Chapter 67 No Escape

She took the clothes into the fitting room, changed them, and stood in front of the full-length mirror.

The skirt hem falls to the ankles, outlining a slender figure.

The shoulderless design reveals delicate collarbones without being ostentatious.

The shawl casually draped over her arm added a touch of gentle elegance.

But when she looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes flickered slightly and her brows furrowed.

It's been so long since I've worn clothes like this.

It feels like it was several years ago when I last attended a formal occasion.

At that time, she was still in college, living a simple life with a pure heart.

Zhou Yuze stood not far from the door, his hands in his trouser pockets, looking relaxed.

Hearing the curtain rustle softly, he immediately turned around.

The moment he saw Song Zhiwei walk out, he involuntarily took a few steps forward.

"very beautiful."

"Um."

She lowered her head and gently pinched the edge of her shawl with her fingertips.

She then looked up at him, pursed her lips, and finally uttered only a single syllable.

The two walked out of the shop; the night breeze was slightly cool.

A black sedan was already waiting at the door.

The driver respectfully opened the back door.

Zhou Yuze stepped aside to let Song Zhiwei get into the car first, and then got in himself.

The car started smoothly, and the city lights outside the window flashed by like streaks of light, reflecting on her quiet profile.

Song Zhiwei leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed ahead, but her thoughts drifted far away.

Zhou Yuze occasionally glanced at her without saying a word, but a faint smile always remained on his lips.

The car traveled along the main road and eventually entered a brightly lit area.

The grand hotel where the banquet was to be held was now in sight.

Upon arriving at the entrance, guests streamed in, with well-dressed men and women entering the hall in twos and threes.

A red carpet was laid out in front of the door, and waiters stood on both sides.

Just as he was about to enter, Zhou Yuze suddenly stopped and turned to look at Song Zhiwei beside him.

"Holding my arm."

She paused for a moment, then realized what was happening. Hesitantly, she raised her right hand and gently placed her fingertips on his left arm.

The warm, firm muscles beneath the fabric made her heart skip a beat.

She quickly pulled herself out of her thoughts, lowered her eyelashes, and followed him steadily forward.

Zhou Yuze calmly took out a gold-trimmed invitation from the inside pocket of his suit and handed it to the waiter standing at the door.

After carefully inspecting the items, the other party nodded in acknowledgment and then pushed open the heavy door.

Warm yellow light poured out, and the crystal chandelier refracted a dazzling light.

Qin Yunshu stood in the center of the hall, wearing a wine-red cheongsam, her hair neatly styled, and her earrings swaying.

She held a glass of red wine in her hand, seemingly relaxed, but her gaze kept sweeping towards the entrance, her expression complex.

Finally, through the gaps in the crowd, I spotted the two figures walking in side by side.

Her fingers tightened around the wine glass, her gaze sharpened, and she paused for a moment.

To be honest, if it weren't for those complicated relationships...

She genuinely hoped that her daughter could be with Zhou Yuze.

The two had known each other since childhood, going to and from school together, and often visiting each other's homes during winter and summer vacations.

They understand each other very well, and their relationship is quite close and natural.

But fate is cruel.

The Zhou family and their family are cousins, of the same generation, and their kinship is clearly stated in their family genealogy.

If they really make any progress, the outside world will surely be in an uproar.

Those so-called "elite circle" gossips are the most sharp and sarcastic, and they will definitely say that the mother and daughter are shameless, trying to curry favor with the powerful, and not even avoiding mentioning their blood relatives.

In the eyes of outsiders over the years, she has always been a virtuous and dignified mother, acting in a low-key manner and speaking cautiously.

Once rumors start circulating, it will not only affect the family's reputation, but also ruin the daughter's future.

Thinking of this, she put down her wine glass, straightened her cuffs, and slowly walked towards Song Zhiwei.

His usual calm smile returned to his face.

"Zhiwei, come with me."

Song Zhiwei wanted to ask the reason.

Seeing her mother's serious expression, she suppressed her questions, obediently nodded, and followed her through the crowd to the side hall.

They attracted a lot of attention along the way, and some people recognized them, leading to whispers among themselves.

Finally, the two stopped beside a round table.

Several elegantly dressed ladies, adorned with precious jewelry, were sitting around chatting and laughing.

"This is Mrs. Chen, who lives on the South Bank Peninsula; this is Mrs. Huang, whose husband's family is in the import and export trade."

Qin Yunshu smiled and introduced them one by one, her posture generous and appropriate.

"We've been friends for many years."

Song Zhiwei nodded slightly, maintaining a perfectly appropriate smile on her face.

She greeted them softly: "Hello, Aunt Chen. Hello, Aunt Huang."

Mrs. Chen was around fifty years old, with exquisite makeup and wearing a jade bracelet. Upon hearing this, she immediately began to scrutinize her.

After looking him up and down a few times, his smile grew even more benevolent.

"Oh my, Zhiwei is just like you. The more I look at her, the more beautiful she becomes. She has delicate features and a good temperament. Just standing here makes people feel comfortable."

"You're so good at complimenting me, you have such a sweet tongue."

Qin Yunshu responded with a smile, her tone relaxed and natural.

She picked up the conversation as the opportunity arose.

“Zhiwei has always been a quiet child. She doesn’t like to make a fuss and she studies very hard.”

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, tea and snacks were served one after another.

The topic gradually shifted from weather and clothing to children's marriage and relationships.

The atmosphere seemed casual, but it was actually a subtle test.

Just as a waiter was passing by with a fruit platter, Qin Yunshu brought it up seemingly casually.

"By the way, I remember your son is about the same age as Zhiwei, right? I heard he came back after finishing his master's degree abroad? Did he come today?"

Mrs. Chen's eyes lit up, and she immediately understood what he meant, beckoning for help.

"They're here! Xingze, come and meet Aunt Qin!"

Not far away, a young man looked up at the sound, straightened his tie, and walked over quickly.

He was wearing a custom-made suit, with a dignified appearance and a polite smile; he was none other than Chen Xingze, the only son of the Chen family.

Song Zhiwei stood aside, watching this scene, and her heart trembled slightly.

In fact, she had already guessed that her mother meant this.

Soon, a young man in a black suit walked slowly in from the doorway.

His steps were steady, and his figure was tall and upright.

Sunlight streamed through the glass and fell on his shoulders, making him look exceptionally energetic.

He walked up to the two women, smiled slightly, and spoke in a clear voice.

"Hello Aunt Qin, hello Aunt Huang."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yunshu raised her head and looked him up and down a few times.

The young man was tall, with regular features, delicate eyebrows and eyes, and a calm and composed expression.

She was somewhat satisfied, thinking that the child was quite good, at least in terms of appearance and demeanor.

So she gently nudged her daughter who was standing next to her.

"Go say hello, don't just stand here like a wooden statue."

Song Zhiwei's body stiffened slightly.

However, under the watchful eyes of several elders, she ultimately could not escape.

She managed a weak smile.

"Hello."

Chen Xing heard her response and turned to look at her.

His eyes were gentle and not at all intimidating, and he had a natural smile on his lips.

"You must be Zhiwei, right? My mom often mentions you at home, saying you're smart and independent, and she's always admired you."

The two stood side by side on one side of the living room.

They were neither too close nor too far apart, and the atmosphere was slightly reserved.

They chatted idly, their conversation consisting of trivial and mundane topics.

At that moment, melodious music slowly began to play from the speakers in the center of the hall.