Feng Mian felt the stranger's hands steadying her, the warmth of his grip gently anchoring her after the misstep. She quickly regained her footing, offering him an embarrassed smile.
"Are you all right?" the man asked, his tone warm with genuine concern. His face was friendly, a subtle smile playing on his lips as he studied her with kind eyes.
"Yes, thank you," she replied, a little shaken. "I must've lost my balance."
As Feng Mian thanked the stranger, she couldn't help but notice the warmth in his eyes. It was a gentle, genuine kindness that made her feel at ease. But as she looked up at him, she wondered if she knew him from somewhere. There was something familiar about his face, but she couldn't quite place it.
"Are you sure you're okay?" the stranger asked again, his hand still on her elbow. "That was quite a stumble."
Feng Mian nodded, feeling a little more steady. "Yes, really, I'm fine. Just a little clumsy, I guess."
The stranger smiled and released her elbow, but not before giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Well, if you're sure... I'm Zhang Rui, by the way."
Feng Mian's heart skipped a beat as she took his hand in a brief handshake. "Feng Mian," she replied, her mind racing. Why did his name sound familiar?
"I must say, it's hard to believe someone as beautiful as you could lose her footing. Maybe the ground was just trying to get your attention?". His playful comment drew a surprised laugh from her, and she shook her head. "You're kind. But I assure you, it was just me being clumsy!"
They shared a small laugh, and Zhang Rui continued with lighthearted conversation. For the first time that evening, she felt her tense shoulders ease a little. He had an effortless way of making her laugh, speaking in a way that made her feel seen, a rare kindness that warmed her. And all the while, she was unaware of the gaze fixed on them from across the room.
Han Chen watched them out of the corner of his eye, his jaw tightening with each laugh that passed between them. His eyes darkened as Zhang Rui leaned a little closer, and he forced himself to look away, but the strange twinge of irritation settled in his chest.
On their drive back, Feng Mian sensed something was off. Han Chen was silent, his expression colder than usual, and she couldn't ignore the tension that seemed to hang in the car like a thick fog. She glanced at him, waiting for him to say something, but he only stared straight ahead.
"Did something happen?" she finally asked, her voice tentative.
His lips curved in a cold smile, though he kept his gaze on the road. "It's nothing. You seemed to be enjoying yourself tonight."
She blinked in confusion, searching his face for a hint of what had soured his mood. "I was just…making conversation."
He glanced at her briefly, a sharp edge to his gaze. "With Zhang Rui, you mean?
Her cheeks flushed, not expecting him to care enough to notice. "He was just being kind. I didn't think it would be an issue."
Han Chen didn't respond, and Feng Mian felt a pang of frustration and bewilderment. His words held a slight edge, but his silence left her questioning whether she had done something wrong. As they reached home, she couldn't shake the unsettling feeling of their strained silence.
That night, Feng Mian sensed something different between them, a tension simmering just beneath the surface. When he reached for her, his touch was firm, almost possessive, as if he were trying to claim something that no one else could touch. His lips brushed against her with a fervor that left her breathless, her mind racing, and for a brief, flickering moment, she wondered if he was finally letting down his walls.
But just as quickly, the moment passed, and she could sense the familiar distance return, leaving her with a feeling of emptiness, like sand slipping through her fingers.
As the weeks passed, Feng Mian found herself anticipating their approaching anniversary. Though she tried to remind herself that their marriage was built on duty and expectation, a quiet hope had started to bloom in her heart. Despite everything, she longed for a sign from Han Chen,a moment of softness, however small, something that might show her he cared even a fraction of what she felt for him.
And she'd been keeping a secret, one she hoped might bring them closer together. In her mind, she imagined the moment when she would tell him, choosing their anniversary to share the news. It was foolish, she knew; Han Chen was pragmatic, reserved, and notoriously unreadable. But part of her hoped that this news would touch him in some way. That maybe, just maybe, a small corner of his heart would soften, a hint of warmth breaking through the icy distance between them.
Though he often brushed her aside, the days felt long in his absence, as Han Chen was away on a business trip. She'd heard how it's tense in the field with the arrival of new compititor who is none other than Zhang Rui, a formidable name in the industry and someone who was known for his sharp business acumen and growing influence.
Feng Mian hadn't realized who Zhang Rui was when they'd met at the party, but she now understood why Han Chen seemed oddly irritated by him that evening—a feeling he hadn't cared to explain, one she couldn't quite understand.
As she waited for Han Chen's return, her thoughts drifted to the anniversary dinner his family was planning. The Chen family was known for their influence in the business world, and an event of this magnitude was more than just a celebration, an obligation that would show their status to other families and industry leaders. The night would likely feel cold and formal, but still, she held on to a glimmer of hope that there might be something special for them that evening.