Chapter Seven: The Trophy Actress of Modern Society’s Faux Heiress (7)

[Host, eat less—I’m worried your gown might burst right here…]

“The cat’s not big, but the worries sure are,” Xiandu replied to Wangcai in her mind as she savored a dessert.

Though quick, every movement exuded elegance.

Xiandu wore a blue ballet dress adorned with a butterfly bow. A huge blue bow stretched from her shoulder to her back, with a long train trailing behind her, making her look as delicate as a music box doll.

To fit into this gown, Xiandu had been forbidden from eating any staple food since yesterday.

She was nearly starving and headed straight for the dessert table upon entering the venue.

[Host, you look so stunning today! Do you think any paparazzi might catapult you to the trending list because of your beauty?]

“Overthinking it. With so many popular stars here, everyone’s busy snapping them, who would have time for me?”

“Besides, that newly famous high-society celebrity couple has also arrived.”

That Director Wei really had nerve—knowing her role was lost because of Jiang You’an, yet still sending her an invitation featuring Jiang You’an’s attendance.

Was he just waiting to feast on some high-society drama?

Loving the spectacle, no matter how messy.

Click-clack—The sound of high heels halted.

Xiandu, lowering her head to eat, suddenly saw two pairs of shoes enter her sight: a pair of dark red leather shoes and a pair of wine-red high heels.

She looked up to see the popular “Peeled Pomelo” couple—Bo Yue and Jiang You’an.

Bo Yue wore a wine-red suit, while Jiang You’an, in a dark red fitted evening gown, linked her arm through his.

Ahem, I guess you really can’t talk behind someone’s back—here comes the main actors themselves.

Xiandu leisurely pulled out a tissue to dab her mouth, holding her dessert plate as she prepared to move elsewhere.

“Sister Jiang, wait… Sorry, I don’t even know if your surname is really Jiang,” Jiang You’an hurriedly stopped her, covering her mouth in embarrassment.

“Ugh,” Xiandu set down her dessert and said to Wangcai, “Who actually goes looking for trouble?”

She turned around, placed the plate down, crossed her arms, and looked at the two of them with amusement, scanning them up and down, making them both uneasy, unsure of her intentions.

“So there really are people whose brains are connected straight to their rectum—everything they say reeks.”

“Sister, why are you like this? I just wanted to show concern. I didn’t mean to say the wrong thing,” Jiang You’an sniffled, her voice trembling.

Bo Yue quickly comforted her. Seeing she was fine, he frowned and said, “Xiandu, I know you’re resentful toward me, but You’an is innocent…”

“Stop!” Xiandu raised her hand to cut him off. “Don’t be so familiar. Who you are has nothing to do with me, and you’re not worth my emotions. As for her…”

Xiandu sneered, “Remember to keep your leash tight. I’m in a good mood now, but if I were quick-tempered, I might just scratch that delicate, flower-like face of hers. Then there’d be no telling what would happen!”

At her words, Jiang You’an cried even louder, her sobbing drawing curious glances from those nearby.

Originally, Jiang You’an’s delicate appearance clashed awkwardly with her wine-red gown, looking like a child dressed in adult clothes. Her dramatic tears only made the mismatch more obvious.

“Enough, Jiang Xiandu!” Bo Yue, unable to calm Jiang You’an, redirected his anger at Xiandu. “You just threatened her over a few words? You’ve changed—become crude and unbearable. Now you’re even threatening others. I misjudged you, and I’m glad we broke up.”

His voice was loud enough for the surrounding crowd to hear. Though eager to watch the drama unfold, no one dared approach out of respect for the Bo and Jiang families. They only vaguely understood it was a romantic dispute.

“Poor Bo family’s heir…” Xiandu rubbed her forehead with feigned pity, though inside she was disgusted.

“I admit I’m no saint, but is your fiancée really pure as snow? She…”

“Sister!” Jiang You’an interrupted hurriedly, wiping away tears and linking her arm with Bo Yue’s. “I know you resent Bo Yue for breaking up with you and getting together with me. But Bo Yue always liked me; before, he just projected his feelings for me onto you!”

Bo Yue fell silent, caught off guard by Jiang You’an’s blunt revelation of his dark inner thoughts.

“Xiandu, listen—” Bo Yue began, ashamed and wanting to explain, but Xiandu stopped him again.

“Enough!” she gestured sharply. “After all this, Miss Jiang is just worried I’ll rekindle feelings with your fiancé. Don’t worry—the Matchmaker’s waste sorting is thorough. You two match well, not only in clothes but in intellect.”

“And as for me, I’ll never rummage through the recycling bin for anything!”

Xiandu glanced around; the onlookers quickly avoided her gaze.

“Miss Jiang should be grateful no paparazzi are inside. Otherwise, who knows what I might have leaked!”

She placed her dessert plate beside the recycling bin and prepared to leave.

“Oh, Mr. Bo, instead of wandering around with your fiancée, why not thoroughly check what she’s been scheming behind your back?”

She patted her hands and, passing Bo Yue, whispered:

“Friendly reminder: trending topic material.”

Bo Yue stared in shock, searching her eyes for any hint of a lie.

He found none.

“Sis—”

“Enough!” Jiang You’an tried to speak but was silenced by Bo Yue’s sharp reprimand.

Xiandu lifted her skirt and walked away calmly, carrying the complex gazes of Bo Yue, the resentful stares of Jiang You’an, and the curious eyes of the crowd.

The Starry Night Awards venue had a garden behind the main hall, where many business elites mingled.

In the heavily light-polluted city of A, one could still glimpse stars here, with scattered plants decorating the garden, creating a pleasing view.

Because Huo Ying had ordered Xiandu not to leave before the ceremony began, she retreated to a quiet spot in the garden to pass the time.

Breathing in the fresh outdoor air, Xiandu’s mood settled as she chatted with Wangcai.

“Arguing is exhausting. If your department hadn’t sealed off my abilities, one slap from me would quiet the whole world.”

[Host, don’t be so violent—we’re the civilized department.]

“Then I can add this to my resume: 1 versus 4, verifiable record!”

[Host, where did the 4 come from?]

“Bo Yue, Jiang You’an, and the other two are their family backers.”

[Host, that’s not how it works…]

“Doesn’t matter. Just say it—aren’t these the ones to roast?”

[…That’s not wrong.]

Ding—

“The awards ceremony has begun. Let’s go wait for Huo Ying outside!”

Originally strolling, Xiandu quickened to a trot in her high heels toward the car, seeing no one nearby.

Wearing a pale blue strapless gown, she smiled as she ran, her fair skin glowing in the night.

Her diamond-studded strappy heels sparkled in the dark, the long blue skirt adorned with feathers swaying with each step, and the massive butterfly bow at her back fluttered as if giving her wings.

Unbeknownst to her, someone had taken notice.

“President Gu, what do you think of this project? The return on investment is high.”

Gu Qianxi turned, placing his wine glass on the server's tray. “If you have a project, CEO Wei, speak to my assistant. I have family matters to attend to. Excuse me.”

Though polite, his tone brooked no argument.

CEO Wei’s expression instantly darkened.

Gu Qianxi strode toward where Xiandu had disappeared but found no trace of her.

He placed a hand over his slightly pounding heart and said with certainty:

“It’s her.”