CHAPTER 2: A Night to remember
Jiang Nian stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her diamond necklace and smoothing out her red evening gown. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.
Tonight was the night she would make her first public appearance as Li Zhiqiang's fiancée. She had been rehearsing her lines and practicing her smile, but she was still feeling anxious.
Li Zhiqiang appeared behind her, looking dashing in his black tuxedo. "You look stunning, my dear," he said, his eyes scanning her from head to toe.
Jiang Nian forced a smile, feeling like a pawn in Li Zhiqiang's game. "Thank you," she said, trying to sound sincere.
The two of them made their way to the charity gala, where they were greeted by flashing cameras and curious onlookers. Jiang Nian's heart was racing as she smiled and waved, trying to play the role of the perfect fiancée.
As the night wore on, Jiang Nian found herself feeling more and more uncomfortable. She was trapped in a world of luxury and deceit, and she wasn't sure how much longer she could keep up the act.
Just as she was starting to feel like she was going to collapse, Jiang Nian saw a familiar face in the crowd. It was Li Zhiyuan, Li Zhiqiang's younger brother.
Their eyes met, and Jiang Nian felt a spark of electricity run through her body. She couldn't help but wonder what Li Zhiyuan was doing here, and what he thought of her engagement to his brother.
Jiang Nian's heart was racing as she stepped onto the red carpet, Li Zhiqiang's hand firmly grasping hers. The flashing cameras and shouting reporters were overwhelming, but she forced a bright smile onto her face.
"Smile, my dear," Li Zhiqiang whispered in her ear. "We're making headlines tonight."
Jiang Nian's eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar face. That's when she saw him - Li Zhiyuan, standing off to the side, his eyes fixed intently on her.
For a moment, their eyes locked, and Jiang Nian felt a jolt of electricity run through her body. She quickly looked away, trying to compose herself.
"Who's that?" Jiang Nian asked Li Zhiqiang, nodding discreetly towards Li Zhiyuan.
Li Zhiqiang's expression turned cold. "That's my younger brother, Li Zhiyuan. Don't mind him, he's just a troublemaker."
Jiang Nian's curiosity was piqued. What did Li Zhiqiang mean by "troublemaker"? And why did Li Zhiyuan seem so intense, so brooding?
As the night wore on, Jiang Nian found herself stealing glances at Li Zhiyuan, wondering what secrets he might be hiding