Chapter 821

Thus, the wealthy young heirs in the circle of their many mutual friends were in an uproar.

Former friends were arguing over a man!

But the drama queen truly lives up to her name—after breaking up, she still has her ex-boyfriend cook soup for her!

Shen Ling still falls short, you see—others actually got him to personally cook soup for them, while you're just happy that Jin Chen ate the meal you made!

In comparison, Shen Ling's boastful friend looks rather funny, even embarrassing.

Their friends' posts were widely liked and shared in various circles, becoming after-dinner gossip.

Shen Ling was about to die of anger.

He resentfully left a comment under Qiao Xu's friends' post.

"You're going too far! I'm furious! If you still like him, why break up at all!"

Qiao Xu, however, didn't respond at all, silently finishing the soup in the room.

Seemingly victorious, yet inside she felt a sour, heart‑aching pain.

{Detected Villain Heartthrob Value 5, total now 50! }

{Hey, that's really pitiful. }

0731 shook his head, feeling sentimental.

{Host, aren't you feeling sorry for them? }

In the spacious office, Jin Chen came back to himself from the space, pinching his tightly furrowed brow.

How could he not feel sorry?

He reached out to touch the photo frame on the desk, letting out a faint sigh.

"It's time to meet."

——

Recently, the most talked‑about thing in the circle was the news that Huo Family's eldest young master, Huo Chen, had returned to the country.

The Huo Family is based in Didu, an existence even above the Qiao Family—a century‑old lineage with industries spread worldwide.

It is said that in recent years they have also gotten involved in underground businesses, so the whole family moved abroad for convenience, and they have deep ties with the Jin Family as well.

Speaking of Huo Chen, he is an even hotter property than Jin Chen.

He fits perfectly the ideal boss‑type image that many socialites have in mind.

This time returning to the country, Huo Chen will hold a banquet in the private garden of the Huo Clan Zhuang Zhuang Yuan Zhuang Yuan.

In Didu's elite circle, all the younger generation of families worthy of being named, whether heirs or not, are on the guest list.

Qiao Xu is naturally among them.

But he doesn't want to go.

To be precise, ever since his stomach ailment flared up that day, he has been listless in everything he does.

But the more this happens, the more Qiao Father, who is overseas handling affairs and hasn't yet returned, worries.

Almost every day they have a video call, each time saying his dear son has lost a lot of weight.

Rare treasures and top‑end luxury goods from around the world are sent over in baskets.

Even Gu Liuyun doesn't receive such treatment; their marital interaction has always been one of mutual respect.

Under Qiao Father's persuasion, and for the sake of relaxing his mind, Qiao Xu still agreed.

Of course, the real reason is that he learned the banquet host is Huo Chen.

Huo Chen and Jin Chen are good friends, so Jin Chen will definitely attend the banquet he hosts.

Three days later, the afternoon sun was just right.

The Huo Clan Zhuang Zhuang Yuan Zhuang Yuan is situated on the mountainside, with French‑style architecture, a vintage charm, and the manor and the mountains behind it complement each other,

The venue of the banquet is the lakeside private garden inside the manor, with the green of elegantly white‑decorated lawns, and in the tastefully arranged flower beds bloom flowers of all colors.

The elegant fountain pool splits left and right, forming a jade‑stone avenue leading into the garden.

Beside the main banquet is the top‑tier symphony orchestra surrounding it.

At this time, many socialites and young nobles have gathered in the garden, glasses clinking, laughter and chatter filling the air.

Since there are no elders present, they speak more freely, and the hottest topic of discussion is, of course, the recent gossip about the Qiao Family's young master and Jin Chen.

Just as they were saying this, the scene suddenly grew quiet, and everyone unconsciously turned their gaze toward the avenue.

When Qiao Xu stepped out of the car, he remained the focus of the entire crowd.

The outfit was completely different from that of the previous banquet, as if it had been carefully dressed up,

The young master was tall and slender, wearing a champagne-colored silk shirt in a courtly style, over which he donned a vintage European-style waistcoat; the frilled lace of the lavalliere collar was as delicate as pleated silk, and the gemstone bead chain hanging from the waistcoat's waist tie fell in a crescent shape along the outer thigh.

His slightly longer hair fell in lazy curls over his shoulders, and every gesture exuded noble elegance, like a young prince from an ancient European court.

Everyone had to glance several times before noticing Gu He and Qi Zhan standing beside Qiao Xu.

Interestingly, although Gu He and Qi Zhan wore the same custom-made suit, they were not the same color.

At first glance, one might even think Qi Zhan was Qiao Xu's male companion.

Of course, upon closer look, one would find that Qi Zhan still fell short by a bit, not worthy of the noble young master.

But it was enough to make them indulge in fanciful thoughts.

After all, there have been rumors lately—unknown from where—saying that Qiao Xu just broke up and hastily moved back to the Qiao Family, and that he has an ambiguous relationship with his cousin's boyfriend, Qi Zhan.

But most people still don't believe it.

After all, with Jin Chen's pearls and jade as the benchmark, even though this Qi family young master is not bad, he may not catch the young master's eye.

Noticing the crowd's gaze, Qiao Xu merely smiled at them as usual, his eyes sweeping across the gathering.

He did not see the person he wanted to see.

"Xiao Xu, here you go."

Qi Zhan took a glass of champagne from the server's tray, but the first glass he actually handed to Qiao Xu.

Qiao Xu glanced at him, then looked at Gu He, who showed no reaction, his brows furrowing slightly.

It was this strange feeling again.

He ignored Qi Zhan's offer, poured himself another glass, turned and walked inside.

Qi Zhan: "……"

He clenched the cup, only able to hand it to Gu He behind him.

The two exchanged glances, both feeling helpless.

It was precisely because of Qiao Xu's action that, by a twist of fate, the earlier rumors collapsed on their own.

"I was just saying, how long has it been since they broke up? Even if Qiao Xu had a new lover, it couldn't be Qi... Qi what's-his-name."

After all, compared to the current elite families in the circle, the Qi family is truly insignificant; the name Qi Zhan, if not for his recent involvement with Qiao Xu, they wouldn't even remember the surname.

Upon hearing that person's remark, the socialite gave a light laugh: "It's Qi Zhan, but you're right—I don't know who started that despicable rumor."

"If you ask me, maybe they're aiming too high but lacking skill—having hooked up with the Gu family isn't enough, they also want to secretly ingratiate themselves with the Qiao family."

"Hey, what's the Gu family? If it weren't for the marital ties with the Qiao family, who would Gu He even be able to squeeze into our circle?"

Several socialites and young nobles chatted, seemingly unconcerned that Qi Zhan and Qiao Xu might overhear.

Actually, even if they had heard, it wouldn't matter at all.

Annoying them is no different from annoying cotton.

Their embarrassment could only be endured by themselves.

But the more this happened, the more determined their resolve to carry out the plan became.

Qiao Xu had no idea that the focus of everyone's conversation was himself.

He stood beside the orchestra, quietly listening to the music, gazing down the avenue leading to the banquet, as if waiting for something.

Finally, Qiao Xu saw that figure.

Jin Chen came together with Huo Chen.

He wore a crisp dark suit, sharp in cut, his whole demeanor relaxed yet aloof, holding a glass in his hand, his eyes calm.

But unlike before, Huo Chen behind him was not dimmed by contrast; he had a completely different refined air, his expression unrestrained, like a sly fox.