Madam Tang sighed helplessly. “If it were any other time, Ruge and I would naturally not bicker with her. But today is the apprenticeship banquet. And you invited so many big shots too, Mr. Qi. Now…”

Qi Zhong frowned and snorted. “Ruge is my disciple. It’s better for her not to interact with such a person in the future. It’s simply disgraceful!”

Madam Tang nodded and took a few steps forward. She said gently, “Miss Qiao, you and Ruge are friends. Thank you very much for coming to her apprenticeship banquet, but it’s not right for you to block the door.”

Everyone’s gazes landed on Qiao Xi, their eyes filled with disdain.

Qiao Xi’s entire body emitted a chill as she slowly raised her eyes. “Madam Tang, I’ve been standing here since Miss Tang came to talk to me. The door of Fragrance Hotel is so wide. There’s more than enough space for all of you to walk in. Why would you say that I’m blocking the door?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd could not help but be stunned. The painters also reacted. It seemed that this little girl had been standing beside them from the beginning and had not blocked the middle of the entrance. She really could not be considered to be blocking the door.

The door of Fragrance Hotel was ten meters wide. How could a young lady block the door on her own? Moreover, she was standing at the side and did not affect the guests from entering.

From the beginning, it was Tang Ruge who said that someone was blocking the way. She went forward to negotiate with Qiao Xi, causing everyone to mistakenly think that Qiao Xi was blocking the way. In fact, she was just standing at the door and playing with her phone.

Madam Tang looked a little embarrassed, and a trace of ruthlessness flashed across her eyes. However, she was the mistress of the Tang family, after all. How could she easily expose her anger?

Unexpectedly, before she could speak, Tang Lingyun asked, “Since you’re not blocking the way, why are you standing here?”

Qiao Xi rolled her eyes at Tang Lingyun as if she were looking at an idiot. Previously, she had reminded Tang Lingyun not to be used by others, but this idiot did not take her advice to heart at all.

Qiao Xi was so angry that she laughed. “Do I have to tell you why I’m here? Who do you think you are?”

She really did not want to quarrel with the Tang family. This family was full of intellectually impaired people. She stood here waiting for Li Xing’er, but Tang Ruge insisted that she was blocking the way. Qiao Xi said that she was not here to attend the apprenticeship banquet, nor was she blocking the door. In the end, someone even asked her what she was here for.

‘Who do you think you are? Why should I tell you all this?’

The few painters behind Qi Zhong looked at each other and revealed meaningful expressions. They felt that Qi Zhong’s apprentice was very scheming.

Tang Ruge looked like a lady from a wealthy family—elegant, intellectual, gentle, and polite. However, it seemed that she always pretended to be a victim to incite others into forming speculations.

Tang Ruge bit her lip. “Xi Xi, whatever your purpose in coming here today is, I’m happy to have you. As long as you—”

“Tang Ruge! What are you doing?! Are you bullying Xi Xi?!” Li Xing’er had just entered when she saw a group of people surrounding Qiao Xi.

She stepped forward angrily and blocked Qiao Xi behind her as she started to attack crazily. “Tang Ruge, is your Tang family the only one who can come to Fragrance Hotel? I’m holding a birthday banquet here today. Xi Xi is here to celebrate my birthday, and I was the one who asked her to wait for me at the door. If you have a problem, come look for me! Don’t make things difficult for Xi Xi! Your Tang family claims to be a scholarly family, but you’re still so domineering. You’re holding an apprenticeship banquet at Fragrance Hotel, but you’re not allowing other guests to enter? What kind of logic is this?!”

At this moment, the manager came forward to explain, “Madam Tang, Miss Tang, Miss Li has indeed booked a private hall at Fragrance Hotel a month ago for a birthday party. Miss Qiao is here to attend the birthday party.”

What the manager meant was that Li Xing’er had booked the birthday banquet first, in case the Tang family said that Li Xing’er deliberately booked a venue here to target the Tang family.

Madam Tang’s face was ashen. She seemed to have heard the discussions around her. Anger burned in her heart, but she could only grit her teeth and endure it. She still pretended to be elegant. “Then it seems we misunderstood.”

“Is just saying that it’s a misunderstanding enough? Shouldn’t you apologize for your mistake?” Qiao Xi sneered.

Tang Ruge bit her lip and said nothing.

Li Xing’er said arrogantly, “Tang Ruge, take a closer look at this door. It’s ten meters wide! Our Xi Xi is so thin and small, yet you say that she’s blocking your way. If you don’t need eyes, you can donate them to someone who needs them. Don’t go about spouting lies!”