Losing track of time, a soft waltz played nearby, making her pause and smile enigmatically.
Seeing the brightly lit venue, she knew it was time to return. As she adjusted her dress and hair, she heard soft footsteps.
Following the sound, she saw a man and woman standing opposite each other on the lamp-lit path, whispering. Though the man’s back was turned, his silhouette was recognizable from a glance.
Some things never change; he still liked outdoor trysts. But why did she always encounter him in such situations?
Exhaling heavily, she lifted her dress and approached them. Perhaps too focused, her noise didn’t disturb them.
Close enough, she could hear them conversing in English. The woman’s tear-stained face looked angry, gripping her dress tightly. Though she couldn’t see his face, she imagined his expression was cold and indifferent.
Tossing her hair back, Ou Xueman spoke in a measured tone, “I don’t mean to interrupt your intimacy, but I’d rather not witness an R-rated scene. Please make way and let me pass, and you can continue.”
Both looked at her in surprise; in his eyes, she saw shock and unfamiliarity.
A bittersweet sensation burned in her heart. He didn’t recognize her; to him, she was now a stranger, and she had always been insignificant. Why was she still hoping he would recognize her?
Carrying this sadness, she walked past him, giving them a suggestive glance before heading back to the venue without looking back.
She lightly passed in front of him, her familiar, elegant fragrance surprising Di Xihuang. He tried to recall its source but couldn’t. Perhaps it was her ambiguous gaze that rekindled his interest. He told the woman beside him, still in shock, “Wait for me in the car,” and followed Ou Xueman toward the venue.
Initially, he hadn’t planned to attend the cocktail party, but with Ou Wen unable to come and his goal to break into the Chinese mainland market from SZ city, he felt he had to. Just as boredom set in, a dazzling black figure caught his eye—a seductive face and graceful figure radiating allure. His first impression was that she was a kept mistress of a wealthy businessman, which made him look down on her.
