(Happy Monday, finishing a long article is quite satisfying. As one girl finishes with the socialite pit, she starts digging a new one, dear readers, jump in boldly. Learning from this story, I’ll create a more lovable female protagonist in the new story, likely to be published in September, just as the socialite saga approaches its end. The upcoming week is full of business trips, so calling out early for fresh votes and comments.)
This scent, amidst a multitude of chaotic smells, stood distinctively on its own--it was the smell of alcohol.
Su Ziceng had casually gotten some on her when handling the flask, and even though she washed it off afterwards, the smell remained starkly evident. To use Boss Han’s words, it was on par with the scent of diesel.
Su Ziceng didn’t take it to heart, after returning home she took a bath and then went to sleep. The next day when she woke up, she felt that something was amiss.
The alcohol smell was still there, as if last night she hadn’t merely been splashed with a bit of alcohol, but rather soaked in a vat of it. Su Ziceng was somewhat incredulous, she showered again, but the smell of alcohol persisted.
After the sea breeze blew all night and countless rinses with water, any trace of the alcohol scent should have been gone. Su Ziceng recalled the military flask from last night. The dark green body of the flask was somewhat heavy in her hand after it was emptied, likely holding about a liter in size; such a strong smelling alcohol must have been highly potent. That guest named Da Gen was only around 1.7 meters tall, appearing quite thin and small, unexpectedly having such a staggering capacity for alcohol.
To mask the alcohol scent on her body, Su Ziceng had no choice but to use a good amount of perfume before she could barely cover the smell.
The event site of the "Shengshi Huasha" grand opening ceremony.
The festive welcome red carpet had been laid out early. The ceremony was divided into both Chinese and Western styles. At the entrance of "Huasha," a Chinese-style altar was set up, and a dragon and lion dance troupe was invited to perform a dynamic competition.
Inside the grand banquet hall that could accommodate a thousand guests, thirty-six champagne towers were set up, with amber-colored champagne exuding fragrant aromas. The most senior host of Country Z, Yang Qian, took the role of opening commentator.
After 8 a.m., crowds of ordinary citizens outside "Shengshi Huasha" were astounded by the caravan of luxury cars arriving one after another. From extended limousines to limited edition sports cars, all were present.
Su Qingzhang and the core members of the Su Family had been waiting outside very early. Su Qingzhang’s complexion was especially good today.
Government officials including the Mayor of Mo City and the Party Secretary, along with Mo City’s business elite, attended in full dress with their spouses, giving Su Qingzhang ample face. Amidst the congratulatory voices of the crowd, he dotted the eyes of the dragon and lion, setting off a hundred rounds of celebratory cannons; the sound of the blasts filled the air, accompanied by the laughter of Su Qingzhang amidst the smoke and white fog.
"Where is Ziceng?" While greeting people, Su Qingzhang inquired Chang Mei, "Didn’t I tell you to remind her to attend on time? At this moment, she’s nowhere to be seen, and even Xiao Chi is missing. What’s happening?"
Chang Mei glanced sideways through the crowd for a few moments and indeed, she did not spot Su Ziceng and Chang Chi, "I heard from the butler that Ziceng came home last night reeking of alcohol, she might have overslept. As for Xiao Chi, isn’t she just arriving."
Hang Yishao didn’t come with his parents; he originally had an agreement with Fei Qing, who unexpectedly had to accompany Mrs. Fei because Mr. Fei was out of town. He also said he had plans with Chang Chi, yet his no-show left Hang Yishao without a female companion, forcing him to pick up Chang Chi.
Chang Chi looked quite different today, wearing a black silk evening gown. Her hair hadn’t grown out yet, so she added some extensions and intentionally applied makeup, losing some her usual indifference for a few hints of feminine allure.
Upon first seeing her, Hang Yishao couldn’t help but praise her, causing a flutter in Chang Chi’s heart. But when they arrived at the venue, almost all female guests were dressed in similar fashion.
The preferences Fei Qing described about Hang Yishao also happened to coincide with most men’s preferences for women, so Chang Chi, who previously seemed somewhat unique, now seemed inconspicuous in the crowd.
"It’s Wen Maixue," someone next to them exclaimed, directing all the female guests’ gaze towards the foyer. Wen Maixue wore a lilac pseudo-qipao style dress, her long hair pulled into a slanted bun, deliberately leaving a few strands of long hair loose around her neck. A pair of pearl earrings hung from her ears, accentuating her orchid-like demeanor.
"Wen Maixue, whenever she arrives, always makes the grand final entrance. It seems that she will be the most eye-catching one today." Fei Qing looked over at Wen Maixue, who was politely congratulating Su Qingzhang. With every step she took, the eyes of the men nearby followed suit, while the women buzzed with scrutiny, examining her with a critical gaze.