Chapter 8: Not a Coincidence, I Am Looking for You

Gu Yan ultimately chose a vintage satin gown from Dior.

The ivory color and minimalist cut perfectly outlined her slender waist and fluid silhouette, with a clever cutout at the back revealing the graceful lines of her spine.

Her long hair was loosely pinned up, with a few stray strands hanging lazily by her neck.

Xu Yuan helped her put on a pair of diamond tassel earrings, which were dazzling and eye-catching.

Gu Yan looked left and right in the mirror, but always felt something was missing.

"The original pair of South Sea pearl earrings would have matched better..." she muttered softly, her fingertips unconsciously tapping her earlobe.

It was all Shen Yanhui's fault.

He took her things and just wouldn't return them.

Miser.

She took one last glance at the mirror.

The person in the mirror had bright eyes and clear brows, skin whiter than snow, and a touch of red on her lips; her laziness revealed an unconscious brilliance.

Even without those pearls, she was dazzling enough.

However, who knows... maybe she could run into him tonight?

What if that Mr. Shen was in a good mood today and showed mercy by returning them?

One must still have dreams, after all.

When Gu Yan arrived at the ferry, there was only one minute left before the ship departed. The gangway was slowly being retracted, and she stepped on her high heels, barely boarding the deck under the respectful guidance of an attendant.

The cruise ship sounded its whistle and slowly sailed away from the brightly lit harbor.

Inside the banquet hall, there was a rustle of silk and fragrance; the crystal chandeliers refracted dazzling halos, and soothing jazz and whispers flowed through the air.

Gu Yan's appearance caused the fragmented conversations to stall subtly for a few seconds.

Many gazes, whether overt or covert, were cast toward her.

Stunned, scrutinizing, curious, or filled with pure appreciation.

She lifted her chin slightly, her expression composed, with a perfectly measured smile at the corners of her lips—neither overly enthusiastic nor lacking in courtesy.

Several familiar family friends came up to greet her, jokingly teasing her for rarely making an appearance.

Gu Yan responded to each one, her eyes shifting as she took in everyone present.

She didn't see Shen Yanhui, but she saw Chu Yilan.

Surrounded in the center, the gown Chu Yilan wore was precisely the champagne-colored silk satin that had been snatched away, hand-embroidered with dark lily-of-the-valley patterns, flowing with luxurious soft light under the lamps.

Chu Yilan clearly saw Gu Yan as well.

The smile on her face became even brighter, even carrying a trace of imperceptible smugness, as she deliberately straightened her back to let every inch of the gown's luster be fully displayed.

Her makeup was exquisite today, and her hairstyle had been specially styled, as she tried hard to wear this gown to a stunning effect.

In all fairness, the gown was beautiful, and Chu Yilan had dressed with care.

It was just that the completion of fashion depends on the face.

A flash of annoyance and unwillingness quickly crossed Chu Yilan's eyes, but it was soon covered by an even brighter smile.

She held a wine glass and walked over with great poise, the champagne-colored hem of her dress rippling with every step.

"Gu Yan, I really didn't expect you to come; it truly adds radiance to my humble dwelling." Her voice was syrupy, her gaze sweeping over Gu Yan's simple gown.

"Miss Chu's birthday, naturally I had to come and share in the joy." Gu Yan raised the champagne glass in her hand, her smile impeccable, her tone light. "The dress is very beautiful, it suits you very well."

This remark carried no trace of emotion, yet it gave Chu Yilan a sense of frustration, like punching a cotton ball.

The shock, dissatisfaction, or even jealousy she had anticipated were nowhere to be seen on Gu Yan's face.

"Yes, I like it very much too." Chu Yilan brushed her hair, feigning nonchalance. "I fell in love with it at first sight; I felt it was particularly suited for today's occasion."

"Mm, good taste." Gu Yan's tone remained flat, as if she were merely evaluating an object unrelated to herself.

She even tilted her head slightly and said something softly to the approaching Xu Yuan, completely leaving Chu Yilan aside.

This kind of total disregard was more embarrassing to Chu Yilan than any direct confrontation.

Inside the third-floor VIP room, the panoramic glass curtain wall provided a full view of the clinking glasses and social mingling in the banquet hall below.

As the host, Chu Liang was cautiously entertaining these few VIPs. Especially Shen Yanhui; he did not often show his face, yet he had deigned to appear tonight.

He had repeatedly instructed everyone that they must not disturb this gentleman's peace.

After all, if he stomped his foot, the sky in Jingcheng would change.

Shen Yanhui sat back on the sofa, his long legs crossed, an unlit cigarette between his fingertips, while Zhou Wei and Sheng Ze chatted nearby about a recent European acquisition case.

His expression was indifferent; it was unclear if he was listening.

Sheng Ze swirled his wine glass and suddenly looked at Shen Yanhui, "... So, you really did take down that F1 team?"

"Mm." Shen Yanhui responded nonchalantly.

"Playing that big? Billions of dollars just thrown away like that?" Zhou Wei raised an eyebrow.

Only then did Shen Yanhui lift his eyes, tapping the cigarette in his fingertips lightly against the sandalwood tabletop.

"Problems that money can solve are not problems."

Sheng Ze and Zhou Wei exchanged a look and shook their heads with a laugh. True, for people like them, money was indeed just a number.

The topic soon turned elsewhere.

Shen Yanhui's gaze fell back to the banquet hall below, easily capturing that touch of ivory white.

The young girl looked listless, dealing with one man after another who came to strike up a conversation, before turning and walking toward the viewing terrace.

Like a cat that had lost interest in a boring game, her pace was lazy yet proud.

"This little princess of the Gu Family is truly a rose with thorns." Sheng Ze followed his gaze and saw her too, smiling as he turned to say to Chu Liang, "Look, your sister's face is almost green."

Chu Liang felt ashamed; he had heard of the friction between his sister and Gu Yan.

"They're just children messing around, it's nothing."

Sheng Ze let out a scoff, but he looked toward Shen Yanhui.

A few seconds later, the man suddenly set his cigarette aside and stood up.

"Let's go," he tossed out those two words and left directly.

There was a look of clear understanding in Sheng Ze's eyes, but Chu Liang and Zhou Wei were startled for a moment: "Where is he going?"

"Where else, to find his little rose."

Zhou Wei clicked his tongue and looked at Chang Su in the corner, "Is your master serious?"

He paused, then used a more teasing phrasing: "An old house catching fire?"

Chang Su kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, "Young Master Zhou is joking; as for the master's affairs, we subordinates dare not speculate recklessly."

Whether he is serious, or whether it is a fire...

Only the master himself knows in his heart.

The first floor.

Gu Yan walked to the relatively quiet viewing terrace, leaned against the railing, and gazed at the pitch-black sea in the distance and the lights on the shore that were gradually fading.

The sea breeze, carrying a salty, damp scent, brushed against her face, slightly dispersing the clamor and the scent of perfume from the hall.

As expected, it was just as tedious as she had imagined.

Ostentatious, hollow, and monotonous. Even the "rivalry" seemed so childish.

Inspiration? Not a bit.

Though... that person, he didn't seem to be there.

Her gaze swept through the banquet hall again, calm and composed.

She did not see that exceptionally tall and cold figure.

A trace of imperceptible disappointment, mixed with the realization of "as expected," flitted across her heart.

She gently swirled her wine glass, the pale golden liquid leaving a beautiful arc on the crystal walls of the glass.

Forget it.

She hadn't held much expectation to begin with.

She was just planning to go find something to eat, but when she turned around, she didn't notice that someone had been standing behind her at some point.

"Mm..."

Her nose almost bumped into the crisp suit fabric of the person who had come.

The cold, familiar scent of cedar, mixed with a very faint smell of tobacco, instantly enveloped her.

Gu Yan was startled and instinctively took half a step back, but her waist pressed against the cold marble railing.

There was nowhere left to retreat.

Shen Yanhui had appeared behind her at some point, and at this moment, he was looking down at her with his eyes slightly lowered.