After the Divorce, My Ex-Wife Suddenly Became an Alpha - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: The Autumn Dinner (1)

The planetary vehicle moved steadily along the road. Inside the cabin, Gu Jinxi held the invitation letter in her hand, still looking a bit dazed.
“An invitation to the Xiqiu Banquet?” she asked.

Chi Yuejing gave a slight nod.
“Mm, General Geling will be attending the banquet tonight. If we go directly to the venue, we should be able to find him. That way, you won’t have to travel across the galaxies to look for him.”

She said it lightly, deliberately skipping over the fact that she had returned to the Chi family just to get her hands on the invitation, even invoking her grandfather’s name to secure a spot. But there was no need for Gu Jinxi to know all that.

She still wasn’t used to trusting or relying on her—so Yuejing figured she’d do a little more for her, quietly.

As the car continued moving forward and the scenery outside the window grew more and more luxurious, Gu Jinxi noticed something felt off and asked:
“Why are we heading here?”

They had arrived at the renowned Tradel District in the Central Zone—a high-end shopping area famous throughout the capital star. The streets were lined with century-old ateliers and couture houses. Many politicians and celebrities ordered custom gowns from here, further enhancing Tradel’s fame.

Gu Jinxi had accompanied her mother, Madam Gu, here once to get an evening dress. She knew the custom gowns here were not only absurdly expensive but also often required a waiting period of six months—or longer. Although she had always admired the gowns, she had never bought one from Tradel herself.

Now that Chi Yuejing had brought her here, she assumed it was because she needed a dress for the banquet. A bit hesitant, she said,
“…It might be hard to get a last-minute dress here. I probably have something suitable at home. Should we head back first?”

Yuejing smiled and shook her head.
“You’ll see when we get there.”

She led her directly toward a building in the center. As they approached, the elegant stained-glass doors swung open, and a doorman in a tailcoat bowed deeply.
“Good evening, ladies. Welcome to Flechazo.”

As an old and prestigious couture house, Flechazo preserved a dreamy decorative style passed down from the old times. A three-tiered wooden spiral staircase painted robin’s egg blue curled through the center. A golden crystal chandelier lit up the space like a soft mist of light. Even the air smelled faintly of roses.

As the guests entered, several staff members in tailored silver-white suits appeared. Leading them was a graceful Omega in a long dress. She nodded at Chi Yuejing and said with a smile,
“Looks like you’ve brought the dress’s rightful owner.”

She signaled to a staff member, who wheeled out a clothing rack from a side room. Carefully removing the dust cover, they revealed a brand-new evening gown. The dress had a strapless design, with layers of lace cascading down like mist. Pearls and crystals decorated the fabric, glistening brilliantly.

It was exactly the kind of dress Gu Jinxi had always dreamed of. For a moment, she couldn’t help showing a look of amazement.

Seeing the expression on her face, a small sense of satisfaction welled up inside Chi Yuejing.
She had ordered this dress a year ago, as a birthday gift for Gu Jinxi. But… things had changed after that.

Still—it seemed she liked it.

Chi Yuejing gently touched her shoulder and said warmly:
“There will be many important guests at the banquet tonight. It’d be troublesome to find the right gown last minute. I remembered I happened to have this one custom-made here earlier, so let’s just use it for now.”

Gu Jinxi couldn’t help glancing at her.
Calling a custom gown from Tradel an “emergency backup”… this woman—was she too serious, or too nonchalant? But she really did love the dress.

“Then… I guess I owe you for this.”
She understood just how expensive a dress from this boutique must be. She didn’t want to take advantage of her.
“Once the banquet’s over, I’ll transfer the money to you.”

Chi Yuejing kept smiling.
“Try it on first. We’ll talk about the rest later.”

With her saying that, Gu Jinxi couldn’t refuse. She followed a staff member into the fitting room.

A few minutes later, when footsteps approached again, Chi Yuejing lifted her eyes. Her gaze softened instantly.

Standing before her was a stunning figure in that strapless gown, the curves of her silhouette perfectly outlined. The black satin contrasted beautifully against her snow-white skin, dazzling to the point of heartbreak. The open back revealed the butterfly-like shoulder blades beneath, teasing the eye with every move.

She was breathtaking—too beautiful to look away.

Even Gu Jinxi herself was surprised by how well it fit. She lightly tugged at the hem and asked softly,
“Does it look okay?”

Chi Yuejing silently calmed her racing heart and nodded.
“You look beautiful.”

Rather than let her change back, Yuejing seemed fully prepared. She asked the boutique’s manager to bring matching heels and a handbag. Staff even came with curling irons and pins to redo her hair.

When Chi Yuejing opened a box and pulled out a pair of pearl earrings, Gu Jinxi finally couldn’t help asking,
“…These are part of the emergency plan too?”

Yuejing paused slightly at that teasing tone, then calmly replied,
“The dress is for emergencies. But since this is our first time attending a banquet together, I thought I should make a bit of an effort.”

As she spoke, she personally helped her put the earrings on.

The tips of her fingers brushed against Gu Jinxi’s earlobe—the touch was so clear and intimate that her cheeks flushed with warmth. She pinched her own fingers, trying to hide it. Then she realized something from Yuejing’s earlier words—she said this was their first time.

During their marriage, out of fear of giving Yuejing false hope, Gu Jinxi had never accompanied her to a public event. Before signing the divorce papers, they had maintained a cold, polite relationship—like courteous roommates.

And now, full circle, their first public appearance together happened like this.

Chi Yuejing said nothing more, quietly helping her adjust her makeup. She herself remained in uniform—a crisp Federation military outfit. But Gu Jinxi noticed she had once again pinned that golden brooch on her chest.

“You seem to really like that brooch,” she leaned closer for a better look.
“Last time at the beach, you even asked me to hold onto it… Is it something important?”

It was small, engraved with a floral design. She tried to get a closer look but was blocked by Chi Yuejing, who gently grabbed her hand mid-motion.

“I’ll tell you next time,” she said softly.
“But if we don’t leave now, we’ll be late.”

The planetary vehicle pulled smoothly out of the Tradel District.
Dusk had fallen, and the silhouette of the venue loomed ahead. In the distance, the banquet hall shimmered with golden light, like a floating jewel suspended in the air.

Chi Yuejing opened the car door and stepped out first, then offered a hand to Gu Jinxi.

It was only a small, polite gesture—one that military officers often made when escorting dignitaries at formal events—but as Gu Jinxi looked at the outstretched hand, she hesitated briefly, then slowly placed her own in it.

The moment their hands touched, a subtle electricity seemed to pass between them.

Gu Jinxi got out of the car, lifting the hem of her gown. She had been worried the shoes would hurt, but to her surprise, they fit perfectly. Each step was stable, light, and elegant.

Chi Yuejing naturally fell into step beside her. The gentle evening breeze stirred the hem of her military uniform and the soft folds of Gu Jinxi’s dress. The two of them walking together turned heads instantly.

Whispers rippled through the crowd:
“Is that… General Chi Yuejing?”
“Who’s that with her?”
“Wait—wasn’t General Chi married before? Could that be…?”

The identity of Chi Yuejing’s former spouse had always been shrouded in mystery. The sudden news of their divorce had only deepened the public’s curiosity.

Now, seeing them appear side by side, the guests’ eyes lit up with gossip.

But Gu Jinxi was already used to the gazes of the elite circle. She maintained an elegant demeanor and let them look.

The banquet had already begun. After passing through the lobby and confirming their identities, the two of them entered the main hall.

It was dazzling.

The venue was like a miniature palace: crystal chandeliers dangled from the high dome ceiling, flickering with warm light. A live orchestra performed soft background music. The floor was covered with plush carpets, and rows of waitstaff in gloves moved silently through the guests.

Everywhere were faces from the political, military, and commercial sectors—dressed to the nines, exchanging pleasantries and subtle maneuvers. It was not just a social gathering but a battlefield of influence.

Chi Yuejing remained calm and steady. With a quick scan of the room, she located General Geling in a corner, chatting with a few high-ranking officials.

“There,” she whispered, subtly motioning to Gu Jinxi.
“You should go over and speak with him. I’ll stay nearby in case you need anything.”

Gu Jinxi nodded, adjusted her posture, and walked forward.

Yuejing did not follow directly but stood at a slight distance, keeping her gaze fixed on her figure—graceful, calm, and dignified, walking steadily through the hall like she belonged there.

Several guests came up to greet her, but Yuejing merely nodded in return, her attention never leaving Gu Jinxi.

Tonight was not about her.

At this moment, someone called out behind her:
“General Chi.”

She turned. It was a man with silver-streaked temples and a calm expression. Chi Yuejing immediately recognized him—Commander He, the Chief of Staff for the Central Command.

She politely saluted.
“Commander.”

Commander He gave a soft chuckle and said,
“No need to be so formal at a private banquet. I heard you’ve recently returned from the front lines. How’s the recovery?”

“All’s well. Thank you for your concern,” Yuejing replied.

The man’s gaze swept subtly past her to the woman across the hall.
“Is that Miss Gu with you?”

Chi Yuejing did not answer directly but asked in return,
“You know her?”

Commander He smiled.
“I’ve heard of her. Quite a few eyes are on her lately. Tonight’s gathering may be a turning point.”

Chi Yuejing remained silent, but a subtle tension rose in her shoulders.

He took a sip of wine and said meaningfully,
“Still protecting her like before, I see.”

Then he turned to leave, leaving Chi Yuejing standing in place.

She looked back across the room. Gu Jinxi had already begun talking to General Geling, standing with confidence and grace. No one would be able to tell she had once lived quietly, hidden from the public eye.

Yuejing’s hand unconsciously curled into a fist at her side.

This world had once shut her out. And now she had to fight her way back in, alone.

But at least—this time, she wouldn’t be completely alone.

The Autumn Dinner (2)

The person seemed even more panicked than she was. After a short, sharp scream, the figure stumbled back repeatedly, nearly crashing into the sofa.

“Why is it you?”

After getting a clear look at each other, both of them blurted out the same question in unison.