169 The Star Gathering Banquet
The Star Gathering Banquet was a banquet exclusive to those on the Rising Star List, a total of 108 individuals. It was usually held mid-year, after the rankings stabilized. The banquet was hosted by the Inner Academy’s top ten societies, its purpose being to facilitate communication, cooperation, and resource allocation. Elders would also attend to maintain order.
This year, it was hosted by the Seven Stars, the Inner Academy’s top society.
In the script, this was where Yan Zhen and Zi Xunyi would recognize each other, their online friendship transitioning into a real-world one. Their interactions would attract Wen Canglan’s jealousy, leading to trouble for Yan Zhen.
Also, the mysterious top-ranked student, Gu Tiange, would make his first appearance at this banquet.
Yan Zhen and Huangfu Wenqing received invitations from the Seven Stars, inviting them to attend the annual Star Gathering Banquet at Crystal Pavilion in three days.
As for Long Ying and Zi Xunyi, due to their special status and exceptional strength, they also received invitations, despite not being on the Rising Star List.
In her previous life, Zi Xunyi hadn’t wanted to attend, but hearing that her “dream lover” would be there, she had gone, and the two of them played a guessing game, seeing who would recognize the other first…
Although she hadn’t merged with her future self’s memories yet, the mature Zi Xunyi had shown her glimpses of their past. Thinking of this, a faint smile touched her lips.
Huangfu Wenqing wasn’t fond of these time-wasting elite gatherings. “Are you going, Yan Zhen?”
“I’m free, so why not? Free food, right, Long Ying?”
Long Ying was about to agree when she stopped herself, putting on a mature air. “Wrong, Zhenzhen. Free food isn’t the most important thing. What’s important is not being looked down upon by those people!”
Yan Zhen was taken aback, looking at the little Dragon Girl in surprise. You, a gluttonous loli, are saying free food isn’t the most important thing?
Long Ying glanced at Yan Zhen, secretly pleased by his surprised expression.
—As expected, becoming a refined lady is the way to impress Zhenzhen~ I have to keep trying!
“Then let’s go,” Huangfu Wenqing said. “Do we need to wear formal attire?”
“It should be casual. Our uniforms are fine.” Yan Zhen smiled. “When you’re good-looking, you can wear whatever you want.”
Huangfu Wenqing blushed slightly and glanced at Zi Xunyi, who was still smiling faintly.
Huangfu Wenqing’s blush deepened, this time with anger.
—Why should I care about her?! I’m his fiancée now! She’s just the… mistress! Useless!
Three days later, Yan Zhen and the three beauties, one big and two small, arrived at Crystal Pavilion.
Although they weren’t wearing formal dresses, they had made an effort with their appearance. Huangfu Wenqing, in her green dress and with her green hair, looked like a beautiful forest elf. Zi Xunyi, in purple, exuded an aura of elegance and nobility. Even Long Ying had changed into a little dress and shoes, her pink hair styled in low pigtails, looking more lively and cute than her usual “wild child” appearance.
Yan Zhen had also tidied himself up, looking more mature and handsome, less like a boy, more like… a typical novel reader. (This is a playful jab at the readers by the author.)
The four of them attracted considerable attention as they walked.
Zi Xunyi, the “Purple-Clad Goddess,” the shared idol of all the male students in the Inner Academy.
Huangfu Wenqing, the “Emerald Sword Maiden,” recently risen to fame, currently ranked forty-ninth on the Rising Star List.
Yan Zhen, the “Dark Horse Freshman,” who had caused quite a stir in the Inner Academy in the past few months, reaching the top ten of the Rising Star List as a Mystic Master, and Long Ying, the super-powered “Pink Loli” who often accompanied him.
—What a crew!
The other students made way for them, clearly intimidated, then turned to watch them with envy.
Arriving at Crystal Pavilion, they ran into members of the Broken Mirror society. Wen Canglan, seeing Zi Xunyi arrive with Yan Zhen, felt a surge of jealousy.
However, he knew that Zi Ji was only close to that boy because of their prior acquaintance.
After all, Yan Zhen already had a fiancée, Huangfu Wenqing. This was common knowledge in the Inner Academy. He had no chance with Zi Xunyi.
This was the only thing that consoled Wen Canglan.
“Zi Ji, you’re here too,” Wen Canglan greeted her, stepping forward. “Shall we enter together?”
Zi Xunyi, however, took Yan Zhen’s arm and said indifferently, “I’ll go in with Yan Zhen.”
Wen Canglan’s face stiffened, staring at their linked arms in disbelief, filled with regret.
If he hadn’t spoken, Zi Xunyi would have maintained a polite distance. Now, his attempt at being courteous had backfired, giving her an excuse to use Yan Zhen as a shield.
Damn it!
“In that case, I’ll go ahead.”
Wen Canglan didn’t dare provoke Zi Xunyi further, lest he give Yan Zhen an advantage, and quickly led his subordinates into the banquet hall.
He didn’t know that Yan Zhen and Zi Xunyi’s relationship had already progressed far beyond friendship. She was even carrying his child, the little fetus currently communicating with its mother through their shared consciousness.
Three months had passed. If it weren’t for Chen Xi’s technique delaying the pregnancy, Zi Xunyi would already be showing.
“Cousin-in-law!”
Cousin Yu Die, along with the other members of the Transformation society, walked over, casually patting Yan Zhen’s shoulder. She looked at Zi Xunyi, holding his arm, then at Huangfu Wenqing’s cold and proud expression, a strange glint in her eyes. She whispered through a spiritual transmission, “You’re quite the player, aren’t you? Not only a fiancée, but now you’re also involved with her? Aren’t you afraid the Celestial God Clan will come and kill you?”
Yan Zhen, feeling awkward, replied through transmission, “You’re overthinking it, Cousin. We’re not like that.”
“Don’t lie. The way she looks at you is exactly the same as how Xuan’er looks at you!”
“Ahem…”
Yan Zhen wouldn’t admit it. He was genuinely afraid of the Celestial God Clan’s wrath. This wasn’t just a simple romantic entanglement; he had gotten Zi Xunyi pregnant.
“Let’s not talk about this. Cousin, let’s go inside. The banquet is about to begin.”
“Hmph!”
Cousin Yu Die also couldn’t do anything about Yan Zhen. After all, Xuan’er was deeply in love with him, and both Great Aunt and the Clan Head valued him highly. His current status within the Yu family was even higher than hers.
—She could finally understand Wen Canglan’s feelings. She, Yu Die, used to be the Yu family’s most outstanding junior!
Cousin Yu Die, feeling unloved, turned to the adorable pink-haired loli, her mood instantly lifting. She asked with a smile, “Little Long Ying, long time no see. Have you missed Big Sister?”
Long Ying, who disliked this woman who had practically rubbed her bald in her previous life, replied curtly, “No.”
“Uh…”
“Hmph~”
Seeing Long Ying hide behind Yan Zhen, Cousin Yu Die’s heart broke again.
—She was the one who found Little Long Ying! Why was she so close to this philandering cousin-in-law?!
Doubly heartbroken, Yu Die led her society members into the banquet hall with a dejected expression, ignoring Ling Fei, who tried to greet her.
“What’s with Yu Die? She’s ignoring me.” Ling Fei, baffled by her cold shoulder, scratched his head, then his gaze fell on Yan Zhen and the others, and he felt a pang of jealousy. “That brat’s luck with women is outrageous. I hope that gloomy, bespectacled guy doesn’t kill you. Later!”
“…”
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