Accidentally Marked My Ex’s Crush, the Ice-Cold Goddess O - Chapter 43: Cocktail Party

Chapter 43: Cocktail Party

Gu Feiran never woke up too late, usually around six or a bit past, at the latest seven.

Today, she woke at six-thirty, sat up, and glanced at the sofa at the foot of the bed. It was empty, no sign of her, just a neatly folded pile of pajamas arranged in a perfect square.

With this personality, if thrown into ancient times, she’d surely be a top-notch spy, coming and going without a trace.

The car was out of gas, so Jiang Ci took a taxi to leave.

At nine in the morning, she contacted the 4S shop to arrange a tow truck and sent a message to Dr. Gu, asking her to coordinate with the neighborhood security.

Gu Feiran was in a meeting at the time, not checking her phone. When she finished and saw the message, she was about to talk to the property management.

But at nine forty-three, the property management sent a message saying the car had already been towed by the 4S shop.

Gu Feiran put away her phone and didn’t bother with it further.

At five in the afternoon, Jiang Ci arrived on time for the cocktail party with an invitation in hand.

The venue was a high-end club, and the host was a big shot in the industry, slightly stronger than the Jiang family but slightly below the Qiao family.

She held this cocktail party mainly for Fu Ruanyi.

Fu Ruanyi’s greatest hobby was tasting red wine.

The largest wine cellar in Linjiang City was hers, filled with top-tier red wines from various countries and brands, each bottle worth over a million.

For this private cocktail party, the host didn’t require formal gowns, just formal attire.

So, Jiang Ci wore a fitted black women’s suit with a low neckline and a thoughtful touch—a wine glass-shaped brooch pinned to her chest.

Her long hair was styled in soft waves, and a makeup artist gave her a bold yet refined look, striking but not gaudy.

“Invitation.” Jiang Ci handed it over.

The greeter took the invitation with both hands, smiling, “Miss Jiang, please come in. Welcome to this grand event.”

Jiang Ci nodded slightly, “Hmm.”

A cocktail party, naturally, revolved around wine.

Stepping into the banquet hall, everywhere she looked—dining tables, side tables, wine cabinets—was filled with wine. The lighting enhanced the ambiance, making it elegant and grand.

It didn’t compare to Fu Ruanyi’s wine cellar, but it had its own charm.

Jiang Ci bent down, picked up a glass of low-alcohol wine, and walked through the hall, circling once to check the lounge, restrooms, and emergency exits before returning to the main hall. She stood by the wall, observing who was there.

The party invited many elites: celebrities from the entertainment industry, industry tycoons, internationally renowned models, famous pianists, designers, photographers, and more.

For now, only these people were present. Fu Ruanyi and the host hadn’t appeared yet, likely saving their entrance for the finale.

“Hello.”

Jiang Ci was watching when someone approached from her right to greet her. She instinctively turned to see a woman in a black evening gown.

Jiang Ci turned slightly, nodding back, “Hello.”

The woman moved closer, standing next to her, and asked, “My name is Xu Lin. May I know your name?”

Jiang Ci: “Jiang Ci.”

“Jiang Ci?” The woman repeated the name in disbelief, her expression turning noticeably colder.

Jiang Ci: “Yes, Jiang Ci, the Jiang Ci of the Jiang family.”

The woman gave an awkward smile, her voice low, “Sorry, I mistook you for someone else. I’ll go now.”

Jiang Ci didn’t mind, “Hmm.”

After she left, Jiang Ci stayed where she was.

“Oh my gosh, did you get her WeChat? She’s so gorgeous, and her figure is amazing—she’s totally my type! Since when did Linjiang have such a stunning woman? Her three-to-seven golden ratio figure, those long legs—she’d feel incredible to hold!”

A girl hurriedly grabbed Xu Lin’s arm, asking eagerly.

Xu Lin scoffed, draping her arm over her friend’s shoulder, “Girl, I’m telling you, forget it. Do you know who she is?”

The girl shook her head, her eyes practically sparkling as she looked at Jiang Ci, “No idea. If I knew who she was, would I need you to get her WeChat? Damn, those legs are so long.”

Xu Lin: “Qiao Yunchi’s former fiancée, the Jiang Ci everyone in Linjiang knows—the one with no pheromones, no gland function. Your taste is really something, with so many beautiful men and women here, and you pick her.”

“Jiang Ci?” The girl froze at the name, “The Jiang Ci everyone in Linjiang knows, with no pheromones, no gland function, Qiao Yunchi’s former fiancée?”

Xu Lin hummed, “Hmm, that’s her, Jiang Ci.”

The girl was stunned for a few minutes, then wailed, slumping onto Xu Lin’s shoulder, glancing at Jiang Ci with a mournful face, “I’ve lived over twenty years, and finally found someone who makes my heart race—how could it be her? Waaah, waaah. Did you see her hands just now? So long and beautiful. When you went to get her WeChat, I was already imagining everything—me on top, her on bottom.”

Xu Lin couldn’t hold back, “Damn.”

How was this girl so shamelessly wild?

“No way.” The girl cried for a bit, then suddenly straightened up, saying righteously, “No pheromones, no gland function—isn’t that perfect?”

Xu Lin took a sip of wine, asking, “What’s perfect about that?”

Being that useless, and it’s perfect?

The girl said, “Think about it. No pheromones, no gland function—isn’t that great for an omega?”

Xu Lin blinked, “What are you talking about?”

The girl: “You’re so dense. An omega can only be marked once in their lifetime, so they’re cautious about letting an alpha bite their gland during a relationship. But Jiang Ci, with no pheromones and no gland function, can be bitten as many times as you want without being marked. Don’t you think that’s super appealing?”

After hearing her reasoning, Xu Lin slapped her forehead, “Are you crazy? No pheromones, no gland function—that’s basically a disability. Don’t tell me you have some kind of disability fetish?”

The girl crossed her arms, confidently saying, “Fine, tell me then—besides no pheromones and no gland function, what’s disabled about her hands, her mouth, or down there?”

“Damn.” Xu Lin cursed again.

This girl’s mind was full of filthy thoughts.

The girl: “I don’t care. I want to sleep with her.”

Xu Lin saw she couldn’t be stopped and gave up, stepping back and making an inviting gesture, “Fine, go ahead. As long as you don’t regret it.”

“I’m going.” The girl tugged at the slit of her gown, striding toward Jiang Ci in her high heels.

Xu Lin shook her head, helpless.

Jiang Ci was focused on a refined, elegant woman by the wine cabinet, muttering to herself, “Jia Yi’s Director He. I didn’t expect her to be here.”

Jia Yi was a well-known domestic luxury brand, specializing in clothing and jewelry.

In recent years, Jia Yi maintained a friendly image with good designs, fair prices, and a solid reputation. They always chose reputable, suddenly popular celebrities as endorsers, keeping their brand in the mid-to-high tier.

Though Jia Yi’s business didn’t overlap with the Jiang Group’s, this Director He was worth meeting.

Jiang Ci stepped forward to approach her.

“Miss Jiang.” Someone called her.

Jiang Ci stopped, turning to see the person. She looked somewhat familiar, as if they’d met somewhere before.

The girl extended her hand toward Jiang Ci, “Hello, Chen Wei.”

Chen Wei?

So it was her, the blind date Little Aunt introduced.

Jiang Ci turned slightly, gently shaking her hand, “Hello, Jiang Ci.”

They exchanged brief greetings, let go, and stood facing each other.

Jiang Ci was half a head taller than her.

Chen Wei looked up at her, saying, “I’ve heard so much about Miss Jiang’s legendary past in Linjiang. I didn’t expect to meet you here today.”

Jiang Ci: “Most people hear those stories and run away. Why is Miss Chen approaching me?”

Chen Wei said bluntly, “No matter what, Miss Jiang is currently the most likely heir to the Jiang Group. While the Jiang Group isn’t on par with Linjiang’s Fu, Qi, or Qiao families, it’s still quite wealthy.”

Jiang Ci: “Someone who can attend this cocktail party probably isn’t short on money. It doesn’t make sense to covet what little I have.”

“Money is something no one ever has enough of.”

Chen Wei took out her phone, opened WeChat, and showed the QR code, “If Miss Jiang doesn’t mind, how about adding me on WeChat? We could grab a meal sometime.”

“Sure.”

Jiang Ci pulled out her phone, tapping the screen with one hand.

Chen Wei’s heated gaze slid from Jiang Ci’s sharp nose down to her soft, tempting lips, then to her graceful swan-like neck. Further down, above the low neckline of the black shirt, two delicate collarbones looked utterly enticing.

Chen Wei stared, taking a deep breath.

Then she saw Jiang Ci’s hand—long, slender fingers with neat, rounded nails, perfect for a night in a hotel.

But what a pity.

Chen Wei handed over her phone, “Add me.”

Jiang Ci scanned the code, added her, and noted her name as Chen Wei.

While adding the note, Jiang Ci exited the page and sent a message to her assistant.

Jiang Ci: Look up someone named Chen Wei, omega.

Liang Nian: Okay.

After adding WeChat, Chen Wei didn’t say much more to Jiang Ci and turned to leave.

Xu Lin, who had watched their entire exchange, couldn’t help but comment as Chen Wei returned, “Can you tone down that lustful look? You practically devoured her with your eyes.”

“Sigh.” Chen Wei let out a heavy sigh.

Xu Lin tilted her head, asking, “Why the sigh? Didn’t you just get her WeChat?”

Chen Wei shook her head, “This Jiang Ci isn’t easy to charm.”

Xu Lin laughed as if she’d heard a joke, glancing at Jiang Ci, but she was no longer there.

Xu Lin sneered, “A disabled nobody like her? What’s hard to charm? With your stunning looks, just a little flirtation, and she’d come running. Who else would want an alpha like her?”

Chen Wei sighed again, “If only it were as easy as you say. After a few words with her, I realized Jiang Ci isn’t the type to become insecure or sensitive because of her disability or broken engagement. She’s sharp. Thinking you can win her over with looks and a good figure? Not that simple.”

Xu Lin wasn’t interested in what kind of person Jiang Ci was, only asking, “So, are you still going to sleep with her?”

“Of course.” Chen Wei’s desire to conquer flared up, “If she doesn’t fall for seduction, I’ll play the refined, quiet, and aloof type. After the party, I’ll dye my hair black, wear a white shirt, and ask her out.”

“Huh?” Xu Lin couldn’t follow her logic, looking at her tea-brown hair, “That color took so many stylists and cost a fortune. You’re just going to dye it back?”

Chen Wei nodded, “Hmm.”

Xu Lin: “…”

Whatever, to each their own. If it made her happy.

Jiang Ci went to find Director He. As she approached and introduced herself, the woman glanced at her and walked away.

Someone nearby muttered, “Bad luck.”

Jiang Ci had to try networking with others at the party. After a few rounds, only a wildlife photographer and a server were willing to talk to her.

They sat together.

“These are my photos of the white-throated laughingthrush and the black-necked pheasant, both first-class protected animals. Very beautiful.”

She showed Jiang Ci the photos in her phone album.

Jiang Ci asked, “How long have you been in this field?”

She tilted her head, thinking, then replied, “Over thirty years, I suppose.”

Jiang Ci was surprised, “That’s real dedication.”

The photographer smiled at her gently, “When it’s your passion, you stick with it. Having a hobby you can rely on and the ability to pursue it is a great joy in life.”

“Is it?” Jiang Ci didn’t have one.

The photographer, knowing young people today weren’t interested in wildlife, showed Jiang Ci a few photos and then stopped.

Ten minutes later, the cocktail party began.

The host and Fu Ruanyi made a grand entrance together.

The photographer looked at Fu Ruanyi and said to Jiang Ci, “The first time I saw Miss Fu, over a decade ago, she was still tagging along with her grandmother, running errands. Now, all these years later, she’s become a key figure in the Fu family.”

“Oh, by the way, I’ve met your grandmother too.”

The photographer suddenly said to Jiang Ci.

Jiang Ci’s eyes widened slightly, “You’ve met my grandmother, Qian Ying? How did you meet her?”

The photographer said, “Over twenty years ago, I started a wildlife conservation foundation. Because of my family’s status, prominent people in Linjiang gave me some respect and donated money. Back then, both your grandmothers came to donate. Later, when your other grandmother passed away due to illness, I attended her funeral.”

Jiang Ci’s gaze dropped, “She’s been gone for over a decade.”

The photographer placed a hand on her shoulder, patting gently, comforting, “She was a good person.”

Jiang Ci’s voice was heavy, “Hmm, very good.”

Halfway through the party, Jiang Ci went to find Fu Ruanyi, who was tasting a two-million-plus wine with the host.

“The Jiang Group’s Miss Jiang is here.”

An assistant leaned in and whispered to Fu Ruanyi.

Fu Ruanyi continued tasting her wine.

As Jiang Ci approached, the host stepped forward, blocking her, and said, “Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Ci stopped, nodding in greeting, “Miss Shi.”

Shi Rui: “Is something up? This isn’t a place you can just barge into. Stay right there.”

Jiang Ci smiled lightly, “Nothing major. It’s rare to meet like this, so I just wanted to say hello to Miss Fu.”

Shi Rui: “Plenty of people at this party want to greet Miss Fu. Who do you think you are? The only reason the invitation was sent to the Jiang Group was out of respect for Chairman Qian. Since Chairman Qian didn’t come, what right do you have to be here?”

Jiang Ci: “I’m representing the Jiang Group.”

“You…” Shi Rui started.

“Hey, Miss Shi.” Fu Ruanyi interrupted, gently swirling her wine glass, “This is your party, after all. She’s just here to say hello. If you don’t even give her that courtesy, wouldn’t it look like we’re bullying her?”

Shi Rui stepped back, “Miss Fu is right.”

Fu Ruanyi: “Didn’t you want to say hello? Go ahead, I’m listening.”

Jiang Ci faced Fu Ruanyi, standing straight, “It’s my great fortune to meet you at this cocktail party, Miss Fu. I hope my sudden approach doesn’t ruin your mood.”

She finished.

Fu Ruanyi: “It’s not exactly a disturbance, but I’m not in a great mood. You said meeting me is your great fortune, so if I’m unhappy, shouldn’t you do something to cheer me up and prove your words?”

Fu Ruanyi finished, turning to look at her.

Everyone around stared.

The photographer, Chen Wei, and Xu Lin were there too.

Xu Lin tsked, “This Jiang Ci has no sense, picking a fight with anyone but Fu Ruanyi.”

Chen Wei found it amusing, watching Jiang Ci, “So what? I think it’s great. Everyone here wants to cozy up to Fu Ruanyi, including Shi Rui, but no one dares to approach, afraid of rejection. Now someone’s finally stepped up to try, and they’re just waiting to laugh at her. Tell me, will this first crab-eater catch Fu Ruanyi’s favor?”

Xu Lin looked disgusted, “You’re hopeless, even defending her.”

Chen Wei: “Hmm.”

Jiang Ci: “This is a cocktail party, where people bond over drinks. I’ll mix and drink three cocktails, hoping to make Miss Fu happy.”

“Get it ready.” Fu Ruanyi ordered her assistant.

Assistant: “Yes.”

The assistant quickly brought out a set of bartending tools and placed them on the table.

She also brought three different-styled glasses, along with lemons, ice, soda water, syrup, and mint leaves.

Everyone watched silently, sneering inwardly. With just these, what decent cocktail could she make?

Jiang Ci stepped forward, took a highball glass, filled it with ice, squeezed half a lemon into it, and then grabbed a bottle of decanted red wine, pouring the crimson liquid to fill the glass.

Once mixed, Jiang Ci placed a mint leaf on top as a garnish.

That was the first drink. The other two were made the same way, identical recipes, just different wines.

“What kind of bartending is this?”

“She’s just messing around, doesn’t know a thing about wine.”

“Miss Fu loves wine so much. Seeing her ruin it like this must make her furious.”

Fu Ruanyi stayed silent.

Shi Rui glanced at Fu Ruanyi’s expression and stepped forward, “Miss Jiang, what are you doing? If you don’t know how to mix drinks, there’s no need to waste them like this.”

Jiang Ci picked up the first glass, “No waste.”

She tilted her head back and downed it in one go.

Xu Lin was stunned, “Is she crazy, drinking like that?”

Chen Wei’s expression grew serious, her gaze darkening, “She’s not watching how she mixes, but how she drinks.”

Xu Lin: “What do you mean?”

Jiang Ci set down the glass, picked up the second, and drank it in one go. The third went down the same way.

After finishing all three, Jiang Ci slowly set down the glass, looking at Fu Ruanyi, “I wonder if Miss Fu is satisfied, or if this is enough to prove my sincerity.”

Fu Ruanyi: “Enough, very enough.”

Jiang Ci: “Then I wish Miss Fu a great evening.”

Jiang Ci turned and left the cocktail party.

The crowd treated it like a joke and dispersed.

As soon as Jiang Ci left, Shi Rui hurried to Fu Ruanyi, saying kindly, “Miss Fu, just think of that as a small interruption. Don’t mind it. You know Jiang Ci—she’s just here to cause trouble. Let’s continue tasting wine.”

Fu Ruanyi smiled faintly, “I don’t mind. Wine is drunk differently by everyone. Some add ice, some mix Sprite, Yakult, or grapefruit juice. Others like it plain, just a glass. I thought Miss Jiang drank quite boldly just now.”

Shi Rui didn’t catch her meaning but nodded, “Yes, she drank boldly.”

Fu Ruanyi: “Let’s go, we’ll keep tasting.”

Shi Rui followed immediately, “Good.”

Jiang Ci got into her car after leaving the party, resting her head in her hand, and told the driver, “Home. Stop by a supermarket for honey and mineral water.”

Driver: “Got it.”

The driver quickly started the car and left.

Those three drinks weren’t low in alcohol, and she’d downed them so fast. In the elevator, she didn’t feel it, but once outside, her whole body was sweating, and her head felt dizzy.

“Hmm…”

Jiang Ci tilted her head back, clutching her gland at the back of her neck. Why was her gland heating up too? It was burning.