Nevertheless, Xu Jiaojiao was still taken aback by the magnificent and opulent interior when she entered.
"Wanwan, are all of this real gold?"
Meng Wan smiled and said, "Yes."
Xu Jiaojiao swallowed hard and subconsciously shrank her neck.
"That's enough to discourage you?"
"No way!" Meng Wan's teasing made Xu Jiaojiao realize that she had started comparing things conditionally again.
"Let's go, they've booked the top floor, we need to take another elevator." Just then, a waiter came over to lead the way. Meng Wan explained their purpose, and after the waiter looked at the invitation, he bowed to them and led them onto the elevator.
Xu Jiaojiao stood beside Meng Wan the entire time without saying a word. Although her movements and expressions were not as natural as Meng Wan's, she listened to Meng Wan's words, straightened her back, and completely hid her inferiority and timidity.
The elevator numbers increased slowly, and Xu Jiaojiao's hands were already ice-cold. Meng Wan glanced at her and squeezed her arm.
Although he wasn't very strong, his childlike actions surprised Xu Jiaojiao.
The two looked at each other, and Xu Jiaojiao couldn't help but chuckle softly, though she herself didn't know why she laughed. Meng Wan smiled and looked away.
With a 'ding', the elevator doors opened.
Xu Jiaojiao knew that by pushing open this door, she would be greeted by a different world.
"We're all human, there's nothing to be afraid of, right?" It's unclear who she was asking, and she didn't seem to be seeking an answer; she was simply encouraging herself.
"Yes, they're all just people," Meng Wan replied.
She didn't open the door, because she wasn't the main character this time. She looked at Xu Jiaojiao, who, receiving an encouraging look from Meng Wan, exhaled a breath of stale air, closed her eyes, and pushed the door open.
Even though the sun had already set, the top floor was as bright as day.
The decorations and props have no cheap feel whatsoever. As soon as you step inside, there is a red carpet on the floor, and on both sides are exquisite pastries and champagne towers. As you walk through the corridor, you can faintly hear music and cheers.
Xu Jiaojiao looked at the exquisitely crafted pastries that hadn't been touched and pursed her lips.
The differences between people can be seen in such small things.
The first cake she ever had was bought for her by Meng Wan and two others after she went to university. For these rich kids, it was just a decorative prop.
In the village, even the most respected elder's 80th birthday celebration couldn't compare to the extravagant gatherings casually organized by these young masters and ladies.
After another waiter accepted the invitation, he led the two through the corridor, where they finally saw the main venue.
A group of young people sat in twos and threes around the sofa. The table was a bit messy. Some were playing cards, and some were playing dice. Xu Jiaojiao had sharp eyes and spotted the chips on their table at a glance.
"Wanwan, what are those?"
"Chips, you bet on these kinds of games. It doesn't necessarily have to be money; it can also be something of equal value or a condition," Meng Wan explained in her ear, following Xu Jiaojiao's gaze.
Xu Jiaojiao nodded as if she understood, and searched for Hu Lou's figure.
Perhaps it was a telepathic connection, but the next second, Hu Lou appeared out of nowhere.
"Jiaojiao".
Hu Lou's voice also attracted the attention of others. Many people stopped what they were doing and looked at them. When the two looked over, the group quickly lowered their heads again, seemingly discussing something with their companions.
"Hu Lou." Xu Jiaojiao was not quite used to so many people staring at her, and her voice unconsciously lowered.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could have come down to meet you."
"fine."
"You look really good in this. Looks like I have good taste."
Faced with Hu Lou's straightforward praise, Xu Jiaojiao didn't know how to respond, while Hu Lou seemed to only then notice Meng Wan.
"Oh, Miss Meng, I didn't expect you to come back. It's an honor." Hu Lou extended his hand, but Meng Wan did not.
She glanced at Xu Jiaojiao, who seemed a little guilty and turned her head away, avoiding Meng Wan's gaze.
"I really didn't expect it to be you who hosted this party," Meng Wan said meaningfully.
Hu Lou withdrew his hand, showing no sign of embarrassment.
"Since we're already here, we might as well stay. Miss Meng, it wouldn't be right to just walk away now. We're all young people, and I was wrong about what happened before. Please forgive me, I'm a magnanimous person."
Just then, a waiter walked by, and Hu Lou snapped his fingers, picked up a wine glass from the plate the waiter was carrying, and handed it to Meng Wan.
As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. Meng Wan accepted it with a half-smile and said nothing.
"Jiaojiao, I owe you so much for today, otherwise I wouldn't have had the chance to clear up the misunderstanding with Miss Meng."
Xu Jiaojiao gave a stiff smile, took the wine glass handed to her by Hu Lou, and seemed somewhat absent-minded.
"But I'm really sorry, you're new friends, and as the organizer, I should stay with you. But I have something urgent to attend to and have to go downstairs for a bit. I'll be right back. Please make yourselves at home, okay?"
Hu Lou looked apologetic. "I'll punish myself with three drinks later to apologize. You can move around freely for now. You can take this chip; if you win, it's yours; if you lose, it's on me."
Hu Lou patted Xu Jiaojiao on the shoulder, smiled apologetically at Meng Wan, and walked away.
“Wanwan…” Xu Jiaojiao lowered her head, clutching her skirt, like a child who had done something wrong.
"Let's go. Didn't we say we'd make the best of it?"
After saying that, Meng Wan walked over, but instead of blending into the crowd, she found a relatively quiet corner to sit down.
Amidst the bustling crowd, she stood like a lotus flower, detached from the world, breathtakingly beautiful, yet commanding respect from those who dared not approach. She casually brushed her hair aside; every movement was natural, yet captivating.
She seemed to be born to be the darling of the spotlight; no matter where she was, even in the world of fame and fortune among her peers, she was always the most dazzling one.
Xu Jiaojiao walked over.
She knew she would be the supporting character, the one being compared to, but so what? Others didn't even have the right to be supporting characters; this was her network of connections.
She raised her head, straightened her back, just as Meng Wan had said, and sat down directly next to her.
The wine was placed on the table in front of the two men, who remained silent, as if they were two strangers.
One of the tables had been watching them intently, whispering and making excuses among themselves. After a while, they pushed one of the boys forward.
He was dressed casually, and you couldn't tell what brand it was, but people in the industry would immediately recognize it as a custom-made outfit by a famous designer.
He walked towards the two of them with a wine glass in his hand, without asking their opinions, and wanted to sit next to Meng Wan.
Meng Wan merely glanced at him indifferently, and the other party immediately backed down, turning around and sitting next to Xu Jiaojiao.
Xu Jiaojiao felt a little uncomfortable and moved closer to Meng Wan.
"Hey beautiful, sitting here is so boring, why don't you come sit over there and play with us?"
It's a pity that some people have a glamorous appearance, but once they open their mouths, they reveal their foul and filthy nature.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
