What Should I Do If My Ex-Girlfriend's Pheromones Smell Too Good? - Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Guests

The grand ceiling chandelier was magnificent—a massive crystal-textured bird with its wings spread as if ready to take flight. As people moved back and forth beneath it, they seemed plated in a layer of pale gold, radiating a honey-like aura of wealth.

When Shu Qiong came downstairs, a few scattered guests had already arrived, standing near the entrance exchanging pleasantries with Shu Mufeng. They maintained slightly flattering postures, laughing occasionally at Shu Mufeng’s outdated jokes.

Shu Qiong followed her grandmother toward them. Nominally, tonight was her birthday party; she had to at least go through the motions. She greeted several high-society guests with a smile, watching them reveal expressions of half-true, half-staged admiration as they shook her hand and entered the hall.

Just as her facial muscles were beginning to stiffen, Shu Xuanmin walked out and stood beside her. Shu Qiong turned and rubbed her cheeks.

“Oh, Xiao Chen?” She spotted a familiar face—the driver following behind Shu Xuanmin.

Tonight, Xiao Chen was dressed more formally in a crisp suit, still in low-key, serious black with black gloves and leather shoes. Her long hair was tied in a low ponytail, and she followed Shu Xuanmin in silence. Upon hearing Shu Qiong’s voice, Xiao Chen’s muscles immediately tensed, her gaze filled with a hint of vigilance as if she still had psychological trauma from Shu Qiong’s sudden knife-wielding outburst in the car.

Shu Xuanmin nodded to Shu Qiong, then gave a slight wave behind her, dismissing Xiao Chen.

Shu Qiong watched the woman walk toward the garage with interest and whispered, “Gave her a special mission?”

Shu Xuanmin didn’t say yes or no. She brushed back a curl from her ear and offered a gentle, harmless smile: “Cousin, I’ll stay here with you.”

Shu Qiong nodded indifferently. After waiting a while longer, she finally saw the people she was waiting for… or at least one of them.

The Jin family’s car pulled up outside. Unlike the low-key luxury of the other guests, this car was loud, eye-catching, and arrogant. The shimmering lake-blue levitating supercar slowed to a stop, and a head of dazzling blonde hair popped out from the driver’s seat.

“Daughter!” Jin Yan was wearing a slim-fit deep blue suit. Before the car had even fully stopped, she stuck her head out and whistled at Shu Qiong.

“…” Shu Qiong pretended she didn’t know her.

Jin Yan tossed the car keys to a nearby attendant for parking, hopped onto the ground, and strode over to Shu Qiong in a few steps. She hooked an arm around Shu Qiong’s neck and interrogated her: “Hey, why so cold? Where’s the sisterly love between two girls who grew up together? Has it been eaten by a dog after just two days apart?”

Shu Qiong immediately felt countless gazes—both overt and subtle—landing on her. Without a word, she ground her heel into her friend’s leather shoe. “Can you dial back the ‘Husky’ energy? You’re dressed like a human today; can’t you pretend to be a serious person for once?”

Jin Yan winced and stepped back, calling the politely smiling Shu Qiong a stranger.

Shu Qiong ignored her, craning her neck to look behind her friend. “Where are Auntie Jin and Auntie Fang? Didn’t they come with you?”

“Them?” Jin Yan straightened her cuffs. “They’re behind. I didn’t want to dawdle, so I came ahead.” In truth, they didn’t want to ride in her car because it was too flashy and the color didn’t match their dresses. So, Jin Yan had driven her beloved car ahead to find Shu Qiong.

Shu Qiong stared at her, waiting for more. Unfortunately, Jin Yan failed to read the subtext, and they stood in silent confrontation.

Shu Xuanmin, noticing they were just standing there instead of moving inside, cast a puzzled look: “Xiao Qiong?”

Jin Yan looked at Shu Qiong inquisitively. Shu Qiong introduced them: “This is my cousin, Shu Xuanmin. This is my childhood friend, Jin Yan.” Then, Shu Qiong quite impolitely pushed Jin Yan’s back: “Go in yourself. I’m too lazy to find someone to lead you.”

Jin Yan didn’t mind the neglect and leisurely entered the main hall.

Jin Yan was right; Jin Man and Fang Lin arrived shortly after. The driver smoothly parked the extended levitating car. The lights flashed twice, and the door slid open. An attendant waiting outside was about to step forward to assist when someone tapped them from behind.

This attendant was also seeing the Shu family’s young lady for the first time. Turning around, they only saw a backlit silhouette with an evocative profile. To the attendant, Shu Qiong possessed a flawless, refined temperament and a friendly tone; most importantly, unlike the other siblings, she didn’t feel arrogant at all. This made the attendant feel a subtle sense of kinship, and they instinctively obeyed her request to step aside.

Shu Qiong gave a small smile, reached into the car, and helped Fang Lin out.

“Auntie Fang,” she said, holding the other’s hand steadily. “Jin Yan has already gone in.”

As soon as Fang Lin was steady, she hugged Shu Qiong and looked her up and down. “Beautiful!” She let out a soft “Eh” as she touched the jade bracelet on Shu Qiong’s wrist.

“Grandmother gave it to me.” Shu Qiong didn’t stay to explain, leading them inside to clear the path. “Where’s Auntie Jin?”

“Finally thought of me?” A woman in a sharp suit stepped out of the car. She had the mature, capable aura of an elite professional, with a tall stature and deep-set features. Looking at her face, she did resemble Jin Yan, but her temperament was entirely different.

Fang Lin ignored her partner, looking instead toward the other car door. “Yingying,” she called. “Didn’t you say your relationship became much closer after meeting at the training base? Come and say hello.”

Shu Qiong looked over and only then noticed the figure walking around from the other side of the car. By seniority, Fang Yingying was Fang Lin’s cousin once removed, so it wasn’t strange for her to come along. Moreover, Shu Qiong had seen the guest list Shu Mufeng had provided, and Fang Yingying’s name had been circled for special attention. Shu Qiong knew what he meant: this person was a good match, and he wanted Shu Qiong to interact with her as a potential marriage candidate.

“Long time no see,” Fang Yingying greeted flatly, tugging at her shawl and looking uncomfortable in her dress. Usually, Shu Qiong would have commiserated with her about the outfit, but right now, her mind was elsewhere.

Shu Qiong looked at the person behind Fang Yingying, her eyes filled with undisguised surprise: “You…”

Yan Xiangyu stepped forward. Her perfectly fitted suit outlined a smooth, flawless waistline—tall, stylish, with long, straight legs and a distinct feminine charm. She took Shu Qiong’s hand, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on her lips: “Miss Shu.”

The pad of her thumb slid across Shu Qiong’s wrist—almost crossing a line—and combined with that somewhat deliberate, polite title, it silently tugged at someone’s heartstrings.

Shu Qiong stood dazed as she shook her hand. “Miss… Miss Yan?”

Yan Xiangyu let out a soft laugh at her reaction. A few strands of her ink-black hair blew across her eyes, making it hard to tell if the laughter was real or an illusion.

Fang Yingying watched with her arms crossed, nearly rolling her eyes. The way these two were shaking hands was completely non-standard; they were clearly flirting. Who touches someone’s wrist while shaking hands?

Beside them, Fang Lin looked at the three young women. She noticed that while Fang Yingying stood close to the other two, there was an indescribable barrier between her and them. Being an experienced observer, she understood immediately.

Fang Lin covered a snicker. “Shall we? Any secrets can be discussed once we’re inside.”

Shu Qiong’s face flushed. She was grateful her makeup could hide the change in color as she forced herself to walk calmly into the main hall with them. Passing Shu Xuanmin, she told her cousin she would be accompanying the VIP guests and wouldn’t be coming back out, heading straight into the banquet hall with a righteous air.

The Jin family had deep roots, and Jin Man was powerful; everyone could see the family’s upward momentum in recent years. This group received a lot of attention the moment they entered. Jin Man handled the scene like a fish in water, taking a glass of champagne from an attendant and engaging with the people who swarmed around.

The topics were always the same: business with strangers, and family or children with those more familiar.

Shu Mufeng soon noticed the situation and came over to greet them. “I heard your daughter is studying command at the Military Academy? Truly a high talent.”

Someone nearby chimed in: “The Alliance Military Academy is an old-guard elite school, and the Mech Department is the hardest to get into. It shows your daughter has a firm mind and great ideals! No doubt she aims for the military command headquarters in the future…”

While Jin Man listened to this, she looked at Jin Yan sitting in the corner eating a small cake. This “firm-minded” and “idealistic” Miss Jin was currently tugging at the newly arrived Shu Qiong, claiming she wanted to emulate an “academic locust” and be a “banquet locust” who had escaped low-level tastes.

“But you like savory things,” Jin Yan said, gracefully wiping a cream stain from her lip. “Maybe try the roast goose over there.”

Shu Qiong, holding up her skirt and wearing high heels, gave her an immediate jab to the ribs. After hitting her friend, she snorted proudly: “Have some dignity, will you?”

Jin Man withdrew her gaze and nodded. “Both my girls are quite excellent. Honestly, if I hadn’t known they entered the Mech Department together, I wouldn’t have felt at ease…”

Hearing this essentially boastful speech, a listener asked in confusion: “Two… two daughters?”

Jin Man looked at Shu Mufeng and nodded with a smile: “Two. One is a Commander, and one is a Mech Specialist. It’s not easy for young people to chase dreams these days; the study pressure is much greater than in our time.”

Shu Mufeng realized what she was saying, and his expression turned slightly sour. But someone else, unaware of the tension, chimed in: “A Mech Specialist from the academy? It seems both daughters are dragons and phoenixes among men. My nephew starts university next year; I should have him learn from such good role models!”

While they were talking, Jin Man faintly caught a conversation from the other side. It was Shu Qiong lowering her voice after stopping her friend’s antics: “Is the roast goose here really good? No, I have to pick the expensive stuff… I’m going to eat my fill today no matter what. I’ll eat until that old man Shu Mufeng loses money!”

The sycophantic voice in Jin Man’s ear continued: “It must be said, CEO Jin, your family education is truly successful. No doubt it’s because you lead by example that your children are just like you—rigorous, reliable, and talented.”

Jin “Lead-by-Example” Man: “…”

After walking a few more steps, Fang Lin went off to socialize. Although she and Fang Yingying hadn’t come with the rest of the Fang family today, they still had to engage in pleasantries at the banquet. She didn’t force her cousin to join her in the hypocrisy, heading off to deal with the crowd with full poise.

Fang Yingying exhaled quietly. The few young people avoiding social interaction found a quiet corner to sit down and began a new round of silent eating.

Shu Qiong had many questions, but didn’t know where to start. Yan Xiangyu, by nature, simply sat quietly next to Shu Qiong. Jin Yan was different—her mouth was stuffed with food, so she didn’t have time to talk.

Finally, it was Fang Yingying who spoke first. Sitting across from Shu Qiong and the others with Jin Yan, she asked lukewarmly: “So, how do you plan to solve the problem?”

The other three looked at her; even Jin Yan put down her food.

“No need to worry about that,” Shu Qiong glanced at Shu Xuanmin in the distance, who was talking to a lady with very little presence—looking at her, one couldn’t see a hint of tension or panic. “I have a helper.”

“Can you elaborate?” Fang Yingying placed her hands on her knees, leaning forward slightly.

Shu Qiong shook her head mysteriously. She didn’t even know what Shu Xuanmin’s plan was. Since their last conversation, every time she asked, Shu Xuanmin looked composed and coldly muttered, “Just watch the show.” Fine. Shu Qiong was impressed by that “big boss” aura; it felt oddly reliable.

“I haven’t asked yet,” Shu Qiong turned her head toward Yan Xiangyu. “Why are you here?”

Yan Xiangyu raised her glass toward Fang Yingying. “Her suggestion.”

Shu Qiong immediately turned her gaze to Fang Yingying, who pursed her lips unnaturally but refused to admit defeat: “What are you looking at me for? I’m not helping you, and I don’t have some matchmaker complex! I was just… just afraid your will wasn’t strong enough and you’d actually let the engagement proceed.”

Fang Yingying crossed her arms and pointed at Jin Yan: “In the end, it’s because she’s useless, right? I had to come see for myself. And I brought Yan Xiangyu along so you wouldn’t forget your true heart.”

Jin Yan hadn’t expected to be blamed for this and let out an “Ah?”

Fang Yingying turned away, speechless, only to see that Shu Qiong and Yan Xiangyu didn’t seem to be listening at all. Their heads were close together, doing something unknown.

Shu Qiong had suddenly remembered Yan Xiangyu’s “one-glass-and-down” tolerance and was sniffing the glass in her hand. Yan Xiangyu obediently held the glass to Shu Qiong’s lips: “No alcohol.”

Shu Qiong took a sip skeptically and tasted it. It was indeed ordinary fruit juice with a rich grape aroma and a refreshing sweetness. She nodded in relief. Just as she was about to remind Yan Xiangyu to wipe off the lipstick mark she’d left, she saw the other woman naturally take the glass back and take a sip from the exact same spot.

She drank it all.

Her fair, beautiful neck tilted back slightly and then returned. Yan Xiangyu unhurriedly pulled a handkerchief from her pocket, staring straight at Shu Qiong as she wiped the corner of her mouth.

She didn’t say a word, but her gaze was exceptionally direct and suggestive.

D*mn.

Shu Qiong felt her cheeks burning. They hadn’t seen each other for only two days—where did this girl go to take a masterclass in this?