Chapter 352 - 352: Formal Dress

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“I heard that Jiang Xue is apprenticed to a renowned artist. I think her name is Xue Liu.” Shen Xi spied on Jiang Xue, who was strutting around arrogantly with a few serving staff around her.

“Is Xue Liu blind? Why would she accept someone like her as a disciple?” Zheng Huai muttered in disbelief.

“Who knows? Maybe they hit it off.” Shen Xi shrugged.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xue had caught sight of Zhao Yuan and Xia Huang mingling in the crowd. She ordered the serving staff around her to carry her long, flowing dress. “Don’t let my dress touch the ground. I’m going to the champagne tower.”

The serving staff bowed respectfully, acceding to Jiang Xue’s demand, and answered in a chorus of ‘yes.’

Many of those in the crowd were unfamiliar with Jiang Xue. They were surprised to meet someone so pretentious at Old Master Guan’s birthday banquet and noted how she made a beeline for Xia Huang and Zhao Yuan.

“Is my cousin still here?” Jiang Xue’s voice carried over those of the other guests, contempt and poisonous disdain dripping in her words. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

When Xia Huang and Zhao Yuan heard Jiang Xue, they turned only to be greeted by the latter’s smug face.

Jiang Xue wore a crown studded with gems that sparkled in the light. She wore a gorgeous dress that flowed with its hem like a wedding gown. If Zhao Yuan had not known better, she would have thought she was attending a wedding and not a birthday celebration.

Xia Huang was surprised to see Jiang Xue’s dress. If she was not mistaken, it was a designer dress, voted the most expensive of the year. It was called ‘Girl of God.’ The dress was a priceless piece by the famous fashion designer M. Sun.

Jealousy was an ugly vine that strangled Xia Huang’s heart. She wanted nothing more than to strip Jiang Xue bear and rip those clothes off her body.

Many people in the crowd recognized the dress Jiang Xue wore, and soon, whispers sprang up and worming their way into conversations left and right.

“Gosh! Is that the ‘Girl of God’? I’ve heard about it. Wasn’t it a gift from M. Sun to Young Master Guan? Why is that woman wearing the dress?”

“Who is she? She doesn’t look familiar.’

“Why would she wear a dress like that on the Old Master’s birthday? Is she trying to become his mistress?”

Jiang Xue did not think the dress she had randomly picked would hold such significance. She also did not expect Young Master Guan to offer her such an expensive dress for the occasion. It shocked and excited her.

Xia Huang could not bear to lose face in front of the gathering onlookers, so she responded, “Of course, I’m here. I’m here on behalf of the Xia family to offer Old Master Guan congratulations on his esteemed birthday.”

Jiang Xue knew Xia Huang was mocking her, but they were nothing but the cries of an ant before an elephant. “After the birthday banquet, I’ll ask Brother Lei to send you home.”

Jiang Xue’s casual affectation of Guan Lei’s name, calling him ‘Brother Lei,’ sent waves in the crowd like a bombshell that had just been dropped. There was an immediate uptick in discussion among the guests.

“Brother Lei? She can’t be Young Master Guan’s girlfriend, can she?”

“I’m afraid it might be so. Why else would she wear something so elaborate at the old general’s birthday banquet?”

“That’s right. Doesn’t that gown belong to Young Master Guan? Who would dare to wear it without his permission?”

“Where have you all crawled out from? All this is just speculation. No one has proof that she is Young Master Guan’s girlfriend!”

“It’s over! Doesn’t that mean I stand no chance?”

“Ah, I’m jealous. Just look at the clothes she’s wearing. You can tell how much Young Master Guan dotes on her.”

Several young ladies exchanged envious words while others mocked their stupidity. Even more were wringing their hands, green-eyed with envy.

Jiang Xue smirked. Evoking jealousy in her competition was nice, but knowing how to manage it was important lest she drew enemies to her. Humbly, she deflected, “You’ve all misunderstood. I’m not Brother Lei’s girlfriend. I merely helped him out a little. When he noticed my soiled clothes, Brother Lei generously offered me this gown as compensation.”

Despite her words, it was not enough to quell the flames of jealousy and the numerous unfriendly eyes trained on her person. However, none dared to do anything to Jiang Xue for fear of offending Young Master Guan.

Of course, a few thought they did not stand a chance, so they decided to ingratiate themselves with Jiang Xue instead.

Jiang Xue was deeply satisfied by the flattery. She was more confident than ever about her chances of becoming Young Master Guan’s girlfriend.

Glancing sideways at Shen Xi, who had pulled Zhao Yuan aside, Jiang Xue smiled. She shot the serving staff a look and took off after Shen Xi and Zhao Yuan, her long dress trailing behind.

Shen Xi knew Jiang Xue well enough to know she would approach with ill intentions, so she tried encouraging Zhao Yuan to leave with her. In her haste, she accidentally bumped into someone.

“Ouch!” The person she had bumped into fell to the ground. Shen Xi and Zhao Yuan quickly helped the person up..