Chapter 76: The Birthday Banquet Turmoil Begins (Spirit Diamond Enhanced)

Ye Linglan was momentarily stunned. She glanced around and only then realized that her little cocktail dress resembled the uniforms worn by the hostesses in the venue. Embarrassment crept over her, but since she was representing “Sky City,” she could not politely refuse. She forced a small, polite smile and spoke softly, “Very well, welcome to Mr. Mo’s birthday banquet. Please wait a moment.” As soon as her words fell,

“What on earth are you wearing?” Not far away, Jiang Min approached with light steps, a subtle fragrance wafting with her movement, but her tone was sharp and clear: “Xiao Ye, I told you before to dress appropriately. After all, you’re a management trainee at Sky City. How can you wear something so similar to the hostesses’ uniforms? Even if you don’t care about yourself, you should at least consider the company’s image.”

Jiang Min’s public reproach elicited a wave of light, mocking laughter. “Heh heh…”

Ye Linglan stood there, gazing blankly at the woman before her, feeling the probing stares from those around her—like icy arrows piercing her skin.

She could not understand it. The socialites attending the event were all women at the apex of the social pyramid, born of noble families and steeped in etiquette and culture. Yet faint disdain flickered in their eyes as they held their wine glasses aloft, maintaining elegant postures and letting out soft, derisive laughs behind the rims of their glasses.

Jiang Min turned slightly and addressed the elegant lady beside her with a courteous smile. “Mrs. Li, I’m terribly sorry you had to witness such a thing.”

The elegant woman arched her brows. “Oh? I should be the one apologizing—I almost mistook this young lady for a server.” She stepped closer, gently taking the glass from Linglan’s hand and, with a faintly mocking smile, added, “And next time, do remember to dress properly for such occasions. That way, you won’t be mistaken again. Heh…”

Jiang Min looked on with a smile, while Ye Linglan remained silent. As the elegant woman took her glass, Linglan’s thoughts drifted.

Beauty built upon wealth was ultimately only a façade—just like these graceful women, whose bones seemed imbued with a sense of innate superiority. Linglan lowered her gaze. This little white dress was the first gift she bought herself with her salary after starting her job. To her, it was a reward for her hard work. She had no reason to feel ashamed because of their words. Like the white dress she wore, humble in origin yet unwilling to bow its head, fiercely following the trends, it unabashedly revealed an understated love of beauty—proud and steadfast.

She straightened her back and met the gazes of the elegant woman and Jiang Min with a graceful, gentle smile. Just as she was about to speak, a man’s voice rang out from behind her, “The banquet hasn’t even begun, and it’s already so lively! Mrs. Li, it’s been a long time.”

Linglan turned in surprise. Mrs. Li had already replied, “Director Tang! It’s been ages! How have you been?” They exchanged polite greetings.

Tang Pei glanced at the women beside him, then shifted his attention back to Mrs. Li. After a courteous handshake, he changed the subject, “I was just about to introduce someone to you, Mrs. Li.” He pulled Linglan closer. Jiang Min looked on, astonished, as he placed a hand on Linglan’s shoulder and smiled, “This is my most capable assistant, Miss Ye Linglan.”

Mrs. Li’s derisive smile faded into awkwardness. “Oh, so this is Miss Ye.”

“She was responsible for the main design of this evening’s event. With such a capable assistant, my job has become much easier.”

Jiang Min, stunned, clenched her fists in frustration. Mrs. Li could only nod in assent. “So Miss Ye is more than she appears—one cannot judge the sea by a measuring cup!”

“She’s still new to the exhibition industry. In future collaborations between Sky City and your esteemed company, I hope you’ll look after her, Mrs. Li.”

“But of course. I never expected Director Tang’s right hand to be so young and talented. And she certainly has a unique sense of style,” Mrs. Li replied, her gaze returning to Linglan, a smile on her face.

“Aren’t you going to thank Mrs. Li for her compliment?” Tang Pei turned his head, giving Linglan a meaningful look.

Linglan caught his cue. As she looked at Tang Pei, she pressed her lips together to hide a smile. Mrs. Li’s attitude toward her was now completely different—how quickly the wind changed direction. Linglan extended her hand. “Thank you for your praise, Mrs. Li.” She deliberately insisted on the handshake, lowering the woman’s composure.

Tang Pei smiled, then turned back to Mrs. Li. “We won’t keep you any longer.” Taking the opportunity, he grasped Linglan’s wrist, leading her away. Linglan, still dazed, stumbled after him. “Director Tang…” He guided her toward the back entrance of the banquet hall, shielding her from the crowd’s eyes.

Once they were outside the hall, Linglan couldn’t help but laugh, her clear laughter echoing through the quiet corridor. Tang Pei let go of her, turned, and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “What’s so funny?”

“I was thinking of Mrs. Li’s awkward expression just now,” she said, lowering her gaze. The pale moonlight fell upon her simple dress, and at that moment she looked like a spirit descended to earth on a moonlit night, a firefly among stars, dancing gracefully.

“Awkward? Only you would describe it that way,” Tang Pei replied, glancing away and leaning against the wall. She continued to smile softly with her head bowed, and he asked, “Do you have to be in such embarrassing situations every time I see you?”

“What do you mean?” she asked, puzzled.

Tang Pei chuckled and glanced at her smooth, soft hair. “Where did I first meet you?”

“The men’s restroom.” She replied with a laugh, glancing his way as she recalled that awkward moment, the smile spreading across her lips.

“Your hair’s grown. The first time I saw you, it only reached here.” He gestured to her neckline. “It’s grown a lot.” He looked at her simple white dress. “Every woman at the banquet is dressed to impress—why did you choose such a plain gown?”

She looked down and murmured, “Does it look bad?”

He smiled. “It’s missing something.”

“What is it missing?”

“Come with me.” Tang Pei straightened up, casually slipping his hands into his pockets. Linglan watched him walk ahead but didn’t move. After a few steps, Tang Pei turned and urged, “Come on, or the banquet will start. I still have to give the opening speech.”

He led her downstairs to the dress boutique on the lower level of Night City. The shop assistants, dressed in black uniforms, immediately recognized Tang Pei and bowed respectfully. “Good evening, Director Tang.”

Tang Pei offered a professional smile and stepped inside, surveying the shop. Linglan nodded politely. Under the bright lights, treasures of immense value lay behind gleaming glass, dazzling the eyes. It was a microcosm of their splendid age: princesses and paupers, skyscrapers and shanties, opulence and poverty, nobility and mediocrity—all so vividly divided by a mere pane of glass.

She hesitated to enter. Tang Pei glanced back at her, standing outside, and quietly said something to the attendant. Moments later, he emerged. “All set.”

Linglan didn’t understand what he meant, but Tang Pei said, “Close your eyes for a moment.”

“What is it?” she asked, puzzled, not knowing what he was up to.

“If you don’t want me to be late, close them now.”

So Linglan gently closed her eyes. Tang Pei stepped behind her, holding a necklace in his palm, and carefully fastened it around her neck. He loosened her gathered hair, his fingers brushing softly against her skin. Linglan visibly started, instinctively opening her eyes, and caught sight of a lustrous, multicolored pearl necklace around her neck in the reflection of the bright shop window. “Director Tang?” she exclaimed, turning to him in surprise.

Tang Pei smiled. “Much better.”

Linglan touched the necklace, anxiety flickering in her eyes. She immediately realized she shouldn’t wear it. Just as she reached to remove it, her phone began to ring insistently in her hand. She saw it was a call from Lin Jia—perhaps something urgent. She answered immediately. “Hello, Manager Lin?”

“Ye Linglan, where are you?” The voice on the other end was stern.

“I’m on my way,” Linglan replied, concern in her heart.

Then Lin Jia’s anxious voice came through, “Ye Linglan, what’s going on with the flower display?”

“What do you mean?” she asked, bewildered.

“All the lilies in the flower arrangement are wilted!”

“Wilted?! How could that happen?” Without time to remove the necklace, she gathered her skirt and hurried back toward the banquet hall. Tang Pei followed close behind. Linglan, anxious, muttered to herself, “They were checked—those flowers should last at least a week. How could they suddenly wilt?”

“That’s what I want to ask you, Ye Linglan. Get back here, quickly.”

When Ye Linglan returned to the banquet hall, most of the guests had already arrived. A crowd had gathered around the flower display near the main table. Linglan squeezed through and stared in disbelief at the withered bouquet before her. “How did this happen?”