Five minutes later, Madam Ye came out wearing a coat, smiling as she led Luo Qi and Ye Mu inside, making it even more ostentatious than if Luo Qi and Ye Mu had snuck in.
Luo Qi could even see guests peeking through the door cracks at them.
Madam Ye, wearing light makeup today, smiled immediately upon seeing Luo Qi. She took Luo Qi's hand and led him into the house, completely disregarding her own son.
Ye Mu didn't get angry. He walked in beside the two of them, blocking the curious or inquisitive gazes.
Luo Qi felt even more embarrassed. Being angry with Ye Mu just now was one thing, but barging into someone's banquet was another.
Besides, he really hadn't intended to be so conspicuous. When he arrived, he saw people coming and going through the window and had only circled the villa outside, hoping to run into Ye Mu.
It was also during that time that he saw Ye Mu talking to that person.
Moreover, Aunt Ye was a elder who treated him very well, and he didn't want to cause her any trouble.
However, Madam Ye didn't feel troubled at all. If she had known Luo Qi would come tonight, she would have prepared a formal gown long ago and personally introduced him to all the guests.
But it was almost the same now. When some of the more familiar guests asked Madam Ye about Luo Qi's identity, she didn't hide anything.
"Yes, he's the only cub of the Insect Race, isn't he handsome?"
"Yes, he's close with our Xiao Mu."
"Oh my, this child is so well-behaved."
...
Ye Mu maintained a smile and, wanting to get slippers for Luo Qi, bent down. His hand had just reached Luo Qi's exclusive yellow duck plush slippers when he remembered that Luo Qi wasn't visiting alone today.
Ye Mu naturally straightened up again, placing the slippers back on the top shelf of the shoe cabinet. He coughed lightly, "Let's just go in directly today."
The guests who were watching from the side were secretly surprised, and the content of this sentence was very telling.
Everyone saw how naturally Ye Mu went to get slippers for this little prince of the Insect Race, and how willingly he smiled. Moreover, did this little prince often stay here?
Luo Qi almost wanted to cover his face. Ye Mu was usually quite smart, so why was he so foolish today? Ye Mu had personally bought those slippers for him. He was so embarrassed.
However, the guests didn't think the young master of the Ye family was being foolish. Some even speculated if Ye Mu was deliberately acting this way to appease the little prince of the Insect Race and to show everyone how close their relationship was.
But looking at Madam Ye and Ye Yun, who arrived later, it didn't seem like that. Even if this little prince had a transcendent status, it wouldn't be enough to make a Major General of Earth Star fawn over him.
Moreover, the behavior of these two clearly showed they genuinely liked Luo Qi.
Those familiar with Madam Ye knew how arrogant she usually was.
Her husband and two sons were successful, and she was the one who usually received flattery. When had she ever shown such affection for someone?
Madam Ye smiled and pushed Ye Mu aside, urging him to go and greet the guests first. She then took Luo Qi directly to the second floor.
Ye Mu smiled helplessly. He had intended to follow them upstairs, but Luo Qi stopped him with a look.
Only Yang Liu, hidden in the crowd, saw that although Ye Mu was still smiling, it was completely different from the smile she had seen earlier. That was a smile from the heart.
Luo Qi glanced at Ye Mu and then withdrew his gaze. It was one thing for Madam Ye to bring him in so conspicuously, but if Ye Mu also left with her, it would be too attention-grabbing.
Luo Qi followed Madam Ye all the way to the room specially prepared for him. All the items in the room were personally arranged by Madam Ye, and they were all things Luo Qi liked.
A suit in a dust bag was already placed on his bed; it was likely prepared by Madam Ye for him.
Madam Ye made Luo Qi sit on the bed and watched her busily move about. He couldn't help but say, "Auntie, I came to find Ye Mu. I didn't know there was a banquet here."
Madam Ye casually replied, "It's nothing, it's not an important banquet. Auntie welcomes you anytime you come."
She took the suit out of the dust bag and held it up against Luo Qi. "This was the formal wear made for Ye Mu last time, but it's a bit small, and Ye Mu never wore it. It should fit you perfectly."
Luo Qi took the clothes. Since they were made for Ye Mu, they looked quite similar to what he was wearing now.
Then, Madam Ye produced a ruby brooch from somewhere and handed it to Luo Qi, smiling with satisfaction.
"I spent a lot of money to buy this gem at an auction, and I haven't even been willing to use it for Ye Mu. It's perfect for you now."
Luo Qi was amused and speechless. He took the brooch. The ruby was crystal clear, and upon closer inspection, it seemed to shimmer faintly, truly a rare sight.
Luo Qi handed the gem back, "This is too valuable."
Madam Ye waved her hand, "What's this? I bought several such gems. I'll have them made into brooches for you next time."
Luo Qi: "..."
Madam Ye clapped her hands with satisfaction, told Luo Qi to change his clothes, and then turned to leave the room.
Luo Qi sat alone in the room, sighing as he held the suit. The matter between Ye Mu and that woman hadn't been clarified yet, and now he had somehow ended up at a party.
He didn't consider himself an overbearing friend who wouldn't let Ye Mu meet new people, but at least he should have been introduced.
Luo Qi ran a hand through his hair, got up, and started changing. Since he was already here, he couldn't be too out of place.
Although Ye Mu was still in the hall, his heart had already flown to Luo Qi's room upstairs, wondering what Luo Qi would look like in a suit.
The Insect Race did have gatherings, but their gatherings didn't involve such tedious formalities, nor did they have any dress code requirements. Therefore, he had hardly ever seen Luo Qi wear a suit.
After being reminded by a guest for the umpteenth time, Ye Mu politely excused himself and walked towards the stairs.
As soon as he stepped on the first stair, he saw the door to Luo Qi's room open from the inside.
Ye Mu stared blankly at the person who emerged, as if seeing a little prince who had strayed into the mortal realm, although that person was originally a prince.
His waist was slender, his legs were long, and a white bow tie was fastened just below his small Adam's apple. It was almost impossible to tell whether the exposed skin of his neck or the bow tie was whiter.
The ruby brooch on his chest was also perfectly matched, emitting a cold gleam under the light. The light fell around him, as if a rose was pinned to his chest.
Ye Mu felt he had been mistaken. Luo Qi didn't just look good in a white suit; he looked good in anything.