The banquet was held at the prestigious Haiyi Hotel in the heart of Haishi City. As Ye Shuya entered the grand lobby, she gracefully removed her outer coat and handed it to a waiting attendant. With Chen Qi by her side, they ascended the elegant spiral staircase, each step winding them higher into a realm that was a stark contrast to the mundane world outside.
It was a realm of opulence and glamour, where the air was thick with the scent of perfume and the gentle murmur of conversation intermingled with the melodic clink of glasses. All around, guests appeared to be engaged in warm and enthusiastic dialogue, their laughter and toasts creating a symphony of merriment.
Ye Shuya was a woman of her word and duty. Having agreed to accompany Chen Qi, she dutifully embraced her role as his companion for the evening. She looped her arm through his, offering a smile that was as polished as it was obligatory. Yet, beneath her composed exterior, she harbored a deep-seated aversion to Chen Qi, a sentiment she kept well-hidden from the guests whose jovial facades masked their own cunning intentions.
In that moment, Ye Shuya felt a surge of gratitude for her chosen profession as a teacher. In the company of children, there were no ulterior motives, no deceit. The purity of the classroom seemed a universe away from the intricate and often treacherous social dynamics of such high-society gatherings.
From the moment they entered, Chen Qi had flitted about like a social butterfly, alighting on various groups of guests and engaging in animated conversation. Initially, Ye Shuya had followed, offering silent support as he spoke. But as the evening wore on, the fatigue on her face deepened. Chen Qi, noticing her weariness, asked with genuine concern, "Miss Ye, would you like to rest?"
She nodded, "Yes, please."
With a gentle disentanglement of her arm from his, she navigated through the bustling crowd and found solace in a quiet, secluded corner. The twelve-centimeter heels she wore that night had turned her feet into throbbing reminders of the discomfort of such events. She detested these gatherings, the superficial mingling, the unwanted advances.
No sooner had she settled into her corner than the unsolicited approaches began. Invitations to dance, offers of champagne, and even the crude proposition of a hotel room encounter came her way.
Ye Shuya was not adept at such social repartee. The faces of the wealthy, particularly the men with their presumptuous advances, were detestable. They saw a beautiful woman and immediately sought to conquer, as if to prove their prowess.
She had no connection to this world, no need to barter her dignity for business gain. Thus, she rejected each advance with unwavering resolve and without a hint of mercy.
The men, clad in their tailored suits, would offer an awkward smile before turning away, their propositions rejected.
She loathed the environment, filled with hundreds of people, many of whom harbored intentions akin to Chen Qi's, and numerous women who were all too eager to display their wares with a mix of coquetry and acerbic wit.
"How pretentious, she just turned down an invitation from President Liang himself," one voice whispered, carrying through the air like a gust of wind.
"Such feigned nobility, who does she think she is?" another sneered.
"Tsk," came the dismissive hiss.
...
Ye Shuya listened to it all with an impassive expression, the whispers infiltrating her ears like the wind. Suddenly, Chen Qi appeared, his breath reeking of alcohol, his face flushed, and his belly rounded from indulgence. His excitement was palpable as he said, "Come, let's meet someone important."