61: Chapter 61 Accidentally Entering the Imperial Family: The True Noble Male Supporting Character 22

Meng Zhu did not notice his mother's strange expression and conversed casually with Qiao Chuxia.

"How did you come here?"

In fact, at this banquet, in previous years, the male supporting character always came to see Elizabeth.

Essentially, his mood today was very low.

Therefore, Meng Zhu, following the setup, even though he had long known Qiao Chuxia, had not sent her an invitation.

Qiao Chuxia did not point to Chu Yunting at the edge of the banquet hall, but answered casually.

"A friend from school invited me. I thought it might startle you, so I just came along."

Meng Zhu nodded.

"Actually, many people don't know why today's banquet is being held. I rarely come; sometimes I only come to see my mother after the banquet is over, so..."

"So you didn't give me an invitation?"

Qiao Chuxia interrupted him with a smile.

"Don't worry, Her Excellency Elizabeth has already told me the reason. I know you aren't in a good mood today either."

Hearing this, Meng Zhu immediately laughed along.

"In fact, seeing you today has already made me feel much better."

When he said this, Qiao Chuxia inexplicably felt the atmosphere become strange again.

She did not know that her ears had long since turned completely red and had never faded.

Meng Zhu knew she was about to reach her limit, so he stopped teasing her.

"Then please make yourself at home; I'm going to go keep my mother company."

Qiao Chuxia nodded hurriedly.

"Mm, okay, you go do what you need to do, don't worry about me."

Meng Zhu nodded, and Elizabeth covered her mouth, taking the opportunity to link her arm with Meng Zhu's.

"Sweetheart, then I wish you a good time."

"I will, thank you, Your Highness."

Watching the two of them walk up the spiral staircase, Qiao Chuxia finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Even though she had come here today specifically to see Meng Zhu.

Now that she had actually seen him, she felt so reserved and awkward that Qiao Chuxia immediately cursed herself in her heart for being spineless.

She turned to fan herself with her hand, only then feeling that her whole body was burning up.

Meng Zhu and Elizabeth's figures disappeared around the corner of the spiral staircase, and the frozen atmosphere in the air finally eased, receding like the tide.

The hall returned to its usual state in an instant.

It was just that although many people had complicated expressions, no one dared to discuss what had just happened in private.

However, there was one thing: no one could ignore Qiao Chuxia anymore.

Among the countless subtle gazes, there was inquiry, curiosity, speculation, and even envy and eagerness.

Just as Qiao Chuxia returned to the edge of the banquet, she saw Chu Yunting wanting to say something but hesitating.

At this moment, he was like an abandoned child, wanting to talk to Qiao Chuxia but not knowing what to say.

Or rather, what had just happened had impacted him too much, to the point that he was now even a little afraid to approach Qiao Chuxia.

Qiao Chuxia did not notice his abnormality at all.

Before she could sort out her chaotic thoughts, she saw a waiter quietly come before her and bow respectfully.

"Miss Qiao, good evening."

"Uh... hello, what is it?"

The waiter's voice was humble and steady.

"Miss Qiao, our head chef recently created a new innovative dish, 'Starry Night Rose.' It uses a base of white peach jelly made with glacial spring water, wrapped in pure cocoa butter from a single origin in Venezuela, and is garnished on the outside with roses from the Rose Valley in Bulgaria. We would like to invite you to taste it."

"Oh, okay, thank you."

Qiao Chuxia hadn't reacted yet and replied blankly.

The waiter bowed respectfully and withdrew, clearly going to prepare it.

But before he had gone far, another waiter approached.

"Miss Qiao, this is the 'Black Beef Tower.' It is the head chef's most proud creation this time, selecting the most essential tenderloin core of Kobe A5 grade Tajima beef, slow-roasted at a low temperature to lock in the original flavor, paired with black diamond truffles from the Périgord region of France after the first snow of winter. The glass of 'Hundred Flower Nectar' next to it is a not-for-sale item from an Alsace winery, with an annual production of less than one barrel. We invite you to taste this meal paired with it."

"Um, okay, then thank you."

Qiao Chuxia hurriedly took it with both hands.

Although these meals seemed very impressive, at Yujing Mountain, Alan recommended menus to her in the same way.

Therefore, she didn't think anything of it, only assuming that at a banquet like today's, everyone could probably eat these things.

She lowered her head and took a sip of the 'Hundred Flower Nectar.' The mellow floral and fruity aroma and the faint fragrance of wine bloomed on her taste buds, clear and sweet without being cloying.

"Mm, not bad."

She praised it sincerely.

However, she did not know that many powerful and wealthy people would never even dream of drinking the wine in her hand.

But at this moment, no one dared to act recklessly, and even Chu Yunting, who had come to mooch food and drink, did not dare to covet the things in her hand in the slightest.

All of this was entirely because of that man's attitude toward her.

She did not know even more that the people in the hall who were originally near the central stage had now quietly moved to the perimeter, faintly forming a center around Qiao Chuxia.

Many people were secretly sizing her up, wanting to etch her appearance into their minds.

Not long after, a girl walked over holding a wine glass, with an enthusiastic smile on her face.

"Big sister, my name is Li Feifei, what is your name?"

"Ah, hello, my name is Qiao Chuxia."

"Chuxia? That's a beautiful name, I'm very happy to meet you."

After only a few sentences, the two of them seemed to have become very familiar with each other.

"I'm from the capital, and I often come to Baijin City for vacation every year. How about you? Have you been to the capital?"

"Ah? You're still in college in Tianhai? That's too miserable..."

"When you come to the capital, I will definitely welcome you with open arms and be your tour guide..."

The two chatted and laughed, while others remained silent.

Many middle-aged people with extraordinary temperaments all turned their eyes to the couple from the Li family of the capital.

It was hateful that they either didn't have a daughter, hadn't brought one, or the age gap was too large.

If it were young men or they themselves as elders, they wouldn't dare.

Sometimes making connections isn't necessarily a good thing; given their status, it was very likely to backfire.

Instead, the Li family's daughter was just right; she was indeed quick-witted and clever.

It was only after a long while that Qiao Chuxia herself noticed the abnormality.

Studying with Meng Zhu these days naturally hadn't been for nothing.

She could already tell that everyone in the entire banquet hall was paying attention to her, intentionally or unintentionally.

They didn't come over to disturb her, and their gazes were full of politeness.

It was just as if they couldn't help themselves.

Just like... just like how she had always been unable to stop herself from looking at Elizabeth.

And Chu Yunting was also a bit abnormal, intentionally keeping his distance from her.

Thinking of this, even if she were slow, she understood.

She had conversed with Elizabeth and shaken hands with Meng Zhu.

Perhaps these people were currently guessing her relationship with Meng Zhu?

Shaking her head helplessly, she suddenly felt a bit listless, holding a glass of red wine, and went to the distant terrace just like that.

But she was wrong; the people in the banquet hall didn't care about her relationship with Meng Zhu at all; they only cared about Meng Zhu's attitude.

Chu Yunting's thoughts were also very simple; he saw that both Elizabeth and Meng Zhu were conversing very happily with Qiao Chuxia.

And that handshake.

He didn't need to look to know that his upbringing had told him that Qiao Chuxia must be the focus of the banquet now.

Those powerful figures far beyond the Chu family were now all paying attention to Qiao Chuxia.

This made Chu Yunting subconsciously not want to get close, just wanting to wait for the banquet to end quickly.

This was just a gaze from the clouds; as long as he left here, everything could return to normal.

...

The night breeze on the terrace carried the unique crispness of the mountaintop, blowing away the heat on Qiao Chuxia's cheeks.

She leaned against the railing, looking down at the brilliance formed by the lights at the foot of the mountain.

She did not know that the moment she entered the terrace, countless waiters had blocked the entrances and exits of every terrace.

For a long time.

Qiao Chuxia blew in the night breeze, took a sip of red wine, felt her heartbeat calm down, and enjoyed the tranquility here.

But unfortunately, the phone in her handbag suddenly vibrated, disturbing her tranquility.

Qiao Chuxia frowned slightly, thinking it was Chu Yunting.

When she saw the three characters "Qiao Zhenghong" light up on the screen, the curve of her lips disappeared instantly.

She had forgotten that while she had blocked his phone number, there was still the WeChat she had added in the past.

She did not answer immediately, but let the vibration ring stubbornly.

Not long after, Qiao Chuxia stared at the name on the phone, and her eyes turned completely cold.

An aura of indifference rose unconsciously from her whole body.

She slowly swiped to answer, revealing a playful smile.

"What do you want to say again?"