Chapter 35: Xiangxiang, I thought you weren’t coming

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Xiangxiang, I thought you weren’t coming

The Lin Family was using public opinion to whitewash their name and play the victim in front of the Empress!

And they still wanted compensation?

"Xiangxiang’s daily income from livestreaming donations starts at 500,000 Star Coins, and the restaurant’s daily revenue is no less than 100,000 Star Coins. Since you brought your son to cause trouble, she hasn’t streamed for three days, and the restaurant has been closed for three days. The losses amount to at least 1,800,000 Star Coins!"

Lin Yaodong meticulously detailed the bill, addressing Shu Yao with a humorless smile.

"Heh, I know you can’t afford it! You can go ask your mother and uncle for the money. They still have some wealth stashed away in the Fourth District. Have them get at least 5,000,000 Star Coins ready!"

5,000,000 Star Coins!?

At Lin Yaodong’s outrageous demand, even Yudola raised an eyebrow.

Shu Yao, on the other hand, toyed with a silver fork, appearing completely unfazed.

With the smug face of someone newly rich, Zhen Zhen jeered, "Did you hear that? Get 5,000,000 Star Coins ready!!"

"5,000,000..." Shu Yao smiled faintly. "Sorry, but you’re not getting a single cent."

Lin Yaodong slammed the table and shot to his feet. "You little brat, the Empress is here! Don’t you dare go too far!"

Zhen Zhen shot up as well, her expression one of fierce disgust. "You’re just a lowlife who crawled out of a garbage heap in the Lower Star District. We’ve put up with you for far too long! If the Empress weren’t here, we would never even consider sitting at the same table as you!"

Lin Yaodong roared, "The Empress and I are already being merciful by not sending you back to the Lower Star District! Don’t push your luck!"

At some point, the elegant smile on Yudola’s face had vanished.

It was obvious that she was very displeased.

Just then, the main doors opened.

Lin Zhenxiang, clad in a white dress, appeared, gliding in gracefully. She was surrounded by an entourage of die-hard fans and food critics, all fawning over her.

Under the gaze of dozens of cameras, she looked otherworldly and ethereal, as pure as a fairy who existed above the mortal realm.

She faced Yudola and curtsied gracefully, offering her apology. "I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I’m late."

A smile returned to Yudola’s face. "Xiangxiang, I was starting to think you weren’t coming!"

"How could I dare not come when the Empress herself invited me?" After the compliment, Lin Zhenxiang glanced back at the people who had arrived with her, then turned back to Yudola with a troubled expression. "The moment I stepped out today, I was surrounded by fans and reporters. I asked them to wait outside for a moment, but they insisted on following me in. If they have disturbed Your Majesty, I apologize on their behalf. Please, Your Majesty, forgive their impudence."

The fans and reporters swarmed forward, only to be halted behind a security cordon by guards who suddenly appeared.

The scene remained orderly.

The ever-approachable Yudola did not have the uninvited guests thrown out.

Lin Zhenxiang walked gracefully to Shu Yao’s side. "Sister Shu, may I sit with you?"

Shu Yao smiled meaningfully. "I thought you’d rather sit with the Empress."

Lin Zhenxiang, her true intentions exposed, looked awkward for a moment.

Lin Zhenxiang said, looking aggrieved, "Sister Shu, you don’t have to be so hostile toward me."

"My hostility is reserved for my true enemies." Shu Yao glanced at her coolly. "You...are not worthy."

Flustered, Lin Zhenxiang clutched the hem of her dress. She bit her lip, looking wronged, and cast a pitiful glance at the Empress with her reddened eyes.

Her heart aching for her daughter, Zhen Zhen angrily rebuked Shu Yao, "You’ve gone too far! Can’t my daughter even sit down now?!"

"She doesn’t need my permission to sit wherever she wants." Shu Yao shrugged. "It’s not like I’m the host here."

At this, Yudola spoke up. "Xiangxiang, don’t just stand there. Please, sit."

Lin Zhenxiang walked to a seat near the Empress and only sat down slowly after a waiter pulled out her chair for her.

Despite a few comforting words from Yudola, she kept up her aggrieved act, her eyes still red.

Seeing his daughter getting closer to the Empress, Lin Yaodong’s expression softened, and even his tone of voice became much milder:

"Since our friends from the press are all here, Shu Yao, why don’t you apologize to our Xiangxiang? We’ll consider it compensation for her emotional distress. The Empress can even bear witness."