Liquid is tricky to control.
Though this bucket of dog's blood was originally meant for Yi Qingju, when it actually spilled out, it rushed towards Qi Weiran next to her instead.
Amidst everyone's exclamations, Xiaojiji shrieked, "Host!! Your image!!"
Without him saying, Yi Qingju had already reacted in time to block Qi Weiran.
"You're lucky to have me, Qi Weiran. Remember to pray well for me underground fifty years later--Oh shit!?"
Before she could even close her eyes, a strong hand suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his embrace. Then there was a 'pak' sound.
A black umbrella suddenly unfolded before them, blocking all the liquid outside without a single drop splashing on them.
Yi Qingju was dumbfounded.
Her mind was filled with: "Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!! Holy shit!!"
Was Qi Weiran double majoring as a CEO and magician!?
Where did this huge umbrella come from!?
Handing the dirtied umbrella to Wan Sui behind him, Qi Weiran gently pushed the stunned Yi Qingju away from his embrace, expressionlessly saying, "Raise in pay."
A true CEO never compliments his subordinates. He goes straight to real rewards.
Behind them, Wan Sui pushed up his glasses, an elite smile hooked on his lips, "This is all part of my duties."
On the other side, the woman who was held by two burly bodyguards still glared at Yi Qingju relentlessly, yelling, "You cheap, pathetic bitch! What makes you think you deserve-- mmmph!!"
She was cut off mid-sentence as her mouth was covered. It looked like she was about to be dragged away.
Just then, Qi Weiran moved his hand. Seeing his action, the two bodyguards hesitated and stopped.
Under everyone's watch, Qi Weiran stepped forward, shielding Yi Qingju, as the silver ring on his hand reflected a cold gleam.
Looking down at the woman condescendingly, he asked, "And who do you think you are?"
Then looking up, he instructed the bodyguards, "No need to send her to the police station."
Amidst everyone's confusion, he slowly added, "See if the dogcatcher squad wants her first."
At this, the already fierce camera flashes became even more frenetic.
Everyone had dreamlike expressions.
Did Qi Weiran just stand up for Yi Qingju!?
Forget them, even Yi Qingju herself was shocked.
[My goodness, did you leave your brain back at the hospital!? Although...thanks, but this is really creepy...Am I going to have to pay with my life to repay you!?]
Qi Weiran: "......"
He only did this to make up for abandoning her alone on the red carpet and causing her to be mocked until today.
"Thank you...Sir."
After struggling to get the words out several times, Yi Qingju finally uttered them.
Finally inside, the air conditioning in the venue felt warm enough to make her want to heave a sigh of relief. Handing her shawl to a nearby server, she swallowed it back upon sensing the appraising looks coming her way.
Wherever Qi Weiran went was like a nugget of gold, attracting attention.
Gold Nugget Qi Weiran: "......"
He disagreed. That comparison was too vulgar, unfit for a CEO who controlled the lifelines of the world.
Murmurs arose. Many who entered after them had witnessed the earlier spectacle, but those already inside were oblivious.
Sure enough, as Yi Qingju expected, as soon as Qi Weiran appeared, a bunch of flashy men and women flocked over.
She voluntarily let go of his hand.
[Bye, I'm off to be the lonely little pity party. Hmm, that tiramisu looks delicious. I'm going to show off and eat ten plates tonight!]
Sensing his arm free, Qi Weiran was about to say something but got surrounded the next second.
Yi Qingju took the chance to get squeezed out by the crowd.
Outside the bounds of maintaining her image, Yi Qingju's eyes lit up gold as she made a beeline for the dessert zone.
On the way, women in colorful, luxurious dresses and obvious grievance-air walked over and sneered acidly, "Dressing like that in a place like this. What a joke."
"The lowly commoner background really shows. Doesn't even know to greet others."
Xiaojiji fumed, [Host, pay them no mind. Let's just ignore them.]
"Are you deaf? I'm talking to you!"
"An ill-bred bastard. How dare you show your face here and disgrace us all."
Yi Qingju's lips curved mockingly.
"You're right, I have no mother's upbringing. But at least I know girls shouldn't easily pick fights or it's unbecoming."
The moment she finished speaking, a crisp 'slap' rang out, echoing in everyone's ears.
"Should have just slapped her to teach those unreasonable people what true sophistication is!"
The slapped girl clutched her face in disbelief, glaring at her. Then her companions shrieked, "Yi Qingju! Have you gone mad!? What are you doing!?"
Their shrill cry instantly drew most people's attention.
Including Qi Weiran surrounded in the distance.
Yi Qingju, who had been cocky just moments before, instantly switched to a pitiful, downtrodden look. "Sorry, that wasn't intentional."
Her rapid change of expression left them dumbfounded.
"What act! You shameless white lotus bitch!!"
Seeing Yi Qingju playing even more the victim, the slapped girl wanted to spit blood. She raised her hand, about to return the slap.
But before she could swing her arm, a strong hand gripped her wrist.
Looking up, she saw a smiling yet sharp-eyed face behind glasses.
"The heiress of Huibusiness Group. I believe your father has an upcoming partnership with the Qi Group?"
"Oh?" A low voice suddenly sounded.
The handsome mixed-race man stood before Yi Qingju, a slight lilt in his tone.
Seeing this, Huibusiness Group's chairman sighed at his family's misfortune and hurriedly came over, immediately launching into apologies.
The girl who had provoked things started trembling. Receiving her father's look, her eyes were filled with fear.
The atmosphere instantly froze.
There were already many who wanted to watch Yi Qingju's drama, but no one expected Qi Weiran himself to come prop her up.
He'd been so indifferent last year!?
Qi Weiran didn't even ask what happened or who started it. His amber eyes just stared heavily at the girl.
The chill in them was palpable.
In the end, the girl tearfully apologized to Yi Qingju.
Hearing this, Yi Qingju tugged Qi Weiran's arm, signaling the apology settled things.
She wasn't petty. She didn't want to keep being watched.
Unexpectedly, the normally intractable Qi Weiran was uncharacteristically agreeable tonight and really let it go.
Yi Qingju looked at him differently now.
Qi Weiran seemed indifferent, avoiding her gaze. He thought to himself, no need for thanks.
[Is this guy planning to wrong me somehow?]
[Does he have a mistress outside and wants to split my rightful inheritance!?]
