to pretend as Jun Yihan, but also the rest of the heirs? Is she tired of living?!"

"Shut your mouth! Are you blind?! Look distinctly at their collars, can you see it? Each of them has an emblem on their collars, those are the insignia of each clan!"

"What... oh my God! I can see it! The insignia, they are the real deal!"

"Are you serious? The heirs from the four clans really came?!"

Bai Ruoxi heard everything loud and clear. She was very much astounded and delighted, but also somewhat confused. While it was true that she did invite them, Bai Ruoxi still couldn't believe that the four clans really decided to come.

The Bai Family had no connection to the underworld, thus the four clans had no reasons to grace her with courtesy, never mind to attend her birthday party.

But to her surprise, here they were.

Bai Ruoxi was still in a daze when she felt a gentle pat on her shoulder. She looked up to find Ming Lu's tender smile.

"Shouldn't you be attending your guests?"

"Oh," Bai Ruoxi straightened her back and flashed a warm smile, "You're right."

"Allow me to go with you."

Jun Yihan walked forward, his expression was aloof but Bai Ruoxi could sense the warm radiance coming from him. It made her comfortable.

Bai Ruoxi was about to walk away when she suddenly remembered something. She turned around and looked for the Gu siblings, but they were already nowhere to be found. Bai Ruoxi rolled her eyes inwardly and trod away lightly alongside Jun Yihan.

"You must be Miss Bai." Han Zexi smiled brightly when Bai Ruoxi was a few steps away from them, she then turned towards Jun Yihan and nodded respectfully. "Greetings to you, Young Master Jun."

Bai Ruoxi drifted her eyes across each of their countenances and performed an elegant curtsy. "I am honored to be graced by your presence, Miss Han, Young Master Ren, Young Master Xia."

Han Zexi felt a slight relief when she noticed Bai Ruoxi's sincere greeting, unlike some others who would immediately flatter her to cloud nine. This simple point had gained Bai Ruoxi a favor from her.

"Congratulations on turning twenty-one, Miss Bai." Han Zexi gestured her hand and a girl holding a white box moved forward, "I've prepared a--"

"Bai girl! I didn't expect you to be this beautiful!" Ren Hu shoved himself in between Han Zexi and Bai Ruoxi. "Here, take my gift! A beautiful necklace for a beautiful lady, if it isn't enough, don't hesitate to call me. Here's my number."

Ren Hu's sudden outcry caused black lines to form on Han Zexi's forehead. The woman glanced towards Jun Yihan and immediately averted her eyes, silently lighting a candle for the ignorant man.

Jun Yihan's emotionless eyes were glued on Ren Hu's face, yet the latter was too dense to even realize the surrounding air that was dropping a few degrees lower.

Xia Yimin quickly handed his present to Ming Lu and distanced himself from the four of them, far away from Jun Yihan, to another side of the room where it was warmer. Fun fact: when turtles got too cold, they ran the risk of getting "cold-stunned" and became immobile!

"R-Ren Hu, don't you like sashimi? I saw some over there, let's go..." Han Zexi tried her hardest to fish Ren Hu away, despite the cold sweats drenching her back.

"Sashimi?!" Ren Hu's eyes shone brightly, "Let's go!"