Before they got too close, Meng Peiyu leaned over and whispered scathingly into Wen Baozhu's ear, "So cheesy! People might think we're super close. It gives me the creeps. I wish she'd trip and fall."
Wen Baozhu couldn't help but laugh. When she looked up again, the two had already walked up to them.
Before Wen Baozhu could greet them, Meng Peiyu spoke first with a smile, "Mr. Fu looks so dashing today. No wonder he's the number one bachelor every girl in Hong Kong wants to marry."
Fang Yuan replied with a smile, "I guess I have to say sorry to all the beautiful ladies in Hong Kong. I got to him first."
Fu Lian was dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, standing out in the crowd. Tall, handsome, and with an irresistible charm, he was truly captivating.
Beside him, Fang Yuan wore a matching pure - white lace wedding dress. With her delicate makeup and bright red lips, she was clearly determined to outshine everyone.
She wished everyone would praise her as the most beautiful bride in Hong Kong.
Meng Peiyu took two drinks from a passing waiter. She gave one to Wen Baozhu and clinked the other against Fu Lian's glass. Feigning regret, she said, "Mr. Fu, it's a pity we're not meant to be. Otherwise, I'd be the one accompanying you to greet guests today."
Unexpectedly, Meng Peiyu was quite the actress. Although she had no romantic interest in Fu Lian at all, she looked like a lovelorn woman, longing for him to call off the engagement and propose to her instead.
Fang Yuan's face almost contorted with anger, but she still forced a smile. In fact, she was grinding her teeth, and her eyes were shooting daggers at Meng Peiyu.
Only then did Wen Baozhu realize what was going on. It wasn't about watching the show; Meng Peiyu had come on purpose to annoy Fang Yuan.
Fu Lian smiled faintly. "Miss Meng, don't joke. I'm sure Uncle Meng has a perfect match in mind for you."
With every move exuding elegance and gentlemanliness, he seemed oblivious to the banter between the two women. He raised his glass and downed the drink in one gulp. "If I've offended you, please forgive me, Miss Meng."
Meng Peiyu waved her hand. "I won't wish you a happy engagement. Instead, I wish you two an early birth of a precious child!"
She had a knack for bringing up the wrong thing. Among them, only Wen Baozhu was pregnant.
Everyone knew who the father was.
The sarcasm was obvious. Fang Yuan couldn't even force a smile, and her hand holding the glass was trembling.
A waiter refilled Fu Lian's glass. He turned to Wen Baozhu with a smile and said, "Sister - in - law is so quiet. You haven't said a word yet."
Wen Baozhu looked up at Fu Lian, and for a moment, she was in a daze.
Did he want her to say something?
What did he want to hear?
Wen Baozhu hesitated, and finally, like other guests, she said politely, "I wish Mr. Fu and Miss Fang a long and happy marriage, and an early..."
Before she could finish, the man had already raised his glass and taken a sip. He said calmly, "Thank you."
Wen Baozhu felt a sudden chill in her heart.
He was unhappy. That was the most accurate emotion she could sense.
But that was all she could analyze. She had no idea why Fu Lian was unhappy.
Fang Yuan had come over to show off and assert her claim. But she hadn't expected Meng Peiyu to be so sharp - tongued.
If they continued chatting, Meng Peiyu might even burst into tears and beg to marry Fu Lian on the spot.
To avoid embarrassing herself in public, she forced a fake smile, chatted for a couple more sentences, and then made an excuse to take Fu Lian away.
Watching them walk away, Meng Peiyu scoffed, "She's really asking for trouble, coming here to get scolded by me."
Wen Baozhu forced a smile.
Noticing that Wen Baozhu seemed in a bad mood, Meng Peiyu quickly explained, "I have no feelings for Mr. Fu. Don't misunderstand..."
Wen Baozhu nodded but said nothing.
Under the beautiful lights, her face was pale. Meng Peiyu opened her mouth but hesitated to speak.
Actually, she wanted to say something to comfort Wen Baozhu.
Although she didn't know the whole story, Wen Baozhu had come all the way from Fucheng to Hong Kong alone. Caught in the power struggles between the two brothers, she must have endured a great deal.
But Meng Peiyu was not Wen Baozhu.
Everyone had their own hardships to bear and their own paths to choose.
Finally, she sighed. "Baozhu, people in this circle have no feelings, let alone love."
Wen Baozhu shrank her shoulders. Meng Peiyu put her arm around her and said, "I don't know what they want from you, but it's definitely not because of love."
Wen Baozhu lowered her head. "I know."
She knew.
In the banquet hall, people were mingling. The air circulation was poor, so Wen Baozhu said she wanted to go outside for some fresh air.
Meng Peiyu guessed she was in a bad mood, so she told her to come back early and not catch a cold.
In Hong Kong, which was close to the sea, the temperature at night was quite low.
The evening dress couldn't keep her warm at all. Wen Baozhu quietly asked a waiter if she could get a blanket. The waiter said he would bring it to her soon.
While waiting for the blanket, Wen Baozhu leaned against the railing and stared at the sea.
The private courtyard had strict security. Even though it was an open - air design, there was no need to worry about thieves. So she could relax.
In the dark, the waves were not clearly visible, but the sound of the waves crashing on the beach could be heard clearly.
It was so cold outside that there were hardly any people around.
She didn't know if the waiter couldn't find the blanket or simply forgot about her. After waiting for more than ten minutes, no one showed up.
On this seaside night, the stars in the sky were especially bright, and she could count them one by one.
Wen Baozhu tilted her head back and silently counted the stars.
She remembered a long time ago, when she and her grandmother would sit in the yard at night. When they were bored, they would lean against each other and count the stars.
She would fall asleep while counting, and her grandmother would carry her to bed and tuck her in.
On those star - counting nights, she would always have sweet dreams.
Wen Baozhu wrapped her arms around herself. She was cold and was about to turn back to find Meng Peiyu.
Just then, her shoulders felt heavy. A large coat fell on her, wrapping her in warmth.
Instinctively, she thought of someone. Wen Baozhu turned around excitedly.
"Looking at the stars alone. Aren't you cold?"
Wen Baozhu was stunned.
It wasn't Fu Lian.
Gu Xiujing smiled slightly. Seeing the fleeting disappointment in her eyes, he asked, "Waiting for someone?"
Wen Baozhu instinctively denied it. "No."
The coat on her body was heavy, and so was her heart.
She had actually thought it was Fu Lian who came out to find her.
But today was his engagement banquet. He was busy accompanying Fang Yuan and greeting guests. How could he possibly spare time for her?
Even if he could, he would never do anything inappropriate in front of so many people.
She must have been addled by the cold wind.
Gu Xiujing knew she was lying, but he didn't expose her. He simply leaned on the railing beside her and looked up at the sky like her.
"The nights in Fucheng have just as many stars as here."