The flight lasted a total of two hours, from Bin Hai City to Tianlin City. As soon as they disembarked, the pre-arranged shuttle was already waiting for them outside the terminal gates.
It was five in the afternoon. The ground, soaked by a light morning rain, had already dried. The temperature was a few degrees lower than the day before, with thin clouds drifting in the sky and a faint chill weaving through the breeze.
The sky was as clear as if it had been washed clean. A flock of long-tailed swallows, having strayed from the mountains into the human city, skimmed low between the towering buildings. The glass facades on either side reflected their elegant silhouettes, fleeting and graceful in a flash.
Green Crown International Grand Hotel.
The massive square building stood tall in the city center, where land was worth its weight in gold. The sunlight slanting in from the northwest was completely blocked by the skyscrapers, while the greenery on both sides added a touch of freshness to the humid air, making one feel relaxed and at ease.
Luxury cars lined up along the temporarily designated parking lane. The drivers respectfully opened the doors, revealing handsome men, beautiful women, elderly nobles, and wealthy ladies one after another.
The engagement banquet between the Chen Family of Tianlin City and the He Family from overseas was being held tonight. The Chen Family was a real estate titan in Tianlin City, while the He Family owned a globally renowned food company. Their artificial meat stocks had been rising year after year, showing immense potential not to be underestimated.
Among the dense stream of cars, a black Volkswagen rolled down its window. A small head wearing a painter’s hat popped out, glanced at the congested traffic around, and then ducked back inside.
“Meow meow, Teacher, are we here to eat at a banquet again?”
“To eat at a wedding and pay our share of the gift money.”
“Mhm mhm.”
The scene shifted.
A black Audi A8 pulled into a temporary parking spot. The driver opened the door, and a tall, handsome young man in a black suit and jeans stepped out.
Then, a white-haired girl with delicate features emerged from the car. She took the initiative to link her arm with the man’s, her smile sweet and radiant, instantly drawing the gazes of many men.
Zhao Yicheng walked toward the hotel with Xu Yinsheng on his arm.
At the hotel entrance, He Zizhang, dressed in a groom’s outfit, was enthusiastically greeting the guests. He held the bride’s arm, his face beaming as he exchanged pleasantries with the arriving attendees.
“Mr. He, you look so handsome today!”
“Thank you, Manager Wang. This way, please.”
“As expected of Chen Zishu’s daughter, the man she chose is truly impressive.”
“Thank you~ Uncle Xi.”
“Is this Miss Chen? She’s gorgeous!”
“Miss Chen marrying such a fine man is clearly a sign of good fortune.”
Praise flowed endlessly. He Zizhang maintained a faint, calm smile, his eyes steady and unruffled. His speech was elegant and composed, leaving everyone feeling a pleasant ease.
“Congratulations,” Zhao Yicheng said sincerely as one of the guests, handing over his gift money.
He Zizhang, busy hosting the crowd with his bride on his arm, naturally had little time for small talk with Zhao Yicheng. After a few brief words, Zhao Yicheng led Xu Yinsheng along the crowd toward the interior of the hotel.
Just then, a hand patted his shoulder. Zhao Yicheng turned back and saw He Zizhang’s gaze land briefly on Xu Yinsheng before shifting to him. His lips moved, clearly forming the words:
“Congratulations to you too, on getting what you wanted.”
After getting off the plane, it was the shuttle ride back from the terminal, and before they knew it, it was five o’clock, not to mention handing over the gift money and offering congratulations.
Time quickly slipped by to six o’clock.
At this hour, it was naturally dinner time. The hotel had long prepared an exquisite evening feast for the guests.
However, Zhao Yicheng didn’t focus on the dinner. Instead, he brought Xu Yinsheng around, introducing her to the various guests at the banquet.
“This is Boss Long, he’s in the food business.”
A slightly plump middle-aged man with a pair of small mustaches, his eyes carrying a hint of the merchant’s shrewdness.
“This is Boss Liu, also in the finance industry.”
A thin, dark-skinned middle-aged man with a humble smile on his face.
“And this is…”
Zhao Yicheng took Bai Xu Yinsheng around to make introductions, subtly signaling to his social circle who his future fiancée would be.
The atmosphere was filled with wine and merriment, glasses clinking.
The air was laced with a faint scent of alcohol. Most guests remained restrained; even the few younger ones who got a little drunk were supported by those beside them, keeping up appearances.
Bai Xu Yinsheng followed Zhao Yicheng around the venue. She didn’t eat much for dinner but met quite a few people.
She understood Zhao Yicheng’s intentions and actively cooperated, accompanying him through it all.
After the banquet, He Zizhang made a grand gesture, extravagantly renting out the entire hotel. Each person was given a key, and they stayed overnight on the spot.
Green Crown International Grand Hotel.
Third Floor, Red Carpet Corridor.
“Tap, tap, tap…”
Black leather shoes struck the floor. Scattered footsteps echoed continuously through the corridor. Xu Yinsheng supported the slightly flushed Zhao Yicheng, her steps unsteady and somewhat strained as they moved forward.
“A’Zhao, slow down, don’t fall.”
“Your alcohol tolerance is so weak now. Just a few bottles of red wine and you’re done. I remember back then, we used to drink baijiu mixed with vodka by the case.”
Bai Xu Yinsheng spoke as she struggled to hold him up.
Soon, the two arrived at a door at the end of the hotel corridor. Bai Xu Yinsheng glanced at the room number and then at the number on the key tag in her hand.
815.
After confirming it was correct.
Xu Yinsheng inserted the key, turned it gently, and the door swung open. The room was about fifty square meters, with a TV, a desk, a sofa, a bathroom, and a double bed…
She cast a quick glance at the obviously carefully arranged double bed, then pushed the drunken Zhao Yicheng inside.
Once in the room, Zhao Yicheng couldn’t hold back his intoxication any longer. As if automatically recognizing the bed, he didn’t even change into his pajamas, collapsed onto it, and immediately started snoring loudly.
“A’Zhao, you’re such a lightweight.” Bai Xu Yinsheng looked at the man dead asleep on the bed and pouted helplessly.
Despite her words, she was very thoughtful. She took off his clothes, changed him into his pajamas, and used a damp towel to wipe his face.
After doing all that, Bai Xu Yinsheng took a shower, changed into her SpongeBob SquarePants pajamas from her suitcase, and slipped into Zhao Yicheng’s arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted two kisses on his cheek.
“Good night.”
Tired, so tired.
Exhausted, so exhausted.
Zhao Yicheng didn’t know what was wrong with him. Ever since he was jolted awake by a nightmare on the plane, he had been distracted. He barely managed to pull himself together after a short nap in the taxi, only to have to deal with the social niceties of the banquet later. The mild drunkenness from the red wine and the mental fatigue created a subtle chemical reaction.
Now…
Falling, falling, endlessly falling downward, to the place beneath all things, to the very bottom of everything…
Another nightmare?
With that final thought lingering, Zhao Yicheng sank into a beautiful dream.
The clear moonlight poured down. The hazy neon lights, the dazzling city, the crowds reveling all night—they painted the earth with a dreamy, intoxicating afterglow.
But at that moment, beneath the curtain of shadow, in the grand hotel, moonlight seeped through cracks into a dusty storage room. Inside stood several figures, their faces completely obscured by shadow, whispering among themselves.
“How are the preparations going?” The leading man was thin, his face unreadable. He turned to his right-hand men and asked.
“Don’t worry, boss. Everything is ready!”
“Good!” The man nodded in satisfaction. “Tomorrow, I want every street and alley in Tianlin City to be buzzing with the rumor of the He Family’s fiancée cheating with an outsider!”
“Yes!” The others replied respectfully.
Hearing the deference in their voices, the man with the hidden face sneered, a glint of cold satisfaction in his eyes. He clenched his fingers, knuckles cracking.
Aren’t you fond of underhanded tactics? Aren’t you the type to forget the old flame once you have a new one? Don’t you want me to get lost?
Heh heh heh!