The Elite's Forbidden Romance

"I actually do want to stay at home, but our Tianye won't let me. He insists that he can't sleep without me. You see, once we get to bed, there's no control, and look what he's done to me—I'm too embarrassed to go out without a high-neck shirt!"

As she pulled at her neckline, the bruises and kiss marks on her neck were suddenly exposed, startling Ji Jing who had caught sight of them.

Such marks, anyone could tell how they came to be—could it be that Mu Tianye actually... slept with her?

"My back is so sore." Ning Xiaofei adjusted her collar, exaggerating her hold on her own waist as she stepped out of the elevator, "My husband has been too busy these days. We'll invite you all out for a meal when he finds the time."

Pleased with the envious glares from the girls that seemed almost fiery, she smiled and quickened her pace towards the VIP lounge.

Upon entering, she saw from afar her aunt Bai Qiuling chatting and laughing with several guests who had come to offer their congratulations.

Knowing there was no escaping a scolding, Ning Xiaofei bit her lip and braced herself as she approached, with a forced smile calling out to her aunt.

The Ji Family patriarch had one son and one daughter: the son named Ji Zichuan and the daughter named Ji Zilin.

Ning Xiaofei was the daughter of Ji Zilin. Ji Zilin, unfortunately, had a misencounter, became pregnant before marriage, and the man walked away, leaving her alone. When Ji Family's old master learned of this, he immediately ordered his daughter to terminate the pregnancy.

The stubborn Ji Zilin did not compromise with her father, instead she left the Ji Family on her own and gave birth to her daughter, raising her independently. Although their life was hard and meager at first, they still enjoyed several years of mother-daughter happiness.

Regrettably, due to her weak constitution and accumulated exhaustion, Ji Zilin's health deteriorated day by day.

When Ning Xiaofei was fifteen, Ji Zilin became seriously ill, and for the first time in sixteen years, she returned to the Ji Family, kneeling on the ground and begging her father to help raise her daughter.

The Ji Family's old master, heartbroken for his daughter, took both back to the Ji Family home. Ji Zilin passed away not long after, leaving behind only Ning Xiaofei.

Because he resented Ning Xiaofei for taking away his daughter, the Ji Family's old master never bestowed a smile upon her, let alone the affection one would expect from a grandfather.

In such a circumstance, Ji Zichuan's family of three naturally didn't give her any respect either.

Bai Qiuling was conversing with a guest and, spotting Ning Xiaofei, her lips twitched as she said cuttingly, "You even know to come, huh?"

"Aunt, sorry, I was held up by something and came late." Knowing she was at fault, Ning Xiaofei did not retort but instead looked around apologetically, "Here is the bouquet I brought for Grandpa, where should I put it?"

Glancing at the bouquet in her hands, Bai Qiuling became as shrill as a cat whose tail had been stepped on as she snapped, "How dare you bring chrysanthemums for the old master? Are you cursing the old master to die early?"

Sweeping a look at the bouquet in her arms and noticing the African chrysanthemums, Ning Xiaofei suddenly realized the misunderstanding and hurried to explain, "Aunt, please don't misunderstand; these aren't the chrysanthemums used for sweeping graves, these are African chrysanthemums..."

She didn't know much about flowers herself and had specifically asked the florist what flowers were suitable to give to the elderly. The store owner had personally arranged the flowers for her, emphasizing that African chrysanthemums were quite appropriate as gifts for elders, symbolizing longevity.

Bai Qiuling didn't let her finish, raising her hand and pointing at Ning Xiaofei's nose, "Zichuan, do you hear this? On such an occasion, she... she actually dares to speak of sweeping graves? It's outrageous!"

As the accusations became more excessive, Ning Xiaofei's voice also grew more urgent, "Aunt, how can you say such things? I... I would never curse Grandpa, I was just..."