Chapter 11: The Boys Who Rule the City
1114 Words
Chapter 11: The Boys Who Rule the City
The voice that broke the tense silence belonged to none other than Charles Yu, heir to the influential Yu family. He and Alexander Song had been inseparable since childhood, practically raised as brothers. In Vivian's previous life, when the Song family fell from grace, the Yu family was the very first to offer their support.
Vivian Shen knew every major name among the elite families in the city. In her past life, while working tirelessly to support the Gu family, she’d memorized every connection, every rival, every ally. These young men weren't just wealthy socialites—they were the backbone of the city's political and economic power. Each one of them, with just a flick of a finger, could send ripples through the capital's elite circles.
If Vivian knew this, then Shen Yiran knew it even better.
After all, she had lived through a lifetime of trying and failing to impress these very people.
In their previous lives, these men had little respect for Shen Yiran. Though the Shen family had become a rising star in high society, they still belonged to a lower tier compared to the old-money families like the Yu, Song, and Han families. These young elites, arrogant and proud, never viewed Shen Yiran as one of their own.
Worse yet, Shen Yiran’s personality—prideful, impulsive, and entirely lacking in emotional intelligence—only made things worse. She believed herself superior simply because she was the Shen family heiress and Alexander Song's fiancée, and acted as if everyone should bow to her. Naturally, that earned her more enemies than friends.
Even Alexander's patience had worn thin by the end of their previous marriage, and once his tolerance disappeared, so too did any obligation his friends felt toward her. She had become a social pariah among the city's elite gatherings, reduced to the target of their sarcastic remarks and icy indifference.
And so now, standing here once again in the presence of these powerful young men, Shen Yiran could not suppress her resentment.
"It was the Song family who invited us," she said coldly, "not like we came here begging for it."
Her words cut through the air like a blade.
Silence.
Vivian saw the faces of Shen Yiran's parents, Daniel and Claire Shen, turn pale.
They were stunned. No matter how spoiled she was, they never expected their daughter to say something so offensive, especially not in front of these people.
Even Mr. Lin, the Song family steward, cast an unmistakably disapproving glance at Shen Yiran.
Vivian, still holding the precious jade pendant close to her chest, could only sigh inwardly. Despite being reborn with a second chance, Shen Yiran had learned nothing. That same explosive temper, that same arrogance... she would never survive in a place like the Gu family. They'd eat her alive.
Charles Yu blinked in surprise at Shen Yiran's boldness. Then, as if the absurdity of the situation amused him, he laughed aloud.
"Well now, this one certainly has some bite," he said, not out of admiration, but with thinly veiled mockery.
One of the men standing behind him chuckled. "Charles never lays a hand on women, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to deal with them."
"Tsk," Charles huffed, glancing sideways. "If it were up to me, I’d drag her outside and let her know what happens when you disrespect the Song family."
He gestured with his thumb, making a slicing motion across his throat, then turned to Alexander. "What do you think, Alex? Should we let this one slide?"
Everyone knew Shen Yiran’s insult wasn’t just a jab at the invitation—it was a direct slap in the face to the Song family, and by extension, to Alexander Song himself.
Charles might have been all bark and no bite when it came to women, but Alexander? Alexander didn't follow the same rules.
The entire group waited for his reaction.
But Alexander didn't explode. He didn’t even look in Shen Yiran’s direction. Instead, his gaze was locked entirely on Vivian.
Charles looked confused. "Alex? Are you even listening? She just insulted your family."
Alexander blinked slowly, then finally responded with a lazy, "Hmm? What did she say?"
Charles stared. "You... didn’t hear her?"
Alexander shook his head, still not looking away from Vivian.
Following his gaze, Charles turned and studied Vivian more closely. There was something about her... something eerily familiar.
"Wait a second," he muttered. "Where have I seen you before..."
He narrowed his eyes, as if trying to summon a memory that danced just out of reach.
One of the guys teased, "Hey Charles, are you checking her out now?"
"Nah," someone else chimed in. "He’s not looking at her. He’s looking at the one next to her..."
Before the teasing could escalate, Alexander shot them all a death glare.
"Watch it," he growled. "Say one more word and you’ll regret it."
Charles blinked, then looked at Vivian, then back at Alexander. A realization struck him.
"Oh... ohhh. I get it now! She’s the girl from the photo in your room!"
Before he could say another word, Alexander lunged forward and clamped a hand over his mouth.
Charles let out a muffled groan.
The other guys burst into laughter.
"What’s this? Our tough, cold Mr. Song has a secret sweetheart?"
"No wonder he’s been single all these years."
"Looks like we finally found Alexander's weakness."
Charles, still gagged, flailed his arms in protest.
Vivian stood silently, watching this whole spectacle unfold. These men, powerful and unshakable, carried themselves with a youthful arrogance that masked how much of their lives would soon spiral out of control. In her last life, when the Song family fell, most of these so-called untouchables also collapsed like dominoes.
The capital’s social ladder had been reshuffled overnight, and in that vacuum, the Gu family rose to unimaginable power.
Shen Yiran looked at them, scoffing. Let them laugh. Let them gloat. They had no idea what the future held. In time, they'd all come crawling.
With that thought, she released Vivian's arm and turned away, her expression hardening.
She no longer cared about the jade pendant. She didn’t need it. If her plan succeeded and she became the future Mrs. Gu, then everything—power, wealth, respect—would be hers.
A grand wedding, a powerful husband, a glamorous life... all within reach.
As Shen Yiran strutted proudly out of the Song family estate, she smiled.
This place? She wouldn’t set foot in it again.
Next time, she’d own it.
And when that day came, she’d make sure everyone who ever looked down on her would kneel.
And beg.
- Writer
