Chapter 45: The Banquet

She brushed the dust from her clothes. “It’s all my fault!” Her misty, drunken eyes smiled at him. Ye Shenghan averted his gaze, bent down to pick up her backpack, and pressed it into her hands. “You look very happy tonight, don’t you?” he asked, probing.

She nodded. Ye Shenghan continued, “What’s making you so happy?”

She remained silent. He frowned. “Have you forgotten? I told you, you have to tell me everything.”

Ye Linglan walked ahead of him, her steps light, keeping a small distance between them, leaving him only a glimpse of her graceful back. Hearing his voice behind her, she turned around. “Shh!” She stopped, lifted her face to the night sky, and pointed to the brightest star in the distance. “Do you see that star?”

He nodded, following her gaze. “What about it?”

“Young Master Ye, if that star were ‘Sky City,’ I’d pluck it down and place it in your palm.” Linglan reached out, as if the star were within her grasp. “Would you like that?”

Ye Shenghan stepped toward her, closing the distance. Sometimes, between people, it’s only a single step.

Linglan smiled, pretending to pluck the star, and placed her empty hand in his palm.

Ye Shenghan looked down; though there was nothing in his hand, it felt as if he held everything. He closed his fingers around her invisible gift, stunned, and heard her voice: “I don’t know what awaits me in ‘Sky City.’ Even if what I can do for you is insignificant, a drop in the ocean, I’ll still do my utmost.”

He gripped tightly the ‘star’ she’d given him. A heat surged behind his eyes, and her face grew blurred before him. She turned her face to the sky and shouted, “Sky City, here I come!” Her laughter, clear as silver bells, echoed in his ears: “Here I come—”

***

The weekend’s celebratory dinner was held at Nightcity’s small convention center.

Knowing it was a formal event, and wishing to look her best, Linglan chose an autumn pink mulberry silk blouse paired with a smoky-gray wrap skirt and beige stilettos. The design and style were both ingenious—pieces she’d selected herself at Xiushui Pavilion on the pedestrian street. Though not from any famous brand, never in the bright shop windows, Linglan had her own taste in fashion. Her ensemble was delicate and fresh—these unknown labels could rival those of any major house.

She let down her inky hair, curling the ends with an iron for a graceful arc. Standing before the mirror, she snapped her fingers. “This will do!” She quickly grabbed a long woolen coat and hurried to the banquet.

To her surprise, Mo Zhicheng did not attend. The dinner was hosted by Tang Pei, who, with a few rousing words, drew a wave of applause as glasses were raised in celebration.

At the table, twenty were seated—her fellow management trainees, all debutantes vying for attention, graceful and radiant, exchanging toasts and laughter. The clinking of glasses rang out, crimson wine tracing bright arcs along crystal rims.

Linglan’s tolerance for alcohol was low; she tried politely to refuse, but someone took offense, mocking her and pushing her into the spotlight. “Let’s not forget Miss Ye topped our cohort and won first prize in PR. If you won’t drink, you’re not giving us any face.”

Linglan endured it. Where there are people, there are rivalries. She was new to Sky City and didn’t want to invite gossip. More importantly, as a fellow trainee, she didn’t want to make enemies. With a diplomatic smile, she took her glass. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all tonight.” She drained it in one go, drawing cheers.

One glass followed another. She wanted to stop before reaching her limit, but it was too late. Tang Pei approached to toast, and everyone stood up. Feeling unsteady, Linglan leaned on the table. Tang Pei noticed the flush on her cheeks and looked away. “Director Mo is attending a charity gala tonight and couldn’t be here, so I toast you in his stead. I hope you’ll all perform your duties and advance together with Sky City!”

“Cheers!”

Tang Pei clinked her glass. Linglan narrowed her eyes, nodded, and drank.

***

Taking advantage of the lively atmosphere, Linglan slipped away. In the restroom, she splashed water on her face, trying to sober up. Droplets trailed down her flushed cheeks, mingling like startled tears at the corner of her mouth.

She sighed and wandered the endless corridors, her small figure dwarfed by the grand architecture, delicate as an ant. She hugged herself, unsteady, each step silent on the peony-embroidered carpet.

She drifted downstairs and paused on the terrace, leaning over the balustrade, staring blankly at the frostlit moon, hoping the cool air would clear her head. “Had too much to drink?”

A man’s voice sounded beside her. She turned, startled. “Director Tang!” He leaned on the railing as she did. “Not bad with the wine!”

“Not at all!” She covered her cheeks. “Look, my face is all red!”

“There’s a saying: those whose faces flush when drinking can really hold their liquor!”

Linglan paused, then burst out laughing. “Who says so? Let him come prove it!” Her laughter was gentle and tipsy, her eyes soft and unfathomable. She leaned closer, her body brushing against his arm, her expression hazy with drink. “Director Tang, when you toasted just now, there was something I didn’t get to say.”

Tang Pei looked at her. “What is it?”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

“Every time you see me, you say those same three words.” He shrugged in mock exasperation. “Don’t you have anything new?”

She lowered her eyes, thinking, lips pressed together. “Besides ‘thank you,’ nothing else expresses how I feel. Thank you for giving me this chance.”

“I gave you the chance, but it’s up to you to prove yourself. Still, I’m curious—why must it be Sky City?”

Linglan paused. “Because—” She leaned closer, her head aching, and tiptoed to whisper in his ear, “For President Mo, whom I admire…”

“So, with President Mo absent tonight, are you disappointed?”

Linglan didn’t catch his words and leaned in again, whispering, “Do you know what we call you in private?”

Tang Pei was amused by her muddled thoughts. She continued, “Little Tang!” Tom Cruise?! He chuckled softly, steadying her by the shoulders. “You’re drunk!”