The grand banquet hall was beautifully decorated, with exotic flowers and delicious food placed neatly. The atmosphere was vibrant and lively with the sound of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the soft strains of background music.
The guests were a mix of dignitaries, business leaders, and members of high- society families. They were all dressed up for tonight's banquet, with the women wearing stunning evening gowns and the men looking dashing in their tailored suits.
Li Yue's parents, as hosts, were greeting their guests. Her older brother, Li Xuan, stood beside their father, also greeting business partners and exchanging warm pleasantries.
Her younger brother, Li Xiang, was surrounded by his buddies, all of them laughing, cracking jokes and seemingly having a great time.
Among the crowd, Zhao Shui, looked pretty in her limited- edition pink frock, drawing admiring glances from the others. She was chatting with the daughters of other noble families, all of them elegantly dressed and poised.
Li Yue stood at the top of the grand staircase, gazing down at the lavish banquet hall below. The soft glow of the chandeliers cast a warm light on her face.
Puff was floating in air beside her, "Why aren't you going down?" It asked.
Li Yue's eyes sparkled with amusement as she adjusted the beautiful diamond necklace on her neck. "Where's that Young Master Fu?" she shot back.
Puff stared at her, quiet for a while before finally speaking up. "He's not here yet. What are you planning to do this time?"
Li Yue smirked and put a finger on her lips. "Shh! You'll find out soon enough." With that, she stepped forward, her high heels clicking on the marble floor. "Let's go and enjoy the show tonight."
Puff gazed at her for a few moments, its face expressionless as ever, before finally trailing behind her.
As soon as Li Yue stepped into the banquet hall, the room fell silent and all eyes turned to look at her.
She was wearing a stunning deep V-neck, one- shoulder red night gown, with a hint of black fabric on the waist. The dress hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her slender figure. Her long legs were visible under the high cut of the dress.
Her dress, though revealing, was a masterful balance of elegance and sensuality. She exuded a fierce, untamed beauty, like a wild flower - beautiful yet deadly.
After what felt like an eternity, the room slowly began to stir, the guests gradually returning to their conversations and laughter. Li Yue walked past the crowd, and headed straight towards the snacks table.
She filled her plate with a few pastries and drifted over to a nearby table. She didn't seem to care about the commotion she had caused, nor was she interested in socializing with the other guests.
Just as the room was returning to its usual buzz, another wave of excitement swept through the crowd. Guests craned their necks, trying to catch a glimpse of the newcomers.
The powerful Fu family had arrived. Mr. and Mrs. Fu entered the room, followed by their youngest son, Fu Yichen, who was incredibly handsome in his custom- made black suit, his hands tucked into the pockets of his pants.
His deep, blue eyes sparkled with refinement, and his silver hair framed his features perfectly. His long bangs added to his charm, making him look even more attractive and captivating.
The crowd of girls couldn't help but steal glances at him, their faces flushing with blushes as they whispered among themselves behind cupped hands.
But his expression remained impassive, he seemed indifferent to all the stares he was getting. Despite his stunning good looks, he exuded a cold, menacing aura.
Li Yue couldn't help but sneak a peek at Zhao Shui, who was, at that moment, utterly entranced. Her eyes were fixed on him, her gaze unwavering, as if mesmerized by the very sight of him.
Li Yue chuckled to herself, taking a bite of the delicate pastry in her hand.
Fu Yichen didn't waste any time and swiftly walked over to his group of friends, who were all roughly the same age. They had grown up together, their families were bound by ties of friendship and business over years.
Just then, the lights dimmed, and a spotlight illuminated the stage. Li Hong, Li Yue's father, stepped up to the microphone, and delivered a heartfelt thank- you speech. The audience erupted into applause when he finished.
As the applause faded, the lights dimmed again, and soft music filled the air, signaling the start of the ball dance. Couples formed, their elegant gowns and tailored suits gliding across the dance floor in perfect harmony.
Li Yue, who had been sitting on a table in a faraway corner of the room, got up from her seat, a sly smile spreading across her face.
Zhao Shui was still looking at Fu Yichen, who was standing alone now, his eyes surveying the room with an air of quiet confidence. She gulped and slowly advanced towards him, her heart pounding in her chest.
Just as she was a few steps away from him, he was suddenly pulled away by the arm, onto the dance floor by Li Yue. Zhao Shui's eyes widened with surprise, and she stopped dead in her tracks, her hands clenched tightly into fists.
Fu Yichen, who was abruptly dragged out onto the dance floor, glared at Li Yue, his eyes sending death stares at her. His face darkened with anger, his jaw clenched in frustration. He was visibly annoyed by her action.
Right when he was about to push her away and storm off, Li Yue made a bold move. She placed her hands on his chest, her fingers splayed across the fabric of his suit. Then, she rose onto her tiptoes, her body pressing against his as she whispered,
"Don't move." Her warm breath caressed his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.
He was taken aback by her sudden move, and before he could react, her other hand reached out to touch his cheek. Her fingers were gentle, yet firm, as she turned his face towards Zhao Shui, whose eyes were still fixed intently on him, burning with a fierce desire.
Li Yue's voice was low and seductive as she spoke, "If you don't want to dance with someone like her, then I'm your best option." Her eyes sparkling with mischief.