In any case, she was in.
Just as the exterior suggested, the interior space was quite large. Zhuang Chi walked somewhat stiffly to the center of the venue, passing many waiters and maids who looked very much the part. Seeing so many of them gave her a sense of detachment from reality.
But it was to be expected. After being tempered by this period of time, Zhuang Chi had developed a certain resistance to some of the more outrageous content in her own novel. This allowed her to turn a blind eye to the overly magnificent scene before her. For the time being, she took out her phone and sent Gu Ximian a message saying she had arrived, but she received no reply.
The car Gu Ximian had sent to pick her up was punctual, and there were still fifteen minutes until the banquet began. Zhuang Chi silently shrank into a corner of the hall, trying to minimize her presence while observing her surroundings. By now, most of the attendees had arrived. They all seemed to be young people around her age, and their backgrounds were clearly either wealthy or noble. They were adept at socializing in such settings, mostly chatting in groups of three or five.
Zhuang Chi, however, had no such intention. She leaned against the wall, silently reviewing her goals for coming here today: first, to personally confirm the new characters’ appearances and personalities, and second, to hopefully stay far away from the center of the storm and get through this banquet peacefully.
In the end, her thought of “not wanting to get involved in the plot” hadn’t changed. It had simply lost out in the competition against “not wanting to refuse Gu Ximian and make her unhappy.” So now, she could only try to have it both ways, Zhuang Chi thought. So, for now, she would just stand here. If she was lucky, she might even be able to stay here until the banquet ended—
“Good evening, Zhuang Chi.”
…This wishful thinking was immediately shattered by a clear voice. Zhuang Chi jolted and looked over to see An Chen. The well-tailored, light-colored suit he wore looked quite expensive, accentuating his handsome and upright figure. His expression was faint as he stood with his arms crossed, saying to her, “So you came. I was worried you might still be thinking of refusing the invitation.”
“…” What a terrible start. She had run into the person she least wanted to see at this banquet just a few minutes after arriving. Zhuang Chi sighed deeply in her heart, but still maintained her etiquette, straightening up a bit and greeting him, “…Good evening, An Chen.”
“Mm.” An Chen gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over her attire. “Is this the formal wear Ximian prepared for you? It really suits you.”
When choosing her formal wear, Zhuang Chi had ultimately picked pants, reasoning that they would be more convenient for running if something happened. Her figure was also tall enough to pull it off, but An Chen was probably just complimenting Gu Ximian’s choice of clothes. Zhuang Chi, well aware of this, nodded. “…Gu Ximian has good taste.”
An Chen’s gaze faltered, and then he frowned without a word. Wow, this guy is so much trouble. He was the one who brought up Gu Ximian first, so why does he act like this when I mention her? Just looking at his expression, I can practically hear the sound effect of his favorability towards me plummeting!
As Zhuang Chi grumbled internally, she thought about finding an excuse to get away from An Chen quickly. Staying together any longer wouldn’t be good for either of them. But before she could think of a reason, An Chen spoke first. His expression was a little awkward, but he tried to keep his tone calm. “This should be your first time at a banquet like this, right? I’ll show you around.”
“…” Not quite understanding why he would make a proposal that would make them both unhappy, Zhuang Chi was silent for a second before asking dryly, “Why?”
“…Consider it a matter of etiquette.” An Chen huffed lightly and lifted his head slightly. “My family is also involved in hosting this banquet, so as a host, I have an obligation to ensure every guest has a good experience. You’re all alone in an unfamiliar place, so you’d probably feel hesitant about going anywhere. That’s why I’ll be your guide.”
Surprisingly responsible. Zhuang Chi mused that his character setting of being serious and reliable was indeed at play. But looking at An Chen’s deadpan expression, she felt a sense of dissonance and couldn’t help but ask one more question, “…So what’s the real reason?”
“If I don’t do it, then Ximian will definitely come help you, and in that case, it’s better if—No, why are you suddenly asking that!”
He stopped halfway, getting angry at his own slip-up. Zhuang Chi looked at him with an understanding gaze. An Chen could no longer maintain his composed demeanor. He shot her a huffy glare and turned around abruptly. “Alright, hurry up and follow me. There isn’t much time left before the banquet starts.”
After speaking, he started walking on his own. Zhuang Chi hesitated for a moment before following, accepting his not-so-pure goodwill. An Chen quickly recovered from his state of embarrassment and anger, and with a business-like attitude, he led her through the main areas of the banquet, pointing out useful locations like the restrooms and exits. Finally, they returned to the main hall, and he let out a short breath. “That should be about it. Do you have any other questions?”
It had to be said, the things he pointed out were quite useful. Zhuang Chi shook her head and began to speak with sincere gratitude, “No, thank you very much—”
“Ah—! Isn’t that Zhuang Chi!”
…A very familiar female voice came from behind her. It was two octaves higher due to surprise, and the tone at the end of the shout was a mixture of anger and delight. Before Zhuang Chi could even turn her head, she heard the chaotic clacking of high heels approaching menacingly, and then someone stood between her and An Chen.
“…Ling Jing.” As expected, this person was also among the characters appearing at tonight’s banquet. Zhuang Chi looked up at the beautiful face, which was unusually wearing a full face of makeup. She couldn’t tell if it was blush or anger, but it was a bit red. “Good evening. You… your dress is very pretty.”
Yes, Ling Jing was wearing an exceptionally elegant and luxurious long dress with a wide, dreamy skirt. Her hair was also clearly meticulously styled. She was beautiful to begin with, and at first glance, she looked like a noble lady who had stepped out of a fairy tale, even making Zhuang Chi hesitate for a moment, wondering, “Is this really Ling Jing?” But that atmosphere was completely shattered the moment she spoke. Who knows how she interpreted Zhuang Chi’s compliment, but her face flushed even redder as she shrieked, “Th-this isn’t what I wanted to wear! It’s all because of my mom’s taste! You-you, stop looking! Close your eyes!”
…What an unreasonable thing to say. It seems it really is Ling Jing, no doubt about it. Zhuang Chi felt relieved. Just as she was thinking of placating Ling Jing, she heard An Chen, who was blocked by Ling Jing, speak first in a hushed voice, “Watch your volume, Ling Jing. Everyone around us is already looking this way. Don’t make a scene.”
Ling Jing, who had been about to say something else, made a cooing sound like a strangled pigeon. She muttered, “You’re here too,” glanced at An Chen, then quickly snapped her head back to Zhuang Chi. She widened her eyes threateningly, but at least this time she knew to lower her voice. “Why are you here! Are you also attending this banquet? Then why didn’t you mention it to me before!”
Ling Jing hadn’t mentioned it to her either, but she asked with such righteous indignation, even sounding a little wronged. Zhuang Chi blinked awkwardly. “…I didn’t know you would be here either…”
“So why are you—could it be your family is also very wealthy? Then how come you never—”
“No, it’s not that. I was invited by Gu Ximian…”
“Huh—??”
“Hey, Ling Jing, I told you to watch your volume—”
Ling Jing, whose emotions had just stabilized a little, bristled again. An Chen, who had been standing to the side with an “I’m not with these two” attitude, couldn’t take it anymore and moved closer to try and stop Ling Jing. But she clearly wasn’t listening, and in a state of chaos, she complained to him, “She said she was invited by Gu Ximian! That’s so enviable!”
“You’re right.”
An instant reply! Zhuang Chi was greatly shocked, repeatedly glancing at An Chen, who had failed to persuade Ling Jing and was instead won over to her side. Who knows which nerve of his Ling Jing’s bluntness had struck, but he turned his head away from Zhuang Chi, standing there with Ling Jing like two unmoving statues, one on her left and one on her right.
…So much trouble. These Alphas are way too petty. Zhuang Chi, also an Alpha, wearily put a hand to her forehead, wondering just how long they would hold a grudge over this.
Just then, soothing music began to play in the venue, followed by the hum of a microphone from the main stage, drawing everyone’s attention. Zhuang Chi seized the opportunity to interrupt the conversation, saying in a monotone, “Wow, is it starting?”
“…Mm.” Although Ling Jing was still muttering resentfully, “Are you trying to change the subject,” An Chen had thankfully managed to recover. He nodded and said, “Looks like the first phase is about to begin… Ai, to think I spent all my time before the opening on you two…”
…Was that her fault? Zhuang Chi pretended not to hear them and stared intently at the stage with an expression of sudden, deep interest in the person there. The man holding the microphone was impeccably dressed, a middle-aged man with a refined and proper appearance. Ling Jing, who had finally settled down, also looked towards the stage and whispered, “Who’s that? The host?”
Zhuang Chi thought that didn’t seem right. He had the air of a successful person, not something a simple host would possess. Before she could think further, she heard An Chen let out a rather exaggerated sigh, conveying a sense of helplessness at their ignorance.
“That is Gu Ximian’s father.”
““?!””
Ling Jing and Zhuang Chi were so startled they both flinched and straightened up. They then began to stammer things like, “Uncle Gu looks so young,” and “Exactly, you can tell his aura is extraordinary just by looking.” An Chen stood beside them with his arms crossed, holding his head high with an expression that said “try not to look too superior,” while frequently signaling them with his eyes to be quiet.
In any case, the three of them didn’t dare to act up anymore and obediently stood in place listening to the man speak. The beginning wasn’t anything special, mostly smooth pleasantries, but his tone was modest and his content witty, earning a good response from the audience. Then, Gu Ximian’s father—let’s just call him Uncle Gu—suddenly changed the subject, speaking in a somewhat mysterious tone, “As some of you may have heard, this banquet has invited two rare guests. They only just arrived in this country a short while ago. Let us welcome—”
“—the two princesses of the &@%# Country!”
He uttered a long string of complex syllables that Zhuang Chi couldn’t catch a single word of. Amidst the thunderous applause, she saw two people walk out from an entrance beside the stage. As Uncle Gu had said, they were two princesses. The taller one had brilliant, sandy-gold hair, while the other had soft, silver hair. Both had the fair skin of Westerners that seemed to glow, with deep-set, bright features. When they reached the center of the stage, the golden-haired girl gave the crowd a radiant, somewhat shy smile, perfectly matching everyone’s image of a princess.
Ah, Zhuang Chi’s heart skipped a beat. It’s “Sweetheart.”
She let out a shallow breath of understanding, feeling that today’s trip hadn’t been in vain. Beside her, Ling Jing’s gaze was still a bit dazed as she muttered, “What country did he say just now?” An Chen glanced at her and coolly repeated, “It’s the &@%# Country.”
Ling Jing clearly still didn’t get it, but she tried to save face by saying, “Oh, so it’s &@—” She attempted to repeat the word, but got stuck on the third syllable.
“…Forget it, let’s just call it A Country for short.” An Chen compromised. Probably out of a sense of responsibility, he began to introduce them to the two girls. “These two can be considered the main characters of tonight’s banquet. Both are princesses of A Country, and they are cousins. The golden-haired one is named Olivia. I hear she’s a rather high-grade Alpha and has already completed the procedures to study abroad at St. Blaisedon. The silver-haired one is her cousin, Lily. She just recently presented as an Omega and isn’t old enough for university yet. She’s probably just here to accompany her sister and do some sightseeing.”
“You two should be careful not to offend them. A Country’s system is different from ours. They both have a real claim to the throne and are a pair of sisters who are quite popular in their home country…”
He pondered for a moment, then nodded. “Mm, if I remember correctly, they are affectionately called by the public… the ‘Sun and Moon Beauties’.”
“…”
“Hm? What’s wrong, Zhuang Chi? Your expression suddenly soured.”
“…Mm, how should I put it? That title… the taste is a bit… What was I thinking back then… Ai, forget it, it’s nothing.”
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