Bai Ruoqi spoke on stage for about half an hour.
Her demeanor and conversation captured everyone's attention. Men admired her beauty, and women envied it. At that moment, she was the most dazzling star.
Wu Tian, however, hadn't recovered his senses. Tang Qi found his state strange but didn't ask further.
Judging by Wu Tian's expression, she knew something had happened to him, so she dared not say more and simply stood by silently.
After Bai Ruoqi left the stage, the opening ceremony was considered concluded.
Everyone entered a period of free mingling, engaging in pleasant conversations.
Wu Tian, taking advantage of the crowd, left without a word and slipped backstage.
He watched as Bai Ruoqi walked into the lounge and quickly followed.
However, two bodyguards stood at the lounge door. As soon as he approached, they blocked him.
"Excuse me, sir, this area is restricted. Please leave immediately."
Normally, Wu Tian would have spoken politely to the security guards.
But he was anxious at the moment and couldn't afford to be polite. He simply lowered his voice and commanded, "Get out of my way!"
Bai Ruoqi's bodyguards were professional. Hearing Wu Tian's words, they immediately took offense.
One of the bodyguards frowned and said, "Sir, please cooperate with our work."
"This is Miss Bai's lounge. Do you know the consequences of forcing your way in?"
Wu Tian said sternly, "I'm looking for Bai Ruoqi. You'd better let me pass, or I'll go in directly!"
"How dare you!" The bodyguard couldn't tolerate such words and lunged at Wu Tian.
These bodyguards were indeed formidable fighters, capable of taking on several opponents. But in front of Wu Tian, they were no match.
Wu Tian subdued them in a few moves and reached for the doorknob.
The bodyguard, still diligent, shouted even after being knocked down, "Miss, be careful! Someone is trying to break in!"
The lounge door was immediately opened.
Bai Ruoqi appeared at the doorway and asked, "What's wrong?"
But upon seeing Wu Tian, she froze.
Her expression then turned rigid, "Wu... Wu Tian? What are you doing here?"
Wu Tian looked at her without speaking.
Meeting his silent gaze, Bai Ruoqi's heart clenched, and she dared not speak.
"Miss Bai," Wu Tian said coldly, "May I come in?"
Bai Ruoqi's delicate body trembled slightly.
The address "Miss Bai" was too distant. She knew Wu Tian was angry.
She quickly said, "I know what you want to ask. Come in first."
Then she looked at the two bodyguards lying on the floor and asked, "Are you alright?"
The two bodyguards stood up and bowed to Bai Ruoqi, "We apologize, Miss. We were incompetent. Please forgive us."
Bai Ruoqi smiled and said, "It's nothing. You weren't his match."
"That's understandable. I apologize to you on his behalf. I'll pay you double your salary this month."
The two bodyguards had some reservations initially.
But after hearing Bai Ruoqi's words, their reservations vanished, and they quickly said, "Thank you."
At this moment, Wu Tian's cold voice rang out, "No need. This is my fault. I was rude just now. I apologize to you. As for compensation, I will pay you later."
Bai Ruoqi was stunned for a moment. Then, she said nothing more, gestured for the two bodyguards to leave, and promptly closed the lounge door.
Wu Tian sat on the sofa.
Bai Ruoqi poured tea for Wu Tian and then asked, "Wu Tian, why are you here?"
Wu Tian didn't even look at her and said coldly, "I didn't come here for you to ask me questions. Do you understand what I mean?"
Bai Ruoqi's expression stiffened again, and she felt a pang of guilt.
She lowered her head and said, "I'm sorry, Wu Tian. About what happened before, I didn't mean to. I just had no choice..."
"No choice?" Wu Tian sneered. "What do you mean by 'no choice'?"
"Who are you? You're the eldest daughter of the Bai family!"
"Don't just talk about this country; even in this world, is there anything you can't do?"
"All I asked was for you to tell me your identity, and you say you have no choice. What do you mean by that? Do you think I'm a fool, easy to fool?"
Bai Ruoqi quickly said, "No, Wu Tian, you must believe me. I really didn't think that way."
"It's just... it's just..."
Bai Ruoqi hesitated for a long time, then seemed to make up her mind.
She took a deep breath, looked into Wu Tian's eyes, and said, "Forget it. Since you know my identity today, I won't hide it from you anymore."
"Wu Tian, I'll tell you everything you want to know."
She paused and then said, "I am indeed from the Bai family in the capital, and I am indeed a daughter of the family."
"But we don't have just me as an heir. I have older cousins."
"To secure the position of heir, the internal struggles in our family are very intense. Our branch is not very influential within the family, and we've been suppressed by my cousin's family for years."
"The reason I was sent to study here before was that my parents wanted me to leave that environment of deceit and intrigue."
"Later, when I came of age, my parents brought me back home."
"It was only at the last class reunion that I came to find you."
Hearing Bai Ruoqi's explanation, Wu Tian still felt confused.
He asked, "But what does this have to do with you not meeting me last time?"
"Is this some secret worth hiding? Why wouldn't you tell me?"
Bai Ruoqi shook her head and said, "No, I wanted to tell you so much that I invited you to dinner that time, wanting to tell you this secret."
"Wu Tian, in this world, you are one of the people I trust the most. I feel for you..."
Bai Ruoqi's voice suddenly stopped as she became emotional.
Then, she looked shy and averted her gaze, "In short, I intended to see you that time, but I suddenly received some news that forced me to abandon the idea at the last minute."
"As I said before, my cousin's family has always been suppressing our family, and now that the old man is nearing his end, the competition for the heir position has naturally become more intense."
"And my cousin's family has started to resort to unscrupulous means."
"They have severely damaged my family's businesses, intending to bring our family down directly."
"And on the very day I planned to meet you, they also..."