Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Song Qingcheng took out a history book from the drawer. “We ran into each other when we were shopping and had a chat.”
An Ran furrowed her brows slightly. In her opinion, Song Qingcheng—who had excellent grades—shouldn’t have interacted with Yu Jing like that. Birds of a feather would flock together. Even many teachers didn’t like outstanding students mixing with poor students, even if that poor student came from a rich family.
She bit her lip. “I heard that Yu Jing’s results aren’t very good.”
“That’s true.” Song Qingcheng flipped the textbook to the page that the teacher had mentioned last time. She lowered her eyes and browsed through the content, but she then casually continued, “She failed four subjects last month.”
There were only six subjects in humanities…
Seeing Song Qingcheng’s nonchalant expression, An Ran was about to say something when the teacher entered the classroom. She could only swallow the words that were about to come out of her mouth.
After explaining why he was late, the teacher quickly immersed himself in the lecture.
While the teacher pointed out the main points on the projection screen, the students below scribbled away furiously.
As Song Qingcheng wrote, she stopped. She looked at the “Ting” character outlined in ink-black font and was a little lost in thought. In her mind, the pair of eyes that were so deep and bottomless appeared. They were calm and steady as if hiding an eventful past that most youths would not have had.
…
In the afternoon, Song Qingcheng received a call from Lu Xishan.
After listening to Lu Xishan’s instructions, she only said ‘okay’ in a quiet voice and hung up the phone. She stood there for a long time before she walked out of the secluded stairwell and went to the form teacher’s office to apply for leave.
After class in the evening, Song Qingcheng did not return to the dormitory but headed straight to the school gate.
The Lu family’s car was already waiting there.
The car did not drive straight to the hotel where the birthday party was held. Instead, it took a detour to the salon center.
“This is the dress that Madam Lu has prepared.” After welcoming her upstairs, the stylist brought over a champagne-colored gown.
Song Qingcheng looked at a red dress hanging not too far away and said, “I’ll exchange it for that one.”
…
At around 7 PM, at the Four Seasons Hotel…
Tonight’s birthday party was hosted by a retired chief of the South City military district.
In the middle of the hotel lobby stood an 18K gold plate with the inscription ‘Congratulations to Old Mount Tai’s Mr. Gu Shouye on his 80th birthday’.
The Gu family was one of the top families in the city. The guests who could attend the banquet tonight were either rich or noble, and many of them were current political figures and well-known socialites. Although the Lu family was on the verge of falling, Ge Wenjuan’s family had a place in the political world because her father used to be the mayor of South City, and her brother was currently the Municipal Committee Secretary. Therefore, it was not difficult for Ge Wenjuan to get an invitation.
The banquet was about to begin…
When Ge Wenjuan returned to Lu Xishan’s side, the smile on her face could no longer be maintained. She lowered her voice and said, “I told you I’d go to the school to pick her up personally, but you said no. Now, how am I going to answer CEO Liu when he turns up later?”
“Let’s wait a bit longer. It hasn’t started yet, right?” Lu Xishan frowned.
As soon as she finished speaking, an eye-catching flash of red appeared at the entrance of the banquet hall, instantly becoming the center of attention.
Song Qingcheng walked into the banquet hall under the gaze of everyone. She did not panic at all as if she was the host of this birthday party. She wore a fiery red tube top dress, and her hair was tied up in a bun. Her shoulders and collarbones were curvaceous, and the simple design outlined her tiny waist. She had a slim figure, but the parts that should be ample were well-developed. Under the dazzling lights, her slender and fair legs had a luster to them.
The coquettish red dress, surprisingly, did not make her look vulgar at all. In fact, it bestowed a delicate and elegant beauty upon her.
Ge Wenjuan sneered. “Lu Xishan, your niece sure has a bright future ahead!”
She had obviously chosen a plain champagne-colored gown. It was very important to wear the right thing at such a prestigious banquet. If one were to dress too ordinarily, it would seem out of place. If one was too outstanding, it would steal the limelight. Other people invited someone to dinner not to steal the limelight, but Song Qingcheng seemed to not understand this logic.
As for whether she really did not understand, Ge Wenjuan had her doubts!
At the banquet, many guests stopped talking one after another, especially the male guests. They watched as the beautiful woman in a red dress walked through the crowd, wanting to know whose daughter she was.
Song Qingcheng didn’t seem to notice these gazes. She walked up to Lu Xishan and Ge Wenjuan and said with a faint smile, “Uncle, Auntie, I’m late. There was a traffic jam on the road.”
Lu Xishan’s brows relaxed. “It’s good that you’re here.”
Not long after, a young dandy walked up to greet them. His gaze landed on Song Qingcheng without any restraint, and Ge Wenjuan had no choice but to hold Qingcheng’s hand. She forced a smile and introduced, “Qingcheng, this is CEO Zhou of Guang Mao Corporation.”
“Hello, CEO Zhou.” Song Qingcheng stretched out her hand and gently shook his hand before letting go.
CEO Zhou was very interested in her. Just as he was about to chat with her, a mocking female voice interrupted from the side. “Zhou Nan, before you hit on her, you have to tell Miss Song how rich you are. You may not know, but the food that our Miss Song serves is dependent on the plate.”
The other party spoke rather loudly as if it was meant for the others to hear.
Lu Xishan’s and Ge Wenjuan’s expressions darkened, but Song Qingcheng did not seem to notice. When she saw Gu Qingwei’s provocative face, she only smiled slightly. “It’s a pity that Miss Gu has such a big and rigid plate. Otherwise, I’d be sure to serve up good food.”
“Pfft—” Someone sniggered.
Gu Qingwei’s face turned pale. “Song Qingcheng, don’t go overboard!”
Song Qingcheng ignored her and apologized to CEO Zhou. She then exchanged greetings with Lu Xishan before turning around to go to the washroom.
Once again, she attracted the attention of countless men as she walked away.
After leaving the banquet hall, Song Qingcheng asked for directions from the waiter and headed straight for the bathroom. After a few steps, Gu Qingwei’s voice sounded behind her. “Song Qingcheng!”
When she turned around, a glass of champagne was already thrown at her.
The liquid trickled down from her chin and dripped onto the gown, creating a dark stain. Song Qingcheng looked at Gu Qingwei, who was holding the goblet proudly, and said icily, “You’re already this old, and you are still playing this trick?”
Seeing the droplets of liquid on Song Qingcheng’s eyelashes, Gu Qingwei’s anger would not be quelled. “Even if I splash this on you ten times over, it won’t be enough to make up for what you’ve done to my brother. Song Qingcheng, you are so thick-skinned to dare to come to our Gu Family’s birthday party. I am warning you—get lost now, or you’ll be splashed at every opportunity!” With that, she left angrily.
Song Qingcheng stood at her original spot, her eyes a little sore. She raised her hand to wipe the wine off her chin, intending to go to the washroom to clean up.
Just as she turned around, she froze.
In the rest area not far away, the man was dressed in a formal suit, looking every inch a gentleman. He had a refined and steady aura. At this moment, he was looking at her with a cigarette in his hand.