Chapter 2: Taken to a Gathering
Wei Yang was very beautiful, always had been since she was young—of that kind of beauty that instantly draws people in. She was radiant, charming, and bold... but over time, all that remained was her obedience, thoughtfulness, and compliance.
Yet, her face still commanded attention, impossible to overlook.
Wei Yang paid no mind to their probing glances and inquiries. After leaving the Xie residence, she never crossed paths with them again.
Carrying a large box to the roadside, she hesitated for a moment before tossing it into a nearby trash bin.
“Wei Yang?!”
A red Hennessy came to a smooth stop, and a bright, sunny face peeked out from the window.
Wei Yang froze, then belatedly recognized the man before her.
Zhao Yunkai, the youngest son of the Zhao family and younger brother to Zhao Wenqian, was a playboy surrounded by women. He was about her age. Back in middle school, he had even confessed his feelings for her publicly, only to be rejected.
Seeing that Wei Yang didn’t recognize him immediately, Zhao Yunkai felt a pang of disappointment but masked it with indifference. “It’s me! Zhao Yunkai. Remember middle school? I confessed to you, but your brother found out and beat me up.”
Wei Yang smiled, a rare gesture. “I remember you.”
Zhao Yunkai grinned. “Since you remember me, get in the car. I’ll give you a ride.”
Wei Yang declined politely, “No need to trouble yourself. I can take a taxi.”
Since the Wei family’s bankruptcy, Zhao Yunkai hadn’t seen her. Now that fate had brought them together again, he wasn’t willing to let her go.
“It’s been so many years. Wei Yang, honestly, everyone misses you. There’s a gathering tonight; why don’t you come along?”
Wei Yang was about to refuse when Zhao Yunkai stepped out of the car. “Wei Yang, just do me this one favor?”
After a moment’s hesitation, she agreed.
At seven o’clock that evening, Zhao Yunkai arrived punctually beneath Wei Yang’s apartment building.
By then, Wei Yang was already standing by the roadside, waiting.
The early spring night was drizzly, the rain fine as silk, hazy and dim. The pale yellow glow of the streetlamp filtered through the raindrops, casting a shadow over her eyes.
Yet her delicate face outshone even the peonies blooming in the corner.
Zhao Yunkai gazed under the umbrella at Wei Yang, quietly resolving that tonight, he would win her over.
Wei Yang hadn’t appeared among them for a long time. Three years ago, when the Shen family went bankrupt, she became the secret lover of Xie Yanli and voluntarily withdrew from that circle. Seeing her now felt like encountering someone from another world.
“Yangyang, where have you been these past three years? If you hadn’t shown up, we’d have thought you disappeared.”
Su Nian was one of the few in their circle who had been friendly with her, though she refused to help when the Wei family fell apart.
Still, Su Nian understood how disastrous it would be to associate with the Wei family in such circumstances.
Wei Yang greeted Su Nian with a smile, as if nothing had happened.
The others curiously asked about her whereabouts over the years.
At the time of the Wei family’s bankruptcy, she had just finished her junior year in college. She hadn’t completed her studies but had gone out to work to support her family. Later, she met Xie Yanli.
Wei Yang gathered herself and replied with a smile, “Busy working and earning money!”
Everyone knew about the Wei family’s downfall and, hearing her answer, didn’t press further.
Suddenly, the half-closed door of the private room was pushed open from outside.
The quiet atmosphere instantly became lively. Someone teased loudly, “Finally, the star of tonight has arrived!”
Zhao Wenqian smiled coquettishly, playfully chiding, “How did I become your star?”
“Wenqian, it’s not just you. Third brother is too. Tonight is a farewell party everyone’s organized for you both.”
“Wenqian, if you hadn’t come back, third brother would have been pitiful.”
“Exactly! Have you noticed? Third brother’s smile has grown so much; he used to always have a frozen expression.”
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