The City is currently in its peak state of beauty with rain and cherry blossoms all over, indicating the arrival of beautiful spring. Every raindrop kissed the petals of newborn flowers, traced silver lines down windowpanes, like mirrors to a gentler world.
Li Xinyi adjusted the velvet shawl around her shoulders as the car pulled up in front of the wedding venue - The majestic Rose Pavilion. She felt nervous getting out of the car. She clutched her purse as if her life depended on it.
"It is a bad idea, I shouldn't have come." She muttered
Wen Qing, who is getting down the car, raised her eyebrows. "You're right — he's the cheater, marrying a rich heiress. He should feel ashamed."
"I'm feeling hormonal, I might cry inside," said Li Xinyi
" There will be yummy desserts, your favourite cake, and waffles will be there," said Wen Qing, trying to tempt her.
Li Xinyi smiled weakly and followed Wen Qing inside.
As soon as they entered the hall, everyone's eyes followed them, especially Li Xinyi.
They heard someone whispering, "What is she doing here?"
They ignored the voices and moved to one of the corners of the hall.
The wedding happened seamlessly. The bride and groom both glowed. No one would have guessed the bride's hands shook behind her bouquet, or that the groom's eyes lingered a second too long on someone who wasn't his wife.
Across the ballroom stood a dangerously handsome man with black hair and, clean jaw line. His eyes were cold and deep like a bottomless pit. Women in the ballroom were sneaking glances at him, but no one dared to approach him.
A woman approached him with a bright smile and raised her glass for a toast. He didn't flinch, didn't even blink. With the same unreadable expression, he turned away without a word, leaving her standing there, her smile fading into confusion.
Chen Xun approached from the side, hands casually tucked into the pockets of his tailored suit. He didn't say anything right away — just stood beside Zhao Yichen, watching the crowd with the same quiet detachment.
"You've got admirers lining up," Chen finally said, nodding subtly toward the woman now retreating with an embarrassed smile.
Zhao Yichen didn't respond, his gaze fixed somewhere far beyond the chandeliers and music.
"You could at least pretend to be human," Chen added, voice low, amused.
Zhao's lips twitched — barely — the closest thing to a smile he ever allowed.
"She knew what she wanted," Zhao said at last. "I just wasn't it."