Sophie Castle.
Today is the day of the grand wedding between the two great families of Ning and Shen from the capital.
The crystal chandelier above casts a golden glow throughout the grand hall. Servers walk through the banquet hall, carrying champagne and red wine, while the scarlet carpet spreads across the floor.
Inside the castle, guests fill the rooms, and wine flows freely.
Children of aristocratic families from the upper echelons of society, all the famous figures in the capital, and even the city mayor are present.
It is truly a luxurious feast.
However, despite the atmosphere that should be filled with laughter and joy, there is an undeniable unease on the faces of the guests.
This is because—
The grand clock hanging at the top of the castle has already rung ten times.
The auspicious time has passed.
Yet, the groom has still not arrived.
The jazz music has already been looped three times, but even the most experienced host cannot calm the situation.
There's a growing restlessness in the crowd.
"Where's the groom? Could something have happened?"
"I'm not sure he's even coming!"
Someone suspiciously asks, "What do you mean?"
"The media went wild! Early this morning, when Miss Ning Heng and Shen Mubai's wedding was about to begin, Miss Ning Xuan ran away from home. Shen Mubai was spotted at the airport at six this morning, chasing after her. It's uncertain whether he can even make it back!"
Someone sighs, "Miss Ning Heng went missing when she was a child and was only found seven years later. That's why Shen Mubai and Ning Xuan were childhood sweethearts, growing up together and falling in love. If Ning Heng hadn't returned suddenly, this wedding might never have happened. They were a perfect couple, but now it's all falling apart."
"That's not quite right! The Shen family's marriage partner has always been a direct descendant of the Ning family!"
Someone waves their hand dismissively, "Ning Xuan's father, Ning Guangyao, is the second son in the Ning family. Although he's just an adopted son of Old Master Ning, after Miss Ning Heng went missing, Ning Guangyao raised Ning Xuan in place of her for more than ten years. Even if Ning Heng came back, it wouldn't change anything."
"The Ning couple values Ning Xuan. She's the real young lady of the Ning family, and the Ning family will eventually be hers!"
"Exactly! After more than ten years of bonding, that's not something to be taken lightly."
"Even if there's some blood relation, it's hard to say who's closer!"
Someone snorts, "I heard that when Miss Ning Heng was found, she was just a country girl, with a pale and ugly face, and no manners or etiquette. The Ning couple themselves were disgusted by her. If I were Shen Mubai, I'd choose Ning Xuan too."
"To be abandoned on her wedding day, if I were her, I'd bury myself in a hole!"
"It's a shame for Miss Ning Heng. She was born in a good family, yet she ends up being the one who makes a sacrifice for others!"
A wave of ridicule spreads around the room.
---
Second Floor, Makeup Room.
In front of the makeup mirror.
The beautiful woman has a delicate oval face, with finely crafted features. Her grape-like eyes gleam with a seductive mist, the corners slightly upturned.
Her aura is calm and gentle.
She seems indifferent to the noise outside the door.
The door to the makeup room suddenly bursts open with a loud "bang."
Her friend, Su Yan, storms in, furious, "This is outrageous! On such an important day, Shen Mubai dares to be this late?! Does he know how the people downstairs are talking about him?!"
The beauty in front of the mirror speaks softly, "He won't come."
Su Yan is taken aback.
She widens her eyes, "What do you mean? Is he planning to run away from the wedding?!"
Ning Heng doesn't answer directly, instead picking up an eyebrow pencil to carefully shape her brows.
Her brows are perfectly shaped, like distant mountains, dark as ink, seemingly filled with autumn water.
Nearby, her phone screen lights up.
Just two minutes ago, Shen Mubai sent her a message:
[Ah Heng, Xuan Xuan has depression and attempted suicide. I can't return in time, can we postpone the wedding?]
A moment later, Ning Heng puts down the pencil and quietly asks, "Where are my parents?"
Su Yan bites her lip.
As if afraid of upsetting her, she lowers her voice, "…They went to find Ning Xuan."
Ning Heng pauses.
Right.
On such an important day, her parents, fiancé, and even her brother, are all absent.
Su Yan grits her teeth in anger, "The Ning family really has no vision! They've been pampering a green tea b***h in the palm of their hands and still can't tell who their real daughter is! And Shen Mubai, I should've seen it! He's not worth trusting!"
Ning Heng slightly raises her eyelids.
The noise downstairs seems to grow louder.
"Yan Yan, go downstairs and help calm the guests."
Su Yan nods, "Okay."
---
After Su Yan leaves.
Ning Heng takes a deep breath, picks up her phone with slender fingers, hesitates for a moment, and then makes a call.
It connects quickly.
"Ah Heng," comes Shen Mubai's voice from the other end.
"How is it over there?" Ning Heng's voice is still gentle.
"I'm still at the hospital in Mu City. Xuan Xuan hasn't woken up yet. I can't come back." Shen Mubai's voice carries a hint of exhaustion, "I'm sorry."
Ning Heng presses her lips together but doesn't directly answer his words. "Xuan Xuan is okay, right?"
"Uncle and Aunt Ning are here with her. She's fine," Shen Mubai says, as if recalling something, "What about you? How are you?"
There's a long silence.
Ning Heng finally replies, "I'm fine."
Shen Mubai breathes a sigh of relief.
"Ah Heng, Xuan Xuan and I grew up together. I'll explain everything to you when I return."
Grew up together.
They grew up together.
What am I in comparison?
Ning Heng stands up, walks to the large floor-to-ceiling window in the makeup room, and gazes outside.
The city had just rained yesterday.
The ground is wet, and the weather is clearing. Occasionally, white doves fly past the castle, chirping joyfully.
It's a beautiful day.
When she woke up this morning, she was full of joy.
After a pause, her voice becomes faint, "Do you remember… what you said when you proposed to me?"
Her voice is soft and sweet, like water, tender and lingering.
That day at the Imperial University theater, he held a bouquet of baby's breath, kneeling before her.
He was so handsome.
All the classmates around them were mesmerized.
"I offer you the stars from the sky, but still feel they cannot compare to you."
In the sky full of stars, you are the only one.
Shen Mubai falls silent.
The air on both ends of the line becomes still.
After a long time.
A voice suddenly interrupts the silence from the other side. It's her brother, Ning Chen, "Mubai, come quickly! My sister woke up, and Mom and Dad went to call the doctor. Come see her!"
Shen Mubai speaks into the phone, "Ah Heng, I'm on my way…"
A soft, gentle voice rings out, "Shen Mubai."
Ning Heng calls his name.
Shen Mubai freezes.
Ning Heng smiles, her eyes filled with melancholy, "I suddenly realized, I don't like the stars as much anymore."
The air stills.
Ning Heng looks out the window, a serene smile on her lips.
"The wedding is canceled."
"We're done"