After Transmigrating into a Scummy Alpha, I Became a Tool Person - Chapter 38

It was Xia Qiqi’s birthday. Xie Yinian had long since bought a gift, ready to present it to her. Tonight, they were also attending the birthday banquet hosted by Xia Qiqi’s parents.

Xie Yinian, dressed in a white fitted dress, stood beside Xia Qiqi and asked, “Do I have to go too?”

Xia Qiqi nodded.

“Isn’t that a bit inappropriate? Your parents.”

“You’re my wife. You’re coming,” Xia Qiqi interrupted firmly.

Xie Yinian sighed. “Alright, then.”

The two of them got into the car and drove to the venue. Upon arrival, they stepped out and entered the luxurious star-rated hotel.

Many businesspeople and second-generation wealthy heirs had been invited to the banquet. Some were there to cultivate a connection with Xia Qiqi, while others simply came to join the festivities.

As they entered, numerous guests paused their conversations to look at them—the evening’s main stars.

“Ms. Xia, you finally arrived! We’ve been waiting for you for so long. And, may I ask, who is this lady beside you?” a man approached.

“She,” Xia Qiqi was about to say that Xie Yinian was her wife when her mother walked over. Smiling, she addressed the man, “She’s my daughter’s close friend.”

“Oh, I see.”

After exchanging a few polite words with the man, Xia Qiqi’s mother quietly pulled her aside. “Why did you bring her here?” she asked softly.

“Is that a problem?” Xia Qiqi countered.

“No, of course not,” her mother chuckled awkwardly. Perfect—this way, she could witness it for herself and let go of any hope.

More guests came over to toast them, curious about Xie Yinian’s identity, and Xia Qiqi’s mother repeatedly introduced her as Xia Qiqi’s close friend.

Xie Yinian watched Xia Qiqi and her mother mingling with others. She picked up a nearby wine glass and took a quiet sip.

But, a “close friend”?

A bitter taste lingered in her heart. Well, it was normal for people to look down on someone with her background.

Meanwhile, Xia Qiqi stood there, half-listening to the conversation. Only after turning did she realize Xie Yinian was nowhere to be seen.

She gently freed her hand from her mother’s grasp and whispered to the person she had been talking to, “Excuse me for a moment.”

“Hey, Qiqi, where are you going?”

Outside the hall, An Lin was idly eating cake when she noticed Xie Yinian walking out, looking downcast.

“Miss Xie?” An Lin called out.

Xie Yinian recognized the woman sitting on the sofa—a woman she had encountered a few nights ago at a bar. She must be one of Xia Qiqi’s friends.

“Hello,” Xie Yinian nodded politely.

An Lin gestured to the sofa. “Sit down.”

Xie Yinian sat across from her.

“Would you like some cake?” An Lin asked with a smile.

“No, thank you. Just some juice will do,” Xie Yinian replied.

An Lin asked a server to pour a glass of juice and handed it to her. Xie Yinian took it. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. By the way, why aren’t you staying with Xia Qiqi?” An Lin asked, curious.

Xie Yinian forced a small smile. “She probably doesn’t need me there.”

From what she had just seen, everyone around Xia Qiqi was wealthy and influential. The sense of disparity left Xie Yinian feeling dejected. Perhaps she really didn’t belong beside Xia Qiqi—perhaps she wasn’t worthy.

Seeing Xie Yinian looking downcast, An Lin tried to cheer her up. “Come on, friend. Cheer up! It’s her birthday today. Did you bring her a gift?”

Hearing this, Xie Yinian smiled faintly. “I prepared.”

But her words were cut off as the host stepped onto the stage.

“Welcome everyone to Ms. Xia’s birthday banquet tonight,” the host began, delivering warm wishes. “Tonight, an anonymous gentleman has prepared a grand gift for Ms. Xia. Do you know who he is? It’s none other than.”

“Mr. Lin!” The lights suddenly went out, causing a stir among the guests. Then, a small section of lights illuminated, revealing Lin Chen holding a bouquet of roses.

With a microphone in one hand and roses in the other, Lin Chen walked toward Xia Qiqi, followed by a small cart carrying a two-meter-high cake. The crowd erupted in cheers.

Stopping in front of Xia Qiqi, Lin Chen held the microphone and confessed passionately, “Miss Xia, from the very first moment I saw you, I liked you.”

Although he knew she was married, her mother had said the marriage was fake. Could that mean he could pursue her?

Suddenly, Lin Chen dropped to one knee, presenting the roses. “Marry me!”

The crowd went wild. “Marry him! Marry him! Marry him!”

Xia Qiqi looked down at Lin Chen kneeling before her, feeling awkward and unsure how to refuse.

Xie Yinian clenched her glass, crushing it in her hand. Juice spilled everywhere. An Lin stared in shock. “Are you okay?”

Xie Yinian shook her head, accepted the handkerchief An Lin offered, wiped her hands, and turned to leave.

An Lin frowned at the still-cheering crowd and instructed the staff, “Clean up the broken glass here.”

In the end, Xia Qiqi didn’t reject Lin Chen outright; she simply asked him to stand.

Lin Chen rubbed his slightly numb leg and looked up, eyes sparkling. “So, does that mean you accept?”

Xia Qiqi: “…”

Which eye did you see that with?

The crowd cheered once again.

Xia Qiqi didn’t want to embarrass him, so she said nothing.

Cake was then served. Lin Chen cut a slice and handed it to Xia Qiqi.

“For you,” he said with a smile.

Xia Qiqi accepted the cake.

As Lin Chen chatted endlessly while eating beside her, Xia Qiqi responded absentmindedly.

After the banquet ended, Xia Qiqi finally had a chance to slip away.

She looked for Xie Yinian but couldn’t find her. Panicked, she opened her phone to message her, only to be stunned by the message Xie Yinian had sent.

Xie Yinian: I’m feeling unwell. I left first. Enjoy yourself.

Xia Qiqi: What’s wrong?

Xie Yinian: Just a bit dizzy. A nap will fix it.

Xia Qiqi: Okay.

At that moment, Xia Qiqi received a call from her father, asking to meet with her.