After resolving the business crisis, Gu Xinglan thought she could finally catch her breath, but a sudden phone call from her mother disrupted her plans. She was summoned to attend an important wedding banquet.
A Sudden Invitation
"Xinglan, you must come this time!" Her mother's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Whose wedding is it?" Gu Xinglan leaned back in her office chair, a trace of impatience flickering in her eyes.
"It's your cousin Zhang Feng's wedding. As a daughter of the Gu family, you can't be absent. Besides, many influential people will be there—it's a good opportunity for networking."
Zhang Feng. The name alone made her frown. On the surface, he was a cultured and refined gentleman, but behind the scenes, he was a smooth-talking playboy. She had no desire to waste her time dealing with such people. However, her mother's determination left her no choice.
"Fine, I'll be there." She hung up the phone with a resigned sigh.
A Lavish Wedding
On the day of the banquet, Gu Xinglan appeared in a sleek and elegant black gown, immediately becoming the center of attention.
The venue was resplendent with lights, clinking glasses, and a sea of well-dressed guests. She maintained a polite smile while subtly scanning the crowd, wary of any unnecessary drama.
"Xinglan, over here!" Her mother's voice called out from across the room.
She followed the voice and found her mother mingling with a group of affluent ladies. Beside them stood Zhang Feng and his bride. Zhang Feng's expression shifted to a complicated mix of emotions when he saw her, but he quickly plastered on a smile.
"Xinglan, it's been a while," Zhang Feng greeted her, holding a glass of wine with a hint of ambiguity in his tone.
Gu Xinglan's response was cool: "Congratulations on finding your better half."
Zhang Feng's smile faltered, but he recovered quickly and moved on to entertain other guests.
An Unexpected Encounter
Just as Gu Xinglan thought the evening would be routine, a familiar voice sounded behind her.
"Miss Gu, what a coincidence. We meet again."
She turned to see a face that made her both surprised and annoyed—it was Yan Yichen.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone guarded.
"I have business dealings with the Zhang family and was invited. I didn't expect to run into you here. It seems fate keeps bringing us together," Yan Yichen replied, holding a glass of champagne with his usual relaxed demeanor.
"You shouldn't be here," she said in a low voice, hoping he would leave.
"Why not?" He leaned in slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "Are you afraid I'll steal your spotlight, or are you worried about people finding out we know each other?"
Before she could respond, a commotion erupted nearby, interrupting their conversation.
A Sudden Scandal
The bride stormed into the hall, her face pale and tear-streaked. "Zhang Feng, how could you secretly contact your ex-girlfriend behind my back?"
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Zhang Feng. He clearly hadn't anticipated this and stammered in his defense. "Calm down, it's just work!"
"Work?" The bride's voice was sharp as she slammed her phone onto a table. "This is your so-called work?"
Gu Xinglan caught a glimpse of the screen, which displayed a provocative text message from Zhang Feng's ex-girlfriend. She raised an eyebrow—Zhang Feng was as unreliable as ever.
The banquet's atmosphere grew tense, but someone quickly stepped in to defuse the situation, ushering the bride away to calm her down. Zhang Feng, red-faced, slunk off to avoid further embarrassment.
Yan Yichen's Proposition
"The Zhang family sure knows how to put on a show," Yan Yichen remarked with a low chuckle. "Miss Gu, you've got front-row seats to the drama."
Gu Xinglan shot him a look, unwilling to humor his commentary.
"By the way, I have a proposal for you," Yan Yichen continued, unfazed by her indifference. "Our group is launching a new project tomorrow, and I'd like you to attend."
"Your project has nothing to do with me," she replied curtly.
"On the contrary," he said, his tone serious for once. "We need a strong, intelligent partner, and you fit the bill perfectly."
His sudden sincerity caught her off guard, but she quickly regained her composure. "We can discuss this another time."
"Good. I'll be waiting for your answer." He smiled, his confidence unwavering.
Beneath the Surface
After the banquet, Gu Xinglan made a quick exit after bidding farewell to her mother. Driving home, her thoughts kept returning to the day's events, especially Yan Yichen's offer.
What was his real motive? Was it merely business, or something more?
Meanwhile, back at the banquet hall, Zhang Feng was seen speaking in hushed tones with a shadowy figure. The man, tall and clad in sunglasses, exuded an air of mystery.
"Is everything set?" Zhang Feng asked quietly.
"Don't worry," the man replied. "The plan is in motion. Gu Xinglan will soon know what it feels like to lose."
The two exchanged a knowing glance before slipping away into the night.