Meimei seized the chance to explain the situation first before Wu Qianxi could say anything. Her version of the events exaggerated the "maltreatment" she and Long Jinjing experienced in the hands of Wu Qianxi. It cast Wu Qianxi in a bad light, especially now that almost everyone in the party were paying attention to them.
"Look at my knees and elbows, they're bruised," Meimei said, showing Long Tengfei and Yang Jiahui her perfectly fine elbows and knees.
Well, there were some slight reddening on the skin but that was it. Nobody was really paying close attention as to whether she really bruised or not. The people cared more about her aggrieved expression as she recounted the story.
In addition, tears were still flowing down Long Jinjing's pitiful eyes. It made the people think that Meimei's story was very credible. Besides, there were a few people who witnessed her tumbling down on the floor earlier.
"But it's okay. I'll be fine. These are just bruises after all. They'll heal," Meimei continued to say. "But I feel sorry for your daughter Long Jinjing, Uncle Tengfei. She apologized so many times for spilling the wine but Miss Wu is still very upset about her dress. Miss Wu seems to love the dress very much. She also said that it's very expensive."
"Don't worry, Big Sister Jinjing. No matter how expensive Miss Wu's dress is, we'll help you pay for its repair or maybe even buy her another dress of equal value. But if it's really that expensive and we can't afford it, maybe we can ask Father for a loan and then we'll just pay him back in installments," Iris added.
Chen Fei sighed loudly. "I guess I need to postpone my plan of using my first paycheck when we start working after we graduate to move to a nice apartment. But it's okay. I can't just leave my best friend alone to pay off an expensive dress."
"N-no. I'll pay for it myself…It's my fault. I was the one who ruined Miss Wu's dress…" More tears flowed down Long Jinjing's eyes. Her hand was rubbing the side of her waist, as if she was comforting herself. Her pained expression drew the sympathy of the growing crowd.
"Long Jinjing, what are you saying? I also ruined Miss Wu's dress. I tried to help wipe the stain off her dress but I ended up making it worse. I even 'accidentally' tore off some of the precious ruby beads. Ah! I'm just a poor university student and an orphan who's living with my married aunt. How will I be able to afford those ruby beads?" Meimei 'despaired'. Then she turned to Long Tengfei and Yang Jiahui. "I'm sorry, Uncle and Auntie. I'll have to ask for a loan from you. I really can't afford the dress."
"Oh, my dear Xiao Mei. Don't worry about any loans. What are you saying? We're family. There's no need for loans." Yang Jiahui left Long Tengfei's side to embrace her niece. She looked heartbroken because she loved her dead brother's daughter like her own. Then she faced Wu Qianxi. "Miss Wu, please forgive my niece and my husband's daughter. I'm sure that they didn't mean to ruin your dress. I'll personally pay for the dress. Don't worry about it. I also have some dresses in this place that you can change into. Just please have the kindness within your heart to forgive these girls."
Wu Qianxi felt absolutely mortified. It was taking all of her control to stop herself from erupting in fury at how Iris' group painted the entire situation to make her into a great villain. She thought about trying to explain herself. But seeing the crowd already siding with Iris' group, she knew that she would just damage her image even more if she denied the allegations. So she could only grit her teeth and endure the current humiliating situation. She forced a humble expression on her face and replied to Yang Jiahui.
"Madam, please stop worrying. I'm not upset about my dress anymore. There's no need to pay me back or anything like that. It's just a dress, after all."
Then she apologized once again to Long Jinjing and Meimei, even though all she wanted was to slap their faces and pull all their hair out. She hated that she had to apologize to these bitches so many times. They were really doing all of these on purpose to humiliate her.
She also apologized to Long Tengfei for causing a scene during his birthday. She felt nervous and more sincere in her apology to him because she could see that he was displeased. If possible, she didn't want her future father-in-law to dislike her for any reason.
It was even more important because Long Tengfei was the current head of the family. He had the power to influence his son on who to marry and even revoke Long Hui's status as his successor. Buttering up Long Tengfei was a priority for Wu Qianxi and her family. They wanted her to be the next Madam Long, so it was imperative that Long Hui continued to be the heir.
Finally, she apologized to the guests. Many of them were important personages whose influence could boost or damage one's status in high society. She needed to repair her image to them as soon as possible. The thought made Wu Qianxi hate Jiang Ying Yue and Iris' group even more for tarnishing her image tonight.
"My beloved daughter, why are you apologizing to everyone? What's going on?" Wu Qianxi's mother cried out as she ran to her one and only daughter. Then she gasped. "Your dress! It's ruined! Oh no! Who dared ruin a masterpiece? You paid a fortune for that dress just to wear it for tonight!"
Both of Wu Qianxi's parents finally arrived at the scene. They were in another part of the house chatting with the Long elders and other important guests when someone informed them that their daughter got into trouble.
"Qianqian, tell mother. Don't be afraid. Who's bullying you?" Madam Wu embraced her daughter protectively, and then glared at Jiang Ying Yue. "Is it you? You gold digger who stole my daughter's boyfriend?"
Emboldened by the daring actions of Iris' group, Jiang Ying Yue finally defended herself for the first time ever. She stepped forward and spoke in a loud and clear voice.
"You! How dare a mere bodyguard like you answer me back?!" Madam Wu moved to slap Jiang Ying Yue in her anger but Long Hui blocked her.
Long Hui stepped forward and placed himself in front of Jiang Ying Yue, protecting her from any other physical attacks.
"Madam, Ying Yue is right. Wu Qianxi and I already broke up long before Ying Yue and I got together. She didn't steal me from anyone." Long Hui explained before turning to Long Tengfei. "Father, I hope that you'll allow me to make an important announcement tonight."
"You may," Long Tengfei simply replied with a nod.
"Thank you, Father." Long Hui swept his eyes across the guests, particularly at the Wu family and the elders who were just arriving at the scene. "I would like to clarify one thing to everyone tonight. The only woman I'm going to marry is the mother of my son. She is the beautiful woman beside me and her name is Jiang Ying Yue."
Then he moved to face Jiang Ying Yue before falling on one knee.