Once calm returned, she took a deep breath, sat up, and placed her hands on her racing heart. Disturbed by their earlier interaction, she lost her mood to enjoy the scenery. She brushed off the grass clippings from her cocktail dress, put on her high heels, took several deep breaths, and donned her fake smile before returning to the banquet.
Suddenly, a call startled her, making her stop.
“Miss Tong, what a pleasant mood,” a voice spoke from a dark corner, its refined tone laced with coldness.
Fear welled up in her heart.
Hugging herself, she looked towards the darkness. The once elegant rose trellis now resembled a ferocious monster. Her voice trembling, she asked, “Who? Who’s there?”
A figure stepped out from the shadows. The hall’s light illuminated one side of him. Although not entirely clear, his tall silhouette was recognizable as the man from earlier.
Feeling like a child caught misbehaving, she turned to flee, but his strong hand seized her arm. A different fragrance wafted from behind her.
Panic surged as she spun to confront him. “What do you want?”
In the dim light, his bright eyes, reminiscent of black crystal, sparkled with intensity. His thin lips, beneath a straight nose, imparted a stern appearance. When he spoke, his voice was low, “Why run? I don’t mind being seen by you, so why are you afraid?”
“I was there first, and you two came afterwards…” She could hardly articulate her thoughts as the memory flooded her mind.
Releasing her arm, he replied casually, “I already said I don’t mind.” He adjusted the suit he was holding. “Why are you nervous? I’m Di Xihuang, and I only hope Miss Tong can introduce me to your father.”
As he let her go, she instinctively backed away. “You know me?”
With a hint of mockery in his glance, he replied, “In Hong Kong’s upper society, who doesn’t know a pearl like Miss Tong?”
“You…”
“Usually, when others commented on her weight, she didn’t care, but hearing it from him made her furious. She retorted sarcastically, ‘If you’re capable, go yourself. Don’t be a kept man, getting a woman to pave the way for you.’
Though somewhat afraid of him, she resolutely refused and ran back to the banquet hall, as if he were a demon chasing her.
