The Zhou and Xia families were both prominent families in South City. Their union, a strong alliance, meant they naturally resided in opulent and luxurious surroundings.
Upon arrival, they learned the mansion had cost nearly two hundred million, its interior decor a collaboration between a renowned designer couple, truly impressive.
Because of this house, Xia Tiantian became the envy of many in social circles after her marriage.
Zhan Jingchen was ready, anticipating a grand spectacle.
Unexpectedly, it was a development by his own family.
The renowned designer couple they spoke of were actually his second sister, Jiang Jing Tian, and her husband, Chen Dong Yang.
He had seen the design drafts at his second sister’s house years ago.
The drafts that others considered unattainable were used by that rascal girl, Chen Xiao Ya, for toys, torn to shreds…
The four arrived precisely on time.
At the entrance of the banquet hall, they each picked up a glass of wine. Weaving through the crowd of elegantly dressed guests, they finally reached the main hall.
Before Zhan Jingchen could figure out where the main protagonists were, they made their appearance.
A gentle male voice suddenly called out to Pei Kexin.
Turning, a tall man in a black suit and a golden mask gazed at them with affectionate eyes.
The look in his eyes made it seem as though he was about to propose to Pei Kexin.
Zhan Jingchen thought, "No wonder he's labeled a scumbag that everyone wants to condemn."
After a two-second exchange of glances, Pei Kexin responded gently, "Hello Ru Yu, long time no see."
Zhou Ru Yu slowly walked over, as if only she existed in his sight.
"Long time no see. I've missed you terribly. How are you, Kexin?"
Pei Kexin smiled, affectionately linking her arm through Zhan Jingchen's, tilting her head playfully.
"I'm doing great, newly married, exceptionally well lately. Let me introduce you, this is my husband."
"When we were studying, Tiantian always said that when I finally had a boyfriend, I had to introduce him to her first. Today, I finally have the chance. Where is she?"
Zhou Ru Yu didn't even look at Zhan Jingchen, his gaze fixed solely on her, speaking in a gentle, almost pitiful tone.
"Can I speak with you alone for a moment? Kexin, please, just give me a chance, I…"
In Pei Kexin's memory, Zhou Ru Yu had always been the epitome of a good student.
He was academically gifted, good-looking, came from a good family, and was adored by junior students and favored by teachers.
Apart from his sudden relationship with Xia Tiantian, he was confident, composed, gentle, and considerate – virtually flawless, which was why she had liked him.
She never expected him to have become like this after a few years.
To think that one day he would speak to her in public with such a pleading tone.
Ultimately, she couldn't bear it. After a few seconds of silence, she let go of Zhan Jingchen's arm.
"Where do you want to talk?"
Zhan Jingchen watched helplessly as his wife walked away with her former rumored flame.
Taking a sip of wine, he couldn't help but resent the instigator, Gu Wei.
"Do all you rich people play like this? Walking off with another man right in front of your husband, truly eye-opening."
As a fellow man, Gu Wei sensed Zhan Jingchen's displeasure and glanced at him.
"Try to be more open-minded, brother. She's not really your wife anyway, why bother so much?"
"It's not that all rich people play like this; it's that rich people have more to consider, and you wouldn't understand. You can't control it anyway, so just pretend you don't see it."
Hearing this, Zhan Jingchen felt like laughing.
"It's not that I want to control it, but I'm afraid you'll mess up. I can pretend not to see, but what about *his* wife? Isn't today their anniversary? You arranged this whole thing, aren't you afraid his wife will find out and beat you?"
Fu Duoduo had been watching Zhan Jingchen intently.
She felt that not only was this young man good-looking, but his values were also upright, making him incredibly likable.
"Exactly! He's right! Gu Wei, you knew Zhou Ru Yu had ulterior motives, and Xia Tiantian is a tigress, yet you still let Kexin come, and let her walk off with him. What were you thinking? I think you're just…"
Gu Wei took a breath and retorted to Fu Duoduo.
"What do you mean *I* let her come and go? Fu Duoduo, are you unwell or have you lost your memory? If it weren't for you…"
Fu Duoduo didn't want to listen any further, fearing it would ruin her image in front of Zhan Jingchen.
She hooked her arm through his and squeezed into the crowd.
"Let's go, let's go, we'll ignore him. He's crazy, and unreliable at crucial moments. You're Zhan Jingchen, right? How tall are you? Let's exchange WeChats, so if anything happens to Kexin in the future, it'll be convenient to contact, right?"
Zhou Ru Yu had actually divorced Xia Tiantian.
Today was not their wedding anniversary at all.
To get Pei Kexin out and pressure her into accepting him, Zhou Ru Yu had arranged this evening.
The two went to a lounge room. After hearing Zhou Ru Yu explain this, Pei Kexin nearly threw up.
He was still there, indulging in self-pity.
"I was too naive back then, seeking vanity and believing my mother and their arrangements. I wronged you, Kexin. I know I was wrong, and heaven has punished me. After being with her, I lived a life worse than death every day, filled with immense regret…"
"I know you don't want to see me, but to see you openly, I racked my brains… I truly regret not cherishing your affection back then. Kexin, please, give me another chance. I genuinely know I was wrong. Let's start over, let me pursue you properly…"
Pei Kexin's worldview shattered. Seeing him move closer as he spoke, with a clear intention to hug her, she turned to leave.
"I'm already married, Zhou Ru Yu. You shouldn't be saying this. My husband is still waiting for me, I should go out… What are you doing? Ah!"
Seeing her about to leave, Zhou Ru Yu fumbled to grab her.
In the struggle, the zipper of her strapless dress seemed to break, and her gown instantly slipped down uncontrollably.
Pei Kexin felt a chill on her chest and back. She hastily covered herself with her hands, simultaneously shouting.
"Zhou Ru Yu, let go of me!"
Fu Duoduo led Zhan Jingchen to the poolside, listening to the band up close and sipping wine.
The two had only been getting acquainted for a few minutes when Gu Wei caught up.
He reminded Fu Duoduo.
"Your best friend has been out for over ten minutes. She must have finished her talk by now. Aren't you worried? Don't you want to check on her?"
Fu Duoduo wanted Zhan Jingchen to introduce her to some handsome young men, so she was disinclined to move.
"One, she's not my best friend alone. Two, I didn't arrange for her to be here by myself, don't blame everything on me."
Gu Wei: "..."
Zhan Jingchen saw Gu Wei's gaze fall on him and shrugged.
"You said it yourself, she's not my wife. When I need to look away, I have to pretend I don't see."
Gu Wei was almost choked by the two of them.
"Fine, I'm the biggest villain today. I shouldn't have listened to that crazy Fu Duoduo and let her come. My fault! I'll go call her down. Blame everything on me. From now on, we don't know each other, alright?"
Saying this, he placed his wine glass heavily onto a waiter's tray and turned to leave.
Fu Duoduo and Zhan Jingchen exchanged glances, both bursting into carefree laughter.
The introductions continued. Fu Duoduo insisted Zhan Jingchen find a handsome guy for her on the spot.
As they were playfully bickering, several elegant women suddenly appeared at the small, empty table in front of them.
They were all holding wine glasses, sitting casually, chatting about gossip intermittently.
One of them said with a hint of disdain.