Bai Zhi retorted, confused, "Who else would it be?"
Hearing this, the females in the lobby instantly turned their gazes to Bai Zhi. "Bai Zhi? That's Bai Zhi? She looks completely different from the Bai Zhi I've seen before."
"She really does look different, but you can still recognize her if you look closely. Her skin has just gotten much fairer, and she used to have a lot of blemishes on her face. I have no idea what she used, but you can't see them at all anymore."
"It's gotta be fake, right? She must be wearing makeup."
"It doesn't look like makeup. There's no caked-on powder at all, and her skin looks so clear and radiant. If that's makeup, then the skill is top-tier. But aren't they supposed to be poor? Given her family's situation, there's no way they could afford a top-tier makeup artist."
Listening to the surrounding gossip, Yang Shanshan also pointed at Bai Zhi's face, her own expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. "You... how did your face change so much?"
At her question, all the surrounding females secretly perked up their ears.
This reaction was hardly surprising. After all, what female doesn't want to be more beautiful?
But Bai Zhi simply touched her own face and said nonchalantly, "First, you need a good base. Then, get to bed early, wake up early, and don't get angry so much. If you have some extra Star Coins, go for a few beauty treatments."
Yang Shanshan looked doubtful. "That's it?"
Bai Zhi retorted, "What else?"
Just then, Hu Yan and the others also stepped out of the flying device.
The group of handsome Beastmen, coupled with the extended flying device, instantly captured everyone's attention.
"Who are they? How come I've never seen them before?"
"I don't know. I've never seen them before. With looks that striking, I'm sure I wouldn't forget them."
The females were suddenly eager to approach, but they all held back when they saw Bai Zhi.
They had all heard of Bai Zhi's terrible reputation; they just never imagined that someone with her character would have several such handsome Beast Husbands.
Seeing Bai Zhi capture everyone's attention, Yun Xi said with a light smile, "Cousin, since you're here, why don't you head inside?"
Hearing Yun Xi, Yang Shanshan immediately remembered their goal for the day and said with fawning 'eagerness,' "Oh, right! I'll take you all inside."
Seeing her exceptionally 'eager' act, Bai Zhi raised an eyebrow. 'So the reason for my invitation really isn't so simple.'
'I just wonder what they're planning.'
Just as they entered the banquet hall, Yang Shanshan said to Hu Yan and the others, "You guys go on ahead. Bai Zhi and I have something to talk about."
At her words, Sang Mo walked straight inside without hesitation. Yan Yichen and Yue Junxiao, their faces full of curiosity, peered into the hall. Though they didn't leave right away, they were clearly eager to go, just waiting for Lang Qiu to give the word.
Bai Zhi also wanted to know what Yang Shanshan's true purpose was, so she gave Hu Yan a meaningful look and said, "You guys go on ahead."
Bai Zhi knew something was off about this party, so she had already shared her location with them, making it easy for them to find her at any time.
She had already instructed them multiple times back home to use her location to find her if she wasn't back in ten minutes.
The main reason she dared to walk into this trap, however, was the top-grade protective suit the system had rewarded her with. She had made a point of wearing it underneath her clothes today. The suit could adjust its size to fit the wearer's body. With it on, she wouldn't have to worry about physical harm. Even if she was attacked, she could hold out until Hu Yan and the others arrived.
Hu Yan nodded at her words, and the group headed into the banquet hall one after another.
Bai Zhi watched their departing backs, then retracted her gaze and asked, "Go on, what is it?"
Yang Shanshan said calmly, "Let's talk as we walk."
They walked side-by-side, creating the illusion of a good relationship, though Yang Shanshan was the only one talking.
Yang Shanshan glanced at her. "You know that Xixi's Beast Husband works in the military, right? He invited a lot of his subordinates and superiors. I just took a peek, and some of them are quite handsome."
Bai Zhi replied dismissively, "And?"
She scanned the banquet hall, which was already filled with many females and Beastmen. Her eyes swept across the room as she thought, 'I wonder what kind of "accident" is supposed to happen at this birthday party.'
Just as she was lost in thought, someone suddenly bumped into her. A faint, sweet scent drifted past her nose. Yue Junxiao, walking on her other side, steadied her before she could fall. "Are you okay?"
She shook her head, and after steadying herself, she subconsciously looked toward the person who had just bumped her.
Instead, Yang Shanshan, seeing her stop, moved to block her path and asked with a frown, "Why did you stop?"
Bai Zhi had just been bumped, and hearing this demanding tone, she wasn't about to tolerate it. "What's with the third degree? You're being awfully nosy. What, am I not allowed to be crowd-shy?"
After saying that, she pushed Yang Shanshan aside and walked further inside.
Blindsided by the retort, Yang Shanshan's already plain face fell. A calculating glint flashed in her narrow eyes. 'Hmph, enjoy being smug for a few more days!'
Suppressing her annoyance, she followed after her. "You're going the wrong way. It's this way."
Bai Zhi stopped and looked at her. "What is it you really want to say? Just say it."
Yang Shanshan was annoyed, but to get Bai Zhi to take the bait, she gritted her teeth, swallowed her anger, and continued, "I heard one of them is about to be promoted to Captain."
Bai Zhi was expressionless. "And?"
Seeing her indifference, Yang Shanshan had to pull out her trump card. "He's single, and he's a subordinate of Yun Xi's Beast Husband. I can introduce you."
Bai Zhi looked at her suspiciously. "You'd be that kind?"
At those words, Yang Shanshan's expression soured. "What's that supposed to mean? I'm nice enough to introduce you to a Beast Husband, and you have the nerve to doubt me?"
Bai Zhi arched an eyebrow, stating the obvious without holding back. "Considering our relationship, why would you introduce me to anyone decent?"
Yang Shanshan sputtered, unable to form a retort. Bai Zhi was right. 'Given our relationship, why on earth would I give her anyone good!'
But she couldn't say that now, so she said with a fake smile, "Of course, I'm not introducing him for free. The condition is that you give me Hu Yan. You have so many Beast Husbands anyway, one less won't make a difference. Besides..."
She gave Bai Zhi a deeply meaningful smile. "I imagine you've grown tired of him by now. If you want, you can even take your pick of my own Beast Husbands... as long as you find any of them worthy."