"Ms. Cheng, I have been looking forward to meeting you."A man approached Gu Shengyin, raising a glass of red wine toward her.
Gu Shengyin offered him a polite smile and took a small sip of the wine in her own hand.
After sending the man away, Cheng Xizhi let her gaze sweep across the hall. Spotting an inconspicuous corner, she quietly made her way there and sat down.
The banquet was held to celebrate the Cheng and Yuan Families' cooperation on a major project. Both clans were considered giants in Hua City's business world, so nearly every influential figure had come to attend this grand event.
As the only daughter of the Cheng Family, Cheng Xizhi naturally became the focus of many people's attention. Cheng Zhensheng's love for his daughter was well-known.
For many men of status, marrying Cheng Xizhi was the same as gaining the Cheng Family's support—an opportunity most would dream of.
Gu Shengyin, however, had little patience for this kind of social nicety. In her previous world, she had given her entire heart to Ji Yu. As a being who had been created, Gu Shengyin's emotions were simple—her heart was small, and it could hold only one person.
Sitting quietly in her secluded corner, she watched coldly as Cheng Yiru mingled confidently among the guests.
As the Cheng Family's adopted daughter, Cheng Yiru still received a fair amount of attention—even if she could never compare to Cheng Xizhi.
And Cheng Yiru basked in it.
Her mind drifted to the final days of her previous life—when illness ruined her ability to work, when she had no money left to stay in a high-end residence, when she was forced to move into a cramped low-cost housing complex.
Outside her door, she heard an endless mix of dialects, arguments, children crying, and cars honking. Day and night, the noise never stopped. It had been nothing short of a nightmare.
But now? She was once again the Cheng Family's young miss. That past life felt almost like an illusion.
She swore she would never fall to such depths again.
"Miss Cheng."A deep voice cut into Gu Shengyin's thoughts.
She lifted her head, her brows faintly knitting when she saw the unfamiliar man before her. His presence carried a sharp, oppressive aura that could make others instinctively tense up.
But Gu Shengyin merely frowned lightly. She had been a queen in her previous life—what kind of person had she not encountered? This man was far from enough to shake her composure.
Yuan Xu paused in mild surprise. He had enlisted at a young age and trained under his uncle; his forceful aura came from real, brutal experience. Most people found it difficult to face him calmly.
Yet this seemingly delicate young lady was completely unaffected.
He raised a brow.It seemed the Cheng Family's young miss was not as simple as she looked.
"Hello, I'm Yuan Xu."He extended his hand to her.
So he was Yuan Hang's older brother—the other young master of Yuanshi Corporation. Gu Shengyin immediately understood.
"Mr. Yuan, it's a pleasure to meet you."She extended her hand and shook his.
So smooth.That was Yuan Xu's first thought.
The warmth of her fingers made his heart sway, as though he were holding a piece of warm jade.
No wonder ancient poets praised jade as warm and fragrant—women like this truly existed.
The two didn't talk much. They exchanged a few quiet sentences and then simply sat together. The silence between them was comfortable, even soothing—especially compared to the lively noise of the banquet hall.
"I need to give a speech."Yuan Xu stood up, a trace of reluctance in his movements.
Out of courtesy, Gu Shengyin rose as well. She did not expect her long dress to restrict her steps. Her heel caught on the fabric, and she lost her balance, her body tilting forward.
"Be careful!"She fell into a broad, steady embrace. At the same time, a familiar lotus fragrance reached her nose.