Five years later.
At Ethan's Gourmet Restaurant, a haven of elegance and culinary delights nestled in the heart of the city, a storm was brewing.
Jasmine Qin, dressed in a sleek black uniform with a perfectly tied bow at the collar, greeted the patrons with a smile that was all too practiced.
Her lips curved in a polite arc, but her eyes remained cold, devoid of any warmth. The two individuals seated before her were the bane of her existence. For the past five years, they had made it their mission to disrupt her life at every turn.
Clang!
"Here's your steak," she announced, placing a beautifully presented plate of medium - rare beef in front of the young woman.
"What's your attitude, sister? Even if you're just a waitress, you should act the part. Right, Chun?"
Snow Qin, adorned in a flamboyant pink haute - couture dress, her finger sporting a diamond ring the size of a pigeon's egg, sneered. The pair was set to be married next month, a union that only added salt to Jasmine's wounds.
"Jasmine, you're still the eldest daughter of the Qin family. Why stoop to such a menial job?" Chun Ji,
looking every bit the part of a sophisticated gentleman in his designer suit, his hair immaculately groomed, feigned concern.
If only she hadn't gotten pregnant with another man's child five years ago, she might still have been the belle of the town.
"That's my business."
Five years ago, Jasmine had become the talk of the town in ,her reputation in tatters. The Qin family had cut off all her financial support. Her father, Zhenguo Qin, had demanded she grovel at his feet for forgiveness. What a joke! She had done nothing wrong.
Snow's eyes glinted maliciously as she slyly extended her foot. Jasmine stumbled, accidentally tugging at the tablecloth. The wine glasses on the table toppled over, spilling their contents all over her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Snow cooed, her eyes dancing with mockery. "Sister, after losing a kidney, you can't even walk properly. You must be so exhausted. You really should take care of yourself... Ouch!"
In a split - second, a bottle of red wine was emptied over Snow's head. Jasmine's almond - shaped eyes turned to ice. She could never forget the day her so - called family had betrayed her.
"Ah... Stop!" Snow shrieked, her perfectly coiffed hair and meticulously applied makeup now ruined.
"Jasmine, have you lost your mind? She's your sister..." Chun started, but the searing hatred in Jasmine's eyes silenced him.
Crash!
Jasmine hurled the wine bottle to the ground. The shards flew up, slicing Snow's exposed calf. Snow's screams filled the air, oblivious to the elegant surroundings.
"I went crazy five years ago. Don't mess with me!" Jasmine's voice was cold as ice. Despite the wine stains on her uniform, she exuded an air of unwavering dignity as she turned and headed towards the restroom.
"Chun, look at my leg. It's bleeding," Snow whined, her eyes filled with venom. She vowed to make Jasmine pay for this humiliation.
Chun, though slightly annoyed, comforted her with feigned tenderness. Deep down, he was intrigued by the fierce look in Jasmine's eyes just now.
In the restroom.
For five long years, Jasmine had been under the Qin family's thumb. Zhenguo Qin, that crafty old fox, was now planning to offer her to another man. She would never let that happen.
Jasmine wiped at her itchy eyes. She hated how easily she could get emotional. She was determined not to let history repeat itself.
She bent down as the water from the faucet rushed out. Scooping up handfuls of water, she splashed her face several times, then shook her hands dry.
Suddenly, she sensed someone beside her. Standing up, she tilted her head and found herself face - to - face with a pair of long, cold eyes, deep and unfathomable. The man's face was like a chiseled statue, his expression frosty. Dressed in a black shirt, he exuded an air of aristocratic aloofness.
Jasmine's eyes widened in horror as she realized some water had splashed onto his face. Oh no, she had done that accidentally!