Xiong Miao tidied herself up quickly before heading out the door.
She had slept for longer than she usually did, and by the time she woke up, it was already dark outside.
It looked like she'd have to retrieve her laptop and put in some overtime.
"My laptop isn't fixed yet," Xiong Miao said, feeling defeated.
"I can't help it, the chips inside got smashed, and you wanted to keep all the important files. I can only try to repair it. If you opted for a new one, it would have been faster," the computer repairman explained.
"How much longer will it take?" asked Xiong Miao.
"About half an hour."
There was nothing else she could do but wait patiently.
Xiong Miao sat in the store, playing with her phone.
Suddenly, a ruckus came from outside, seemingly a couple arguing.
Driven by curiosity, Xiong Miao went outside to see what was going on.
Next to the computer repair shop was a luxurious hotel, where a handsome man and a beautiful woman were standing at the entrance.
The man was wearing a hand-made black suit, fitting perfectly on his impressive physique, giving him a sense of distinction and nobility. His innate aura of authority kept everyone at a distance.
The woman was wearing a long white dress, showing off her smooth collarbone. Her wavy brown hair fell over her shoulders, an epitome of elegance and nobility.
"Ye Ling, I came all the way here. Why won't you take me in with you? Who else but me could be your companion tonight?" Ling XiaoXiao stood in front of the tall figure of Zhan Yeling, elegantly dressed, yet full of pleading.
Indeed, she was pleading with Zhan Yeling to have her as his companion, to stay by his side.
Zhan Yeling's handsome face remained unmoved, his deep eyes turning towards Xiong Miao, who was standing not far off.
Tonight, a breeze was blowing, carrying the faint scent of magnolia from Xiong Miao to Zhan Yeling's nostrils.
His sense of smell was keen.
Moreover, she was still in the clothes she had worn during the day.
Even with face blindness, Zhan Ye Ling could recognize her at a glance.
Her unique scent, no one understood it better than him.
Xiong Miao locked eyes with him and felt a shiver down her spine. She quickly turned to leave.
"Who said my companion had to be you!" Zhan Yeling left the remark behind, his long strides following.
Xiong Miao hurriedly moved towards the computer repair shop. But before she could take more than a few steps, a strong force gripped her arm. She was forced to turn around, facing the imperious gaze of Zhan Yeling.
"Mr. Zhan, what are you..."
"Stop talking and come with me!" Zhan Ye Ling didn't give her a chance to argue. He took her by the arm and started heading towards the hotel.
As they passed by Ling XiaoXiao, Xiong Miao caught a glimpse of her fierce and twisted face, her expression showing she wished nothing more than to tear her apart.
Xiong Miao roared inwardly, "Oh my God, how unjust it is to be used as a scapegoat for no reason and to be resented for it."
Had she known, she would never have come out to watch the commotion.
Curiosity really does kill the cat.
Zhan Yeling pulled Xiong Miao in.
Ling XiaoXiao, furious, kicked the ground hard. Her fine makeup twisted with rage, "Ah! Xiong Miao, it's always you ruining my plans! I'll never let you off!"
"Mr. Zhan, Mr. Zhan!" Xiong Miao tried to halt his steps, but it was in vain.
Her wrist hurt where he was gripping it, and she still had work on her mind. In her desperation, she called out his full name, "Zhan Yeling!"
"Ah!"
Before she could say what she intended, he pushed her away. She landed in a chair.
Only then, in her surprise, did Xiong Miao realize she was in a stylist's room. The fashionable decorations and furnishings, the rack holding a variety of women's clothes.
Small as a sparrow but complete in every detail.
"Mr. Zhan." The stylist Xiao Rui immediately stepped forward and respectfully called.
"You have five minutes." Zhan Ye Ling checked his wristwatch, sat down on a revolving chair nearby, propped up his legs and looked laid-back yet regal.
Xiao Rui came in front of Xiong Miao, sizing her up: her black straight hair, delicate and pretty facial features, slender and graceful figure. But her attire was too plain.
Casual outfits and flat shoes wouldn't cut it for a banquet.
Following Mr. Zhan's command, Xiao Rui immediately gave Xiong Miao a makeover.
Five minutes later, Xiong Miao emerged from the dressing room.
Her elegant makeup was delicate without losing its purity. Her black hair was pulled up, revealing a long, fair neck. A silver necklace set off her glossy collarbone, making it even more enchanting.
Her pink skirt was just the right length - below the thighs but above the knees.
Subtle yet beautiful.
Five-inch heels adorned her feet.
In just five minutes, it seemed as if an ugly duckling had transformed into a swan.
Standing there, Xiong Miao felt somewhat uneasy.
Zhan Yeling, who was engrossed in his phone, looked up and glanced at the woman in front of him. There was a moment of surprise, which quickly gave way to his usual cool demeanor.
For him, women with good looks and figures were a dime a dozen.
Still, he thought she wasn't attractive enough, didn't he?
Seeing the dimming in Zhan Yeling's eyes, Xiong Miao felt a pang of disappointment.
Right, she was nothing more than an ugly duckling.
No amount of dressing up could change what was inherently plain.
Ling Xiaoxiao was the genuine, well-bred, high society heiress.
If even Ling Xiaoxiao didn't catch his eye, how could she stand a chance?
"Tonight, accompany me to a banquet," Zhan Yeling spoke after a moment of silence.
"Okay," Xiong Miao replied. She had overheard Ling Xiaoxiao's argument with him earlier.
She understood that Zhan Yeling wanted her to act as his companion to spite Ling Xiaoxiao. She knew her place.
Hearing her dispirited voice, Zhan Yeling frowned slightly, "For this act, twenty thousand."
"What did you say?" Xiong Miao was surprised.
"Didn't you say it's your routine to help customers with minor things and receive small tips?"
Xiong Miao understood his meaning. She would act for him and he would pay her.
Good. That way, they would owe each other nothing.
"There's no need for so much, two and a half thousand is enough," Xiong Miao said before she walked away in her high heels.
Zhan Yeling turned and watched her retreating figure, his eyes narrowing slightly.
He knew she was angry. What was she angry about?
Did she think twenty thousand was too little?
Yet, she had haggled it down to two and a half thousand.
The hotel's grand hall was luxurious and bustling with the elite and aristocrats, a place of mingling and conversation.
"Why hasn't Yeling arrived yet?" Fang Qian's voice carried a hint of provocation.
"Don't worry, he'll come," Zhan Junyi said with a stern face.
Xiong Miao stopped at the entrance of the banquet, as she didn't have an invitation.
Zhan Yeling leisurely walked over, one hand in his pocket and his arm forming a circle.
Xiong Miao looked at him, motionless.
Zhan Yeling's brow furrowed in displeasure.
Xiong Miao understood his meaning and hesitantly took his arm.
Zhan Yeling's thin lips lifted in a hint of satisfaction as he led her into the banquet.
"Zhan Ershao is here!" Seeing Zhan Yeling, a murmur ran through the crowd.
Especially when they saw the woman by Zhan Yeling's side, it attracted everyone's attention.
Everyone knew that Zhan Yeling was soon to be engaged to Ling Xiaoxiao.
Everyone had assumed that for such an important banquet, Zhan Yeling would arrive arm in arm with his fiancée, Ling Xiaoxiao.
But to everyone's surprise, the woman by his side was a stranger, a woman no one had seen before.