Inside the resplendent Grand Banquet Hall, the formally dressed Nest High-Ranking Officials gathered in small groups, conversing in hushed tones.
Glasses clinked and cups were exchanged as they chatted and made connections.
As the Chief, Lan Lan was naturally surrounded by elites from various fields.
And at this moment, the most dazzling figure beside her was, without a doubt, Lin Mowei, who had arrived dressed to the nines.
Some people had originally wanted to watch her steal the spotlight and make a fool of herself, but upon seeing Lan Lan not only unconcerned but instead warmly pulling her close, many of them were left gaping in astonishment.
Lin Mowei, ever the action-oriented type, had no interest in such things. Multitasking, she chatted with her colleagues while occasionally scanning the room with her eyes—it was obvious who she was looking for.
Lan Lan glanced at her discreetly, then followed her gaze and quickly found her target.
But that was because there was an even more eye-catching presence beside Lin Yu.
“So, the reason Sis was suspended was so she could go mentor a student—Ye Ling?”
Lin Yu’s expression was somewhat odd. It seemed that this was all due to the Mother Nest Invasion Incident, and its fallout had led his sister to take on this task.
“What? From the look on your face, do you know that girl?”
“No, of course not. How could I possibly know her?” Lin Yu smiled.
Qin Wuyue thought he couldn’t possibly know her either.
She didn’t care about such trivialities. Smiling, she leaned on one cheek, watching the young man eating beside her with interest.
“Is it good? If it’s not enough, I’ll have someone make more.”
In life, there are two major things: eating and sleeping.
So right now, she did nothing else but quietly watch Lin Yu.
Lin Yu came back to his senses and nodded, “It’s enough, it’s enough. Aunt Qin, aren’t you going to eat some?”
Qin Wuyue’s lips curled up, a teasing light flashed in her eyes, and she spoke in a mock-serious tone: “Ah, I won’t eat anymore, I’m on a diet. Wouldn’t want someone to say I’m too heavy.”
“Uh……” Lin Yu had just speared a piece of meat, frowned and pondered for a moment, then his face stiffened, “Well, that was just a stopgap at the time, Aunt Qin, you’re not still holding onto that, are you?”
Qin Wuyue’s smile was so “kind.” “No, of course not. Why would I? I don’t care at all. How could I possibly be fat, right~”
“……!” And you say you haven’t held onto it? You might as well write “I care a lot” on your face!
Lin Yu swallowed nervously. Could it be that’s the reason she’s set her sights on me?
Surely not……
He was only half right; as for the other half, he’d never be able to guess.
At that moment, a staff member came up to Qin Wuyue and whispered a few words in her ear.
Lin Yu noticed her expression gradually turning cold.
Qin Wuyue shot a sideways glance at the staff member. “Why doesn’t she go herself? Has she forgotten I’m a guest now?”
The invisible pressure was so intense the staff member broke out in a cold sweat at the temples, but still managed to compose himself and say, “Dr. Qin, if the Chief leaves, the impact would be too great. I hope you can understand.”
“Hmph, she just loves to order me around. Do I owe her?”
The staff member and Lin Yu exchanged an awkward smile.
Though she said that, Qin Wuyue still stood up.
Then, as if remembering something, she picked up a napkin and deliberately bent down to wipe the corner of Lin Yu’s mouth—a very dangerous angle, and if Lin Yu so much as shifted his gaze, he’d see everything.
“Xiao Yu, Aunt Qin has something to take care of and will be back soon. If you need anything, go find that woman. If she ignores you, I’ll deal with her when I return.”
“Haha…ha, got it.”
Lin Yu knew exactly who she meant by “that woman,” and also more or less understood what “deal with her” entailed, so he resolved absolutely not to go.
“Good boy, then I’m off.” She ruffled Lin Yu’s hair, then left the Grand Banquet Hall with the staff member.
After Qin Wuyue left, Lin Yu went to an inconspicuous corner of the Grand Banquet Hall and leaned against the wall.
He’d overheard a little bit of what the staff member had said earlier.
“Cult……”
As far as he knew, in this world, there was only one organization referred to as a cult: the Star Oracle Society.
They believed that the appearance of Rift Beasts was a punishment for humanity’s attempts to leave the planet.
A warning from the stars.
Their creed was to help the Rift Beasts destroy humanity—including themselves—a bunch of utter lunatics.
It seemed this celebration was the perfect chance for them to stir up trouble. No wonder Chief Lan invited Qin Wuyue over—to have her play the enforcer.
Speaking of which, what exactly was the relationship between those two women?
In his past life, he’d never interacted with Lan Lan, nor had he known that Qin Wuyue had this kind of connection.
And now, not only had he come into contact, but it had become physical in every sense……
In terms of craziness, his aunt was hardly any less.
“Sigh……” He covered his forehead and let out a soft sigh.
Sweeping his gaze around, he could easily spot the largest gathering in the hall.
First he saw his sister looking at him, then his gaze shifted to Lan Lan’s face.
Hmm?
He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but at this distance, he found her appearance oddly familiar, as if she resembled someone he knew—but he couldn’t quite recall who.
“Strange……”
“What’s strange?”
A sudden voice sounded by his ear, sounding like a child yet tinged with maturity.
Lin Yu looked up and glanced around but didn’t see anyone, then suddenly felt a jab at his calf.
“Ow, who is it?” He lifted his foot and looked diagonally downward.
A “little girl” in a child-sized dress with twin ponytails was glaring at him with an unfriendly expression.
Her face was puffed up with anger, hands on her hips, one finger pointing at Lin Yu, “How could you not see such a big person as me? You’re just as annoying as your sister!”
Lin Yu couldn’t help his lips twitch. Such a… big person?
No way, little girl, you’re not even a meter and a half tall. Whose child are you?
Wait, no, she said my sister… hmm…
Lin Yu suddenly remembered someone—a person who’d always been at odds with his sister.
He squatted down, bringing himself eye level with the little girl.
“You’re… Gu Yunxi, Sister Gu?”
I’m even calling you sister—surely you won’t hit me, right?
Sure enough, hearing herself called “sister,” Gu Yunxi was momentarily stunned.
Due to her height, not even people younger than her ever called her “sister.”
Even though Lin Yu was Lin Mowei’s little brother—an enemy—she still couldn’t help the corners of her mouth turning up.
Hmph, at least the boy knows what’s good for him.
“That’s me.”
Lin Yu’s powers of observation were maxed out; of course he noticed he’d coaxed her into a good mood.
“Okay, so Sister Gu, did you come to find me for something?”
Having been called “sister” twice in a row, Gu Yunxi almost floated with pride and nearly forgot why she’d come to find him.
“Ahem.” She cleared her throat, her little face stern. “I came to tell you to stay away from my niece.”
“Huh? N-niece? Who?” Lin Yu was baffled. He didn’t remember knowing anyone who fit that description.
Gu Yunxi narrowed her eyes, moved in close and stared intently into his eyes, then let out a scornful snort.
“Heh, you act well. You siblings really are alike. Let me remind you: the girl you met in the park this morning.”
“This morning…” Lin Yu’s eyes widened instantly; he nearly lost his balance and fell. “Ye, Ye Ling is your… you’re Ye Ling’s…”
Gu Yunxi lifted her chin, looking at Lin Yu down her nose. “Yes, she’s my niece. I’m her aunt. I was following her this morning—didn’t show myself because I didn’t want to embarrass her—but I’m telling you, from now on stay away from her, got it?”
Lin Yu’s mouth hung open; he didn’t even know what to say.
Coincidence?
But it also kind of made sense—he really didn’t know much about Ye Ling’s family, she’d never told him, and anyway… she’d left so abruptly, Lin Yu hadn’t had the chance to find out more.
“Hey.” Gu Yunxi frowned, looking at Lin Yu’s dazed face. “What are you thinking about? Did you even hear what I said? You siblings really are just the same.”
She was both exasperated and amused, but she didn’t expect Lin Yu to get even more worked up than she was.
“Um, um, did she come too?”
This time Gu Yunxi really laughed—out of anger.
Fine, fine, you’re really impervious, treating my words like the wind by your ears!