Peach-Orange! – Chapter 197 – There’s a Ghost!

Earlier than Chu Lingfeng’s arrival was Si Lai, who had been welcoming guests alongside him but was completely ignored by everyone. Si Lai was also Si Chen’s younger brother.

This younger brother was somewhat plump, with a foolish yet amusing expression that made him appear simple and honest.

However, as he approached, a trace of resentment flashed across Si Lai’s honest face. “Second Brother, that Chu Lingfeng is downright audacious! I was supposed to greet those guests and make an impression, but he stole all the attention. This is our uncle’s birthday banquet, not some event held in Chu Lingfeng’s honor!”

His aggrieved expression resembled that of a primary school student tattling to a parent.

Si Chen pulled the chubby boy aside and exchanged a glance with Dongfang Yang.

Dongfang Yang nodded slightly, understanding Si Chen’s intention.

Family matters first. This “Miracle Doctor” could wait for now.

The three continued toward the villa’s entrance, while Chu Lingfeng, having extricated himself from the crowd of guests, stood waiting. “Young Master Dongfang, I’ve long heard of your reputation and wished to make your acquaintance. Unfortunately, in the two months I’ve been in Jiuzhou City, I never had the chance.”

He wore a warm smile as he introduced himself. “We might not have met, but you’ve likely heard of me. My name is Chu Lingfeng, though most people call me ‘Miracle Doctor Chu.’ But that’s just an empty title.”

Despite his humble words, the word “arrogance” was practically written across his face.

Without real skill, or at least Chi Xiaocheng’s intermediate-level acting, it would be impossible to fake such pride convincingly.

The term “Miracle Doctor” immediately made Su Tao think of Chi Xiaocheng, still lying in a hospital bed, causing her to instinctively tense up.

Just as she was about to step forward and say something, Qian Qing tugged at her sleeve.

Only then did Su Tao calm down.

Her previously leaning posture returned to its usual elegant composure.

Dongfang Yang, standing at the front with his hands in his pockets, maintained a friendly demeanor. “I’ve also long admired Miracle Doctor Chu’s reputation. Since we’ve met today, why not seize the opportunity to get acquainted?”

Perhaps due to Dongfang Yang’s attitude, Chu Lingfeng was both pleasantly surprised and somewhat smug. “Haha, Brother Dongfang is absolutely right. If I weren’t still occupied with welcoming guests, I’d love to share a drink with you right away.”

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“There’ll be time for that later. No need to check my invitation, I assume?”

“Of course not.” Chu Lingfeng adjusted his tie pretentiously before turning his attention to Qian Qing. “And these two ladies are…?”

“Qian Qing, Dongfang Yang’s companion.”

Chu Lingfeng feigned realization. “Ah, so you’re the young lady of the Qian family. Your father invited me to dinner recently, but unfortunately, you weren’t home at the time.”

After the pleasantries, he turned to Su Tao, extending a hand. “And this young lady is…?”

He left the question hanging, but his outstretched hand clearly awaited a handshake.

Meanwhile, his ostensibly polite gaze was shamelessly lingering on Su Tao’s beautiful face.

His acknowledgment of Qian Qing had merely been a courtesy and a pretense.

With sharp eyes, Chu Lingfeng had instantly discerned that the demurely dressed girl seemingly being shielded behind them was the true gem among gems!

However, the act of extending his hand was somewhat presumptuous.

He hadn’t offered handshakes to Dongfang Yang or Qian Qing, only to Su Tao.

His intentions were as plain as day.

Dongfang Yang, who had initially viewed him favorably, frowned imperceptibly for a moment.

Then he shook Chu Lingfeng’s hand with a smile. “This is my younger sister, Su Tao. I brought her along to broaden her horizons, but she’s quite shy.”

“Is that so?” Chu Lingfeng reacted swiftly, quickly apologizing. “My apologies for the rudeness. Please, go on ahead. Once I’ve finished greeting these guests, I’ll make sure to properly introduce myself to Brother Dongfang.”

“Very well. I’ll await Miracle Doctor Chu inside. There’s actually something I’d like to discuss with you as well.”

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“No problem.”

After the brief exchange, the two parties parted ways.

Chu Lingfeng turned to watch Su Tao’s retreating figure, his gaze unconsciously tinged with possessiveness and infatuation.

However, as he stared, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

A breeze swept past, rustling Su Tao’s hair and skirt—

And also turned the small doll tied at her waist to face him.

Eyes glowing with a crimson light stared unblinkingly at Chu Lingfeng.

The young man shuddered. “That doll… looks a bit eerie. Does Miss Su Tao like that sort of thing?”

Shaking off the thought, he returned to welcoming the arriving guests.

Once inside, Su Tao and Qian Qing began mingling freely.

Dongfang Yang also had social obligations and couldn’t attend to them the entire time.

Though there were many women present, few were as boldly dressed as Qian Qing.

Numerous men’s attention was drawn to her.

And in some people’s eyes, a woman without a male companion was an open invitation.

Thus, a steady stream of suitors approached.

Su Tao felt somewhat uncomfortable in such a setting, and Qian Qing noticed. Using Dongfang Yang’s name as a shield, she fended off all advances.

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Until someone connected to the Qian family approached.

As the young lady of the Qian family, she couldn’t avoid exchanging a few words.

When the clouds obscuring the moon dispersed—

Moonlight spilled freely across the scene.

Su Tao had crammed knowledge on banquet etiquette, so even alone, she didn’t appear overly nervous. Yet sitting solitary in a corner inevitably drew attention.

Some people attended purely for the “hunt.”

A young man with a crew cut, dressed in a suit and holding two glasses of red wine, approached Su Tao.

Extending one glass, he performed a gentlemanly gesture. “Miss, are you alone? Would you honor me with a drink?”

Su Tao offered a polite smile. “I’m sorry, but I have a partner. She’s just not with me at the moment.”

The young man had been observing for a while. If Su Tao truly had a partner, they would have appeared by now.

He smirked inwardly, pressing the wine closer.

“Miss, if your partner isn’t here, you still need someone to protect you. Or we could chat. That way, others won’t bother you.”

As he spoke, he lowered his head slightly, intending to admire the girl’s figure from below.

But the moment he moved—

He locked eyes with a doll tied at Su Tao’s waist.

Not only did its crimson eyes radiate terror, but the young man could’ve sworn the straw doll moved!

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Originally expressionless—

When facing him, it… it was smiling!

The young man gulped, his outstretched hand freezing mid-air. He rubbed his eyes with his other hand.

“Was… was that an illusion?”

Opening his eyes, he looked again at the straw doll.

Now, its expression had shifted from a smile to one of sheer malice!

Its arms were slowly rising, as if preparing to lunge at him.

Any thought of flirtation vanished.

His hand trembled, and the wineglass—

Crash!

—shattered on the floor.

Had Su Tao not dodged in time, the wine would’ve stained her gown.

Yet what drew even more attention from the guests was the young man’s reaction. He had been scared witless.

He collapsed, muttering two words over and over:

“There’s a ghost!”