Chapter 2 His silent yet burning gaze fell upon her.

Chapter 02

What you say comes true.

I met Fu Linzheng at my classmate's wedding banquet.

[“He buried himself in the dirt.”]

Her college classmate turned out to be Fu Linzheng's junior high school classmate.

I thought they would never see each other again in this lifetime, but it seems that Beijing is still too small.

Yin Lu didn't reply to the message, so Rong Weiyue put down her phone. Guests gradually filled the seats in the banquet hall, and the lights were dazzling.

At this moment, Fu Linzheng was sitting diagonally opposite at the round table.

Just now in the lobby, his cold words felt like needles piercing her nerves, a chill seeping into her bones.

Indeed, there's nothing to reminisce about in how they ended things back then.

Fortunately, others chimed in, and Xu Chengguang didn't have time to think too much before inviting them in.

At this moment, people kept offering cigarettes to Fu Linzheng. He took them but did not light them. His handsome face had distinct features, and he was superior and alluring. In his conversation, he exuded an innate sense of nobility.

Since she sat down, she had been listening to numerous discussions, which, combined with what she already knew, revealed the extremely glamorous background of Fu Linzheng.

Born into a top-tier wealthy family, he is the heir to Mingheng Group and the only grandson of the Fu family, one of the four major families. His grandfather was a decorated military man who spent his life in the military; his mother was active in politics; and his father led Mingheng for decades, transforming it into a business empire with film and television media as its core, and extending into real estate, new energy, artificial intelligence, and other fields, with assets exceeding 100 billion yuan.

The Fu family has wielded immense power for over a century, wielding influence in the military, political, and business spheres. While they have kept a low profile in recent years, they remain unassuming yet firmly occupy a core position in the upper echelons of discourse.

Fu Linzheng himself was an outstanding student. After scoring over 700 points in the college entrance examination, he went to the United States to study finance at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated with two master's degrees, and his personal investment portfolio spanned Europe, America and Asia during his university years.

He has been involved in racing since childhood, obtained his FIA Super License at the age of 21, and won the World Championship at the age of 24, which boosted his commercial value. Now he has returned to China to establish an independent racing team and has a place in both the racing and business worlds. Millions of people are infatuated with him.

Although Fu Linzheng grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth, he didn't have the annoying airs of a rich kid. He was as radiant and dazzling as the sun. Girls liked him, and boys liked to play with him. Although some people were jealous of him, they all wanted to be like him.

Some people are born dazzling.

Moreover, their status and achievements provide them with ample confidence.

But now, whatever he does is none of her business.

Rong Weiyue turned her eyes away, extinguishing all thoughts.

The man sitting next to her poured her a drink in a gentlemanly manner and introduced himself with a smile: "Hello, Ms. Rong, my surname is Ke. I graduated from the China Academy of Art in 2015 and am now a home designer. I just heard Xu Chengguang say that you are a filigree inlay designer?"

"Um."

"That's amazing! Intangible cultural heritage handicrafts are facing a tough market right now..."

He struck up a conversation, but Rong Weiyue remained quiet and didn't respond much. After a while, she looked up and saw a cold gaze directed at her from across the room. Fu Linzheng was playing with his lighter when he coldly looked away.

It's just an illusion...

She lowered her head and continued working, when suddenly a slightly raised young male voice rang out:

"I'm here! I'm here! The roads are jammed like crazy because of the rain!"

A young man sat down in the empty seat next to Fu Linzheng, dressed in a flashy burgundy suit, looking dashing and debonair.

Rong Weiyue looked over and saw that it was Xia Sili.

Fu Linzheng's childhood friend, a rich young master from the same circle, she used to be good friends with them.

Today was truly a mixed bag of classmates...

Xia Sili threw the car keys on the table and complained to Fu Linzheng: "Why the hell were you driving so fast on the road just now? I waited for a red light, and you were gone in the blink of an eye."

Fu Linzheng turned to look at him: "I lightly pressed the accelerator. You're just an old lady riding a bicycle. Who asked you to sit down?"

"? This isn't the seat reserved for me?"

"Master of Ceremonies, go up to the platform."

"...Get lost. I'm so handsome, I'll only be your wedding emcee from now on. By the way, didn't you say you weren't going back to the country for another two days?"

"I just finished my work," Fu Linzheng said casually.

While cracking a joke, Xia Sili turned and glanced around, "Who's coming tonight? Where's Old Zhou...?"

He was just about to look for someone he knew when he looked up and saw someone across from him: "—Rong, Rong Weiyue?!?"

Rong Weiyue was famously beautiful in high school, with striking features and a cool demeanor. She was the kind of woman that even Fu Linzheng couldn't look away from. After not seeing her for several years, her clothes and style were different from what they were on campus, and her beauty was even more distinctive.

Xia Sili excitedly shoved the person next to him: "Did you see that? Rong Weiyue! Your first love!"

Fu Linzheng: "..."

As if he wanted to shove a lighter into Xia Sili's mouth, his face darkened: "I'm not blind."

Xia Sili realized what was happening, and laughed so hard his chest vibrated. He quickly stood up, shook hands with her, and greeted her, "Weiyue, long time no see! What are you doing here tonight?"

Rong Weiyue concealed her embarrassment and responded with a slight smile, "I am the groom's college classmate."

"What a coincidence! You've gotten even more beautiful in the years since I last saw you. Fu Linzheng, what's wrong with you? You ran into an old classmate and didn't even tell me. You're just keeping it to yourself, aren't you!"

Fu Linzheng: "..."

The man's arrogant face was as cold as a day with temperatures below minus thirty degrees Celsius, and he was clearly in a bad mood.

Indeed, with his temper, how could he not be annoyed by such teasing?

Xia Sili: "We can have a good chat tonight."

Rong Weiyue: "Mm."

Xia Sili sat down, met Fu Linzheng's cold eyes, and suppressed a laugh.

Is it really necessary? It's just a handshake, and I feel like my hand is about to be chopped off by someone's glare.

Xia Sili ignored the other person's gaze and asked warmly, "Weiyue, you've returned to Beijing right after graduation? I heard you opened some kind of studio?"

Filigree inlay.

"Wow, that's impressive! What's your name?"

Xia Sili was generous and natural, and she also generously handed him her business card. He asked her how business was going, "Is it hard work? Do you often have to work overtime to meet deadlines?"

She smiled and joked, "Business is tough. It's okay if I have to work overtime, but if I don't, I'll starve."

After the era of face masks ended, many industries suffered even more. Xia Sili asked, "How did your university studies in Hangzhou go? You would have had no problem getting into the Central Academy of Fine Arts back then."

She paused for a moment, then lowered her eyes and said, "It's nice. Hangzhou is beautiful, but it's a bit hot in the summer."

Xia Sili raised an eyebrow: "I think this place is the best for you. When you come back, let's hang out together whenever we have time. We're both in Beijing, right, Zheng?"

Fu Linzheng ate his cold dishes expressionlessly: "I travel all over the world."

“…Yes, yes, you’re such a busy person,” Xia Sili took out his phone: “Weiyue, let’s add each other on WeChat? I’ve changed my number.”

"good."

He raised an eyebrow at the young master: "Why don't you join us too?"

Upon hearing this, Rong Weiyue suddenly remembered that after their breakup, she had deleted all his contact information and even blocked some of them...

As expected, the next second Fu Linzheng glanced coldly at Xia Sili, ignoring him. Xia Sili smiled and said something that Rong Weiyue didn't hear. Then he held up his phone to her and said, "Weiyue, I'll scan you."

"good."

The two successfully became friends.

At this moment, the lights in the banquet hall dimmed, the emcee went on stage, and announced the official start of the wedding banquet. Amid music and applause, the newlyweds made their entrance.

Rong Weiyue turned around and saw the groom taking the bride's hand from his father-in-law, his smile happy and sweet, which unconsciously softened the hearts of those who saw him.

She clapped, but it seemed as if a gaze fell upon her from behind.

Without shifting, it burned like fire, as if trying to scald a hole in her body, silent yet intensely hot.

She turned her head slightly and saw Fu Linzheng leaning lazily against the back of his chair, watching the newlyweds walk in.

It turned out that his gaze had only brushed past her.

The newlyweds walked onto the stage as a video played on LED screens. The video showed how the couple had been in love for many years, having met in high school and journeyed from school uniforms to wedding dresses.

As she watched, a faint emotion swept through her mind.

Perhaps many things in this world start the same, but end up completely opposite. Some flourish and blossom upwards, while others wither and die, turning into mud.

After exchanging rings, the bride arranged a lucky draw. Each person had a numbered seat, and the winners received a carefully prepared gift from the newlyweds.

The first two rounds were a bread maker and a board game. The third round was a Kapibala doll with a peach blossom on its head, which was especially cute. All the children present wanted it. The bride laughed and said it was to attract love. She read out the winning number: "Number 2".

Xia Sili glanced at the seat number behind Fu Linzheng, swallowed the cold snail meat in his mouth, put down his chopsticks, and excitedly raised Fu Linzheng's hand: "Hey, hey, hey, here!"

The entire audience erupted in cheers when they saw him: "Holy crap, it's Fu Linzheng!! Does he still need any female admirers? Hahaha!"

Xia Sili almost burst out laughing: "Fu Linzheng, stand up! Your love interest is here!"

man:"……"

Xu Chengguang presented the gift, and Fu Linzheng glanced down at the adorably ugly Kapibala, accepted it speechlessly, and the emcee asked with a smile, "Handsome man, what blessings do you have for the newlyweds today, and what blessings do you have for the guests present?"

Fu Linzheng was forced to take the microphone and said, "I wish the newlyweds a happy ending and a long and healthy life together."

"Wishing everyone here—"

He lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, and said in a nonchalant tone, "Well, I guess you'll have all your wishes fulfilled and be as rich as I am."

The audience erupted in laughter and applause, and Rong Weiyue joined in the applause as well.

This is also what she wanted.

After the lucky draw, the hot dishes were served, and the meal officially began.

As the people at the table started chatting, Rong Weiyue, who was not familiar with anyone around her, quietly ate her food.

However, she is allergic to shrimp and crab, does not eat mutton, and hates the taste of ginger. There are many things she cannot eat. At first, Fu Linzheng said that she was delicate and would not gain weight, but later every time they ate, he would only order the flavors she liked.

Everyone was enjoying their meal, but she could only eat a few bites. After a while, a plate of her favorite black pepper beef ribs was finally placed in front of her, and she put it in her mouth.

And every time she looked up, there was exactly what she loved to eat right in front of her.

My stomach, which was initially very hungry, was gradually filled.

My phone vibrated several times; it was a reply from Yin Lü: "I just finished copying my lesson plan and didn't check my phone."

【What a coincidence! What's wrong with me, with my jinxed mouth!】

Tell me quickly, what happened? Did you blush or tear up when you met?

Rong Weiyue, chewing on a meatball, typed helplessly: 【Do you think this is an idol drama? We haven't even said a word.】

When she mentioned what had just happened, Yin Lu sighed, "Fu Linzheng is quite cold, but that's normal, considering what happened back then..."

Yin Lu didn't continue: "Are you alright? Wasn't it awkward eating at the same table?"

Rong Weiyue: [What could possibly be wrong?]

Rong Weiyue: [Six years have passed, it's all in the past now.]

Who would remember those absurd, dramatic moments so vividly?

As time has passed, he may have almost forgotten what she looked like and what her name was.

Yin Lu said she would talk to Rong Weiyue when she got home. Rong Weiyue put down her phone, scratched her slightly itchy neck, and continued eating.

After a while, an older woman next to her noticed her: "Young lady, why is your face so red?"

She was eating when she felt her throat getting increasingly itchy. Upon hearing this, she took out a small mirror and looked down. Her whole face turned red, and red spots appeared on her neck.

It's clearly an allergic reaction.

Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that the meatball had shrimp meat in it, but she hadn't noticed while eating it because she was preoccupied with chatting with Yin Lu.

She awkwardly hunched over and scurried out of the banquet hall. When she got to the restroom, her face in the mirror was already red all the way to her neck, and red spots on her arms were particularly noticeable.

How could she be so careless...

She didn't have any allergy medication in her bag, so she ordered takeout and sat down to wait at the table opposite the sink.

She had a severe allergic reaction in high school and has been careful to avoid seafood for the past few years. However, she is now even more sensitive. Fortunately, she only ate a little bit of shrimp today.

An itch came from all directions, and it felt like a feather was brushing against her throat. Rong Weiyue frowned, not daring to scratch, and could only rub her arms quickly through her sleeves to relieve the itch.

In the midst of my torment and endurance, a caring female voice suddenly descended from above:

"Madam, what's wrong?"

She looked up and saw a hotel staff member. She explained the situation, and the staff member asked her what medicine she needed, saying, "We think we have allergy medication at the front desk. Please wait a moment."

The staff member ran back less than a minute after leaving, holding a cup of warm water and a box of cetirizine: "The front desk just happens to have some, please take it quickly."

"Thanks……"

After taking the medicine, Rong Weiyue said she would feel better after sitting here for a while. The other party left her a phone number: "If you need anything, please contact me anytime."

She thanked them warmly, surprised by their excellent service.

After taking the medicine, Rong Weiyue's itching gradually subsided, and the tightness in her throat slowly eased. After a while, she walked to the mirror and saw that her face only had a faint redness, and there was nothing particularly unusual about it.

She breathed a sigh of relief and walked out of the bathroom.

The banquet is probably over by now.

She lowered her eyes and slowly walked forward, retracing her steps. After a few steps, she looked up and saw a long corridor five meters ahead—

Fu Linzheng stood tall.

The man leaned lazily against the wall, one long leg slightly bent and the other on the ground, while making a phone call.

He held a cigarette between his fingers, wore a tidal ring on his right wrist, and exhaled a puff of white smoke that was swept away by the wind to the window behind him, disappearing into the drizzling rain of the dark night.

His extremely tall figure stood at the boundary between the light and shadow, his outline blurred. The wind ruffled his neat short hair, his expression indifferent, with a hint of arrogance and coldness.

The narrow corridor was the only place he could pass through.

Her expression faltered slightly.

"Understood, report this to the manager."

After finishing the call, he put down his phone, turned his head, and his sharp, cold eyes fell on her.

A sycamore leaf, like a butterfly, rests quietly on the window.

In the dim night, the neon lights outside the window were hazy, and only the sound of rain could be heard.

Fu Linzheng didn't look away, his eyes slightly narrowed as he stared straight at her.