In the darkness of night, a sea breeze swept across Luo Xiaoyi's face, its cool touch sending a chill through her.
Just then, a huge cruise ship slowly sailed into view from the shore. The ship was brightly lit, emitting a dazzling, domineering light that illuminated the nearby coastline. People seemed to be instantly immersed in a hazy illusion, with a sense of déjà vu, like the Titanic.
hcoolL}CraftsmanO.net First 4% Release'
Luo Xiaoyi boarded the cruise ship with Lin Hongyu, followed closely by bodyguards.
They entered the banquet hall, where crystal chandeliers shone brightly, making the entire hall as bright as day. A soprano singer performed on stage, and the atmosphere of the banquet was very high. There was clinking of glasses, singing and dancing, and a scene of extravagance and debauchery.
Women in expensive and beautiful gowns vied for attention, while gentlemen in suits and tuxedos swam across the cruise ship, constantly searching for their prey. Luxury, grandeur, aristocracy, political and business elites... this was a gathering place for people at the very top of the pyramid.
People came over one after another to toast Lin Hongyu and exchange pleasantries, which Luo Xiaoyi responded to listlessly.
As Luo Xiaoyi's gaze wandered aimlessly, she was surprised to see Ou Zihan at this once-in-a-lifetime high-society banquet! How could she be so naive? How could Ou Zihan be absent from such a high-society gathering? It was probably Ou Zihan, the richest man, who was the focus of this party.
Li Mei linked arms with Ou Zihan, both of them smiling amiably. They looked so harmonious and beautiful, a picture of deep affection between husband and wife. The nobles and celebrities smiled and rushed forward to toast them, constantly flattering them.
Luo Xiaoyi looked at them from the crowd, and her eyelashes inexplicably welled up with tears.
The seat next to Ou Zihan used to be hers. The warm and happy scenes of her and Zihan together seemed like yesterday. Scene after scene of happy memories kept piercing her nerves, and Ou Zihan's magnetic and gentle voice still echoed in her ears:
"Silly girl, what are you thinking? I told you, if I don't let go, you can't escape..."
"Zihan, what if you let go?"
"Silly girl, there are no ifs..." No ifs, no ifs, Ou Zihan's warm and firm voice rang in her ears again and again, shaking her heart!
She took a deep sniff, tears welling up in her eyes. Zihan, have you really let go? Zihan, do you really not love me anymore? How could you change so quickly? Zihan, did you really never love me at all?
Unexpectedly, in less than half a month, everything turned gray...
In an instant, her ears seemed to ring with a long 'buzz,' and the entire banquet hall, which was full of enthusiasm and high spirits, seemed to be blocked out, becoming empty, leaving only her sad and lonely figure, looking at Ou Zihan and Li Mei's happy appearance with eyes full of pain, her heart aching unbearably.
Ou Zihan was forced by his mother and had business needs to bring Li Mei as his female companion today. His handsome face was adorned with a fake and stiff smile. This banquet left him physically and mentally exhausted and extremely disgusted.
Normally, no matter how much he dislikes business socializing, he wouldn't be so annoyed; the main problem is that Luo Xiaoyi has recently made him feel like he's lost his backbone, and he seems powerless to do anything.
He didn't know how much longer he could hold on.
Maybe one day he'll be so tired that he'll fall down and won't feel pain anymore.
Suddenly, he saw a pair of clear black eyes in the crowd. Instantly, his heart clenched, and the hand holding the wine glass froze in surprise. Luo Xiaoyi, she's here too.
Following Ou Zihan's gaze, Li Mei also saw Luo Xiaoyi. Her eyebrows furrowed, and she immediately felt breathless. She had finally managed to go on a date with Ou Zihan, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Damn Luo Xiaoyi, why is he everywhere? He's like a ghost that won't leave you alone!
However, upon closer inspection, Li Mei noticed that the Lin family's heir was with Luo Xiaoyi, and the two seemed to have a rather close relationship. It seemed that Luo Xiaoyi, that fool, was quite true to his promise and hadn't gone back on his word, causing her unnecessary worry.
It seems her uncle's actions were indeed flawless; it seems that as long as Mrs. Ou is involved, there's no problem that can't be solved.
Luo Xiaoyi hadn't expected that, despite being so far away, she had been caught red-handed by Ou Zihan while she was clearly peeking at him. Embarrassed, she quickly looked away.
Ou Zihan stared at Luo Xiaoyi, momentarily lost in thought. This woman, didn't she not like him at all? Why did she steal glances at him when he wasn't looking at her, but quickly avert her gaze the moment he saw her?
Is this just a coincidence? Or is it just his imagination?
He placed his large hand on his forehead, a strange ache in his heart. Could it be? He wanted Luo Xiaoyi to have feelings for him so badly that he had been hallucinating lately?
"Zihan, what's wrong? Does your head hurt? Did you drink too much? Don't worry about the rest of the drinks, I'll take care of it." Li Mei looked at her with concern, touching her forehead, displaying the heroic spirit of a woman protecting her beloved man.
"I'm fine. Just mind your own business. My affairs are none of your concern." Ou Zihan waved his hand at her, looking impatient. That's just how he is. If a woman he likes glances at him, he'll think about it for ages. If a woman he doesn't like wants to drink herself to death for him, he'll find it annoying.
“You…” Li Mei looked at his irritated expression, and tears of grievance welled up in her eyes. Did he hate her that much? He never spoke to her properly. Was she a masochist? Why was she still so persistent in her pursuit of a man like this?
However, as someone once said, emotions that can be controlled are not love. This statement truly applies to Li Mei now. Because of love, she has to endure whatever comes her way.
While exchanging pleasantries with others, Lin Hongyu immediately noticed Ou Zihan staring at Luo Xiaoyi. As if asserting his ownership, he wrapped his arm around Luo Xiaoyi's slender waist, his sharp gaze sweeping over her, a cold smile playing on his lips.
Ou Zihan almost brought down the Lin Group. Hmph, Lin Hongyu is not easily defeated. He will protect everything he wants, his career and his women, he will not lose either!
Lin Hongyu's sudden action made Luo Xiaoyi feel like she was sitting on pins and needles, and she instinctively tried to dodge again.
"Xiaoyi, don't hide. Ou Zihan is walking this way. Do you want her to see that our relationship is fake?" Lin Hongyu suppressed the pain in his heart and whispered in Luo Xiaoyi's ear. His tone was unusually desolate, like a desperate cry for help coming from a dark and hopeless cave, tearing at Luo Xiaoyi's guilty heart.
Lin Hongyu never imagined that he, a man who used to flirt and play around among beautiful women, would end up like this.
Could it be? He hurt too many women in the past, and God is punishing him?
He only hoped that this torture, worse than death, wouldn't last too long...
"..." Luo Xiaoyi fell silent, no longer resisting him.
No matter how Luo Xiaoyi tried to avoid their gaze, Ou Zihan walked straight towards them. When she looked up again, Ou Zihan and Li Mei were already standing in front of them.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
