The three chatted for a while, and then Gu Ranran, with Gu Qichen, walked over.
"Qin He, thank you for coming to my birthday banquet today."
Gu Ranran stood in front of the sofa, smiling a little shyly.
Qin He smiled, "Happy birthday."
She took out a bracelet from her bag, which was her birthday gift for today.
Gu Qichen, standing beside her, saw the bracelet and frowned slightly, "Isn't it too valuable?"
Gu Ranran's eyes widened, "Is this bracelet very valuable?"
Qin He had picked the bracelet from her own jewelry box. She hadn't worn this one before. It was something Qin Yun had bought for her at an auction.
It was quite valuable. When Qin He took it out, she thought of it as repayment for Gu Qichen's care for her in Country L.
"It's not too valuable, just wear it for fun," Qin He said. "After all, our two families are partners now. It's only natural for the gift to be a little more generous than others."
Gu Ranran excitedly asked Ming Xue to help her put on the bracelet.
Qin He looked at Gu Qichen. They hadn't seen each other for several days. He was wearing a formal suit today, dressed very luxuriously.
His deep-set eyes, high nose bridge, and thin lips were tightly pressed.
Gu Qichen's entire face looked as if it had been exquisitely carved. Although he was extremely handsome, the cold air around his brows made it clear that he was not to be trifled with.
Their eyes met, and Qin He's heart skipped a beat. She quietly averted her gaze.
A few students from Qing University called out loudly, "Gu Ranran!"
"Ranran, hurry over, we're all waiting for you!"
Gu Ranran responded, then turned to look at Qin He, "Brother, you stay here with Qin He, I'll go over there for a moment."
Gu Qichen nodded.
Qin He awkwardly invited, "Please sit."
She and Xu Wanwan sat on one sofa, while Gu Qichen and Lu Mingxi sat on the opposite sofa.
The two men opposite each other always gave off a strange vibe.
Lu Mingxi leaned back on the sofa, looking relaxed. Gu Qichen sat there with an air of nobility and a hint of coldness on his face.
These two sat together without speaking, and others around them began to notice.
Everyone clearly remembered the Gu Group's actions against the Lu Group a while ago. It was indeed strange that the CEOs of the two companies were now sitting together.
Qin He quietly tugged at Xu Wanwan, wanting her to lighten the mood.
Xu Wanwan was currently upset and wasn't thinking about easing the atmosphere. She was just drinking by herself.
Qin He gently touched her lower abdomen, feeling a little helpless.
Gu Qichen noticed and his voice softened slightly. He immediately called a waiter to bring some juice.
Lu Mingxi raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone carrying a hint of provocation, "He'er, how has our child been lately? Is he being restless?"
Qin He glared at him, "It's okay."
"Have you had your prenatal check-up? I'll accompany you in a few days?"
The temperature in this area seemed to drop several degrees instantly.
Qin He gritted her teeth, "No need!"
Lu Mingxi was enjoying himself immensely, very satisfied to have angered Gu Qichen.
Before long, someone came to talk to Gu Qichen.
After two groups of people had approached him, he looked up and saw a hint of weariness on Qin He's face.
He knew Qin He disliked such occasions, and even more so, she disliked being disturbed.
Gu Qichen stood up, "I'll be back later. If you need anything, just call me."
Qin He responded.
Gu Qichen lowered his gaze to the table, "Don't drink red wine, and moderate your juice intake."
This concern seemed to cross a boundary.
Qin He pursed her lips, "Okay."
After a while, music started from the dance floor on one side of the hall. It was a waltz.
Gu Ranran, as the protagonist of the banquet, pulled Gu Qichen to dance the first dance with her.
Some students from Qing University also entered the dance floor. Ji Xiangchen led a beautiful girl and danced gracefully.
Qin He watched the people on the dance floor, with the juice Gu Qichen had given her beside her.
Lu Mingxi smiled, "What are you looking at? Want to dance?"
Qin He touched her lower abdomen, "Forget it."
After the first dance, Qin He and Lu Mingxi chatted about the recent projects between the Gu and Lu families.
The second dance was a tango, and Qin He found it a bit noisy.
Xu Wanwan, in a bad mood, called out to Lu Mingxi, "Come on, dance with me!"
Lu Mingxi was reluctant, but he understood Miss Xu's personality. If he refused, Xu Wanwan would practically eat him alive.
He glanced at Qin He.
Qin He smiled, "You guys go ahead."
Watching Lu Mingxi and Xu Wanwan leave, Qin He leaned back on the sofa alone.
She was getting a little bored sitting there, so she decided to go to the backyard for some fresh air. As she walked through the hall, she passed by the area where the Qing University students were sitting.
As she brushed past, Qin He heard a girl's mocking voice, "She's pregnant and still out here trying to seduce men. Shameless, and embarrassing her family!"
Qin He's footsteps faltered. Among the female guests present, she was the only one who was pregnant.
She turned to look at the girl who spoke. The girl looked somewhat familiar; her family likely had some influence in Qingcheng.
The girl glanced at her with a mocking smile, then looked away.
Qin He looked to the side of the girl. Ji Xiangchen avoided her gaze.
Qin He narrowed her eyes slightly. Thinking that these people were all from Qing University, and to make things easier for Shen Yilin in the future, she decided not to say anything.
Seeing that Qin He didn't speak, the girl thought she was guilty and suddenly said, "Oh dear, someone's feeling guilty. I think women like this who go around corrupting young men should get AIDS! Who knows, maybe the children they give birth to will be just like them, all bad influences!"
Qin He hadn't intended to argue with anyone. She could tune out whatever others said, as they weren't worth her time to argue with.
But upon hearing this, an inexplicable anger flared up!
Qin He turned around and walked directly to the Qing University students, sitting down among them, directly opposite the girl.
The girl didn't expect Qin He to turn back. She showed a hint of disdain.
Ji Xiangchen, beside her, gently tugged her hand, "Tingting, stop talking."
As soon as Qin He sat down, the Qing University students were somewhat at a loss. After all, Qin He had previously caused He Shuwon to drop out of Qing University!
Everyone in the circle became quiet, and the atmosphere turned very awkward.
Qin He, however, didn't feel anything and sat there leisurely, her gaze fixed on Ji Xiangchen with a mocking expression.
Finally, the girl couldn't help but speak, "Miss Qin, is there something you need?"
Qin He's gaze was faint, her voice cold, "Nothing, just sitting for a while."
The girl looked at Qin He, then at Ji Xiangchen, her face suddenly falling.
Qin He was deliberately sitting here. Was she still shamelessly trying to seduce Ji Xiangchen?!