Chapter Twenty-One: A New Beginning (Part One)

When Ye Ling woke up in the morning, she saw that her father had already returned. He was sitting in the dining room, eating breakfast with a magazine in his hand—she had no idea where he had gotten it. He was stuffing eggs into his mouth while reading.

Ye Ling came downstairs and sat across from her father. The servant brought her breakfast. She began to eat in silence. Ye Tianzhao glanced up from his magazine and noticed her swollen, red eyes. He frowned. “What happened to your eyes?”

Ye Ling rubbed her eyes. “Maybe I didn’t sleep well. It’s been a while since I’ve been home—I’m just not used to it.” She couldn’t tell her father that she had spent the entire night sitting on the floor, clutching a stuffed animal, her clothes caked in mud. Her father seemed satisfied with her explanation. “After breakfast, go get some rest. I have a banquet to attend this evening, and you’re coming with me. You can’t go like that.”

“Alright,” Ye Ling replied softly. She finished her breakfast and returned to her room. Her stepmother—whom she had little affection for—was probably still taking care of her younger brother. That was for the best; the less she had to see the woman, the happier she was. If they met, her stepmother would surely pick a fight, and Ye Ling would certainly retort. In the end, both would suffer a scolding from her father. Only then would her brother come out to play peacemaker, her father’s mood would soften, and harmony would be restored between him and that woman—while Ye Ling herself was ignored, as always. This scene had repeated itself more times than she cared to remember.

Being able to escape was a kind of happiness, too—or so Ye Ling always thought. She returned to her room, glanced at her dirty discarded clothes and the filthy stuffed rabbit, and sighed. She rolled up the clothes and threw them into the trash, then picked up the rabbit and went into the bathroom.

That morning, Ye Ling hung the rabbit by her window. The morning breeze, laced with the scent of green grass, drifted in softly and filled the room. Once everything was tidied, Ye Ling went back to bed. She tossed her newly bought rabbit into the trash, pulled up the covers, and lay down. Her gaze lingered on the poor rabbit dangling in the window, and a smile spread across her face. The gentle wind lulled her into drowsiness, and she soon drifted off into a deep sleep.

She dreamed. In her dream, a gentle voice spoke to her, taking her hand and leading her forward, as if to say, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to guide you down the road ahead.”

It was already afternoon when she awoke, roused by a servant who informed her that her father was preparing to leave.

Ye Ling knew better than to go against her father’s wishes. She got up, washed, and changed. The servant brought her a new dress—a pure white, off-shoulder gown. The sight of it made Ye Ling’s eye twitch; here it was again, the thing she hated most. Every time she wore one, she felt as if she couldn’t walk at all.

First came the corset. The servant brought it out, and Ye Ling’s eyelid twitched again. That thing could practically suffocate a person. She had always hated it. Women really did go to extremes just to stand tall and proud.

“Miss, your figure is perfect. You don’t even need this at all. How strange, you weren’t this slender the last time,” Mrs. Wu, the housekeeper, remarked cheerfully as she helped Ye Ling dress, as if she’d forgotten Ye Ling’s antics the previous night.

Ye Ling pursed her lips. Of course she knew why—after her extreme training, her figure was nothing short of perfect. She smiled wryly. “Maybe I’ve been exercising a bit more lately.”

When Ye Ling left her room, her father was already waiting in the hall. Her stepmother and half-brother hadn’t come down yet. As Ye Ling descended the stairs in her white gown, Ye Tianzhao’s gaze flickered—perhaps he was reminded of Ye Ling’s mother.

A few minutes later, her stepmother finally appeared, holding her little brother’s hand. The woman wore a flamboyant cheongsam that accentuated every curve. “Vixen,” Ye Ling muttered under her breath. The woman’s beauty rivaled her own, but age and motherhood had stripped her of any youthful glow. Yet she still pretended at innocence, looking awkward and out of place.

“We’re all here. Let’s go,” Ye Tianzhao announced. “Tonight is a business banquet for all of S City, celebrating our partnership with the foreign city of L. There will be many important people. Mind your words and actions.” Ye Ling and the beautiful woman both nodded. The little boy seemed about to make a fuss, but one glare from Ye Tianzhao silenced him.

The banquet was held at the largest hotel in S City. Ye Ling had attended many such events. Ostensibly, they were celebrations, but in truth, everyone took the opportunity to network. The men gathered to discuss business and future collaborations, while the ladies clustered together to talk jewelry and fashion. Young, handsome waiters in black tailcoats and white gloves wove through the crowd, offering champagne and cakes.

The children of these business magnates mingled as well; they would one day rule the city. After a speech from the mayor, the banquet reached its peak. Applause and cheers erupted to celebrate the finalization of the business deal.

As the daughter of the Tianzhao Consortium’s chairman, Ye Ling naturally drew attention—her beauty was already famous in S City’s business circles. Many young heirs coveted her. Tonight, her appearance stunned the entire assembly. Her exquisite features, flawless figure, and youthful radiance captivated many. Even the older generation shifted their attention to her.

“Chairman Ye, you are truly blessed with such an outstanding daughter. It’s a pity my grandson is only nine years old, or I’d have the audacity to propose a marriage,” remarked an industry legend. Ye Tianzhao beamed; to converse with such a figure was a mark of respect. “You flatter me, Chairman Lin. Girls, after all, belong to other families one day.”

Ye Ling had more social obligations than even her father. Already, three or four young men had asked her to dance. She forced herself through three dances, suppressing her irritation. Seeing a queue of at least a dozen more, she grew thoroughly exasperated, used exhaustion as an excuse, and ignored the hopeful young men, retreating to a corner.

“These people are so annoying,” she muttered as she leaned against the wall, ignoring the stunned faces of the rejected suitors. They could only smile awkwardly and look for other dance partners.

She longed to go home early, standing inconspicuously by the wall. Beside her, a waiter stood upright with a tray of champagne. Without thinking, Ye Ling took a glass and sipped.

She glanced at the waiter, who also looked at her. Both turned away, gazing toward the center of the hall. After a brief pause, their eyes met again, and an awkward silence ensued.

“What are you doing here?” Ye Ling asked, her expression odd as she stared at Xie Liu in his waiter’s uniform and tailcoat. His black eyes darted about, sizing her up. She wore a snow-white off-shoulder gown, elegant and regal, showcasing her nearly perfect figure. White silk gloves adorned her hands, and jewels of various colors sparkled from her ears and neck. Her large, dark eyes glared at Xie Liu; the eye shadow was heavy. A silver tiara studded with diamonds crowned her head, glittering dazzlingly in the radiant hall.

“Aren’t you tired, wearing all that?” Xie Liu ignored her question and eyed her attire. Ye Ling gritted her teeth. “You’re right. I’m exhausted—wish I could throw it all off right now.”

“Hmm…” Xie Liu nodded. “But it looks good.”

“Thanks, but for some reason, your compliment doesn’t make me happy at all.” Ye Ling’s reply was cold. Both turned their attention to the hall, careful not to be seen conversing face to face. If anyone noticed the heiress of a financial empire talking to a penniless waiter, the rumor would spread like wildfire. By tomorrow, countless novels would be published, using them as prototypes to wring tears from young girls.

“Well, your happiness—or my words—aren’t worth much anyway,” Xie Liu stated calmly. Ye Ling ground her teeth in frustration. This Xie Liu was dark to the core—always saying the most aggravating things, the perfect cure for arrogance.

“So? Who’s your target?” Ye Ling asked, her gaze drifting to her stepmother. She was almost hoping Xie Liu would cut that woman down. Xie Liu followed her gaze. “Truly, a woman’s heart is the most poisonous. Should I stay away from you? It’s not her.”

“At least I’m not as poisonous as you,” Ye Ling retorted, then looked at her father, a hint of pleading in her eyes. She didn’t want Xie Liu’s target to be her father.

“It’s not him,” Xie Liu confirmed, glancing at Ye Tianzhao.

“Suit yourself,” Ye Ling said with a laugh. “By the way, is anyone else here besides you?”

“They’re all here. Actually, we still don’t know who we’re supposed to eliminate. We’re narrowing it down.” Just then, someone called Xie Liu. “Ah, duty calls. I’m off.” Without another word, he strode away.

“Honestly, you’re really getting into this waiter role,” Ye Ling muttered. Now left alone, she was bored. Just then, a fair but strong hand reached out to her. “Beautiful lady, may I have this dance?”

Ye Ling was about to refuse, but when she looked up, her heart skipped a beat, strings snapping within her as if her whole world dimmed beside this man.

Lin Yang, dressed in a black tuxedo, bowed slightly and extended his right hand. His beauty was enough to make even women sigh in envy. Now, dressed as a noble gentleman, he made girls’ hearts tremble. “Why are you dressed like this?”

“It’s for the mission. I borrowed this suit from Vladimir,” Lin Yang replied with a helpless smile—the kind that made many girls fall in love, and just as many despair. “So, beautiful girl, will you honor me with a dance?”