Volume 1, Chapter 9: Her Welcome Party, She Is Not Welcome

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Gao Xia was already waiting by the restaurant door early on. As soon as she saw her, she rushed over immediately. The two exchanged pleasantries for a while before entering.

“I originally wanted to book a private room on the top floor, but someone had reserved the entire top-floor banquet hall, so the whole floor was closed off. The view from the top floor is amazing—you can dine while overlooking all of Northern City,” Gao Xia said regretfully as she pulled out a chair for her.

Ji Shu smiled and said, “This place is already very nice. Thank you, Xia Xia.”

Gao Xia said, “Ji Shu, we’ve known each other for almost seven years, but we’ve only become truly close friends in the past few years, right? If I hadn’t pestered you relentlessly in college, you probably would never have opened up to me.”

Ji Shu knew Gao Xia was right and didn’t argue.

Gao Xia propped her chin on her hand, blinked at Ji Shu, and continued, “Of course, a stubborn person always needs an annoying friend who won’t go away—and that friend is me.”

Neither of them brought up the afternoon’s news deliberately. Gao Xia busied herself clumsily piling food onto Ji Shu’s plate.

Ji Shu had no appetite due to a cold and barely ate anything before putting down her chopsticks.

After a moment of contemplation, she looked at Gao Xia and said, “Xia Xia, you saw that news too, right?”

Gao Xia’s chopsticks paused mid-air. “You know how unethical the media is nowadays, just making things up. A few days ago, a celebrity went to the hospital for a tooth checkup, and they reported she was pregnant.”

Ji Shu smiled bitterly. “Actually, we’re almost divorced. Logically, it shouldn’t matter who he buys a ring for.”

She and Lu Jinchuan had married hastily, buying ready-made wedding rings without holding a ceremony.

She had originally thought Lu Jinchuan disliked all the formalities and assumed the Lu family was hesitant to organize anything soon after her father’s death.

But upon seeing that news, she finally understood—there was no dislike at all; it was simply because the person he married was her, not Xu Xingyuan.

Gao Xia’s cheerful face darkened slightly as she snatched the phone Ji Shu had placed on the table. “Give me your phone. This has been going on for days. You’ve handwritten the divorce agreement word by word by now, haven’t you?”

Ji Shu’s lock screen password was simple, and she had told Gao Xia before.

Gao Xia unlocked it and saw Lu Jinchuan’s name in the call list. She dialed him and put it on speaker between them.

The phone rang a few times before being answered.

“Hello?”

Lu Jinchuan’s voice was low and carried a lazy, roguish tone.

“Ji Shu, speak up.”

Gao Xia made a gesture to Ji Shu, “Ji Shu’s not here. I want to ask President Lu if the divorce agreement is ready.”

Lu Jinchuan’s tone shifted, “Ji Shu sent you to ask? Why doesn’t she come ask me herself?”

Gao Xia snorted, “Our Ji Shu’s very busy, working hard every day with male college students.”

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There was a few seconds of silence before Lu Jinchuan’s indifferent, dismissive reply came through: “I’m busy. Let her wait.”

The call was quickly ended.

Gao Xia looked up and complained to Ji Shu, “What an attitude! His mouth’s so venomous, even licking his own lips would kill him.”

Ji Shu took back her phone and gently tapped Gao Xia’s hand.

At that moment, a cool female voice nearby spoke with a hint of surprise, “Ji Shu? Is that really you? What a coincidence.”

Ji Shu turned around and their eyes met.

It was Xu Xingyuan.

She curved her eyes into a smile and glanced around, “Is this Gao Xia? What a coincidence you two are dining here too. I’m hosting a welcome party for my return on the top floor. Do you want to join?”

Ji Shu didn’t respond, but Gao Xia immediately took the bait, covering her mouth in mock surprise, “I was wondering why the top floor wasn’t open today—it turns out Sister Xingyuan reserved it! You didn’t tell us earlier, so we didn’t bring any gifts. It feels awkward to come empty-handed.”

The underlying message was clear: don’t pretend to be a saint here. If you wanted to invite us, you should have said so earlier instead of waiting until we finished eating.

Xu Xingyuan smiled gently and brushed back a strand of hair. “It’s nothing. We’ve known each other so long; we’re all old friends. Let’s go up together.”

Gao Xia feigned a sigh, “Sister Xingyuan, you’re too enthusiastic. Alright, we’ll head up later.”

Xu Xingyuan hadn’t expected her to agree and her face briefly showed confusion before quickly returning to a smile. “I’ll go prepare first. I’ll wait for you upstairs.”

Gao Xia waved goodbye, “Okay.”

Ji Shu didn’t want to attend Xu Xingyuan’s welcome party but hadn’t expected Gao Xia to agree.

“Xia Xia, you know she doesn’t want us there.”

“Of course I know. It’s just the first time I’ve ever seen that expression on Xu Xingyuan’s face.”

Gao Xia said as she took Ji Shu’s hand toward the elevator, “We can’t let her hopes be dashed. Come on, I’ll take you to the top floor to overlook the bustling Northern City.”

Ji Shu’s hand was held tightly as the elevator doors slowly closed and ascended smoothly.

Gao Xia stamped her feet excitedly beside her as if they weren’t going to a welcome party but a battlefield.

Perhaps sensing Ji Shu’s confusion, Gao Xia explained, “You know the relationship between me and Xu Xingyuan. I’ve hated her since we were kids.” She bit her lip fiercely.

Although neither the Gao nor the Xu family was as prestigious as the Lu family, they held considerable status in Northern City.

The Gao and Xu families had business dealings since childhood, so Gao Xia had inevitably been compared to Xu Xingyuan many times.

The elevator dinged, reaching the top floor.

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As they stepped out, Gao Xia lightly hooked Ji Shu’s finger, smiling with a hint of slyness.

Lowering her voice beside Ji Shu’s ear, Gao Xia whispered, “If Xu Xingyuan and I end up tearing into each other, remember to keep your distance.”

Just then, a waiter briskly approached and politely ushered them into the banquet hall.

As Gao Xia had said, the view from the top floor was truly spectacular.

Located on the 49th floor, the Sky Cloud Banquet Hall offered a panoramic 360-degree view through glass walls overlooking the vibrant cityscape below.

Above, a magnificent crystal chandelier cast shimmering, kaleidoscopic light. Soft piano music floated through the air. Waiters weaved through the space, ready to attend to guests at any moment.

No sooner had they entered than their path was blocked.

“Ji Shu? What are you doing here?”

The person approaching was Ke Jin, Lu Jinchuan’s childhood friend, visibly surprised to see her.

“Am I not allowed?” Ji Shu retorted.

Ke Jin hesitated, “Tonight is Xu Xingyuan’s welcome party.”

Ji Shu smiled faintly. “I know.”

Ke Jin looked puzzled. “You’re not here to cause trouble, are you? My brother put a lot of effort into this event. You…”

Ji Shu paused. “So this is what you think of me?” She chuckled lightly. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

With that, she led Gao Xia further inside.

The welcome party was already underway, with guests gathered in small groups.

Ji Shu’s gaze immediately fixed on Xu Xingyuan standing at the center.

Years of ballet had made her effortlessly stand out in any crowd, the focal point of attention. The words noble and elegant seemed made for her.

Wearing her signature sweet smile, she moved gracefully among the guests, at ease like a fish in water, warmly interacting with everyone, her demeanor impeccable.

Noticing their arrival, she greeted those beside her before walking toward them, drawing the eyes of those around her as well.