Checking the time, it was four in the morning, still a bit early. She opened her suitcase, took out a pencil and a sketchbook, and started to draw herself in the mirror.
She wanted to remember this moment. Herself, so beautiful. Herself, so pure.
A new life, a new beginning.
Her left hand holding the pencil, she skillfully sketched on the paper, the sound of pencil strokes filling the air.
She kept drawing until daylight broke, then she stopped, tossed the sketchbook aside, and went back to sleep.
Gradually, sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting its light onto the sketchbook.
On the white pages, the girl in the gown smiled sweetly, lifelike in her rendering.
......
The Nan Family and Jian Corporation were both very famous in Jiangcheng. This engagement party was the talk of the town, and the ceremony was set at the most luxurious "Hongsheng Garden Hotel" in Jiangcheng.
Jian Xi overslept until two in the afternoon. By the time she woke up, the Qiao Family had already gone to the hotel.
Only a maid and a driver were left at home, the place feeling empty and quiet.
"Miss is up? President Qiao has gone to the hotel and asked you to freshen up, have something to eat, and then head over."
"Okay."
Jian Xi yawned and sat down at the dining table.
"Oh my, Miss, your gown is wrinkled. Take it off and let Aunt Chen iron it for you."
In Aunt Chen's exclamation, Jian Xi realized she was still wearing her engagement gown—Crap! She had forgotten to take it off before sleeping, and it had gotten all wrinkled.
"No need, it's too much trouble."
Jian Xi didn't care and kept eating. She was hungry and needed to fill her stomach first. The engagement could wait.
"Miss, this isn't good, the Nan Family is a prestigious clan..."
"And what about the Jian Family?" Jian Xi raised her eyebrow and asked.
Aunt Chen was taken aback, "Of course, the Jian Family is also a prestigious clan."
"What about the Qiao Family?" Jian Xi asked again.
"..."
Aunt Chen was at a loss for words.
Weren't the Jian Family and the Qiao Family one and the same?
"Remember from now on, you're paid by the Jian Family."
Aunt Chen: "..."
"Alright, I'm done eating," Jian Xi said as she got up, changed her shoes, and left the house.
Mmm, before going to the hotel, she still had another place to visit...
The driver, Xiao Wang, was ready. After yesterday's unpleasantness, he was especially respectful today, "Miss..."
"The car keys."
"Huh?"
"The car keys."
Jian Xi repeated, and Xiao Wang finally understood, "They're in the car..."
"..."
Jian Xi sat in the driver's seat and started the engine.
Xiao Wang's face turned pale: "Miss, you can't drive without a license..."
"Who said I don't have one?"
Jian Xi rolled down the window and waved the license in her hand, then drove off, leaving the dumbstruck Xiao Wang behind.
Didn't President Qiao say that Miss couldn't drive?
——————
Five o'clock in the afternoon at the Hongsheng Grand Hotel.
All the guests had arrived, and everything was ready. Only the bride was missing!
"President Qiao, why hasn't Xiao Xi arrived yet?" Old Master Nan glared at Qiao Yonghui, displeased, "Did you mistreat her?"
"How could we?" Qiao Yonghui's explanation was awkward, "Xiao Xi just came back yesterday. She was tired from the flight, so we let her sleep longer. The family said she left home after two o'clock; she should be here soon..."
"After two o'clock!! It's five o'clock now! Does it take three hours to get here from your house?"
"Yeah, it's so strange! Has the child thrown a fit again?" Qiao Yonghui was fretting, "Old Master Nan, please don't worry, I'll call and ask again."
"You'd better find Xiao Xi quickly, or else!!"
Old Master Nan huffed, his threat clear. In his eyes, Xiao Xi must be suffering!
"Yes, yes, yes!"