Alanruo was not made happy by Qinghua's approval. Although she could not yet fully decipher their covert scheming, it did not mean she was foolish enough not to see that something was amiss. Alanruo knew in her heart that her mother's approval was merely perfunctory, so she offered perfunctory birthday congratulations in return.
After stepping down and finishing the roast meat meant for everyone, Alanruo excused herself on the grounds of feeling unwell. Qinghua was only too eager to be rid of the sight of her and readily granted permission. Watching the lively scene before her, Alanruo felt like an outsider; this was not her home, and these were not her kin. She longed for the giant pythons. When she asked to withdraw, she had hoped for a moment of solitude, but Shen Ye sensed her low spirits and anxiously prepared to follow.
Shen Ye also bowed out and said to Alanruo, "Alanruo, where do you want to go? I'll keep you company."
Chapter 107