This was a lavish banquet. The magnificent palace, symbolizing status and identity, exuded the smell of money inside and out. Lin Cheng, Qiao Ying and Qin Hanyue walked within, blending in perfectly.
The butler led the three of them along. Lin Cheng, a frequent guest here, introduced various things to the other two as they went.
Just as they entered the great hall, a cat suddenly darted out with several servants chasing after the chaotically running feline, attempting to catch it.
The butler glanced at the disorderly scene, frowned slightly, then collected himself and respectfully said to Lin Cheng: "This way, Duke."
The white cat caterwauled as it desperately looked for an escape route in the great hall, nimbly running under chairs and tables. Finally, it was cornered against a wall.
The white cat hissed aggressively at the servants: "Meow!"
Seeing the cat's intense reaction, the servants didn't dare approach lightly to pick it up, afraid of scaring and injuring it.
As a cat lover, Lin Cheng didn't follow the butler and instead went towards the white cat cornered against the wall.
The servants all lowered their heads, making way deferentially for Lin Cheng.
Lin Cheng had a way with cats. He crouched down and soothed the white feline with a few gentle words, successfully picking it up.
The sharp sound of high heels striking the floor resonated as a woman's voice rang out: "I knew the Duke would like this gift."
Holding the cat, Lin Cheng turned to the newcomer and greeted her in his characteristic aloof, indifferent tone: "Princess Karina."
The finely dressed woman slowly approached, breasts half-exposed and heaving temptingly with each step. She was the epitome of a seductive beauty.
"What name does the Duke plan to give this cat?" the woman asked.
Lin Cheng said: "Thank you for Princess Karina’s kind intentions, but I already have a Maine Coon cat at home who gets especially jealous and sulky. She's hard to coax. If I bring another cat back, she'd be unhappy and I can't be fickle and let her down."
As he spoke, Lin Cheng's smiling eyes glanced at Qiao Ying.
Ostensibly about cats, but actually referring to people.
Of course Karina understood the implication behind his words. Finally, her gaze landed on Qiao Ying, scrutinizing her unabashedly.
Seeing that Qiao Ying didn't shy away in the slightest and fearlessly met her stare.
Previously, Karina hadn't even deigned to notice Qiao Ying, let alone look at her.
Lin Cheng handed the cat to a servant, saying: "Keep and raise the cat yourself, Princess." Then he returned to Qiao Ying's side.
Karina withdrew her assessing gaze from the two's departing figures. She then glanced at Qin Hanyue, standing conspicuously close to Qiao Ying.
Her eyes returned to Qiao Ying and after a long pause, she commented: "She does have some charm."
Lin Cheng: "Thank you for praising her, Princess."
Karina: "Did the Duke reject my invitation some days ago because of her?"
Lin Cheng: "She's my girlfriend."
Qin Hanyue's eyes darkened imperceptibly and Qiao Ying had already sensed the icy aura emanating from him.
The king's personal butler came to usher them to their seats.
Lin Cheng murmured gently to Qiao Ying: "Let's go."
Karina watched the two's retreating forms, eyes glinting coldly.
She hadn't expected Lin Cheng to actually have a girlfriend.
As they walked, Lin Cheng asked Qiao Ying softly: "It's her right? How do you feel? Can you handle it?"
Qiao Ying: "Still fine. Gives an impression of being big-breasted but simple-minded."
Lin Cheng chuckled. He felt the executioner-like stare from the protagonist behind stab into his back but pretended not to notice. Lin Cheng called back casually: "This way, Mr. Qin."
The long crystal table seated quite a few people.
The king had many heirs and half the diners were Karina's brothers and sisters.
The white-bearded king had a short, stout build and greeted Lin Cheng warmly with a smile, like a kindly old man, giving the impression that he was very easy to get along with.
The atmosphere at the table was harmonious.
The king and Lin Cheng clinked glasses across the table. Suddenly, the king asked Qiao Ying who was dining: "Miss Qiao, are you of Chinese descent or here studying or working?"
Lin Cheng answered on her behalf: "She’s studying in Hua Country and it's her first time abroad. She's here accompanying me over the winter break."
King: "Oh? Miss Qiao is in Hua Country? Then I'm rather curious how you got acquainted and fell in love?"
Once again, Lin Cheng responded for Qiao Ying: "We happened to meet by chance when I went to Hua Country to find Mr. Qin this June. It was love at first sight between us and we quickly started a romantic relationship."
A new identity called for a new name.
—Qiao Ying was now called Qiao Yin.
As Lin Cheng spoke, he gazed gently at Qiao Ying beside him.
"I also went to Hua Country over half a month ago mainly because of her. I'm very grateful that she's willing to accompany me in this unfamiliar place over the holidays."
Karina's eyes glinted icy cold.
She hadn't expected Lin Cheng to actually have a girlfriend.
Qiao Ying fell for him at first sight? They swiftly started dating? And she even came with him to C Country over the break? Qin Hanyue raised his wine glass expressionlessly and swept an irritated glance at Lin Cheng.
Even as he inwardly seethed, he also wanted to say to Lin Cheng: That's utterly unrealistic and daydreaming.
Just then, Karina spoke up: "Miss Qiao looks well-bred in both appearance and temperament. I wonder where her esteemed parents reside?"
Lin Cheng: "If Princess Karina wishes to befriend my girlfriend and wants to get to know her, she would be most welcome."
Karina: "I was just casually asking. Why doesn't Miss Qiao say anything? Is it because she can't understand or speak the language, or is she too afraid?"
Under everyone's gaze, Qiao Ying slowly finished chewing the food in her mouth. Then she picked up the red wine and took a sip to wet her throat. Parting her red lips, she responded fluently in French: "I know Lin Cheng is outstanding, but isn't it unbecoming for you as a princess to thirst after him so desperately?"
Her shocking words instantly caused Karina's expression to turn ugly as she was publicly humiliated. The other royals also darkened in displeasure.
Karina: "How dare you be rude to me?!"
Qiao Ying lazily replied: "In my country of Hua, all people are equal. Nowadays, only animals are still distinguished by pedigree and class. Didn't slavery get abolished in C Country long ago? At least that's what I learned."
What Qiao Ying said was already quite polite. If this was a different setting, she would have used violence or started swearing instead.
Princess? What's that supposed to be?
She had assumed Qiao Ying was a delicate flower yet here the girl was, sharp-tongued and daring to address her so rudely despite being a commoner.
Just as Karina was about to flare up, the king stopped her.
He glanced at Lin Cheng who watched everything unfold with smiling amusement, even allowing Qiao Ying to be disrespectful to the entire royal family while he observed it all like a show.
The king remarked: "Miss Qiao makes an excellent point."
He then praised: "Miss Qiao's French is very authentic despite it being her first time abroad.
The infuriatingly cocky Qiao Ying retorted: "Aren't languages the most basic communication skills for humans? Shouldn't one be fluent in at least seven or eight, or at minimum three or five? How could anyone have such low IQ?"
Even the king was struggling to maintain a straight face. "Miss Qiao is truly outstanding. No wonder she has won the Duke's favor."
As if to defuse the tension, he shifted the conversation to Lin Cheng's good friend—Qin Hanyue.
"I've long heard of Mr. Qin's great name and deeds. A rising star full of promise and accomplishment. I've always wanted to meet Mr. Qin and didn't expect his acquaintance with the Duke."
Qin Hanyue: "You flatter me."
King: "Mr. Qin isn't married yet right? This is my second daughter, Kala. She's a few years younger and quite fond of Hua Country's culture."
What did he mean? Was he trying to matchmake Qin Hanyue?
