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Stepping Stones
墨書 Inktalez
The noise of the banquet hall seemed to be separated by a thin membrane.
The brilliance of the crystal chandelier was dazzling, making one feel lightheaded.
I stood outside the lounge door, wanting to push it open and step inside.
"Shao Jun, you really did it. Marrying Miss Xu Jia is a shortcut into the capital circle," came the voice of Dong Chao from within, laced with a hint of flattery.
"From now on, you can walk sideways in the capital circle," another voice chimed in.
My breath caught, and my palms began to sweat.
Inside the lounge, Zhou Shaojun chuckled softly.
"Xu Ke is just a stepping stone, you understand?"
"Xu Jia, while she may be called nouveau riche, is actually just a parvenu."
His voice was not loud, but it struck my heart like a heavy hammer.
"She has money, but lacks depth."
"I need this marriage to elevate the family's status."
Zhou Shaojun's voice carried a hint of impatience.
"Just endure her for a few more years."
Endure?
I clenched my fists tightly, my knuckles turning white.
A wave of nausea surged in my stomach, threatening to overwhelm me.
"With Xu Jia's funding, you'll be able to stand on equal footing with the Chen Family."
Dong Chao's tone was filled with envy.
"The Chen Jiayi family is prestigious, a century-old noble lineage. Compared to Xu Ke's nouveau riche, their class is on another level."
Laughter echoed from the lounge, sharp, frivolous, and unrestrained.
I gritted my teeth, fighting back tears.
Taking a few deep breaths, I struggled to control my trembling body.
I blinked hard, forcing the tears that were welling up in my eyes back down.
Suddenly, footsteps approached from the other end of the corridor.
I hurriedly ducked into the makeup room of the restroom.
As I closed the door, my hands trembled uncontrollably.
The surroundings were terrifyingly quiet, with only the sound of my hurried breaths.
Once, I had truly loved Zhou Shaojun with all my heart.
I recalled every moment we spent together, over and over again.
Those sweet memories now felt like sharp thorns, piercing my heart.
I thought he was my soulmate.
Now it seems it was nothing but a joke.
I wiped my tears away forcefully, looking at myself in the mirror.
My carefully applied makeup was ruined, and my eyes were red.
In his eyes, I was just the daughter of a nouveau riche.
Merely a stepping stone into the world of capital.
I covered my mouth, trying to suppress my breakdown from anyone's ears.
I sat alone in the villa's living room.
Outside the window, the stars twinkled, but inside my heart, it was pitch black.
"I need a marriage alliance to elevate the family's status."
"Just endure her for a few more years."
The cold voice of Zhou Shaojun echoed in my mind.
Each word pierced my heart like a needle.
Again and again...
I pressed my hand tightly against my chest, trying to stop the spreading pain.
My phone vibrated, and a message from Zhou Shaojun popped up: "Brand endorsement tomorrow at 10. Dress appropriately."
No greetings, no concern—only orders, utterly indifferent.
I stared at the screen, my fingers trembling.
The glow of the screen illuminated my pale face.
I began to recall one by one the gifts Zhou Shaojun had given me.
Limited edition bags, expensive jewelry, luxury sports cars... each gift was worth a fortune, beautifully packaged.
Every single item was priceless.
Yet, every time he gifted me something, he would post it on social media, tagging the price and limited edition number.
Then he would mention me: "A token of affection for my fiancée."
But now it seemed that behind these gifts lay a cold calculation.
His perfunctory attitude when giving gifts, the feigned affection he displayed while taking photos.
Everything was just for the perfect image on social media.
To maintain his persona as the "perfect fiancé."
I felt nauseous, wanting to vomit; I covered my mouth and gagged a few times.
I forced myself to get up and walked toward the wardrobe to pick out an outfit for tomorrow's endorsement.
My phone buzzed again; it was a message from Mu Mu.
"Sister, Zhou Shaojun showed up at the Chen Family's dinner! He was chatting away with Chen Jiayi, having a blast!"
The attached photo showed Zhou Shaojun standing next to Chen Jiayi, holding a wine glass for her.
His smile was even brighter than when he was with me.
And tonight, he had told me he had important business and couldn't join me for dinner.
I quickly replied to Mu Mu and then got up to change into my gown.
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