Jiang Fei wasn’t really interested in attending the birthday party of Ye Yuanyuan’s best friend. After all, he only knew Ye Yuanyuan and none of her friends. Going to the party would probably leave him standing awkwardly on the sidelines, ignored by everyone.
As for free food and drinks?
Please, even if the party was held at the most luxurious venue in Jincheng, Jiang Fei wouldn’t have the slightest interest in the food there. He didn’t think anyone could make something tastier than what he could whip up, even if they used the most expensive ingredients while he stuck to ordinary ones.
But Ye Yuanyuan, that cold and slightly violent woman, had humbled herself and repeatedly begged him to bring Qiao Yiyi along. Jiang Fei figured her best friend must be someone really special to her, so he decided to give her this favor.
After all, Ye Yuanyuan had already helped him out of trouble twice, cleaning up his messes both times.
Returning the favor, and considering that Qiao Yiyi had mentioned she wasn’t planning to move out yet and would stay with him for a few more days, Jiang Fei decided to take her to the party. It was a way to repay Ye Yuanyuan and make it easier to call on her for help in the future if needed.
The car drove from Daocun to Jincheng, and after a long journey, it finally stopped at the shopping paradise in the heart of the city’s first ring road.
Qiao Yiyi stepped out of the car, glanced at the bustling streets illuminated by bright lights despite the late hour, and then looked up at the towering skyscraper. “Is this the place?” she asked.
Jiang Fei locked the car and followed her gaze, scratching his head uncertainly. “I think so… Ye Yuanyuan said it’s on the 26th floor of this building. Let’s head up.”
Qiao Yiyi smiled sweetly and nodded, following Jiang Fei.
As a top-tier celebrity, Qiao Yiyi had experienced countless grand events and live TV broadcasts, so she wasn’t the type to feel nervous or out of place. Even Jiang Fei, who had always been part of the high-income group, wasn’t some clueless nobody, even before he gained the abilities of a game character.
Now that he had this game-like system, he felt like he could conquer the galaxy someday. What was there to be afraid of?
Knowing they were attending a party, Qiao Yiyi had naturally put some thought into her outfit. Her slightly wavy, chestnut-brown hair was elegantly tied up in a bun, revealing her slender, swan-like neck. She wore no necklace, just a pair of exquisite earrings. Her black, waist-cinching dress ended just above her knees, with the skirt flaring out slightly. The dress showed off her delicate collarbone and arms, but the neckline wasn’t too low, only hinting at her ample bust without being overly revealing. Paired with silver high heels, the outfit accentuated her slim waist, making her look like a willow swaying in the wind.
Not wanting to look out of place next to her, Jiang Fei had also dressed up in a formal suit for the occasion.
“Don’t you have an invitation?” Qiao Yiyi asked as they entered the elevator to the 26th floor, noticing Jiang Fei’s empty hands.
Jiang Fei paused, then chuckled. “No invitation. But I don’t think we’ll need one. It’s just a birthday party, not some high-level meeting. They won’t turn us away just because we don’t have an invite. We’re here because they insisted, after all.”
The elevator stopped at the 26th floor.
And then… as Jiang Fei and Qiao Yiyi approached the entrance, they were promptly stopped by two burly security guards.
“Do we really need an invitation?” Jiang Fei muttered, his lips twitching as he looked at the guards blocking their way.
“When we got on the elevator, I noticed this floor had a special access system. It’s clearly not a place just anyone can enter. You’d need a membership card or an invitation to get in,” Qiao Yiyi explained.
Being turned away at the door didn’t embarrass or upset her. As a celebrity, she was used to such formalities and knew the rules of these events well.
“Alright,” Jiang Fei sighed, pulling out his phone to call Ye Yuanyuan. She was the one who had begged him to come, yet she hadn’t even given him an invitation. At the very least, she could have shown his photo to the guards so he could get in by face recognition.
Thinking of that, Jiang Fei suddenly looked at Qiao Yiyi. “Hey, can’t you just use your face to get us in? A big star like you should have no problem entering, right?”
Qiao Yiyi rolled her eyes. “Even if these guards recognized me, without an invitation, they wouldn’t let us in. And they might not even know who I am…”
The two guards looked like they were either retired military or professional bodyguards, the type who probably didn’t follow celebrity news.
“Alright. Seems like your fame isn’t as big as I thought, future diva,” Jiang Fei teased.
Before Jiang Fei could make the call, the elevator doors opened again, and another group arrived for the party.
At the front was a woman in a sexy red dress. While her face wasn’t stunning, her makeup was impeccable, and she exuded a sultry charm, like a wildcat in the night.
Beside her was a man who immediately caught everyone’s attention. He had long, wavy hair styled in a Korean idol fashion, and his face, though not pale, was small and perfectly shaped—a face that would make most women jealous. If it weren’t for his Adam’s apple and masculine clothing, many would mistake him for a beautiful woman.
Seeing this man’s aura, any so-called “artsy” guy would probably feel deeply inferior. While mature women might not be into his type, he was undoubtedly a heartthrob for younger girls or those who valued looks above all else.
Pretty boy!
That was the first thought that popped into Jiang Fei’s mind when he saw the man.
A man who looked this stunning was almost too much. It wasn’t just handsomeness—it was outright beauty.
“If this guy went to South Korea, he’d probably be a huge hit in the entertainment industry, right?” Jiang Fei whispered to Qiao Yiyi.
While South Korea wasn’t known for its transgender culture like Thailand, its male idols, especially those in boy bands, had increasingly adopted more feminine aesthetics, prioritizing beauty over traditional masculinity.
Qiao Yiyi chuckled softly. “Yeah, he’s definitely… handsome. Even more so than the male idols in our company.”
“Do you like that type?” Jiang Fei asked, a hint of jealousy in his voice.
Qiao Yiyi shook her head. “No, I don’t like men with long hair. It’s just not my thing.”
Jiang Fei gave her a thumbs-up, pleased. “Great minds think alike! Unless you’re an artist, dressing like that just makes people think you’re trying too hard.”
The long-haired man and the sultry woman walked out, followed by two other women, making a group of four. As they approached the entrance, each of them pulled out a golden membership card—not an invitation—and the guards immediately bowed and gestured for them to enter.
“Huh?” The long-haired man seemed to sense someone watching him and glanced in Jiang Fei and Qiao Yiyi’s direction. His eyes lit up when he saw them.
“What’s wrong?” the woman in the red dress asked.
The man didn’t answer but stopped and walked over to Jiang Fei and Qiao Yiyi with a smile.
Now, the other three women noticed them too.
“Qiao Yiyi!” one of the women exclaimed in surprise. “Bai Mangguo said she wanted to invite Qiao Yiyi to her birthday party, and she actually managed to get her here!”
The woman in the red dress frowned, displeased. “Didn’t she injure her vocal cords and postpone her concert? How did Bai Mangguo get her to come?”
The three women followed the long-haired man as he approached Jiang Fei and Qiao Yiyi. Jiang Fei, who had been about to make a call, paused and eyed the man warily.
This guy was dangerous.
Whether he was interested in Qiao Yiyi or Jiang Fei himself, it was a situation that made Jiang Fei’s instincts scream caution.
“Qiao Yiyi?” the man asked with a smile.
“Yes, that’s me,” Qiao Yiyi replied politely, her beautiful face radiating calm. She was used to being recognized, even in unexpected places.
“It’s really you. You’re even more stunning in person than online. It’s an honor to meet you—I’m a big fan of your music,” the man said, extending his hand for a brief, respectful handshake. He didn’t try to linger or take advantage, which made both Qiao Yiyi and Jiang Fei breathe a sigh of relief.
Jiang Fei could tell from the man’s demeanor that he wasn’t some spoiled rich kid like Li Jirong, who had ruined his health with excessive partying. Despite his flamboyant appearance, the man seemed physically fit and healthy.
But then, the man did something that made Jiang Fei tense up again.
He turned to Jiang Fei, studying him with curious eyes. “If I’m not mistaken… you’re Jiang Fei, right?”
