Cecilia Gu slowly stood up from the stool, looking at the pile of shoes the stylist had prepared for her. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Can I not wear very high heels? I don't really like them."
The stylist immediately picked out a pair of white crystal platform heels with a low, single heel.
After Cecilia put them on and walked a few steps, she found the design to be excellent and didn't feel uncomfortable at all.
Cecilia nodded. This pair was perfect.
Cecilia turned and walked outside, thinking that Charles Yin must be getting impatient by now.
Charles Yin was indeed getting a bit anxious. He was just about to ask when he looked up and saw Cecilia walking toward him in a white strapless, waist-cinched, knee-length evening dress and white crystal-embellished heels.
For a moment, Charles Yin's gaze flickered. He felt like he'd seen this scene somewhere before.
"Charles, I'm ready. Sorry to keep you waiting," Cecilia apologized quickly. No matter what, it's never wrong to apologize first, right?
Charles snapped back to reality and bent his arm to signal Cecilia.
Cecilia was stunned for a moment before she realized what he meant. She slipped her arm through Charles's and walked out with him.
Charles Yin is so tall.
Cecilia sneaked a glance at Charles Yin.
Even with high heels on, she barely reached his chin.
No wonder so many women flocked to him. He really had what it takes to drive women crazy.
Handsome face, great body, and loaded.
But honestly, none of that had anything to do with her.
"Spacing out while walking?" Charles Yin didn't turn his head, but caught Cecilia's distraction from the corner of his eye.
Cecilia was lost in thought when Charles called her out, and she nearly twisted her ankle.
Charles Yin's large hand quickly steadied Cecilia by her waist. The heat from his palm shot through her, making the spot he touched feel burning hot. She immediately straightened up and put some distance between them.
"Sorry, I was just thinking about something else," Cecilia quickly explained.
Seeing Cecilia instinctively keep her distance from him, Charles Yin suddenly felt very annoyed. Really, really annoyed!
What, was he some kind of germ? Did she really need to avoid him like that?
At that moment, assistant A drove up in a Lamborghini Hermès worth 380 million, parking it steadily in front of Charles Yin.
Assistant A got out and handed the car keys to Charles Yin.
Charles took the keys and said coldly to Cecilia, "Get in the car. We don't have much time. Being late is rude."
"Oh," Cecilia replied gloomily.
Why was Charles angry again? She'd just spaced out for a second, and he was mad about that too.
Every day she had to watch out for this guy, and she still had no idea how to avoid making him angry.
They'd only been married for three days, and he'd already lost his temper countless times.
Whatever, she's not going to worry about him anymore.
Cecilia turned and slowly sat down in the passenger seat.
Once Cecilia had fastened her seatbelt, Charles Yin started the car and drove away from the house.
Charles was about to speed up, but suddenly remembered Cecilia mentioning she was pregnant the last time they drove. He eased off the gas pedal.
Hmph, he wasn't doing it for Cecilia—he was just thinking about the child in her belly.
Neither of them spoke in the car; they both ignored each other.
Charles was sulking, while Cecilia was still confused, completely clueless as to why he was angry.
They kept up the silent standoff all the way to the banquet venue.
As soon as the car stopped, someone immediately came over to greet them.
Cecilia unfastened her seatbelt and got out of the car with the help of the attendant.
The attendant saw Charles Yin and instantly smiled warmly. "Young Master Yin, you’re finally here. The host has been waiting for a long time."
Charles Yin gave a slight, elegant smile. "Sorry for being late."
"Not at all! This way, Young Master Yin," the attendant replied respectfully.
Charles glanced at Cecilia, who was still looking lost, and held back his annoyance. He walked over and bent his arm toward her.
Cecilia froze for a moment, but this time she reacted quickly and slipped her arm through Charles's, locking it in place.
Here, she didn't know anyone except Charles Yin—she definitely couldn't afford to make him angry again.
Better stick close to him, or if he got mad and left her here, what would she do?
Cecilia instinctively leaned in, nearly hugging Charles's arm.
Seeing Cecilia behave so well and even move closer to him, Charles's eyes lit up with delight.
Little girl, why are you suddenly getting close now?
Looks like I'll have to bring you to more events from now on.
Because Cecilia had moved closer on her own, Charles's anger vanished instantly, replaced by delight as he walked inside.
Cecilia looked around as she walked, feeling like her eyes couldn't take it all in.
Where was this place?
It was just so luxurious.
The hall was huge, every corner refined and elegant.
Everywhere she looked, there were stylish men and beautiful women mingling, while waiters in crisp white shirts and black trousers with bow ties served everyone.
It was Cecilia's first time at such an upscale event, and she instantly felt uneasy and out of place.
"Relax, there are so many people here, no one will pay attention to you," Charles Yin said, feeling the tension in her grip. The little girl was no longer just holding his arm—she was hugging it. Her elbow kept bumping into something soft; did she not notice?
Not that he minded bumping into her a few more times.
Just then, someone spotted Charles Yin and came over, laughing. "Young Master Yin, we've been hoping you'd show up! Wow, this is the first time you've brought a date to an event. And this is—"
(Irrelevant system message skipped.)
Suddenly, countless eyes turned to Cecilia.
Cecilia looked up and glared at Charles Yin with resentment. Didn't he say no one would notice her? What now?
Charles Yin gave a formal smile and shook hands with the man. "My date, Cecilia Gu."
Cecilia immediately used the etiquette tips Mrs. Zhang had taught her, showing exactly eight teeth in a friendly smile. "Hello, I'm Cecilia Gu."
The man was stunned by Cecilia's smile and took a moment before replying, "Hello, I'm Zhao Zhen."
Zhao Zhen was truly surprised.
He never expected that Charles Yin's first time bringing a date to such an event would be with a total social newbie.
She tried hard to appear calm, but her clear eyes had already betrayed her inner panic.
But he had to admit, this woman's eyes were truly clear.
That's something those women who frequent these events never have.
"Why are you here alone? Where is everyone else?" Charles Yin glanced around, unconcerned. "I heard the guest we're welcoming tonight is a business genius?"
Zhao Zhen lowered his voice and replied, "Yes! Everyone's outside greeting the distinguished guest. Reliable sources say he's a business prodigy who can rival you, Young Master Yin. If he settles in N City, you'll have a real competitor! Apparently, he's backed by two major families and has deep pockets."
"Oh? That makes me even more interested," Charles Yin said, taking a cocktail from a waiter and sipping it elegantly. "It's been a long time since I've had a worthy opponent. Now I'm really looking forward to meeting this legendary genius who might share my empire."
Cecilia stood there, listening to Charles and Zhao Zhen talk business, all while enduring the malicious stares around her.
Cecilia wailed inwardly: Ladies, you've got it all wrong! I never wanted to compete with you for Charles Yin! If you like him, go ahead—he's all yours!
After her inner wailing, she started grumbling: Charles Yin, you're like a walking hormone dispenser! Wherever you go, women follow with their eyes! Why does a man have to be so good-looking? Now, just standing next to you, I have to endure all these venomous stares!
Seeing Cecilia uncomfortable, Charles quickly ended his conversation with Zhao Zhen and led her to a quiet spot. "I need to greet the host. Since you're not used to this kind of event, just stay here and eat. But remember, don't eat too much junk food, and no drinking!"
Cecilia nodded enthusiastically—this was perfect for her.
She wasn't good at socializing anyway, so it was best to find a quiet spot and eat in peace.
Once Charles Yin was sure Cecilia would be fine, he turned and left.
Cecilia let out a sigh of relief.
This kind of event really wasn't for her. All those crash-course lessons from Mrs. Zhang turned out to be useless.
As long as no one paid attention to her, she was happy—she had no desire to be in the spotlight.
She might as well just eat something.
Cecilia quickly filled a plate with food, grabbed a glass of juice, and headed to a quiet corner where few people went. She picked up her knife and fork and started eating happily.
Wherever Charles Yin went, he was surrounded by admirers, treated like the center of the universe.
Many women were desperately trying to get his attention.
Since Charles Yin brought a date tonight, it meant he wasn't gay after all!
As long as he was straight, the other women still had a chance!
All the women who thought they were prettier or had better figures than Cecilia rushed to get noticed.
Cecilia didn't notice any of this—or rather, she just didn't care.
Charles Yin stood among the crowd, but kept looking for Cecilia.
Where had that little troublemaker gone? She couldn't even sit still to eat—was she part mole or something? Did she burrow through the floor?
Hmm, that little thing really was a bit like a mole, always looking at him with those confused eyes...
Little mole... mole sprite...
As Charles imagined this creature overlapping with Cecilia's image, he couldn't help but smile softly.