Gao Qinghe stepped in black satin high heels.
The slit on the side of her skirt swayed with each step, her fair, full thighs peeking through.
The pearl chain around her ankle reflected glimmers of light.
The slender heels tapped on the cream-colored marble floor of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, producing crisp and elegant sounds, accompanied by the faint tinkling of the thin chain, harmonizing like a concert piece.
The smooth floor, inlaid with delicate golden veins, reflected her misty shadow.
The light Chanel gauze little formal dress shimmered with a dreamy luster under the lights.
The cascading illumination fell on the Tiffany necklace resting on her chest, its tiny diamonds sparkling like frozen starlight, leaping with each breath she took.
Large expanses of fair skin were exposed in the soft light, looking both alluring and vulnerable.
Gao Qinghe parted her cherry lips slightly, her watery almond eyes outlined with light brown eyeshadow, flirtatious yet pitiful.
She lowered her head and smiled faintly, then lifted her chin, extended her hand, and pushed open the heavily carved doors of the venue—
But two security guards in black suits stopped her politely but firmly.
“Please register at the front desk first.”
“Show your invitation, and the clerk will issue you a guest badge.”
What guest badge?
Gao Qinghe was taken aback.
’Lin Xi always took me to register before, but we never got any guest badge. And I’ve never even heard of an invitation letter.’
“I really was invited. My friends are already inside.”
Gao Qinghe said shamelessly.
“The seminar is about to start. Can’t you just let me in and I’ll sign in later?”
But the two men in black still blocked the doorway, showing no intention of letting her pass.
“It’s the rules. We can’t make exceptions.”
“You can call your friend to come get you. Once you have the badge, you can enter.”
The two men in black spoke in tandem, but they wouldn’t budge.
’Ha, as if I don’t want to follow the proper procedure? I’ve called Li Nan over a dozen times, but he hasn’t answered a single one. Who knows if he’s even in the venue.’
’If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve come with Li Nan after picking out my dress.’
’Why didn’t anyone tell me? Why couldn’t Lin Xi have mentioned beforehand that this seminar was special? In my opinion, she’s determined not to let me in—what else could it be?’
’Fine. Alright.’
Gao Qinghe steeled herself.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest, pushing her breasts together to create a deeper cleavage, and leaned forward slightly, gazing at the two security guards with pitiful eyes.
“My friends are really inside, but they’re not answering their phones… I’ve been here many times before. Please, just make an exception for me, okay?”
Her voice was soft and seductive, staring straight at one of the men in black, her eyes practically threading silk.
“I said, without an invitation, you cannot enter.”
“Doing this puts us in a difficult position, miss.”
They weren’t buying Gao Qinghe’s act at all.
They even averted their gaze, their eyes revealing an awkwardness that was almost shocking.
’No, this can’t be right?! How could any guy not fall for that?’
’Damn, they’re definitely a bunch of gays—absolutely gay!’
“I’ve been here before! I always came with Lin Xi. I know people here too. Why can’t I go in?”
“You need to present an invitation, or have someone with an invitation bring you in. That’s the rule.”
The two men in black were patient, their tone calm, showing not a hint of irritation.
But Gao Qinghe was about to lose it.
Her face, her makeup, her entire Chanel outfit—none of it could buy her a ticket in.
’…No, I have to get in today no matter what. I have to let Lin Xi see what I’m capable of. I have to make her know that I can stand under the spotlight too.’
“Now, let’s welcome today’s special guests, Lin Xi and Xiang Bei!”
The host’s voice seeped through the crack in the door, faintly reaching her ears.
Standing at the entrance, Gao Qinghe couldn’t hear clearly, but Lin Xi’s name stuck in her eardrum like a thorn.
’Damn it! What do I do?’
’I should’ve called Li Nan earlier. Wasn’t he in charge of today’s shoot? Why the fuck isn’t he answering his phone?!’
“Ma’am, if you can’t enter, please don’t linger near the venue.”
“If you don’t know where the exit is, I can show you the way.”
The two men in black chimed in again, practically ready to escort Gao Qinghe out.
Gao Qinghe pricked up her ears—she could faintly make out Lin Xi’s voice.
’Why? Just why? Lin Xi is on stage, under the spotlight, and I can’t even be in the fucking audience?!’
’But it’s too late for that. I can’t just wait until the seminar ends. I have to get in—I have to get in right now…’
“You really need to let me in—”
“Oh, Gao Qinghe.”
A grating, full-of-herself voice came from behind.
Frowning, Gao Qinghe turned around.
Sure enough, Zhao Yuqi’s smiling face came into view.
She raised a hand and waved at her, laughing heartily, her phoenix eyes narrowed into thin lines, revealing only the thick black eyeliner on her eyelids.
Gao Qinghe’s heart sank.
’Fucking fake smile—what’s she laughing at? Come here to watch me make a fool of myself again?’
If Gao Qinghe had to rank the people she least wanted to see, Zhao Yuqi would definitely be number one.
Gao Qinghe glared at her viciously, standing in front of the door with her arms crossed.
Zhao Yuqi hadn’t dressed up much.
Her short hair was just casually styled with hair gel, even stiffer than before.
Her makeup was exactly the same as what Gao Qinghe had seen the other day.
She wore a crisp blouse and wide-leg pants—overall, her outfit was more formal, but far from Lin Xi’s elegance and ease; instead, she looked a little stiff.
The little gold badge pinned to her chest was surprisingly eye-catching.
Gao Qinghe couldn’t help but stare at that small metal plate.
Seeing this, Zhao Yuqi just chuckled lightly and fiddled with the badge.
The light reflecting off the characters “Zhao Yuqi” glared harshly at Gao Qinghe.
’The fuck are you showing off to me for?!’
Just as Gao Qinghe was about to curse, Zhao Yuqi pulled something out of her pants pocket.
She tossed it—a small gold glint in the air—and Gao Qinghe instinctively caught it.
Opening her hand, she saw it was a long, thin metal guest badge, with “Guest” printed clearly on it.
Holding the badge in a daze, Gao Qinghe looked up at Zhao Yuqi, confused.
“Hey, it’s fine if I bring her in, right?”
Before Gao Qinghe could speak, Zhao Yuqi’s gaze passed over her to one of the security guards.
The burly man in black nodded, and the two of them held the door open for Zhao Yuqi.
’Holy shit, what?’
Gao Qinghe stood there dumbfounded, watching Zhao Yuqi walk into the dimly lit venue.
“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and get in!”
Only when Zhao Yuqi was inside and turned around to wave her in did Gao Qinghe snap out of it.
She clutched the small metal badge, quickly picked up her pace, and followed her in on her high heels.