Both were Chinese international students, one in France and one in England, sharing the same major and equally overflowing with talent.
They had had the opportunity to collaborate once, three years ago, and had since become good friends.
"I thought I wouldn't see you this time, I didn't expect you'd also flown back," Meng Can said with a smiling face.
"Yeah, I haven't been back for many years, so it's about time to visit my parents."
"Then, are you going back to England?"
"I haven't quit my job in England."
Meng Can nodded as if he had expected the answer.
"Did you have a chance to visit home this time?" Su Wanxia asked with a light smile as she looked at him.
"I didn't manage to go back to F City, maybe next time!" Meng Can said, somewhat disappointed.
"Wow."
"OH! Who is he?"
"Good heavens, isn't that..."
As they were speaking, bursts of exclamations suddenly filled the surroundings. Su Wanxia involuntarily turned around, her lips still curved in the smile she had while talking to Meng Can.
But as she identified the cause of the commotion, her smile froze on her lips, and the hand holding her glass trembled slightly.
She felt as though her blood had solidified, and her body seemed not to be her own, as if someone had cast a Fixed Body Technique on her, leaving her rigidly standing in place.
Her heart uncontrollably started racing, and her eyes, bright as morning stars, flashed with a hint of panic and unease.
The person surrounded by the crowd didn't feel like the familiar presence she remembered in her mind.
The tall, slender figure was dressed in a handmade black suit, which made him appear even more elegant and noble.
His obsidian-like bright and piercing black pupils shone with a strict and sharp aura, contrasting with his handsome face that had a chiseled and profound contour, exuding an overwhelming presence.
Those thick eyebrows, the high nose, the perfectly shaped lips, each feature boldly proclaimed his nobility and grace.
Su Wanxia tightened her grip on the wine glass. He was different now; his whole being was suffused with a cold aura, giving her a sense of danger. Was it an illusion?
The man in her memories wasn't supposed to be this stern; wasn't he gentle, elegant, and as radiant as the March sun?
Closer and closer he came, Mu Yingchen seemed very casual as he headed in Su Wanxia's direction.
The assembly made way for him, and the people behind him followed closely. He was like an emperor, wherever he went, people felt the urge to bow their heads in homage.
Seeing the tall figure approaching her, Su Wanxia felt an urge to run away. It was too sudden; truly, she had never expected to meet him here.
Mu Yingchen, seeing the figure drawing ever closer, couldn't help but mockingly laugh internally. She apparently still got nervous; did that mean she hadn't completely forgotten him?
Mu Feng, Ji Hua, and Mu Chuyang only realized at this moment why their eldest brother had attended this night event—it seemed to have been all for the beautiful lady right before their eyes.
Finally, the figure exuding a cold aura stopped before Su Wanxia. At some point, she had begun staring at her toes, her hand holding the glass so tense she couldn't control it. What should she say? What could she say? Or perhaps, should she say nothing?
Suddenly, a pleasant male voice cut through the crowd, approaching from afar.
"Summer!"
Su Wanxia heard this familiar voice, and it was more delightful than she had ever found it before.
Without daring to look at the face before her, she directly raised her head toward the source of the voice, and upon hearing this call, everyone else also looked over, quite surprised.
Suddenly, there was another burst of exclamations and sighs; the elite party tonight was truly brimming with handsome men, even the renowned Huamei Crown Prince from Europe had arrived!
Jesse, clad in a sapphire-blue fashionable suit, charmed everyone with his deep and entrancing features that declared his mixed heritage.
His ice-blue eyes were currently smiling warmly in Su Wanxia's direction, the black hair complementing his exotic face and creating an oddly beautiful aesthetic.
Seeing Jesse, Su Wanxia felt herself relax slightly, her lips drawing into a small smile, "Jesse..."
Jesse approached Su Wanxia and Mu Yingchen and extended a hand towards Mu Yingchen with a smile, "Mr. Mu, long time no see!"
Mu Yingchen narrowed his eyes, shaking his hand, "Long time no see."
Jesse then said to Su Wanxia, "Summer, this here is the big boss of Asia's leading enterprise, the Mu Group's young master."
At these words, the crowd suddenly erupted into gasps; it turned out that this was the famed ruler of the number one family in Asia, the great young master Mu!
Hearing Jesse's introduction, Su Wanxia couldn't help but mock herself. Yes, his status was so high and unreachable, she wasn't from his world at all, did she need to be this nervous?
With that thought, all her panic and distress dissipated.
She smiled faintly, extending her fair right hand, "Mr. Mu, I've heard much about you!"
Mu Yingchen, upon hearing the address from Su Wanxia's mouth, let out a mocking smile, looking at her long, fair hand, and took it gently in his, soft and delicate just like before.
But Su Wanxia felt a jolt as if she had touched electricity, and the nervousness swiftly surged throughout her body once more.
Mu Yingchen lightly rubbed her hand a few times before gripping it tight. Su Wanxia bore the pain without a cry, knowing he was doing it on purpose.
Seeing Su Wanxia's forbearing expression, Mu Yingchen's pupils emitted an unpredictable dark shimmer, mysterious and elusive.
His thin lips curved into a cruel arc, corners lifting slightly in a cold sneer, "Miss Su still loves to play dumb. After all these years, have you forgotten an old classmate already?"
He then released Su Wanxia's reddened hand and looked at her coldly.
Jesse, puzzled by Mu Yingchen's behavior and hearing his remarks, finally made an understanding expression.
Surprised, he addressed the two, "Turns out you two are classmates, Summer, how come you've never mentioned it before?"
At these words, Mu Yingchen's eyes grew even darker.
Su Wanxia replied with a bitter smile, "Heh, I've been abroad for so long that, uh... I haven't kept much contact with China, so."
"I see, all these years it's true you haven't talked much about things back home."
"Heh."
Mu Yingchen, watching the pair's familiarity, felt a nameless fire rise within him.
Mu Feng sensed trouble brewing, "The banquet is about to start, let's head over there."
With this reminder, the crowd began to gather around the stage.
Mu Yingchen walked away with his entourage, his face the picture of cool detachment, while Meng Can and Jesse nodded in greeting before making their way to their seats.
Soon, only Su Wanxia and Jesse's group remained.
Su Wanxia felt utterly exhausted, her head buzzing with pain. Jesse, noticing her distress, took her by the arm towards their table.
The host announced the beginning of the banquet, and it was now a time for guests to mingle freely, enjoy entertainment, and dance.
Jesse, the famous European corporate prince, knew many people and was often surrounded by folks offering toasts and conversation. Since seeing Mu Yingchen, Su Wanxia had lost her appetite for enjoyment and sat quietly in a corner, drinking alone.
Suddenly, someone stood in front of her table, blocking some of the light.