Monday
Xia Chenchen was buried in translation work when her phone buzzed. Father's secretary.
"Miss Chenchen, Madam has arranged a banquet tonight. Your attendance is required."
"Is this for Xingkong's homecoming?" Chenchen asked flatly.
"That is Madam's intention. I'll send the address."
"...Understood." After a pause, she acquiesced. "I'll be there."
...
The banquet hall buzzed with guests. Chenchen stood alone in a shadowed corner, picking at a delicate pastry. She'd come only for the sake of her grandmother's happiness. This celebration had nothing to do with her.
"Mrs. Xia, what a blessing Xingkong is to your family!" voices gushed from a sparkling cluster nearby.
"Indeed!" Li Lingyi basked in the praise, her face glowing like polished jade. "Our Xingkong is an internationally acclaimed artist now. Only heads of state and envoys witness her performances."
"Absolutely!" Li Lingyi preened. "She danced for the President himself recently! I heard he was deeply impressed!"
"Brilliant career, and now engaged to the illustrious Xu heir – Xingkong truly has it all!"
"The Xu conglomerate's son? The one leading their expansion?"
"The very same! Dashing young man!"
"The Xu Group is soaring – retail, construction, luxury hotels... Now branching into jewelry and tech!"
"Oh, that's his parents' legacy," Li Lingyi waved dismissively, unable to mask her pride. "But Xu Yan himself? Chief interpreter to the British Prime Minister! And after meeting our President? The Presidential Office snatched him immediately! Pure talent!"
"Working for the President! Such prestige! We common folk could only dream of glimpsing His Excellency! Enviable!"
The sycophantic chorus swelled, dripping with envy.
A bitter taste filled Chenchen's mouth. If not for that untouchable President they worship… Would Xu Yan's hand still be holding mine?
She gave a wry smile, downed a glass of champagne in one swift motion.
No 'what ifs.'
I have Dabai. That makes everything… enough.
As her thoughts wandered, the guests of honor arrived. Xia Xingkong entered on Xu Yan's arm, radiating triumph. Every eye turned toward them.
Chenchen watched from the crowd's edge.
They look perfect together… Radiant… Painfully enviable…
"Attention, everyone!" Grandmother Xia's voice crackled over the microphone after obligatory greetings. "Tonight, we celebrate the formal engagement of my beloved Xingkong… and Xu Yan!"
Applause erupted like thunder.
"A match made in heaven!"
"Power couple!"
"Elite in every way!"
Chenchen stood frozen amidst the clapping. Her hands hung leaden at her sides, refusing applause.
Suddenly, Xu Yan's gaze locked onto hers across the room.
He knew he should look away. Knew it was madness. Yet his eyes remained anchored to Chenchen, helpless, yearning.
Xingkong followed his stare. Her smile hardened. She tugged his arm sharply. "Xu Yan? What holds your attention?"
"Chenchen's here. We should greet her," he stated simply, his voice tight.
Rage flickered behind Xingkong's eyes, swiftly masked by saccharine sweetness. "Of course." She steered them toward Chenchen.
...
Chenchen's heart hammered as they approached. Chaos churned within her.
Xingkong thrust a fresh flute of champagne into her hand. "Sister! Thank you for blessing our union! We're engaged now, wedding soon once careers settle!"
"A joyous occasion. Congratulations." Chenchen avoided Xu Yan's eyes, swallowing the champagne in one burning gulp.
Xu Yan opened his mouth, words dying on his lips.
"Truly," Xingkong chirped, her smile venomously bright, "we owe this happiness to your… withdrawal years ago. Another toast, dear sister!"
Chenchen's jaw clenched. Without hesitation, she drained the second glass.
"Chenchen!" Xu Yan whispered urgently, knowing her low tolerance.
The soft plea sliced the air. Chenchen heard it. Xingkong heard it. Her knuckles whitened around her glass, but her sickly smile remained plastered on.
"Sister," Xingkong pressed, feigning wide-eyed concern, "since Yan and I are settled… when will your life find stability?"
"Stability?"
"Your son's father, of course! Five years ago, during your… predicament… you claimed ignorance about who fathered the child. Now the boy is four. Surely you've tracked the man down?" Her voice, dripping with false innocence, carried like a bell.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Whispers ignited.
"That's the Xia family's disgraced daughter…"
"Knocked up at eighteen without knowing the father! Scandalous!"
"Heard she was juggling Xu Yan and multiple men when it happened!"
"Utter shame! She's the Xia family's stain!"
The vicious murmurs crescendoed – sharp, cruel, cutting glass. Chenchen stood paralyzed, naked under the avalanche of scornful stares and derisive laughter.
"Xingkong! Why say this?" Xu Yan hissed, paling, gripping her arm.
"I'm sorry! Was it inappropriate?" Xingkong blinked, radiating manufactured remorse. "I only wished to know how my sister fares after years apart…" Her flawless act melted Xu Yan's anger into helpless pity.
Revulsion soured Chenchen's throat. "Enjoy your celebration. I'm leaving."
She slammed her empty glass onto a passing tray. Ignoring farewells, she gathered her skirts, stumbling toward the exit. The alcohol hit hard; the world tilted drunkenly.
"Don't be angry, sister!" Xingkong called after her, vindictive glee barely concealed. Xu Yan followed, frowning.
Chenchen swayed, vision blurring. As her knees buckled, Xu Yan instinctively lunged forward to catch her—
A figure materialized between them, blocking Xu Yan and Xingkong like an impassable wall.
Before Xu Yan could react, another man – sharp-suited with an aura of controlled lethality (Leng Fei) – appeared silently at Chenchen's side, offering silent, steadying support.
A hush descended. The oppressive chatter died mid-sentence. The very air seemed to crackle, charged with sudden, terrifying authority.
Slowly, deliberately, Bai Yeqing stepped into the banquet hall's dazzling light. His presence wasn't just noticed; it electrocuted the room. The President of the Republic stood amidst the gaudy celebration, his obsidian gaze sweeping the frozen crowd, finally settling like a physical weight on Xia Xingkong's suddenly bloodless face.
"Yes, Ms. Xia Xingkong," his voice cut through the silence, colder than polar ice, resonating with absolute command. "I am the father Xia Chenchen 'failed to track down.'"