Ye Yingzhi spoke excellent Chinese, if he said he grew up in China, Chi Yan would believe it because there was really nothing for him to correct. The two would still chat through messages, but when it was nighttime, Ye Yingzhi would pick a time to call him, saying that it was to practice his âspeech deliveryâ.
Chi Yan couldnât help but feel impressed by the other partyâs attitude to constantly improve himself. He thought that if only he had this kind of mentality for his TOEFL in those years, he could have at least score ten more marks.
Ye Yingzhi usually called at 10 p.m. At that time, Chi Yan would have just finished taking a bath, he would open the window and talk on the phone while letting his hair dry naturally. The two could talk for half an hour to an hour. Ye Yingzhi would also speak English with him, and it really helped him to correct some pronunciation and accent problems. In the first place, it was relaxing and fun to talk to him, and now it was also beneficial for him. Naturally, Chi Yan was more than willing to talk with Ye Yingzhi.
Ye Yingzhiâs English accent was more of a British accent, and there was always a sense of properness when he spoke, which was even more irresistible. When listening to him speaking Chinese, he didnât feel that, however, when the other party spoke English, he always had to pay more attention to what the other party said, and his ears would always be hot.
For the first time, he understood why someone would say that the British accent was more seductive than the American accent.
At about 10:30 that evening, Chi Yan was talking to Ye Yingzhi when he heard a knock and his name being called from the outside.
Listening to the voice, it sounded like Alex.
Chi Yan said to his phone, âWait a moment, someone is looking for me.â
He got up from the bed and placed his phone on the table. When he opened the door, and it was indeed Alex who was outside his door.
Alex was holding two invitation cards with a black background and golden font in his hands. âHey Jerry, thereâs gonna be a cocktail party this weekend organised by Prius. Iâm doing an internship over there, so I obtained quite a few invitations. They warmly welcome young students from AHU, perhaps they believe this will be a good opportunity to promote their company. Donât you want to fully immerse yourself in Sophusâs different lifestyles and various activities? This is a good opportunity. I have two invitations here. You can bring your friend along. Whatâs his name? Kevin?â
Kevin was Jiang Tianâs English name.
Ever since Chi Yan had arrived here, he had yet to attend any formal party and it was also true that he was rather interested in this party, so he readily agreed and thanked him for his kindness. He took the invitation and said, âOkay, thank you. Iâll ask Kevin.â
âIt would be good if both of you can go.â Alex smiled brightly. âThe party is a little far from the dorm. Simon and I will be driving there. You and Kevin can take my car.â
Chi Yan once again expressed his thanks and wished him good night before he closed the door.
His phone was on the table and the screen was lit, indicating that the call was still ongoing.
âDid you hear that? The friend that lives next to me invited me to a party this weekend. I donât know how all those cocktail parties here will be like. Have you ever attended one?â
Instead of answering his question, Ye Yingzhi asked him, âThe one that lives next to you? Is that the guy you have told me about? The one with black hair, blue eyes and often fooled around with his group of friends? I advise you to stay away from them. They donât sound like any decent people.â There was a rare hint of discontentment in his voice.
âYes, I got it.â Chi Yan smiled, but he didnât expect Ye Yingzhi to be so conservative. He thought that young people who lived abroad would be more open. When Ye Yingzhi was like this, he sounded like a middle school teaching director.
âThey just like to play, otherwise, they are all very nice. There are many students in my country who can still get good grades by cramming at the end of the term. Everyone works hard in a different. Besides, Iâve already promised him this time. Iâm just going to take a look and will not drink too much? Shouldnât that be fine? Prius is also a famous company, isnât it?â
Prius was a biotech company that was well known in Australia. Because of its unique geographical location, environment and evolution process, Australia had many wonderful animals and plants that werenât found in the northern hemisphere. It had always held an advantage in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and health care sector.
Chi Yan said as he looked at the invitation card given by Alex. The invitation card was extremely exquisite and had a unique and subtle fragrance. The black card had a golden pattern engraved on it when it was flipped open, the inside was also the sameââ
We sincerely invite you to join us in our feast this weekend. You will certainly have an unforgettable night.
At the same time, the time and place of the party were indicated. There wasnât any signature, but it did make one anticipate after looking at it.
After Ye Yingzhi heard his words, he gave a little âEnâ and no longer disapproved of him.
It was getting late. Chi Yan and his Tom Ye said good night to each other before he charged his phone and fell asleep.
Outside the window a quiet street. Occasionally, there would be cars passing by at full speed. In between the vast amount of green, insects and birds chirped. A huge black shadow with four hoofs swept past his window. The shadow covered the entire window and was even reflected through the window to the opposite wall. The master of the room mumbled in his dream and remained clueless about the situation.
ââââââ
Soon it was Saturday. Chi Yan had told Jiang Tian about the party. Jiang Tian was outgoing and couldnât stand not having anything to do in his daily life. After hearing from him, he happily agreed to go with him.
Chi Yan and Alex made an appointment to meet at the dormitory gate at 6 p.m. Alex would then drive them to the party.
When it was the appointed time, there was only Alex who was dressed up waiting for them at the gate.
âWhere are Simon and the rest? Arenât they not coming with us?â There were at least five or six friends in Alexâs group, and the ones that he saw most frequently were a boy named Simon and a girl named Judy. Both of them also have a milder temper. Chi Yan wasnât good at remembering the names and faces of foreigners, he could only remember these two people as they looked for Alex the most often and would take the initiative to greet every time they saw him.
âTheyâve already gone off, but we still have to wait for another person.â Alex smiled and he looked like he was in a good mood.
In a short while, Emily appeared in front of the three wearing a white skirt. Her beautiful blonde hair was tied up and she had a pearl-colored bag in her hands.
It turned out that Emily was the person Alex was waiting for, but that was also very natural. After all, they lived nearby each other. It seemed that Alex and Emily had a good relationship. Since he had invited themselves, naturally, he would also invite Emily.
âWhite, thatâs nice. They will love it.â Alex softly whispered and took the three into the car. Alex and Emily sat in the front, while Chi Yan and Jiang Tian sat at the back.
Sophus was good in this aspect, Chi Yan had never experienced traffic jams ever since he had arrived here.
Alex drove all the way to the outskirts of the city.
Jiang Tian couldnât help but ask aloud, âThe invitation says that the party will be held in a club in the west of the city? Why are you driving to the east?â As he went to the west side of the city last semester to attend an academic conference held by the school, he still remembered the direction.
âThe location was suddenly changed yesterday,â Alex replied. âSeriously, even I am not even sure why the location was changed.â
The party was held in a manor on the outskirts of the city which was not far from here. The car drove for an hour and arrived at the destination.
Alex took Emilyâs hand and walked in front of them. Jiang Tian murmured to Chi Yan, âYou are so pitiful. Look at how clever Alex is. You should bring a female companion instead of me.â
Chi Yan comfortingly patted him on the shoulder. âDonât undervalue yourself.â
As soon as Alex walked into the venue, he felt an unusual tension.
He frowned and went to look for Simon who was hugging a human boy at the moment. He dragged him to one side and lowered his voice, âWhatâs happening? Why are so many old fellows here? Havenât they not appeared for a long time?â
It was just an ordinary full moon blood banquet. Why did it attract so many seniors of their race? After a rough look, he found several faces that didnât belong to Sophus at all. If he remembered correctly, those guys should have come from Sydney or Melbourne, maybe even from Adelaide and other places.
Those old fellows toasted their glasses and conversed softly. Their expressions and bearings held a degree of dignity.
Please, how long had it been since the Middle Ages had passed?
Alex pulled impatiently at the neckline of his shirt. He hoped that his friend would give him an explanation.
Simon leaned closer to him and whispered, âI heard⌠I just heard that the person you met that night has received an invitation.â
He looked at Alex who was a little stunned. âBut I think it is highly likely that the rumor is true. Donât you see how those in charge of current affairs came running here? And the venue of the banquet has been temporarily changed from the city club we often go to⌠After all, the person who arrived at the southern hemisphere this time has been very low profile and hasnât publicly exposed his face. No one would want to make a mistake at this time, all right.â
âMy God,â Alex said as he covered his head, looking just like an ordinary young man complaining about the constraints his elderly had set for him, âWhat occasions hasnât that person not seen before, why is he suddenly interested in such a small party as ours and has accepted the invitation? Weâre dead meat. There are so many old fellows here, we wonât be able to play any new tricks this time.â
âShh, keep it down.â Simon looked around and made a âshhhâ gesture.
He patted his friend on the shoulder and comforted him. âRelax, that is all those big figuresâ issues. According to the usual the rumor, he will not appear in public even if he came to this banquet. At most, he will allow some old fellows to visit him in the side hall. It wonât have anything to do with us. But I have to say, you are really good this time, you brought three human beings and two of them are from the east⌠â
He licked his teeth. ââŚWe are going to enjoy ourselves tonight.â