A salvation in abandonment—in his favoritism, she sheds her disguise and confronts her true self. In her honesty, he breaks free from shackles and releases suppressed emotions.
The Buddhist b...
Night fell like a vast black silk ribbon, gently yet coldly enveloping the bustling metropolis. The city's neon lights flickered, like the eyes of the night, peering into every corner of the story. At the city's highest point, on the rooftop of a luxury hotel, a high-end business reception was in full swing.
Inside the banquet hall, crystal chandeliers cast a soft yet dazzling light, illuminating the meticulously groomed faces of the men and women. The ladies, in elegant evening gowns, their skirts swaying like flowers, while the gentlemen, impeccably tailored in suits, exuded elegance and confidence as they chatted and laughed. The air was filled with the aromas of fine perfumes and champagne, creating an intoxicating ambiance.
Fan Shengmei found herself in such a scene. She dressed up meticulously, trying to disguise herself as a genuine socialite. She wore a borrowed dress, fashionable in style, but still somewhat overshadowed by this group of true high society figures. Her eyes revealed a hint of nervousness and anticipation, a yearning to change her fate, and a single-minded hope to snag a wealthy husband at this party, thus escaping her miserable family background.
Fan Shengmei tried her best to appear elegant, but her lack of experience ultimately made her movements slightly awkward. She walked towards the table with the champagne, wanting to grab a glass to ease her tension, but didn't notice a slight wrinkle in the carpet beneath her feet. Just as she reached for the expensive champagne, she suddenly stumbled and fell forward. With a gasp, the champagne glass slipped from her hand, the liquid spilling in a golden arc onto an important guest not far away.
Instantly, the entire banquet hall fell silent, all eyes fixed on Fan Shengmei. The real socialites wore barely perceptible smirks, their eyes filled with contempt. Fan Shengmei's face flushed crimson; she wished she could disappear into the ground. She stammered, "I...I'm sorry, I...I didn't mean to." The guest whose drink had been spilled looked furious and was about to retaliate.
Just then, Meng Yanchen appeared. He was tall and imposing, dressed in a well-tailored black suit, his face stern, yet his eyes held a sharp, all-knowing gaze. He had just walked from one side of the banquet hall and witnessed this awkward scene. Meng Yanchen's keen eyes immediately saw through Fan Shengmei's disguise, but for some reason, he felt a sliver of interest in this frankly materialistic woman.
Meng Yanchen stepped forward, turning slightly to face the guest, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Mr. Zhang, I'm truly sorry, this young lady is someone I brought. She's a bit nervous, I hope you'll forgive her." Upon seeing that it was Meng Yanchen, Mr. Zhang's expression softened slightly, and he snorted coldly: "Mr. Meng, you'd better teach the person you brought some manners." Meng Yanchen smiled and nodded: "Yes, yes, I will definitely come to apologize another day."
Only after Mr. Zhang turned and left did Fan Shengmei snap out of her daze. She looked up at Meng Yanchen, her eyes filled with gratitude mixed with a hint of fear. Meng Yanchen looked at her, a cryptic smile playing on his lips, but said nothing. Under his gaze, Fan Shengmei grew increasingly flustered. She didn't know what this man would do next, or what situation she would face.
Fan Shengmei was born into an ordinary, even somewhat troubled, family. Her parents favored sons over daughters, and her brother was a good-for-nothing who had racked up a mountain of debt. To help pay off her family's debts, she worked tirelessly from university onwards. After graduation, she joined a small company, earning a meager salary while still having to support her family's various expenses. The long-term pressure of life made her deeply aware of the importance of money, and thus, she developed the idea of changing her fate by marrying into a wealthy family.
In this realistic city, wealth and status act as an invisible threshold, dividing people into different classes. This is especially true in the workplace, where ability and resources are equally important. For a low-level employee like Fan Shengmei, without connections or resources, promotion is virtually impossible. But Fan Shengmei possesses an inner resilience; she refuses to be controlled by fate.
Despite her embarrassment at the party, Fan Shengmei maintained her composure amidst the chaos. She quickly composed herself and thanked Meng Yanchen again. Meng Yanchen looked at her, thinking to himself, "This woman may be disheveled, but her eyes reveal a defiant spirit."
Fan Shengmei has always possessed keen observation skills. Even working in a small company, she could always detect subtle emotional changes in her colleagues, skillfully avoiding unnecessary trouble. Furthermore, she has a strong learning ability. Although she hasn't received systematic high-end social training, she quickly mastered etiquette knowledge through various channels to prepare for this party. While these latent abilities didn't allow her to handle the situation perfectly today, they have laid the groundwork for her future development.
Fan Shengmei knows she must seize every opportunity to change her current situation. Her immediate goal is to get rid of her family's debts as soon as possible, while her long-term vision is to achieve upward social mobility and live a truly affluent life. However, reality presents numerous obstacles. She lacks sufficient resources and connections, making every step in this fiercely competitive city exceptionally difficult.
Just as Fan Shengmei was lost in thought, Meng Yanchen's voice rang out again: "You're very special." Fan Shengmei was startled and looked up at him, unsure how to respond. Meng Yanchen continued, "I admire your honesty, and I also see your predicament." Fan Shengmei's heart tightened. Did he already know everything about her? Meng Yanchen's lips curled slightly upward, as if he could read her mind: "Don't be nervous. I just think we might be able to reach some kind of cooperation."
Fan Shengmei was filled with doubt and wariness. She couldn't understand what this aloof man wanted from her. Meng Yanchen, seeing her wary gaze, didn't immediately explain. Instead, he turned to look out the banquet hall window at the brightly lit city nightscape. Watching his retreating figure, Fan Shengmei felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, she longed for help to escape her predicament; on the other hand, she feared some ulterior motive lurking behind it all.
Meng Yanchen finally turned around, his gaze falling on Fan Shengmei again: "Think about it, this might be your chance to change your destiny." After saying that, he handed Fan Shengmei a business card, then turned and left, leaving Fan Shengmei standing there blankly, clutching the business card tightly in her hand, as if she were holding her unknown fate in her hands.
Meng Yanchen's lips curled into an ambiguous smile as he looked at the disheveled Fan Shengmei. He seemed to have made up his mind. What exactly was he going to do?