Banquet (Part 2)

Led by the foreigner specially assigned to receive Sandora, we finally entered the true venue of the banquet.

It turned out that although the banquet had been advertised as a completely open gathering, a princess was still an extraordinarily important figure. Security could not possibly be lax because of that. The entire plaza had therefore been divided into two sections. The outer section allowed citizens to come and go freely, with only a small number of staff responsible for maintaining order. The inner section was an entirely different scene. It was guarded by large numbers of fully armed soldiers and kept far apart from the outer area. There were few people inside, plenty of space, and an elegant atmosphere. From their clothes and mannerisms alone, it was obvious that everyone coming and going here was of remarkable background—prominent elites with standing in society. Even someone like me, who knew nothing about high society, could recognize quite a few big names who often appeared at public events. Yet these big shots seemed to have been kept in the dark by Sandora as well. They had no idea what the princess they were receiving looked like, so when they saw us, they merely showed slight surprise at our ordinary clothes before turning back to their own conversations. In fact, apart from some Royal Family Members from the island nation of Liska, few people knew what this princess actually looked like. Sandora's "reality construction" ability had many limitations. Making her identity as a princess into reality had already been quite a strain, so naturally she had no spare energy to imprint her appearance into every Earthling's mind. Moreover, to preserve the mystery of this visit—and for a little prank—Sandora had tightly controlled the flow of information. Even now, only relevant government officials and key reception staff knew what she truly looked like. The people attending this gathering might have high status, but unfortunately, they had not reached the threshold for being informed.

Being ignored seemed to have an unexpected benefit: I could finally eat to my heart's content.

Thus, amid a group of refined social celebrities speaking elegantly, the following scene appeared: a young man dressed like an ordinary high school student swept across every dining table with the expression of a wolf spotting rabbits, devouring the feast without the slightest grace. From time to time, he even picked out a bite or two to feed a little girl who seemed blind and followed behind him. Yet the Blonde Girl trailing after them was even more astonishing. Every table she passed was left in a wreck, with barely any food remaining. All kinds of pastries and drinks were poured into her mouth in ways that completely defied biology and physics. If the three of us had not been dressed reasonably well, everyone might have thought we were refugees from somewhere...

"Why are you eating so much?"

"You're not eating any less than me."

"How are you two even having a conversation?" Qian Qian broke out in a cold sweat.

After a whirlwind feast, I finally succeeded in suppressing my digestive system's rebellion.

"Whew... that felt great..." I stretched contentedly, then turned and called to Pandora. "Lily, let's go home."

"Get lost!" Qian Qian rudely grabbed Pandora, who was about to follow me, and pulled her behind herself. "So you came here today just to mooch a meal?"

"More or less." I nodded. "Sandora mooched meals at my house every day. It was rare to get a chance to mooch one back. Now that the objective's complete, it's time to go home."

Sandora immediately gave me a hard knock on the head. "Petty! Besides, the funding for this event is all coming out of the pockets of those rich businessmen with more money than sense. You're not mooching off me."

Rubbing my head, I said, "I really don't get you. You're so poised in front of other people, but the moment you're around me, you turn into a wild girl..."

Just as we were laughing and chatting, a slightly lisping voice came from beside us. "Well, well, I was wondering who could cause such a commotion. Turns out it's just a few bumpkins who have never seen the world. I really don't know what the security staff here are paid for, letting anyone in!"

We turned and saw an unfamiliar fat man standing nearby, looking at us with utter contempt. Beside him stood a tall, thin middle-aged man dressed in expensive clothes.

"Who is this fat guy?" Qian Qian whispered in my ear. Her warm breath sent a shiver through my whole body.

"I don't know him either."

Sandora lowered her head and thought for a moment, then suddenly realized. "He seems to be that guy we saw at school a few days ago!"

"That Liu Shao?" Qian Qian remembered the rich kid who had gone to school to cause trouble for her three days ago and immediately made a face like she had swallowed a fly. "I remember him not being fat..."

I promptly reminded her, "Didn't his two lackeys beat him into a pig-headed mess afterward?"

Then we all went, "Oh."

At first, this pig-headed extra had not recognized us. He had merely seen several people who looked like poor country bumpkins stuffing themselves here and had come over out of habit to mock us a little. He had not expected to run into us.

The moment Sandora and Qian Qian entered his line of sight, he immediately changed his attitude. Like a braised pig's head forcing out a disgusting smile, he affected the manner of a gentleman and gave a slight bow. "I didn't expect to find two beautiful ladies here as well. But why are you two with this poor fellow? Why not let me accompany you..."

It seemed this guy's language skills had improved somewhat.

Before he could finish, Qian Qian cut him off without any courtesy. "Forget it. We bumpkins shouldn't take up Young Master Liu's precious time!"

Sandora wiped the cream from the corner of her mouth and instantly transformed into a Queen. Her face turned icy as she said in a noble tone, "I have no need to waste time on a rude and arrogant person!"

Pandora tugged at the corner of my clothes without saying a word, but I could still read a trace of grievance at being ignored in her calm expression. It seemed that pighead had not even mentioned the cute little angel standing here?

I comfortingly patted Pandora's little head. "Little one, hurry up and grow taller. If you're taller, people won't overlook you..."

Sandora and Qian Qian's responses left Liu Shao at a loss. The guy had probably always had everything go his way. Relying on his family background, he had never suffered a setback when chasing girls, so being rejected so mercilessly left him completely stunned.

What a pity, what a pity. This pighead was destined for tragedy. To win a girl like Sandora, one needed at least the power to rule the world. As for winning Qian Qian—one needed, at minimum, the luck to survive being hunted by a million soldiers.

Obviously, both of those requirements were about as difficult as charging at God with a kitchen knife.

At that moment, the tall, thin middle-aged man who had been following Liu Shao finally spoke. "Zicai, don't waste time here. This isn't our objective today."

Hearing the middle-aged man's words, Liu Shao—the extra who had finally received a name in this book, Liu Zicai—gave a cold snort and said to us, "It seems I have no need to waste time on poor girls like you. The people truly worthy of me aren't you..."

"Enough, Zicai." The middle-aged man probably felt his son was talking too much and rebuked him. "Don't waste time on them. Look at yourself! Go back and prepare already!"

After the Liu father and son had walked away, we looked at one another. "What did they mean by that?"

After thinking briefly, Qian Qian said, "Judging from what he said, that guy came here with a target in mind today, and it must be for some girl—unless the person he thinks is worthy of him is a man!"

"Don't make such disgusting assumptions." I hurriedly dismissed the possibility, then analyzed, "Then who is the girl most likely to become his target in a place like this?"

Sandora wore a grave expression and spoke in a low voice. "That girl must be of noble birth and from an illustrious family. Even in a place filled with celebrities like this, she would stand out. More importantly, she doesn't have a lover. So who exactly is this mysterious girl...?"

Qian Qian and I glared at her viciously.

"Okay, okay." Sandora hurriedly waved her hands. "I'm not joking with you anymore... I really didn't expect that guy to have such a fantastical idea. It seems I can't even have a little peace and quiet. I still have to take part in this boring game..."

Wasn't this trouble she had brought upon herself?

Still, I seemed to be looking forward to what happened next...