“Can I ask? How did you get your base makeup to look so flawless? … It’s a Chanel professional makeup artist?! How far in advance did you book? Oh, this isn’t a reservation system… Could you introduce one to me too?”
“This dress seems different from the one I saw before… What?! No wonder… So you had it custom modified. No wonder it’s so stylish. It really flatters your figure!”
“It’s crowded here, right? Should we sneak up to the top floor? I know a great spot for stargazing…”
“Should we go to the bar for a drink? … What? You want me to get it for you? … Fine, then wait for me. Promise you’ll wait!”
“I was wondering if your necklace was specially designed? … Oh, no, I mean, normally you’d wear a pearl necklace that better matches the overall style—this outfit has a lot of skin exposure… Ah, I’m a jewelry design student—I have my own brand. If there’s a chance, could I ask you to be my model?”
The entire hotel floor had been rented for this networking event, and the reception desk had been moved to the elevator entrance.
Gao Qinghe was once again surrounded by layers of people, but those who came to talk to her were nothing but the young ladies discussing cosmetics and designer bags, or the young gentlemen asking for her WeChat contact.
‘Enough! Why is it always this kind of conversation?’
Lin Xi and Xiang Bei were each surrounded in the distance—two separate clusters—and she could only vaguely make out their figures.
‘…These two probably don’t even know I’ve arrived, do they?’
Gao Qinghe felt another wave of irritation.
Putting everything else aside, she had to make sure Lin Xi saw her, no matter what.
She pushed through the layers of people surrounding her, walking straight toward Lin Xi with firm, hurried steps.
The pearl chain around her ankle jingled with each click of her high heels.
She adjusted her outfit but momentarily didn’t know how to squeeze into the crowd.
“…Yes, I believe that love is first and foremost a matter between two people. As a feminist, that shouldn’t prevent me from understanding someone’s character… No, I think the feminism Xiang Bei refers to is not what we normally mean by it…”
Lin Xi was still speaking in a light, familiar tone about serious, difficult topics; her voice could be heard faintly.
“Of course, Lin Xi. I think your understanding of feminism is profound and insightful. While listening just now, I was wondering: Do you think men can be feminists?”
“Oh, Lin Xi! Why didn’t you say more before about the gifts Xiang Bei gave you? It seems he treats you well. Truly, only the excellent can match the excellent!”
“A large number of feminists believe that mere equal rights aren’t enough—women must be more radical to reclaim their power. What do you think of this view, Lin Xi?”
“I had no idea Xiang Bei spoiled you this much! Can a straight feminist find happiness in love? Lin Xi, your answer is definitely yes, right?”
“You rarely participate in feminist activism anymore. Is that because you’ll focus more on academics from now on?”
“I heard you’re going abroad… Then, Lin Xi, what will happen with you and Xiang Bei? Will it continue?”
The conversation was a mix of questions about Lin Xi’s own opinions and curiosity about her relationship with Xiang Bei.
The people around her focused on Lin Xi as a person, not her identity or appearance.
Lin Xi responded to each one, polite yet distant, skilled and professional.
Whether it was from drinking too much, Gao Qinghe felt her head dizzy and groggy.
Every question directed at Lin Xi struck her head, making her temples throb, shrinking her smaller and smaller.
She inched through the crowd from the back, even feeling like she was at some fan meeting, standing in line to see an idol and get an autograph.
‘Queue? Ha, queue? Since when did she have to queue to see her own roommate, her own ex-girlfriend?’
“Lin Xi!”
By the time she made it to Lin Xi’s side, the networking event would probably be over.
Gao Qinghe raised her voice and called Lin Xi from within the crowd.
It was loud enough, but perhaps because she had been drinking, it came out sounding a bit like whining.
Though not enough to make the entire venue turn around, at least those surrounding Lin Xi heard it.
Unsurprisingly, every person who turned to look at Gao Qinghe had amazement written all over their faces at her appearance and outfit.
The venue seemed to quiet down for a moment, but soon, hushed whispers reached Gao Qinghe’s ears.
“Hey, who is that? Is there someone like that in our circle…?”
“Is that the up-and-coming actress? Does Lin Xi know people like that?”
“Don’t talk nonsense—I’ve seen that actress, and she’s nowhere near as good as this one…”
Naturally, there was no amazement in Lin Xi’s eyes—only surprise.
“…Qinghe? You actually came?”
Her voice only raised slightly.
The people around them automatically made way, and Lin Xi’s elegant white dress once again appeared fully before Gao Qinghe.
“How did you get in… Did someone bring you in?”
Lin Xi didn’t move, but simply nodded slightly, motioning for Gao Qinghe to come closer.
All eyes still lingered on Gao Qinghe.
“Hey, who is she? Whose plus one?”
“No wonder I felt I hadn’t seen her before…”
Gao Qinghe felt as though the “Guest” name tag on her was being stared at by everyone.
‘Why did she have to say that? Does she have to remind everyone that I don’t belong to this circle?’
She didn’t walk toward Lin Xi.
Instead, she steadied herself, her right hand gripping the chain of her small handbag, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Seeing that she didn’t move, Lin Xi frowned slightly.
“Lin Xi, who is she? Can you introduce us?”
Curious voices around her asked Lin Xi, but Lin Xi just furrowed her brows slightly.
Her lovely cat-like eyes narrowed, her long false lashes curling upward, looking alluring yet dangerous.
She was silent for several seconds.
Suddenly, Lin Xi turned to the people around her, blossoming into an unusually gentle smile.
“I’m sorry, I got a bit distracted just now. Regarding my future plans, I’m currently focusing on academics and indeed considering which schools to apply to for a master’s degree. Whether I go abroad depends on my specific research direction and which lab matches best…”
She completely ignored all questions about Gao Qinghe.
Those closest to Lin Xi, seeing that she had stopped acknowledging Gao Qinghe, once again turned their attention to her answers.
Lin Xi’s white dress was once again swallowed by the crowd.
Gao Qinghe felt something in her chest drop rapidly to a very low place.
Her throat felt choked, she nearly lost her balance, and the ground beneath her seemed to sway.
The voices around her—introductions, asking who she was, flattery—all merged into a buzzing tinnitus that grew louder and louder.
Holding her forehead, a mix of anger, resentment, fury, and hatred toward Lin Xi made her dizzy.
When she looked up, she met Xiang Bei’s gaze, a blend of amazement and emotion.
His eyes locked onto her, locked onto the Tiffany diamond pendant on her neck.
The pendant was so mismatched with her overall styling, a tiny ornament on her large expanse of dazzling white skin, making people involuntarily curious, involuntarily wanting to stare.
It was so jarring—
So deliberate and special.
‘Wasn’t that what she had intended all along?’
Gao Qinghe stared back at Xiang Bei for a long time.
The gazes of those around her—intentional or not, looking at her or not, looking at Lin Xi or at Xiang Bei—all seemed to vanish for an instant.
When she came back to herself, Gao Qinghe walked through the crowd to stand before Xiang Bei and grabbed his wrist.
His eyes were so deep they seemed to want to suck her in.