When Qiao Xi heard about the apprenticeship banquet, she instantly understood and nodded.
âWould you like me to show you to Room Three, Sixth Miss?â the manager asked.
Qiao Xi said, âNo need. Iâll wait for my friend.â
As soon as she finished speaking, Qiao Xiâs phone suddenly rang. Tang Rugeâs voice came from the other end. âXi Xi, did you receive the invitation? When are you arriving? I can send someone to pick you up. Weâre in Room One of Fragrance Hotel.â
Qiao Xiâs entire body emitted a chill as she decisively hung up the call. In order to prevent Tang Ruge from bothering her again, she even blocked Tang Rugeâs number.
Right now, she only wanted to attend Li Xingâerâs birthday party and was not in the mood to care about Tang Ruge. However, Tang Ruge still shamelessly called her. Qiao Xi even suspected that Tang Ruge had masochistic tendencies.
After a moment, Qiao Xi suddenly heard a cry from behind her.
âXi Xi?â
Qiao Xi turned around and saw a group of people walking over. Tang Ruge was in the middle, and the old man beside her was Qi Zhong. Qiao Xi had seen Qi Zhong in an art exhibition, but Qi Zhong did not know her identity.
Tang Ruge held the arm of a middle-aged woman intimately. The woman was dressed gorgeously and had a jade pendant around her neck. Judging from her age, she was probably Madam Tang.
When everyone saw Qiao Xi, their expressions changed slightly.
âWhat are you doing here?!â Tang Lingyun looked defensive. âJust now, my sister called you and invited you over, but you hung up immediately. Why are you suddenly here now?â
When Tang Ruge called Qiao Xi just now, Tang Lingyun was beside her. She thought that Qiao Xi wouldnât be coming, but who knew that Qiao Xi would appear here? She must have known that the people attending the banquet were all famous figures in the painting world, so she came over to get to know them.
The group suddenly stopped walking. The painters behind all asked curiously about what was happening.
Madam Tangâs face darkened, and Tang Ruge frowned slightly. âMom, donât worry. Iâll talk to her.â
âYes, no matter what, donât let her cause trouble. Today is your apprenticeship banquet. You canât let her ruin it,â Madam Gu instructed in a low voice.
Tang Ruge slowly walked up to Qiao Xi and said gently, âXi Xi, I sent you an invitation a week ago. I even called you today, but you clearly rejected me. Since thatâs the case, why did you still come to my apprenticeship banquet? If youâve suddenly changed your mind and want to attend the apprenticeship banquet, Iâll naturally welcome you. But why are you blocking the door? The guests today are all respected figures in the painting world. Donât mess around, or else in the futureâ¦
âAnyway, can you leave first? If youâre unhappy, you can wait until after the apprenticeship banquet. I beg you not to ruin my apprenticeship banquet, alright?â
In everyoneâs eyes, Tang Ruge was trying to persuade her nicely, but Qiao Xi did not even bother to look at her. She fiddled with her phone as if Tang Ruge did not exist.
Tang Rugeâs face was ashen. She bit her lip. âXi Xi, I sincerely welcome you to my apprenticeship banquet. And I heard that you like oil paintings very much. If you want to learn, I can recommend a master to you.â
Qiao Xi still stood on the spot without saying a word.
Tang Rugeâs eyes were red as she said aggrievedly, âXi Xiâ¦â
âQiao Xi! Are you done?!â Tang Lingyun finally couldnât suppress the anger in her heart and shouted loudly, âArenât you just relying on President Guâs power to throw your weight around here? When you heard that Sister Ruge would be Mr. Qi Zhongâs apprentice, you started to feel jealous again. Thatâs why you came to cause trouble, didnât you?! Why are you blocking the door? Get out of here immediately. Donât make us miss the apprenticeship banquet!â
The corners of Qiao Xiâs lips curled up as she sneered. âDoes your Tang family own Fragrance Hotel?â
Tang Lingyun blurted out, âNo!â
âThen why canât I be here? Besides, do you think I came to Fragrance Hotel to attend Tang Rugeâs apprenticeship banquet?â Qiao Xi said casually.
âYou!â Tang Lingyun was fuming with anger. She gritted her teeth and roared, âGet lost! Although our Tang family doesnât own Fragrance Hotel, itâs wrong for you to block the door!â
Seeing that there was an argument, everyone looked over curiously.
Qi Zhong asked unhappily, âWhatâs going on?â
Madam Tang explained, âThat girl is Rugeâs friend. Previously, Ruge invited her to attend the apprenticeship banquet, but she threw a tantrum and refused to come. Who knew that just before the banquet started, she appeared and blocked the door to cause trouble?â