Before long, the two parted ways in the hotel lobby.
Li Qiao headed unhurriedly toward the West Hall. Along the way, she passed a few familiar classmates, to whom she nodded politely but indifferently.
She never had much interest in these kinds of social banquets.
Upon entering the banquet hall, she glanced around and saw about seven or eight banquet tables.
The Bioengineering Department admitted fewer than a hundred students each year, so compared to the nearly forty tables set up for the Finance Department next door, this hall felt rather quiet and underwhelming.
Li Qiao found a spot in a back corner and sat down, watching the guests come and go with mild boredom.
Though none of the attendees were extravagantly dressed, everyone had clearly put effort into looking formal and presentable.
Everyone except her—she wore a cropped punk jacket and jeans, casual yet strikingly chic.
"Li Qiao, why are you sitting here all alone?"
At that moment, two girls in glamorous dresses strolled through the entrance of the banquet hall.
They were arm in arm, clearly close friends.
Li Qiao leaned her head back lazily and recognized them—classmates who seemed to be on good terms with Jiang Yi.
She didn't reply, just gave a faint smirk in response.
The two girls exchanged looks and walked away with smug, mocking smiles.
So what if she was the department beauty?
Tonight, most of the female students would rather keep their distance from her.
Though this was supposed to be a farewell party, in truth, it was more like a networking mixer among classmates.
Otherwise, why would the Finance Department be invited to join? Word had it that a number of wealthy heirs were also in attendance.
——
After ten or so minutes, most of the students from the Bioengineering Department had arrived.
There were no name cards on the banquet tables, so everyone just sat wherever they liked.
This led to a bizarre scene in the West Hall.
Most of the prettiest girls took seats at the front tables, while nearly half the male students gravitated to the back.
In particular, the table where Li Qiao sat—despite only having ten seats—was now crammed with fifteen people: one girl and fourteen guys.
Among them were the department heartthrob and several good-looking members of the basketball club.
The situation was quickly getting out of control.
The girls up front were visibly upset, glaring at the crowd around Li Qiao with growing resentment.
"What the hell? Why is everyone orbiting around Li Qiao?"
"Yeah, she's just a pretty face. These guys are so shallow."
"Don't forget, she just humiliated Jiang Yi a few days ago. If we talk smack, we might be next in line for social execution!"
While a cluster of female students gossiped and scowled, the male students were scrambling to chat with Li Qiao.
"Li Qiao, this fruit tea's really good."
"Want some cake? I'll get it for you."
"Li Qiao…"
Basically, the farewell banquet hadn't even started, and things were already a mess.
Li Qiao's face was growing darker by the second.
At school, she was used to being a loner. The only friend she was close to was Tang Yiting.
Most of the boys in the department usually kept a respectful distance from her—curious but not daring to approach.
So what was going on today? Why was this farewell party turning into a full-on siege?
Li Qiao scanned the crowd with a blank expression. The next second, she stood up and left the banquet hall without a word.
In the corridor, her expression was tense, eyes full of irritation as she debated just leaving altogether.
Just then, the sharp, firm sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the other end of the hallway.
Li Qiao didn't look up—until a pair of polished black leather shoes stopped in front of her, along with an unopened phone box held out at eye level.
The man said respectfully:
"Miss Li, the boss was worried you'd be bored at the party, so he asked me to bring you a new phone."