“I think so too,” Mu Qingxue echoed.
“That’s more like it. Peaceful coexistence: you’re good, I’m good, everyone’s good.”
“Come on, let’s get to the table and wait for them to eat.”
With a beaming smile, Chen Xiaoyan pulled the two girls to the small square table, then helped them set up their stools.
“Have a seat.”
Mu Qingxue and Chongchong sat beside her.
Er Xue had already put drinks on the table, but when Chen Xiaoyan touched them, they didn’t feel cold. She stood up and asked, “What do you want to drink? I’ll go get some.”
“Isn’t there already some here?” Mu Qingxue pointed at the drinks on the table.
“They don’t feel chilled.”
“Xiaoyan, don’t drink too many cold beverages in the future, it’s not good for you.”
Seeing Mu Qingxue’s reproachful gaze, Chen Xiaoyan was a bit puzzled. “Why?”
“Xiaoyan-jie, you don’t know?” Chongchong looked at her in surprise.
Chen Xiaoyan dumbly shook her head.
“Then when you’re on your period, try drinking some ice-cold cola. Experience true bliss on your way to the Western Paradise,” Chongchong teased mischievously.
Mu Qingxue’s face darkened, and she immediately objected, “No way, that’s dangerous.”
Then, turning to Chen Xiaoyan, she earnestly admonished, “I don’t know how you managed before, but from now on you need to take care of your health. Otherwise, I’ll keep an eye on it for you.”
“It’s not that serious, is it?”
“There’s no room for discussion.” Mu Qingxue’s tone brooked no refusal.
“Alright, I understand,” Chen Xiaoyan seemed to get their point and obediently sat down.
“She’s right, Xiaoyan-jie. You need to pay attention to your health. Drink too much ice water, and you’ll learn your lesson with a stomachache.”
“Okay, don’t worry, I’ll be more careful from now on.”
While Chen Xiaoyan was being lectured inside the room, Qiu Xue entered with Hongchen and the others.
Originally, Hongchen Old Dream, Yizhi Love Letter, and Carefree Heart, the three brothers, had wanted to join in as well, but Qiu Xue ruthlessly refused.
“Sorry, this is a ladies’ gathering. No boys allowed.”
With that, she led the girls away, leaving the stunned brotherhood behind.
“Wow~ look at this spread!” As soon as she entered, Yilian Youmeng saw the table full of dishes and exclaimed in delight.
“You’re here! Sit down, we’ve been waiting for you for ages.”
“Xiaoyan-jie, we were just looking for you. Didn’t expect you’d be here.”
“Looking for me?” Chen Xiaoyan blinked, asking, “What for?”
Yilian Youmeng found a seat, then glanced meaningfully at Xian Yun and smiled, “Someone was worried about you, that’s all.”
“Worried about me?” Chen Xiaoyan followed her gaze to Xian Yun.
Xian Yun kept her head down, pouring herself a drink in a wineglass, pretending she knew nothing.
Mu Qingxue’s sharp eyes caught the faint tremor in Xian Yun’s hand.
She seemed very nervous.
But what was she nervous about?
Maybe Chen Xiaoyan stared too long, making Xian Yun unable to hold it together. The latter finally looked up, face blank, and met her eyes.
“Big Sister, what’s wrong?”
Chen Xiaoyan shook her head.
“Nothing, I’m just hungry. Make sure you eat plenty.”
“Mm, I will.” Xian Yun replied, then took a small sip from her glass.
After sizing her up for a moment, Chen Xiaoyan shifted her gaze. She still felt there was something odd about this girl, but couldn’t put her finger on it.
Sigh, what a headache.
“Captain, you don’t know, but Xian Yun-chan won the grand prize—over a million in rewards!”
“Over a million?” Chen Xiaoyan was a little surprised, maybe because she herself was wearing jewelry worth over a million around her neck, so her reaction was muted.
Wait, the lottery?
She sucked in a breath, nearly losing consciousness.
She’d completely forgotten about that thing, too busy chatting with Mu Qingxue about March Without Snow.
Damn!
Thank goodness the first place Award Benefits went to herself, or she’d have felt worse.
“Yeah, what luck. The odds were over a thousand to one, and she still hit the jackpot,” Yilian Youmeng sighed.
Hongchen Rumeng nodded in agreement and smiled at Xian Yun, “Right, Xian Yun-chan, you’re so lucky. How about after the party, we go buy a lottery ticket? Maybe you’ll win again!”
Xian Yun shook her head, smiling, “No, I don’t like gambling.”
“Alright,” Hongchen Rumeng looked a little disappointed.
Sanxue finished arranging everything and stood quietly to the side.
With her hands folded in front of her stomach, she looked like a calm and patient maid.
Chen Xiaoyan nudged Mu Qingxue beside her with her foot.
Mu Qingxue glanced back in confusion.
Chen Xiaoyan shot her a look, signaling her to notice Sanxue.
Unexpectedly, Mu Qingxue shook her head and whispered in her ear, “I know, but as long as outsiders are here, they won’t sit at the table. Even if I ask, it won’t work.”
Chen Xiaoyan glanced at Sanxue in surprise.
Damn, there are still people like this?
Do they still live in feudal times?
Or did Mu Qingxue’s father just train them too thoroughly? Brainwashed to such a degree?
“Stare—” Chongchong saw Mu Qingxue whispering with Chen Xiaoyan again, and her gaze instantly became sharp, staring daggers at her.
Mu Qingxue rolled her eyes at her and ignored it.
Looking at the feast on the table and the empty spots at the small table, Chen Xiaoyan hesitated.
Should she meddle?
After much thought, she decided to intervene anyway.
“Ahem, Qiu Xue, could you bring over three stools?”
“Okay, Xiaoyan-boss!”
Chen Xiaoyan watched as Sanxue left, sighing to herself.
“What? Feeling sorry?” Mu Qingxue leaned over to tease her.
“No, it’s just… I’m not used to having people standing by while we eat.”
“Want me to ask them to leave?”
Chen Xiaoyan was speechless, silently giving her a look. (Giving you a look, figure it out yourself.jpg)
“Alright, alright, just kidding. Xiaoyan, you’re a kind person—I was right about you.”
“I’ve always been good, okay?” Chen Xiaoyan grinned proudly.
“Yeah, yeah. So, after the party, will you come to my house?”
Chen Xiaoyan wilted at once, face long, “Can’t we skip it, Qingxue? I’m kind of scared of your dad now…”
Mu Qingxue beamed, “What do you think?”
“You already promised. No backing out.”
“Fine, I get it,” Chen Xiaoyan looked like she was facing death.
Seeing her gloomy expression, Mu Qingxue was annoyed.
“Hmph ╯^â•°, so many tycoons in Central State can’t even get a meeting with my dad, and you should feel honored!”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m honored,” Chen Xiaoyan replied perfunctorily.
Mu Qingxue gritted her teeth, but with so many people around, she held back.
Just wait till we get home, you’ll see.
Suddenly!!!
Mu Qingxue felt a kick at her foot. She looked at Chen Xiaoyan in confusion.
But Chen Xiaoyan was busy pouring orange juice into her own wineglass, with no reason to kick her.
Was it… her?
Mu Qingxue turned to Chongchong.
Chongchong glared at her, then pointed at her own mouth and traced a circle, signaling her to watch her words.
Mu Qingxue found it funny.
This little internet celeb just has to meddle in everything, huh?
Well, so be it.
Without further ado, Mu Qingxue grabbed a bottle of milk, poured some into a second wineglass, and set it in front of Chen Xiaoyan.
“???” Chen Xiaoyan was confused, turning to ask, “I already have a glass—why are you giving me another one?”
Mu Qingxue smiled slyly, “Orange juice is boring. Drink more milk, it’s good for your… development.”
As soon as she said it, Chen Xiaoyan’s expression changed.
Staring at the glass of milk, countless thoughts raced through her mind.
Did Mu Qingxue realize I’m wearing fake padding?
Is she hinting at me with the milk?
No, she’s never touched me, how could she know?
Can you really tell with just a look?
While Chen Xiaoyan was overthinking, she didn’t realize the two women next to her were at it again.
In the void.
Mu Qingxue’s and Chongchong’s gazes turned into legions, clashing in the air.
Since they’d promised not to quarrel in front of her, they didn’t dare raise their voices.
But nobody said anything about eye contact.
So this scene played out:
Chongchong: Today I, Chongchong, will glare you to death, you nasty woman.
Mu Qingxue: Please, you? Go ask your mom for more milk and maybe you’ll grow a little, shorty.
Chongchong: (╯‵□′）╯︵┴─┴
Chongchong: Shut-in, destined to die alone with no friends.
Mu Qingxue: (▼ヘ▼#)
Mu Qingxue: Shorty, you’ll never get taller.
Chongchong: All you know is that line, huh?
Mu Qingxue: Right back at you.
After a fiery round of silent communication, both sides reached a stalemate, snorting and eating on their own.
Sanxue returned with three wooden stools.
“Xiaoyan-boss, here are the stools!”
“Oh, oh, oh,” Chen Xiaoyan snapped out of her daze and pointed to the empty seats at the small table.
“Put them there.”
Qiu Xue set each stool in place. As she was about to step aside, Chen Xiaoyan called out.
“Qiu Xue, you all should sit and eat with us.”
Sanxue froze, and the three of them looked at her in unison.
“Xiaoyan-boss, we have our own meals,” she said, standing off to the side.
Chen Xiaoyan’s expression turned serious as she set her chopsticks down.
“Qiu Xue, are you saying you don’t want to eat with us? Looking down on us, is that it?”
Everyone was stunned at her sudden anger.
“No, absolutely not, Xiaoyan-boss, don’t misunderstand, we don’t mean that at all,” Qiu Xue hastily protested.
Chen Xiaoyan sneered, “Still denying it? We’re here to eat together, and you want to leave? Isn’t that looking down on us?”
“Qingxue, I don’t think there’s any point in staying for this meal. We’re only here for your sake, but some people don’t respect us—can’t blame us for that.”
As she spoke, Chen Xiaoyan signaled to Chongchong and Xian Yun.
Yilian Youmeng and Hongchen Rumeng were left out of the loop—no big deal, she figured they wouldn’t get it anyway.
The logic in Chen Xiaoyan’s words was odd—refusing to eat together means disrespect, but anyone could tell she was doing it on purpose.
(Yilian Youmeng, Hongchen Rumeng: Is that polite?)
Chongchong and Xian Yun caught on immediately and set down their chopsticks.
“If they’re looking down on us, let’s just leave, Xiaoyan-jie.”
“Yeah, if we’re going to be looked down on while eating, forget it, boss. Let’s not bother.”
Mu Qingxue was amused by all the theatrics, but she had to play along.
With Lingling’s brains, she’d surely see through it, but what could she do? After all, Chen Xiaoyan’s accusation was aimed straight at them.
“If this gathering falls apart and Xiaoyan complains to my dad, things could get ugly. What do you think, Lingling?”
Yilian Youmeng and Hongchen Rumeng glanced at each other in confusion.
These people seemed to be plotting something big—and not including them.
Qiu Xue sighed and took a seat.
March Without Snow and Qianren Xue, seeing their big sis sit down, followed suit.
“Miss, if you wanted us to join, you could’ve just said so. No need for the drama,” Qiu Xue said, giving Chen Xiaoyan a look.
“Don’t blame me, this was all Xiaoyan’s idea,” Mu Qingxue replied.
Chen Xiaoyan scratched her cheek awkwardly.
So Qiu Xue saw through it all along, and she’d been acting like a clown.
Sheesh, what a loss of face.
“Ahem, we’re not here as our real selves today, but as in the game. This is a guild party, not a real-world gathering. And you all aren’t Mu family servants tonight—you’re all members of the Xueyan Pavilion.”
“No matter who comes, that’s how it’ll be,” Chen Xiaoyan forced herself to explain.
Sanxue’s eyes lit up. They’d been sitting so stiffly before, but after hearing this, they relaxed a lot.
“Xiaoyan’s right. I’m hosting this as a guild event, nothing to do with the real world. Got it, Lingling, Qianqian, Yaoyao?”
Mu Qingxue picked up where Chen Xiaoyan left off.
Lingling, Qianqian, Yaoyao?
Chen Xiaoyan twitched at these cute nicknames. But at least she could relax—looks like Mu Qingxue hadn’t noticed her fake padding.
“Understood, Miss.”
“Mm…” Mu Qingxue glared at them.
“Boss.”
Finally, she smiled in satisfaction.