The true beauty of a city lies in its nightscape.
When night fell and the lights shimmered to life, the capital transformed into a scene so breathtaking it hardly seemed real.
Orchid Grand Restaurant.
This was one of the most luxurious banquet venues in the capital, a favored spot for the wealthy to host their celebrations.
When Su Mo and Xiao He arrived at the entrance, a staff member promptly greeted them to escort them inside.
Of course, this courtesy only extended to those who could produce an invitation—otherwise, they’d be politely turned away.
The restaurant’s opulent decor made Su Mo feel like he’d stepped into a dream.
Though he’d seen his fair share of extravagance back at the Ye family, there was a stark difference between a private residence and a high-end venue like this. He couldn’t say which was more expensive, but this place definitely had an air of prestige.
“Your friend must be ridiculously rich to book an entire place like this,” Su Mo whispered in awe.
Xiao He, however, looked uneasy. “I had no idea. I knew she was well-off, but not this well-off.”
She couldn’t help but feel out of place, as if someone of her status didn’t belong in such a setting.
The other guests were all dressed to the nines, adorned with designer labels, while she and Su Mo wore what they’d considered their finest outfits—only to attract more than a few curious glances.
Though, given how striking they both looked, it was hard to tell whether those stares were born of envy, admiration, or genuine disdain for their “less refined” attire.
Su Mo, in particular, was drawing everyone’s attention.
“Relax. Her wealth has nothing to do with us. Since she invited you as a friend, just enjoy yourself. There’s no need to feel awkward.”
Despite his own nerves, Su Mo did his best to reassure her.
His discomfort wasn’t due to the grandeur of the event, but rather the dress he was forced to wear.
At Xiao He’s insistence, Su Mo had abandoned his usual “carefree girl” aesthetic and gone full-on elegant lady for the occasion—complete with a gown Xiao He had personally picked out for him.
Ugh, what kind of torture is this for a guy like me?
Entering the main banquet hall, the lively atmosphere made Su Mo feel slightly out of his element. He much preferred simpler gatherings.
“Xiao He!” The birthday girl spotted the two of them immediately and hurried over. “You’re finally here! The banquet’s about to start.”
Though her words sounded like a complaint, her tone held no reproach.
“And this is…?” Her eyes swept over Su Mo, widening in visible amazement.
She’s stunning!
“This is my friend, Ye Qingyi.”
After introducing Su Mo, Xiao He turned to him. “And this is Yan Yan, the friend I told you about. She’s my best friend.”
“Nice to meet you! If you’re Xiao He’s friend, then you’re my friend too,” Yin Yan Yan said warmly, linking arms with both of them and leading them to the center of the hall.
Su Mo shot Xiao He a meaningful look, but she only blinked back in confusion.
Sigh. If it were Qingyi, she’d get it immediately.
His thoughts drifted to Ye Qingyi—though the image in his mind was still of himself. He tried to reconcile her with the breathtaking figure he remembered, but it felt impossible.
Maybe it was because they’d never truly interacted in their original forms.
Yin Yan Yan was clearly delighted, introducing the two to the other guests. “This is my best friend, Xiao He, and her best friend, Ye Qingyi!”
Both of them responded with polite, practiced smiles.
“Yan Yan, your friends are absolutely gorgeous. They say ‘birds of a feather flock together’—how true that is!”
“Brother Li, you flatter me. If we’re talking beauty, your wife is the real standout. A true lady of grace and talent.”
“Hahaha! Yan Yan, you’ve gotten so good with words!”
The elite socialites exchanged compliments effortlessly, ensuring no conversation ever fell flat.
In such an environment, Su Mo and Xiao He stuck out like sore thumbs, eventually retreating to their seats to avoid the spotlight.
Still, Yin Yan Yan had gone out of her way to ensure they were seated in a place of honor.
Once all the guests had arrived, the host took the stage, and the hall quieted.
A tall, handsome young man stepped forward. “Honored guests, thank you for joining us to celebrate my younger sister Yin Yan Yan’s eighteenth birthday…”
Ah, so that’s why he looks so much like her—they’re siblings.
The fact that her brother was personally hosting the banquet spoke volumes about their close relationship.
And… Su Mo could tell—this brother was a superhuman, and a powerful one at that.
After a series of formalities, it was time to cut the cake.
Standing beside the towering confection, Yin Yan Yan took the knife from her brother and smiled at Xiao He. “Now, I’d like to invite a friend to join me. Xiao He, would you?”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd—apparently, this wasn’t the expected choice.
“I… I’d love to,” Xiao He stammered, encouraged by Su Mo’s nod as she stepped onto the stage.
Though the two were close, the gap in their social status made Xiao He visibly nervous. Yin Yan Yan noticed and made sure to put her at ease.
The brother-host graciously yielded his spot, personally wheeling the cake around the hall so each guest could receive a slice.
Su Mo’s sharp eyes caught a red-clad woman shooting Xiao He a look of pure disdain as the cake passed by—whether out of jealousy or plain snobbery, it was hard to say.
Xiao He handed her a slice with a polite smile.
The woman took it without a word of thanks, using only one hand. Yin Yan Yan’s brow twitched slightly, but she held her tongue—this was her celebration, after all.
Only after they’d moved away did the red-clad woman roll her eyes and mutter under her breath.
From her lips, it was clear she was cursing.
While others might have looked down on Xiao He’s humble background, no one else dared to be so blatantly rude—not with the Yin family’s reputation at stake.
By the time Xiao He returned to her seat, her mood had noticeably dampened, though she forced a smile to avoid spoiling her friend’s big day.
Finally came the dance segment. Guests paired off, gliding onto the floor to celebrate with music and movement.
For some of the younger attendees, this was also a chance to scout for potential romantic interests, exchanging flirtatious glances and whispered confessions.
Su Mo, unsurprisingly, received no shortage of dance invitations from eager men—all of which he declined.
At first, his refusals were brushed off as aloofness.
But as the rejections piled up, the whispers grew sharper.
“Who does she think she is? Just because she’s pretty doesn’t mean she’s better than everyone else.”
“Right? Beauty’s just genetics—it’s not like she earned it. What’s there to be so proud about?”
“Maybe she thinks this party isn’t fancy enough for her. With looks like that, she’s probably used to much grander events. Who knows what powerful backer she’s got?”
Similar comments buzzed around him.
At first, Su Mo ignored them. But after a while, even his patience wore thin.
He wasn’t one to pick fights over petty gossip—but that didn’t mean he’d tolerate endless slander.
They were all young, after all.
Why make life harder for each other?
I have a temper too!