Caledo hesitated, intending to continue, but was swiftly diverted by Jessie into another topic. It was clear that no one cared to learn the names of Galon and Aife; their attire alone marked them as outsiders to the group.
At that moment, Weimar stepped onto the central platform of the banquet hall and loudly announced the start of the festivities, urging everyone to enjoy the food and fun. The young men and women raised their glasses or juices, laughing lightly. After expressing some sentimental thoughts, Weimar stepped down to rejoin Caledo, making way for the band to take over.
"By the way, Visga just returned from Gondoli. Her flight passed over Huai Shan, and she's coming here to rest. I invited her to today's banquet, and she'll be driving over soon. She's probably on her way now. After eating, we'll all go pick her up," Weimar said, sipping a glass of plasma wine.
"Leaving so soon?" Caledo frowned, "I still have friends here..."
"It's fine, I'll let them know. They can head back on their own. It's been years since our circle got together like this. It's a rare opportunity."
"Maybe invite them along? They're my friends too, and it could be a chance for everyone to meet," Caledo suggested hesitantly.
A dismissive smile flickered across Weimar's face.
"Caledo, tonight I hoped it would just be us old friends getting together. Let's not mix others into it." Seeing Caledo's reluctance, he continued, "Didn't you always like Visga? Now that she's finally here, you're not going to pick her up? Besides, we only have four cars, and there's no room for them."
"Alright, don't dampen everyone's spirits. If you're uncomfortable, I'll handle it."
Caledo fell silent, regretting inviting Galon and Aife to the banquet. After years apart, he realized he no longer understood the once-admired Weimar... The perfect image he held of Weimar gradually faded. Regardless, Weimar was a childhood friend.
"I'll see how it goes," he replied softly, still hesitant.
Weimar frowned, his smile fading, "Think it over," he said, patting Caledo's shoulder.
Galon and Aife had been wandering around the banquet hall, sampling the food. Apart from Caledo, they knew no one else, and new faces kept arriving. The newcomers, all teenagers, were greeted by friends with laughter and conversation, forming their own little circles. Galon and Aife felt increasingly out of place.
"Just eat if you're feeling awkward. Caledo's caught up and can't leave his friends just to hang with us, right?" Galon whispered to Aife before heading off to get more food.
Feeling awkward standing alone, Aife went to the buffet table, cautiously mimicking others by picking up a plate and gently scooping some soup with a spoon.
The opulence of the other guests, in contrast to her less than 200 yuan dress and 100 yuan boots, made her stand out. The casually placed gourmet foods on the table were all luxurious items she had seen in stores, each dish more expensive than her entire outfit.
A quiet laugh erupted nearby.
"Sister, that soup is for rinsing, not drinking," a young girl couldn't help but laugh.
Aife's face turned red, nearly choking on the soup, and she quickly put down her plate to wipe her mouth.
"I must have mistaken it..." Her neck and cheeks flushed with embarrassment, she couldn't bear to look up.
"That bowl is obviously for rinsing... You've never encountered a rinsing soup before?" the girl chuckled again, joined by another girl, both softly laughing.
Standing there, Aife felt her face and neck burn with shame, wishing she could disappear.
"What does it matter? Is rinsing soup poisonous that it can't be drunk?" Galon approached, frowning slightly.
Despite his modest attire, he didn't feel out of place. Having killed before, his perspective on ordinary people had changed drastically, especially since murder in this world seemed to carry little risk. This bolstered Galon's confidence, making him care less about others' opinions.
"It's just rinsing soup. I like drinking it this way too. Is that funny?" Galon took a sip of the rinsing soup, which was slightly sweet with a hint of mint, not unpleasant to drink.
"It's okay, it's okay..." The girl, faced with Galon's nonchalance, felt embarrassed to continue, giving them an ambiguous look before walking away with her friend, both unable to suppress their laughter.
Galon watched them leave before turning to Aife.
"Don't worry about what others think. Just do what you want."
Aife nodded silently.
"Let's tell Caledo we're heading back. Nice place, but the people could be better," Galon shrugged indifferently.
Seeing Aife's continued embarrassment, Galon headed towards Caledo.
Caledo was chatting with a bright-eyed girl, mostly listening as she led the conversation. Seeing Galon approach, Caledo found an excuse to leave.
"I'll check on my friends. They might need me. Excuse me," he said before walking towards Galon.
Sighing, the two met up.
"Did you see that? The girl with the dark golden shawl is my fiancée. What do you think?"
"She seems nice, right?" Galon was puzzled.
"Too nice... Makes me feel useless," Caledo expressed his defeat.
"I came to say Aife and I are heading back. You should stay with your friends."
"I wanted to introduce you..." Caledo stopped, falling silent, "Then... I'll drive you."
"No need, we can manage. I'll take Aife home. I'm used to running at night anyway. But you shouldn't have invited us tonight. Right?" Galon's voice grew heavy.
Caledo's expression darkened.
"It's not your fault. You meant well. We'll leave you to enjoy the party," Galon patted his shoulder and turned to leave. Caledo opened his mouth to speak but remained silent, watching Galon and Aife quietly exit, unnoticed by anyone but himself.
Galon and Aife left the hotel, walking along the bustling streets towards the suburbs.
Aife became silent after the incident, not speaking the entire way.
"It's no big deal. Don't take others' opinions too seriously. After today, there won't be much interaction between us. They'll forget about it," Galon comforted, "And don't blame Caledo. He's just clueless, never anticipating this situation."
"I don't blame him," Aife adjusted her red ponytail, "It was my mistake. Why blame others?"
"Don't overthink it," Galon reassured, patting her shoulder. He had discovered Aife's secret while wandering the city: her family's struggles, her role as a top student at Saint Yves Academy, and her jobs to support her family.
"Cheer up..." Galon was interrupted by a familiar yet strange figure. Closing his eyes, he refocused, "Let's get you home. I have things to do."
"You don't need to accompany me. I can go alone." Aife insisted, then looked at Galon suspiciously, "You go ahead. I'll be fine."
Galon noticed her reluctance to reveal her family situation. Agreeing, he cautioned, "Just be careful and head straight home. Don't stay out too late; it might not be safe."
Aife nodded and turned down the street corner, disappearing from sight. Galon watched until she was gone, then made his way into a dark alley, vanishing into the shadows.