Chapter 86: Because She’s Love-Struck, Her Boyfriend’s Madness Doesn’t Matter (18)

On this Sunday, Bai Yao had specially arranged for an event planning company to handle the party. The company took care of all the decorations and food, leaving her with nothing to worry about. As the sun had just set, luxury cars began arriving in front of Bai Yao’s house one after another. Since it was a costume party, everyone came dressed in extravagant outfits.

Nangong Hao and Beitang Jun arrived together—one dressed as a vampire, the other as a Western knight. The two strikingly handsome men appeared side by side, instantly drawing the attention of all the girls. As for Su Youyou, she came with Ximen Lie. Su Youyou was made up as Cinderella, pure and adorable, while Ximen Lie played the role of the charming and romantic prince. Ximen Lie offered his arm for Su Youyou to hold, displaying a gentlemanly demeanor that caused a wave of envy and jealousy among the onlookers.

Su Youyou seemed timid and frightened, lowering her head and shrinking behind Ximen Lie. In that instant, Ximen Lie’s protective instincts surged. He spoke to Su Youyou gently, “Don’t be afraid, I’ll keep you safe.” Su Youyou nodded, touched by his words.

In truth, Su Youyou could have skipped Bai Yao’s party. But since all her classmates were attending, not showing up would have made her stand out. More importantly, it was an opportunity to play the victim and win sympathy, extracting more benefits from these wealthy, gullible boys.

Bai Yao was nothing more than a pretty but hollow vase, otherwise Su Youyou wouldn’t have been able to force her to move off campus by playing the innocent. Despite the crowd of people flattering Bai Yao, everyone privately agreed she was domineering and overbearing. Su Youyou thought to herself that pretending to be a delicate flower was truly a test of mental endurance, but Bai Yao had provoked her first—she wasn’t one to be trifled with!

Now, the wealthiest and most influential boys in the school were all under her influence. Bai Yao couldn’t stir up any trouble. But why had Dongfang Xuan seemed a bit distant lately? Was it just her imagination? He was the most handsome and the richest among the four—a prize she was unwilling to let go.

What Su Youyou didn’t see was Dongfang Xuan, standing just behind her, silently staring at her for a long while.

She entered the lively house alongside Ximen Lie. The moment Su Youyou appeared, Beitang Jun, Nangong Hao, and Ximen Lie exchanged glances, secretly gearing up for rivalry over her.

Su Youyou smiled to herself. “Men. In the end, they’re all captivated by me.”

Outside the door, He Cai rushed over and grabbed Dongfang Xuan’s arm. “Brother Dongfang! Why are you just standing here instead of going in?”

He Cai was dressed with particular care tonight: an ornate, voluminous Victorian gown with blue and white skirts fanned out beautifully, and a courtly hat adorned with gems and flowers atop her head. Compared to her, the other flamboyant girls seemed plain and simple.

Dongfang Xuan’s attire was much simpler—a black tailcoat. Still, his good looks made anything he wore appear stylish. He glanced at He Cai’s extravagant outfit and curiously asked, “Who are you supposed to be tonight?”

Glancing into the hall at Su Youyou, He Cai raised her chin with a smile. “Cinderella’s stepmother.”

Dongfang Xuan fell silent.

He Cai then asked, “And you?”

Dongfang Xuan replied, “I suppose I’m the stepmother’s butler.”

He Cai instantly cupped her face, looking at him with excitement.

Dongfang Xuan didn’t need to hear her thoughts to know what she was thinking. He had known He Cai since they were children—her face always betrayed her feelings.

How strange, he thought. Why had he ever been interested in someone as insincere as Su Youyou? As Bai Yao had said, shouldn’t he be drawn to someone whose heart and words were one?

It was getting late. He Cai, bubbling with excitement, pulled Dongfang Xuan toward the house. As they entered, she accidentally bumped into a young boy.

He Cai quickly steadied him. “Are you alright, little brother?”

The boy was wearing an adorable kitten T-shirt, his skin deathly pale. His overly dark eyes stared straight at He Cai without a word.

Dongfang Xuan suddenly stiffened.

He Cai patted the boy’s head. “You’ve put on so much powder. Mischievous.”

“This sister seems rather silly. She must taste good,” the boy’s thought drifted through Dongfang Xuan’s mind.

Dongfang Xuan hurriedly pulled He Cai away. Startled, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

Dongfang Xuan glanced again at the boy. “This brother looks a bit dumb—not tasty at all,” came the next thought.

What on earth! What was this child thinking?

Dongfang Xuan cautiously retreated with He Cai, only to bump into someone behind him. He quickly said, “Sorry…”

It was a clown holding a wine glass, his painted face grinning at Dongfang Xuan.

“Such tender skin, and probably plenty of muscle. I love muscle,” the clown’s thought echoed.

No…he must mean chicken, not muscle.

Expressionless, Dongfang Xuan dragged He Cai further back. She stepped on someone’s foot and hurriedly apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

The man was dressed as a chauffeur, a wide smile spreading across his face. “No problem, beautiful lady.”

“How delicious you must be…where should I start?” Dongfang Xuan caught the man’s thought.

Dongfang Xuan was speechless. Why were there so many lunatics here?

At that moment, a middle-aged man appeared, supporting a kindly old lady. He greeted them warmly, “Would you like some barbecue?”

The middle-aged man’s eyes roved over them. “The legs would be great braised, the head steamed, and the hands stir-fried.”

The smiling old lady thought, “Such wonderful materials for filling the cracks in the wall—bury them in there, and no one would find them for years.”

Dongfang Xuan exclaimed, “He Cai, I just remembered something we need to discuss. Let’s get out of here!”

He Cai blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

Just as Dongfang Xuan pulled He Cai toward the door, he caught another voice from a shadowy corner.

“Fresh…fresh…fresh…”

A ring of black mist hovered where the voice came from.

Dongfang Xuan couldn’t take it anymore. Terrified, he grabbed He Cai and broke into a run. They were a step from the door when it slammed shut.

The lights in the living room went out.

Suddenly, a beam of light focused on a figure that had appeared on the stairs.

Bai Yao stood there in a red and white Lolita dress, the flared skirt trimmed with lace, revealing only her calves sheathed in translucent white stockings. Her feet wore little red shoes, making her slender ankles all the more graceful.

She was draped in a red cloak, her long, softly curled hair adorned only with a crystal hairpin—simple yet beautiful.

Behind Bai Yao stood a tall boy with orange hair, dressed in a Western-style hunter’s outfit. His neat, fitted clothes emphasized his height and long legs, but atop his head were a pair of fluffy ears, and behind him, a furry tail swayed.