Chapter 216: The Eldest Prince Has Arrived
Mr. Bai suppressed his nervousness and shook his head. "I’m fine, I’m fine. I just got a little dizzy from standing so long, but I’m fine now."
"Okay. Let me help you to a seat."
Mr. Bai nodded. Even though he wanted to grab Mrs. Bai and leave immediately, he knew he couldn’t risk arousing suspicion.
He settled onto the sofa. Mrs. Bai paid him no mind, taking another servant husband with her to chat elsewhere.
Bai Rao handed Mr. Bai a glass of warm water. He took a sip, looking at his daughter with both pride and a hint of worry in his eyes. He suppressed his unease and said, "Ruoru, go have fun. I’m fine. It looks like your friends are waiting for you."
Bai Rao had two or three friends at this banquet. She glanced over at them, and only after confirming that her father was truly alright did she nod.
"Okay, Father. Call me if you need anything."
"Mm."
Mr. Bai’s mind was elsewhere as he took another sip of water.
After Bai Rao left, Shi Lan glanced a few times in Mr. Bai’s direction. For some reason, she could feel him looking at her again.
Last time, and now again.
’Why, though?’
"Lanlan, want some dessert?"
Jiang Xia’s voice from beside her broke her train of thought. She subconsciously opened her mouth, and Jiang Xia fed her a bite. Seeing cream smudged all over her rosy lips, he quickly grabbed a napkin to wipe it away.
After pulling the napkin away, Jiang Xia realized he had wiped off all of Shi Lan’s lipstick. He blinked guiltily.
In his eyes, Lanlan actually looked even more beautiful now, but she had clearly dressed up so carefully today. He’d ruined her makeup; she was sure to be upset.
He anxiously rummaged through his storage space but couldn’t find anything lipstick-related. In the end, all he could do was produce a small mirror and whisper, "Lanlan, your lipstick’s off."
Shi Lan glanced at the mirror in his hand, not angry at all. She just said, "Oh," and had him hold it steady while she touched up her makeup on the spot.
’I wonder where Ye Ming bought this necklace. It has a hollow clasp design inside that’s perfect for hiding the Space Chain on my neck.’
It was easy for Shi Lan to grab things from her storage space. After a quick touch-up of her lipstick, she was once again a dazzling beauty. Beneath her elegant updo, from which a single wisp of hair had escaped, her every glance and smile was utterly captivating.
In the shadows, the eyes of many males drifted between her and Bai Rao. Were it not for Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng at her side, those who were unaware of her spiritual power would have long since been unable to resist trying to charm her.
Of course, Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng noticed those gazes, which was why they remained steadfastly by Shi Lan’s side.
As five o’clock approached, the banquet hall grew more crowded. A few more females had finally arrived, scattering some of the attention that had been focused on Shi Lan.
The Eldest Prince was an eligible bachelor, and most of the females in attendance were single as well. It was the perfect opportunity for courtship.
Lai Yilian was also among them, following her mother, Lai Yang. Her older sister was on Kabuda Planet handling official business.
Upon arriving at the banquet, Lai Yilian immediately noticed the pink necklace around Shi Lan’s neck. It was, after all, Lin’s final masterpiece. Even after the Eldest Prince had bought it, she still couldn’t stop thinking about it.
’To think it would show up on this female.’
’It seems this is the female the Eldest Prince fancies.’
She sized up Shi Lan for a few moments. ’A true beauty. No wonder the Eldest Prince likes her.’
Shi Lan, noticing her gaze, turned to look. Their eyes met across the room. Lai Yilian offered a friendly smile, and Shi Lan, her eyes flashing with impressed surprise, smiled back.
Lai Yilian’s appearance leaned toward the masculine. Her features were deep-set, and with her short golden hair, one might mistake her for a handsome man at first glance. But looking down, she wore an elegant white V-neck dress and a serpentine choker, and her chest was quite impressive.
Shi Lan blushed slightly and looked away, embarrassed.
Lai Yilian raised an eyebrow and said to her mother, "Mom, I’m going to make a new friend."
"Go on. Just don’t cause any trouble."
Lai Yang didn’t try to control her; her second daughter only acted out more the stricter she was.
Hearing this, Lai Yilian happily walked toward Shi Lan. "Hey, beautiful. Let me introduce myself. I’m Lai Yilian. How about we be friends?"
Shi Lan pulled free from Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng’s clingy hands and extended her own to shake Lai Yilian’s. "Hello, I’m Shi Lan."
"Let’s exchange contacts."
Lai Yilian was very forward and wrapped an arm around Shi Lan’s waist. She was half a head taller than Shi Lan, which was another reason Shi Lan had mistaken her for a man at first.
At this close range, a quick glance down offered a generous view.
Shi Lan’s face grew redder. She awkwardly touched her wrist to Lai Yilian’s, adding her as a friend.
Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng couldn’t stand to see Shi Lan so close to another female, but before they could do anything, Jiang Yan sourly pulled Shi Lan to her side. "What are you doing? This is my friend."
"Don’t be so possessive. We’re all females, it’s not like anything’s going to happen."
Lai Yilian smirked, her attitude carefree and unbothered.
Although her overall style was a bit masculine, she wore exquisite nail polish, and her every gesture held an indescribable elegance and beauty.
Jiang Yan couldn’t shake the feeling that Lai Yilian was trying to steal her friend, and she was not happy about it.
Lai Yilian pulled Shi Lan’s hand over again. Looking at her fair, delicate hands, she said admiringly, "It’s a shame for such nice hands not to have a manicure. Come, come, let me do them for you."
As she spoke, she led Shi Lan to a sofa, planning to give the object of the Eldest Prince’s affection a little makeover before the banquet officially started.
Jiang Yan felt her initial suspicion was correct. ’Someone’s really here to steal my ’Barbie doll’!’
She gritted her teeth, but couldn’t help but agree—Lanlan’s hands really were lacking a good manicure.
And so, with Jiang Yan staring intently, Shi Lan was too embarrassed to refuse Lai Yilian’s enthusiastic offer and found herself getting a manicure.
She was clearly a pro, with a full set of tools. Besides, in this world, manicures were incredibly fast. Machines automatically applied patterns and corrected them, and the nail glue was quick-drying.
Lai Yilian’s main task was just to add the final decorative details.
At first, Jiang Yan was still indignant, but as she watched, her anger began to fade.
The manicure really was beautiful. It used pink and hints of yellow, with delicate white flowers painted on top, which perfectly complemented Shi Lan’s necklace and dress.
Female friendships can form in the strangest ways. A manicure was all it took for the three of them to become friends, and Lai Yilian even did a set for Jiang Yan.
She had just finished the last stroke and hadn’t even had a chance to admire her work when she heard someone announce, "The Monarch and his party are here!"
Hearing this, everyone walked to the entrance to greet them.
At the entrance, a Hovercar slowly came to a stop. A team of guards emerged first, flanking both sides. Then the Monarch stepped out, and everyone lowered their heads in a bow.
Afterward, Ye Ming and Ye Yan followed closely behind.
As the birthday boy, Ye Ming was dressed unusually flamboyantly. He wore a white tailcoat, a white shirt with a red bow tie, and a dark red pocket square. The custom-tailored trousers perfectly showed off his long, slender legs.
He lifted his turquoise eyes, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. Many of the females gasped. Staring into his naturally alluring, almond-shaped eyes, each one felt as if he were looking only at her, and they couldn’t help but feel mesmerized.
’The Eldest Prince finally took off that annoying eye patch.’