Chapter 127: Seeing the World

A stretched limousine pulled up in front of Cunshan Hall, immediately drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

Xie Qingtang, dressed in an evening gown, took a deep breath and slowly stepped out the door. The car door opened, and Dong Weiyi appeared, looking suave and gentle in a white suit, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Miss Xie, I knew you would do me the honor." Looking at Xie Qingtang, who wore a lake-blue strapless evening gown and looked as indescribably beautiful as a forest sprite, a deep sense of affection flickered in Dong Weiyi's eyes.

Xie Qingtang was carefully managing the towering heels she was wearing and did not notice his gaze. As she stepped down from the stairs, she stumbled slightly, only to be caught immediately by the quick-acting Dong Weiyi.

"Be careful. It seems Miss Xie is not used to wearing high heels, is she?" Dong Weiyi said with a smile, attempting to help her into the car.

Xie Qingtang frowned slightly and instinctively pulled her hand back. A look of resolve appeared in her eyes as she said, "There are some things we must force ourselves to get used to, even if we are not accustomed to them."

After speaking, she climbed into the car. Dong Weiyi’s expression shifted slightly, but he said nothing. Once inside, he produced a pair of flats and placed them nearby.

"Actually, I was inconsiderate. If Miss Xie truly finds high heels uncomfortable, perhaps you should change into these flats."

Looking at the flats at her feet, Xie Qingtang paused, her gaze shifting to the thoughtful and attentive Dong Weiyi.

In truth, when she saw the flats, she felt an urge to swap out her painful heels immediately. After a moment of reflection, however, she shook her head. "This banquet is a very formal occasion, isn't it? I am attending as the representative of Cunshan Hall, so I must remain formal."

With that, she declined the flats. Dong Weiyi smiled, said nothing more, and put the shoes away.

Instead, he took out some adhesive bandages and soft cushions designed to relieve the pain of wearing high heels, handing them to Xie Qingtang. "You cannot refuse me this time. After all, tonight’s banquet will not be an easy affair."

"Very well, thank you." Although Xie Qingtang did not actually need these—having applied a special medicinal liquid to her feet before putting on the heels, which created a protective film to prevent chafing—she saw no reason to refuse his thoughtful gesture and risk offending him. She accepted them gracefully.

Soon, the car pulled up in front of a quaint, historic hotel. Dong Weiyi stepped out first and offered his hand to Xie Qingtang like a gentleman. After a moment’s hesitation, she placed her hand in his and stepped out.

"May I have the honor of inviting Miss Xie to be my partner for tonight's banquet?" Dong Weiyi asked with an inviting gesture. Xie Qingtang was surprised.

She had been invited to the banquet as an individual, and she knew she could have attended using her own invitation. In an instant, she realized the truth: as the head of Cunshan Hall, she likely lacked the standing to be invited on her own merits, but Dong Weiyi had given her the dignity of a formal invitation.

However, Xie Qingtang had come to this banquet to open up the market for Cunshan Hall; she did not want to rely on anyone else's influence. She smiled and shook her head, declining his offer.

"I am truly sorry, but I wish to attend tonight’s banquet as the head of Cunshan Hall, not as anyone’s partner, even though I know you are trying to help me, Mr. Dong."

Upon hearing this, Dong Weiyi was momentarily stunned. Given his status and influence, if Xie Qingtang appeared as his partner, the doors that would open for her would be numerous. He had not wanted to state his intentions of helping her explicitly, knowing she was sharp enough to understand, but he had not expected that even after understanding, she would still reject the assistance.

"In that case, I respect your choice, Miss Xie. Please." Respecting her wishes, Dong Weiyi took a step back, walked beside her, and the two entered the banquet hall together.

The banquet was held at the Delhi Hotel, a landmark with centuries of history said to have hosted many distinguished guests. Upon entering the hall, a magnificent, massive crystal chandelier hung from the third floor all the way down to the first, featuring a blue orb at its peak.

It was said that the orb was carved from a single, priceless sapphire. Hanging openly in the lobby, it served as a testament to the immense wealth of the Delhi Hotel.

Seeing such opulence and history, a trace of surprise appeared in Xie Qingtang’s eyes. She quickly steadied her emotions; the guests here were all wealthy and influential, and she could not afford to look like someone who had never seen the world, even if she truly hadn't witnessed such grandeur before.

"Mr. Dong, long time no see." As Dong Weiyi appeared, many people immediately came forward to greet him. Because the Dong family was in the pharmaceutical business—and no one could guarantee they would never fall ill—people in these circles treated the Dong family with great respect.

When Xie Qingtang noticed the crowd gathering around Dong Weiyi, she quietly took a step back. After all, she had made a bold statement at the door about not wanting to rely on the Dong family's influence to network with the elite.

She retreated from Dong Weiyi's social circle and walked to the other side, observing the guests at the banquet.

It was then that she spotted a familiar face—none other than Wang Miao’er, with whom she had previously had many conflicts.

At this moment, Wang Miao’er had a serene smile on her lips, a stark contrast to the shrewish demeanor she had displayed during their confrontation. She wore a silver lace evening gown with a trailing fish-tail hem that accentuated her curvaceous figure.

Xie Qingtang gave her a few extra glances, but then, indifferent, she looked away.