CTS 20

It was only when Zhao Yi mentioned it that Shen Mo realized he had not seen Ji Mingxuan for several days. He had been sleeping heavily at night, and Ji Mingxuan had been busy with the engagement arrangements. Shen Mo did not even know if he had been coming home to sleep at all.

Zhao Yi looked around and asked,
“Why do I not see Mr. Ji anywhere?”

Shen Mo replied, “Mingxuan has many friends. He must be busy entertaining guests.”

“Mr. Ji really is a busy man,” Zhao Yi said.

“He always has been,” Shen Mo answered.

Facing Zhao Yi always made Shen Mo feel a little awkward. He had originally planned to exchange a few polite words and then leave. But just at that moment, the lights in the lobby dimmed.

Music began to play. Hand in hand, Zhou Yang and Ji An’an walked out together.
Both of them were dressed formally.
Zhou Yang in a black suit, Ji An’an in a pure white dress. They truly looked like a perfect couple. A single spotlight shone down on them, so bright it made Shen Mo’s eyes blur.

He watched from a distance, feeling as if everything were unreal. In his mind, Zhou Yang was still the person he had known three years ago.

Facing the man who was about to become Ji An’an’s husband now, Shen Mo felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity.

After a while, Shen Mo noticed that Ji Mingxuan was also standing nearby.

Ji Mingxuan’s gaze swept over and seemed to linger on him for a brief moment before moving away quickly.

Shen Mo could not tell whether it was real or just his imagination.

He overheard someone nearby whispering,
“The Ji family really produces nothing but handsome men and beautiful women.”

“The sister is about to get married, yet the brother still shows no signs of settling down.”

“Mr. Ji has had his fair share of romantic gossip. If he ever wanted to marry, there would be plenty of elegant young ladies lining up for him.”

Zhao Yi also heard the whispers. He glanced at Shen Mo and raised his eyebrows slightly.

Shen Mo felt even more uncomfortable.

Fortunately, an engagement banquet was mostly about following formalities.
Once Zhou Yang and Ji An’an cut the cake and poured the champagne, the event quickly wrapped up. When the two kissed on stage, the crowd burst into applause and cheers. Shen Mo clapped so hard his hands started to hurt.

Soon after, the lights brightened again.
Ji An’an, treating Shen Mo as family, walked straight over to him. She had drunk a little wine on stage, and her cheeks were flushed a bright pink, making her look even more vibrant. She was now wearing her engagement ring, which sparkled brilliantly under the crystal lights.

Ji An’an patted her chest and said, “I was so nervous just now.”

“Everyone feels that way,” Shen Mo said sincerely. “Congratulations.”

Ji An’an took a small sip of wine and smiled.
“I noticed my brother seems to be in a good mood today. Did you two make up?”

Shen Mo replied, “Of course.”

Ji An’an looked at him with a hint of envy.
“I hope Zhou Yang and I can be like you and my brother.”

“You will be even better.”

As they were chatting, they saw Zhao Yi in the distance, holding a glass of wine as he walked toward Ji Mingxuan.

Ji An’an, who had also heard some rumors, looked a little unhappy. She muttered under her breath, “Why is he here too?”

As she spoke, she grabbed Shen Mo’s hand.
“Let’s go find my brother.”

Shen Mo could not break free, so he had no choice but to let her drag him along.

On the way, they brushed past a tall man.
The man’s appearance was ordinary, except for a deep scar across his brow that made him stand out.

Shen Mo only caught a glimpse of him.
In an instant, his face turned pale. His legs felt as heavy as lead, and he stood frozen in place, unable to take a single step forward.

Ji An’an turned back and asked, “Brother Shen, what is wrong?”

The hand Shen Mo had been holding was ice cold. He said quietly, “That man just now…”

“Who?” Ji An’an glanced around and said,
“Oh, you mean the one with the scar?
He is a bodyguard hired by Aunt Zhou to handle security for the engagement party.
I heard he is also a distant cousin of Zhou Yang’s.”

“He does look pretty fierce,” she added in a whisper. “I heard he used to be involved in the underworld. He even served time in prison and only got out recently.”

Shen Mo’s face remained drained of color.
It took him a long time before he finally found his voice and said in a low tone,
“I know.”