Chapter 4

The words from the microphone, amplified, reached every corner of the banquet hall.

The photographer, summoned to film the event, awkwardly held his camera, unsure whom to focus on.

—He had just recorded the entire process of these people speaking ill of Song Yuan. To continue filming now would surely be a slap in the face to the Song family, wouldn’t it?

Silence descended upon the scene.

The first to react was Song Shenyu, who, without a trace of panic, rose and walked toward the main entrance.

A middle-aged man followed closely behind, turning back as he walked to wave at the photographer, "Stop filming, delete it!"

The elder at the very end of the procession turned his head and questioned Song Yuan, "Didn’t you say Mr. Gu wasn’t coming?"

Song Yuan blinked, thinking to himself—*I didn’t expect Gu Jingchi to come either.*

Seeing Song Yuan standing there, dazed and unresponsive, the Song family elders, who had intended to reprimand him, found their words stuck in their throats. They had to swallow them back, feeling utterly stifled.

The elders: "..."

Song Yuan pulled out his phone and typed.

"You’re here~"

"Happy.JPG"

"Can I come find you?"

A moment later, his phone vibrated.

"Gu Jingchi: Here to meet a friend, leaving soon."

This could be considered a veiled rejection.

Most people would probably take the hint and discreetly withdraw.

But Gu Jingchi was dealing with Song Yuan.

—A Song Yuan whose entire being screamed with a desire to cancel their agreement.

"I want to see you."

"I won’t bother you, just a quick glance."

"Obedient.JPG"

"Gu Jingchi: Whatever."

Song Yuan was somewhat puzzled.

—So, does that mean we can meet or not?

If Gu Jingchi had no intention of meeting, wouldn’t it be incredibly awkward for him to go now?

Song Yuan shook his head. Since he had already decided to embark on this path, worrying about losing face now was meaningless.

Taking a deep breath, Song Yuan resolutely set off to find Gu Jingchi.

The hall was bustling with people.

Gu Jingchi always maintained a low profile when out and about. Even for high-level government meetings, he rarely brought bodyguards. Yet tonight, security was exceptionally tight. Beyond that, a large crowd of financial reporters and media professionals had gathered outside the banquet hall, creating quite a spectacle.

Song Yuan was accustomed to fading into the background, but what he didn't realize was that he possessed a face that naturally drew attention. Nor was he aware of the uniquely captivating aura he exuded, which made it difficult for people to look away.

Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent. Those who had been conversing moments before stopped in unison, their gazes fixed on Song Yuan.

"Who is that?"

"You don't know? That's Mr. Gu's fiancé."

"Really? He's quite handsome."

"Pity—aside from his looks, he has nothing else going for him."

Just then, a waiter pushing a serving cart passed behind Song Yuan. Unexpectedly, a guest suddenly turned, leaving the waiter no time to react. In a desperate attempt to avoid collision, the waiter sharply swerved the cart—only to crash directly into Song Yuan.

Song Yuan, preoccupied with locating Gu Jingchi, hadn't noticed what was happening behind him. It wasn't until he felt an impact against his thigh that he realized he'd been hit.

The waiter recognized Song Yuan's face and was visibly terrified. "I—I'm so sorry, truly, my deepest apologies..."

Song Yuan accepted the wet wipe and shook his head. "It's alright."

The banquet manager rushed over and immediately began scolding the waiter, growing increasingly agitated and harsh with his words. The young woman, sensitive and easily flustered, quickly flushed crimson and stammered apologies.

Song Yuan interrupted the manager's tirade. "It wasn't her fault. She was trying to avoid another guest and accidentally bumped into me. I wasn't paying attention myself."

At this, the waiter's face turned an even deeper shade of red, her eyes stinging as she teared up.

After delivering the cart to the refreshment station, she returned to find Song Yuan, asking if his leg hurt, if there were any bruises, or if he needed to go to the hospital...

Song Yuan offered an awkward smile and reassured her, "You're overreacting. I'm perfectly fine."

Those nearby observed the scene, exchanging glances.

The person who had just been disparaging Song Yuan's supposed lack of upbringing now felt their face burn as if they'd been slapped.

—What the hell? It's only been a few days, but Song Yuan seems like a completely different person!

*

Upstairs, in the private lounge.

"So, you really agreed to let him come find you?"

Gu Jingchi remained silent.

"Hey, I'm talking to you." Pei Han leaned one arm on the railing, tilting his head to gaze at the handsome young man standing in the first-floor hall.

Finding the situation amusing, Pei Han raised his glass in a playful toast. "Let me think—what was it you said before? 'Even if we're engaged, I don't plan on meeting him.'"

Gu Jingchi lifted his eyelids slightly, casting a fleeting, dismissive glance at Pei Han.

Feeling a little unnerved, Pei Han wisely changed the subject. "But honestly, you and Song Yuan are quite well-matched. He's good-looking, has a great personality—it's not so bad after all."

A great personality?

Gu Jingchi recalled the small flower that had been carefully propped up on the dining table, and subtly lowered his eyelids.

Whether his personality was truly good, he couldn't say. But he did feel that Song Yuan was a bit naive, and perhaps a little childishly innocent...

But it really wasn’t like the rumors suggested.

He didn’t agree with the idea that they were a good match.

He and Song Yuan were like parallel lines—never destined to intersect.

"Don’t deny it, you must think so too. Otherwise, why would you agree to come to the Song family’s banquet?" Pei Han teased him.

Gu Jingchi didn’t respond, simply rising to open the lounge door.

"Hey, don’t leave. What could be more important than drinking and chatting?" Pei Han stretched out a hand to stop him.

Gu Jingchi only left him with a cold back, "None of your business."

*

Song Yuan seemed unaware that he had become the center of attention. He ignored the fervent gazes from behind him.

After all, those were for the original owner, and had nothing to do with him.

Guests around them began to whisper.

"He’s not himself today."

"You’re right, he’s really handsome, and he even spoke up for the waiter just now."

"It must be an act. How could he possibly..."

"Shh—don’t talk, look upstairs, President Gu has appeared."

The banquet hall’s second floor featured a high-end reception area, typically reserved for important guests.

Song Yuan looked up and saw Gu Jingchi leaning against the second-floor railing, conversing with a foreign man wearing gold-rimmed glasses. Gu Jingchi spoke little, occasionally nodding, dignified and aloof, like a silent sculpture carved into a cathedral ceiling.

Standing beside him were business professionals, all in black coats. Several of them were prominent entrepreneurs who had appeared in the Jiangcheng Bay Area promotional video, and even old capital figures who had graced the covers of wealth magazines.

At this moment, these usually arrogant, prominent magnates were all content to play a supporting role, collectively surrounding Gu Jingchi, who stood among them.

Gu Jingchi rested one hand on the railing, and happened to see Song Yuan looking up, his gaze pausing.

The lights seemed to fall silent. One man looked down, the other looked up. Two perpetually parallel gazes unexpectedly intertwined at this moment, neither moving away first.

The entrepreneur standing beside him was always adept at discerning Gu Jingchi’s thoughts. At this moment, he conspicuously fell silent, respectfully following Gu Jingchi’s gaze to Song Yuan in the crowd, offering him a slightly warmer smile.

Surprise bloomed on the faces of those around them. From this vantage point, the gaze of these high-ranking individuals should have been condescending.

—Yet, in their eyes, there was a warmth usually reserved for an equal gaze.

It was too strange.

Completely oblivious to the sudden stir he had caused, Song Yuan saw Gu Jingchi rest his elbow on the railing, nodding slightly, his lips forming the words: "Song Yuan, come up."

The surrounding guests simultaneously gasped.

Song Yuan’s eyes widened slightly, his surprise unconcealed.

Only when Gu Jingchi spoke again, "Come up," did Song Yuan finally react.

As he ascended the steps, a commotion immediately erupted in the banquet hall. All eyes followed Song Yuan, just as they had at the beginning of the banquet.

But from now on, the disdain and scorn in their eyes had vanished, replaced by sheer astonishment.

—Did Gu Jingchi really have feelings for Song Yuan?!

"Gu Jingchi."

Before Gu Jingchi could turn around, he heard Song Yuan's clear, soft voice—so gentle it effortlessly disarmed and invited conversation.

Song Yuan's skin was naturally delicate, appearing even more exquisite and fair against his white shirt. His waist was slender, and his long legs were accentuated by the tailored suit pants, making them appear beautifully long. The moment their eyes met, a smile bloomed in Song Yuan's gaze, revealing a hint of joy.

Noticing that everyone who had been on the second floor had now entered the private rooms, Song Yuan tilted his head up. "Are you done meeting your friends?"

Gu Jingchi nodded. "Mm."

Song Yuan glanced up at the grand clock hanging from the ceiling.

The mahogany clock pointed to only nine—the night was still young.

"Are you free now?"

The cold front had arrived abruptly, while the warm current lingered sluggishly. A quasi-stationary front hovered over Jiangcheng, raising its hands in a long embrace with the silent earth. Thus, the wind did not cease, and the snow continued to fall.

Someone must have been careless, forgetting to close the second-floor corridor window. The northern wind swept through, making Song Yuan's shirt billow, revealing his slender waist, like a pure white flower in the snow.

The cold wind left Song Yuan's eyes glistening, dazzlingly bright. The faint red mole at the corner of his eye, almost melting into the snowy backdrop, became vividly alluring, mesmerizing to behold.

A strange glint passed through Gu Jingchi's gaze. "What is it?"

"Are you leaving now?"

Gu Jingchi averted his eyes, his rationality returning. "Mm, there's something at the company I need to handle."

—So if you want to continue enjoying yourself, I'm sorry, I don't have time.

That was what Gu Jingchi had intended to say, but Song Yuan suddenly grasped the fabric of his right sleeve and gave it a gentle tug.

"Then let me leave with you, okay?"

Gu Jingchi paused, staring at Song Yuan without a word.

With childlike earnestness, Song Yuan said, "This place is so boring. I don't want to stay here either."

"Actually... I only came to the banquet because of family obligations. But if it's with you, I can leave."

"Come on, Gu Jingchi~"

"Just take me with you."

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