As dusk gradually settled over the city, the most prestigious university in StarFall was unusually bright tonight. Normally, the parking area outside Yelsulin University was already a topic of endless discussion. After all, the school was filled with the sons and daughters of the elite. If it wasn't a collection of outrageously expensive luxury cars and limited editions, then it would be rare supercars brought specifically to showcase the wealth and status of their owners' families.
But today, the atmosphere was completely different.
The same extravagant vehicles were present, but the people stepping out of them were anything but ordinary. They were patriarchs and matriarchs of powerful families, leaders of massive corporations spread across Asia. If not that, then they were famous actors, actresses, and models.
Even the media had already caught wind of the event. Reporters crowded around the area, waiting for any opportunity to shove a camera into someone's face the moment they stepped out of a vehicle.
"Move aside! Make way!" A bodyguard shouted.
The speaker was one of two enormous men dressed in black suits. Their broad shoulders made them look like pillars holding up the sky.
Yet the moment the passenger emerged from the car, everyone froze.
She appeared wearing a remarkably short skirt while the upper part of her outfit perfectly accentuated her stunning figure.
Her platinum-blonde hair, styled with soft pink tones, gave off an extremely feminine aura.
The moment she appeared, she instantly stole every gaze in sight. It was none other than the internationally famous supermodel Wang Yi Dao—Peach.
Her rise to fame had been meteoric. Her appearance in Hollywood as Thuy in her debut action film had transformed her into one of the most sought-after faces in Asia.
Someone with a schedule as packed as hers should have been incredibly busy. Yet she still made time to return here.
To the university from which she had graduated.
Dao couldn't hide the confidence resting upon her glossy lips. She openly enjoyed the attention while lazily speaking to the security personnel.
"Oh, come on. I've already come all the way here and you're still making things difficult for me. I feel bad for my beloved fans. But unfortunately, Yelsulin University's alumni gathering is a private event. No outsiders are allowed to interfere. Please keep them away from this area."
"Yes, Miss."
Not only did the two gigantic bodyguards move forward, but an unusually intimidating security team from the Wang family suddenly appeared as well. Even the reporters paled.
Though they were forcibly pushed back, they still stretched their necks and shouted, desperately trying to squeeze out even the smallest piece of information.
"Wait, Miss Dao! Just one question! There are rumors that after filming The Immortal with actor David, the two of you developed romantic feelings for each other! Please confirm it for us!"
The bodyguards immediately began yelling at the reporters.
"Back off! You bunch of starving leeches!"
One reporter seemed ready to continue speaking. Then suddenly, his throat locked up. And he wasn't the only one. Everyone present—
The reporters.
The alumni.
Even the bodyguards.
All froze as though time itself had stopped. Their hearts skipped a beat.
Dao noticed the sudden silence and couldn't hide her confusion. But when she turned around—A smile mixed with jealousy and amusement appeared on her face.
"Oh, honestly...Why did they all have to show up at the same time...?"
Three different luxury cars had just arrived.
The first was an eye-catching pink Bentley Continental GT Convertible. The driver was a handsome middle-aged man dressed in a perfectly tailored gray suit with a stylish crimson tie. Every detail of his appearance screamed refinement.
Mr. Hung removed his designer sunglasses and elegantly opened the passenger door. Then he extended a hand toward the beautiful woman beside him.
"Please step out, señorita."
The woman couldn't hide her charming smile. Her slightly wavy auburn hair seemed to float in the air. Her facial features were nearly flawless and carried an incredibly seductive allure. Wearing a body-hugging outfit that highlighted every curve and a daring neckline, she looked like a walking bombshell. Every male gaze was drawn toward her like iron toward a magnet.
Around her lingered an intoxicating fragrance. Several men unconsciously began reaching their hands forward as if they had completely lost their senses.
"Shigonami Shana..."
The voice that spoke was cold and emotionless. Monotone. Like a machine. Or a chatbot. Yet the person who spoke was no ordinary woman either. The crowd was hit with yet another surprise. A young woman with short silver-white hair. Her face was so beautiful she resembled a living porcelain doll.
She wore a stylish striped cardigan paired with hidden shorts that accentuated her long legs.
She stepped out of a green Porsche 911 Targa 4S. Her cold gaze barely acknowledged anything around her. Only when she saw Shana standing together with Mr. Hung did a hint of surprise appear. She cleared her throat.
A faint blush appeared on her face. Seeing this, Shana merely laughed.
"You really were attracted to women from the moment you came out of the egg, weren't you?"
Then Shana's sapphire-blue eyes shifted toward another vehicle. A wine-red Maserati MC20.
And the woman who stepped out of it completely overturned the battlefield of beauty. Jet-black hair. A flowing black dress. Elegant black velvet gloves.
Powerful.
Noble.
Beautiful enough to make people stop breathing.
Yet the coldness and hidden contempt within her sharp eyes made even the bravest individuals hesitate. Then those eyes softened. Suddenly she became like a once-in-a-thousand-years beauty, someone anyone would want to stand beside and protect.
Yet nobody dared approach. Because two men appeared behind Mina from seemingly nowhere.
They were tall. Intimidating. Their expressions were fierce. Their eyes were hidden beneath shadow so completely that nobody could see their pupils. Yet many would swear they saw flickering fire inside that darkness. The man wearing a cowboy hat chuckled.
"As expected of our young lady. She becomes the center of attention the moment she arrives."
Satoru merely responded with a cold grunt. "Hmm."
His face was so cold it seemed as though no blood flowed through his veins. He glanced around at everyone present. Aside from his mistress, he regarded nobody with any importance whatsoever.
"...Filthy creatures."
"The moment they opened their mouths, I could already see straight down their throats. The filthy desires they have while looking at my lady."
"—I'll slit every one of their throats."
Amuro merely shrugged. Meanwhile, Mina rolled her eyes. She raised a hand, silently signaling them to stop. Immediately. Amuro and Satoru became obedient beyond comparison.
More obedient than dogs.
The scene created a strange atmosphere.
Everyone present suddenly realized something.
Kamakiri Mina was beautiful. But she was untouchable.
Shana, however, didn't seem to care about whatever mysterious aura Mina possessed. Linking arms with Mr. Hung, she walked toward them. Mina merely shrugged and walked right past her. Yu followed behind Mina.
It felt as though Shana had just been ignored. Yet Shana still wore a teasing smile.
"Hey, Mina. It's been almost a year and you're still like this..."
Mina stopped. She sighed coldly without turning around.
"And I've already told you. I don't want anything to do with you."
"But Duyen is serving desserts inside."
The moment Shana said those words. Mina froze. No one understood why. Slowly, Mina turned around. A smile appeared on her face. Beautiful. Yet painfully unnatural.
Seeing this, Shana burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
The situation became increasingly bizarre. Dao shyly walked over to Yu and poked her arm.
"What are they doing...?"
Yu merely shrugged. Then Dao asked,
"Oh right, where's Nayeon? Didn't she come with you?"
Yu visibly faltered. Her voice became quieter.
"Nayeon said she'd be a little late."
Sensing something was wrong, Dao asked,
"Did something happen? Did you two have a fight?"
Meanwhile, the same Mina who had just ignored Shana moments ago suddenly walked directly toward the auburn-haired woman. Then she slipped her arm through Shana's.
Shana and Mr. Hung both stared in confusion. Before either of them could react, Mina was already smiling flawlessly. A perfect smile without a single crack. Shana frowned awkwardly.
"Hey, what are you— Ah!"
Even through the velvet gloves, Shana could feel Mina's fingers and nails deliberately pinching her arm. It wasn't particularly painful. But Mina was clearly pretending to cling affectionately to her. Still smiling, Mina spoke through gritted teeth.
The smile looked so unnatural she resembled a ventriloquist speaking through a puppet.
"...Duyen is here. So you'd better not embarrass me."
Understanding immediately, Shana's expression relaxed. A mocking smile appeared.
"...I figured as much."
The three of them entered the building first. Behind them, Dao and Yu followed. As they walked, Dao continuously tried to reassure her.
"It's okay, Yu..."
The people left outside—Especially the reporters—stood there dumbfounded after being treated to such an overwhelming feast of beauty.
One of them muttered,
"Good lord..."
"Does this university produce nothing but goddesses?...Wait. What were we even here for again?"
The reporter suddenly remembered. He immediately lunged forward. The others copied him. Chaos erupted once more.
Fortunately, the security personnel were already operating at full capacity.
Tonight's gathering was meant to be something exceptionally private, reserved exclusively for the most outstanding alumni of Yelsulin University.
Or rather—a banquet for gods.
Although the feast had technically begun, the grand ballroom was still relatively empty. The only activity came from the bustling chefs and servers, along with musicians and dancers hurrying back and forth as they made final preparations.
Originally, according to Dao's idea, she had only wanted a small karaoke party. At first, only a few girls had shown interest. But eventually everyone heard about it. And everyone wanted to join.
So they decided to return to Yelsulin University.
Among the staff was a beautiful female chef who stood in the middle of the chaos, busily preparing desserts and drinks while constantly giving professional instructions to everyone around her.
"Yes, yes, could you please leave that over there for me? Be careful not to ruin the whipped cream topping."
It was Duyen.
After a year, she had finally grown her hair long again. She looked even brighter and more radiant than before, like a sunflower spreading warm sunlight throughout the entire room.
Perhaps that was why even the veteran staff members felt completely comfortable taking instructions from her. Confidence truly made her beautiful.
Duyen did not notice that someone was watching her from afar.
Dylan—the charming Western man with golden-blond hair—couldn't help smiling when he saw such a radiant version of Duyen. He had only recently taken off his chef's uniform. As he walked over, Duyen felt a little shy, though she couldn't hide her cheerful smile.
"Thank you, Dylan, for helping me bring all the baking ingredients here."
The handsome man simply shook his head. His hand gently brushed away a bit of flour stuck to Duyen's cheek, causing her to flinch slightly.
"It's nothing, Duyen. I happened to be free anyway. Besides, I think everyone will be arriving in about thirty minutes."
Duyen suddenly froze. She had completely forgotten both the time and the subtle implication behind Dylan's gesture.
"Oh no, I completely lost track of time! I still need to prepare—"
But Dylan quickly stopped her. He nodded toward the coffee counter.
"...Duyen, there's something I'd like to talk to you about."
Although she had no idea what Dylan wanted to discuss, Duyen found it difficult to refuse him. The two of them walked over to the coffee station together.
Dylan started with a casual question.
"So, Duyen... you've really decided to open that bakery?"
Duyen's eyes immediately lit up.
"Yes. It's my dream."
However, Dylan didn't seem particularly happy about it.
"I heard you were only able to open the place because your girlfriend provided the startup money. Was it that Kamakiri Mina woman?"
Duyen paused slightly.
"Where did you hear that?"
Dylan hesitated. Then he stepped closer, causing Duyen to become confused. Looking directly into her eyes, he asked,
"If I offered you four times your current salary, would you come back and work for me?"
Duyen felt her chest tighten. She had not expected Dylan to bring up this subject.
"Dylan..."
"Duyen, I like you."
Dylan looked directly into her eyes as he said it. The confession surprised Duyen. Yet at the same time, it didn't. She had known for a long time that Dylan had feelings for her.
"Dylan, I'm grateful that you like me. I like you too—but only as a teacher and an older brother. I'm sorry, but I don't have romantic feelings for you."
Dylan could not hide the bitterness in his heart.
"I know you're a lesbian. I've asked myself many times why I fell for you. Was it because you're different? Because you dress like a tomboy? Or because you always listened to me without ever judging me?"
Duyen remained silent as she listened. Dylan continued.
"But I know you're actually a very feminine person. And just like I predicted, Duyen... you've grown your hair long again."
Duyen understood perfectly what he was trying to imply. And despite the respect she had for him, she felt increasingly uncomfortable hearing him say such things.
"No, Dylan. Please listen to me. We can't—"
Before she could finish, Dylan interrupted.
"I've heard a lot of things about that Mina woman."
This time Duyen frowned. The moment Mina's name was mentioned, irritation surfaced in her eyes.
What exactly was he trying to prove?
"She was married before, Duyen. She had a husband. I'm only trying to advise you. You shouldn't get involved with someone that complicated. You're too innocent, too pure to be mixed up with a person like her."
Duyen quickly turned her face away.
"Please... don't drag someone who isn't involved into this."
Dylan suddenly grabbed her hand. Duyen flinched.
"Duyen, why don't you understand? I love you because you're you. I love the real you. I'm willing to accept—"
Suddenly, Dylan stopped speaking. He heard the sound of someone's knuckles tapping lightly against a nearby wall.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
When he looked up—
A breathtaking beauty with reddish-brown hair was standing there. She wore a mesmerizing smile. Her sapphire-blue eyes shimmered with a light that was both mysterious and dangerous.
"Are you finished yet?"