The biting wind whipped snowflakes across the street.
Qiao Yimian pulled her scarf tighter, hurrying into the hotel lobby through the storm.
Despite the chilly evening air, she felt wonderful, her steps light and joyful.
Yesterday, she'd received a WeChat message from her boyfriend, Shi Yan, asking her to come to this hotel at seven o'clock tonight.
Attached was a photo of a beautifully decorated stage.
Suddenly, she remembered that today was their one-year dating anniversary.
Shi Yan had been hinting for two months that she should take two days off to properly celebrate.
He said he wanted to take her on a Ferris wheel, and at the highest point, they could overlook the city lights together;
Or maybe go to the mountain hot spring hotel. She's been busy with work and needed to relax.
Unfortunately, a week ago, she suddenly got a task to go to another city for an interview, so she had to put the plan on hold.
Unexpectedly, Shi Yan had still prepared everything meticulously, even though he didn't know if she could make it back in time.
Thinking of this, Qiao Yimian's heart softened, and she felt a little sorry for her boyfriend.
So, after receiving the news, she stayed up for two nights straight, finally finishing her work a day early. She bought a noon flight and rushed back, covered in dust.
As soon as she entered the lobby, the hotel manager hurried over.
"Miss, our hotel is not open to the public today."
Qiao Yimian nodded. "Yes, I know. I'm here to find Shi Yan."
"Oh, you're Young Master Shi's friend! Please, follow me!"
The manager quickly led the way, guiding her to the elevator and saying with a smile,
"The engagement party starts at six-oh-six. You're not too late if you go now."
Qiao Yimian's eyelids twitched.
Engagement party? Whose engagement party?
For some reason, a ridiculous guess popped into her head.
But she didn't ask further and went straight into the elevator.
The manager stood outside the elevator, pressed the floor button for her, and casually sized up Qiao Yimian.
A long, dark brown cashmere coat, belted at the waist with a bow, accentuated her slender figure. The hem of the coat revealed her firm, shapely calves.
She wore soft, small leather boots, the snow that had clung to the tips of her shoes already melted into droplets by the warm breeze.
Her ensemble looked expensive.
But what was even more stunning was her face.
Her eyes tilted slightly upwards, sparkling like stars, with an inherent allure between her brows and eyes. She possessed a captivatingly beautiful face.
Yet, those eyes also radiated a gentle, approachable warmth, which perfectly balanced her seductive charm.
He had hosted many celebrities at the hotel, and occasionally, stars would stay there. But women as beautiful and elegant as the one before him were few and far between.
One could even say she was breathtakingly beautiful.
The manager secretly sighed: Shi little master's friend is much prettier than his fiancée!
The elevator doors opened and closed.
The banquet hall was brightly lit, and the venue was beautifully decorated, extremely luxurious.
The floor was covered with red rose petals, soft and yielding underfoot, fragrant.
Qiao Yimian, however, had no interest in appreciating the scene. Her gaze went straight to the stage, and when she saw the person's face clearly, her pupils suddenly contracted.
The man was wearing a white suit, handsome and extraordinary, with a pair of peach blossom eyes full of charm.
He lowered his head, smiling, and placed a ring on the woman's finger.
The woman shyly tugged at his lapel, said something, and tiptoed to kiss his lips.
The man tilted his head slightly, allowing her kiss to land on his cheek.
Applause erupted, mixed with cheers and teasing.
On the stage, decorated like a fairy tale dream, a handsome man and a beautiful woman embraced intimately.
The scene, as sweet and lingering as a movie, was pleasing to the eye.
But Qiao Yimian felt as if silver needles had pierced her eyes. After the sharp pain, a wave of bitterness swept over her.
Even her calm heart was stirred up, creating layers of ripples.
Because the man with the gentle smile was her boyfriend—Shi Yan.
The young master of the Shi family. He was handsome, generous, and had a very good temperament. He was a pre-rich second generation, one of the most charming young men in Chu City.
Such a handsome, wealthy, and kind man had patiently pursued her for two years.
Many people believed it was undoubtedly true love.
A year ago, she was finally won over by his "persistence" and "sincerity," and they started dating.
She never expected that after only a little over 300 days, he would get engaged to another woman while she was away on a business trip.
Qiao Yimian took a deep breath, and a chilling coldness crept into her heart, making her feel utterly disheartened.
She lowered her eyes to look at the phone she was clutching in her palm. Since she sent the message yesterday, he hadn't contacted her.
Calling him now resulted in a switched-off message.
So, who exactly sent that WeChat message?
Who made her come and witness this scene?
Qiao Yimian gently closed her eyes, the stinging pain keeping her from losing her last bit of reason and clarity.
She could have just walked away, but for some reason, her gaze was glued to the stage, unable to move.
She watched as the two new people cut the cake and poured the red wine, embracing each other to applause from the guests as they walked off the stage and chatted with everyone to propose a toast.
She was isolated from the happy circle surrounding them.
It would be a lie to say she was indifferent.
No matter what, she still wanted to hear an answer from him personally.
She picked up her phone and dialed Shi Yan's number again.
This time, the call went through.
Across the crowd, Shi Yan lowered his head and took out his phone, a hint of panic in his expression.
He smiled and greeted the others, then quickly walked out of the venue with his phone, which was still vibrating.
He looked up and ran right into her.
The man in the suit froze for two seconds, his face immediately losing all color, turning pale in an instant.
"Yimian?" Shi Yan's eyes were filled with shock, and his voice trembled slightly.
"You… what are you doing here?"
The image of the charming young man, which he had cultivated just a second ago, shattered instantly. He looked at Qiao Yimian with a flustered expression:
"Didn't you go on a business trip?"
"Yeah, I worked overtime and wanted to come back early to celebrate our anniversary with you."
The low, soft voice drifted over, laced with the coldness of ice and snow.
Qiao Yimian looked at him with a faint gaze, her eyes sweeping over the bustling engagement banquet. Her tone was very calm:
"It doesn't seem like it's necessary anymore."
"Yimian, listen to me explain..." Shi Yan's heart leaped, and he immediately grabbed her icy wrist.
"Tian Xiaoxiao and I were just putting on a show! Her father is the chairman of Tianzhong Pharmaceutical, and our company is negotiating a new project with them. You know, my mother has always wanted me to marry into a good family. If something goes wrong with me this time, she won't let it go, and my father will definitely kick me out of the company! I really had no choice..."
Qiao Yimian waited quietly for him to finish speaking, then spoke in a gentle tone, but with a hint of mockery:
"Shi Yan, even a dog wouldn't believe that excuse." She lowered her gaze and pried his fingers away, giving a silent laugh. "Are you going to claim you were drugged by your mother and it was just a fling when I catch you two in bed?"
Shi Yan was speechless, unable to argue.
"I know your mother doesn't approve of me, but I always thought you were genuinely good to me, that's why I didn't back down. Since you've made your choice, there's no need for me to keep trying on my own."
Qiao Yimian looked into his eyes seriously: "Shi Yan, let's break up."