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After resting for a few days, Cheng Mo's body had fully recovered, but the weight in her heart grew heavier, making it hard for her to breathe. Her delicate fingers held a brush, and the rice paper was stained with elegant characters. She had written five farewell letters, but none of them satisfied her, so she tore them up and started over. Back and forth, the morning passed.
"Mo Su, sister." Outside the door was Shangguan Yiting's voice, sweet as a nightingale. Cheng Mo quickly put away the unfinished farewell letter and stood up to welcome her in. Shangguan Yiting glanced at the messy table and smiled, "What are you writing? Is it a love poem for my brother? Are you shy about me seeing it?"
"No... it's not..." Cheng Mo replied softly with her head down.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. Otherwise, if he sees it, he'll say I'm bullying you, and then he might come after me." Shangguan Yiting joked while handing Cheng Mo a box. When Cheng Mo opened it, she found a beautiful white gauze dress. What girl doesn't love pretty clothes? Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, Shangguan Yiting laughed and said, "How is it? Not bad, right? This was specially ordered from France and just arrived today."
"It's beautiful." Cheng Mo's fingers brushed over the dress, feeling quite puzzled.
"Then keep it; this is just for me to bring to you." Shangguan Yiting patted her hand with a radiant smile. "Oh, I never realized my quiet brother could be so considerate towards girls." Noticing Cheng Mo's growing embarrassment, she quickly changed the subject. "Mo Su, wear this dress tonight; we have a big ball at Shangguan Residence."
"A ball?" Her eyes lit up instantly. Although she was naturally calm by nature, she was still a socialite from Shanghai and had attended several balls each month. It had been a while since she last danced, and she felt quite pent up.
Shangguan Yiting covered her mouth and chuckled softly. After all, Mo Su was still a child at heart and loved to play. She nodded and took Cheng Mo's hand to sit her down. "Isn't it? This might be the biggest ball in Feng Province; everyone notable in the Northeast will be there. This ball celebrates our Shangguan Family regaining power."
Cheng Mo's heart sank slightly. While she was happy to attend the ball, she worried about what identity she would have there. Clever and perceptive as Shangguan Yiting was, how could she not see through her thoughts? With a bright smile, she said, "Mo Su, these past few days Xiao Lin has been busy and probably hasn't had time to tell you that at such balls, one walks hand in hand either with their fiancé or spouse." Her expression turned serious as she continued, "Although you and Xiao Lin share deep feelings for each other, you don't have an engagement yet. So you'll attend as our Shangguan Family's honored guest."
Cheng Mo was slightly taken aback; soft light fell on her cheeks as Shangguan Yiting's words struck a chord within her. She wasn't anyone significant to Shaoyi; she was merely a past guest—nothing more.
Shangguan Yiting observed her expression and said gently, "Alright now, don't think too much about it; hurry up and try on the dress to see if it fits."
"No, I'm not going." Cheng Mo's gaze was clear and bright as she smiled faintly like a blooming lotus flower. Shangguan Yiting sighed inwardly; between Rong Yuqiao and Cheng Mo, she still preferred Cheng Mo. She knew well about Cheng Mo's father; half of the wealth in the south was held by the Cheng Family. If their families could unite through marriage, it would be like adding wings to a tiger for the Shangguan Family.
The young lady of the Rong Family, Rong Yuqiao, already had a marriage engagement with her younger brother. What should be done about this...
"Mo Su, don't be angry. You will eventually become a member of the Shangguan Family. It's better to meet them sooner rather than later." Shangguan Yiting held her hand, the golden silk gloves causing Cheng Mo Su some discomfort.
Cheng Mo Su smiled lightly, maintaining a polite distance. "Sister, you overstate things. Right now, Shaoyi and I are probably just friends in adversity, with no other thoughts." She raised her eyes, clear as water. "But I must attend this ball, not for him, but for myself."
"For yourself?" Shangguan Yiting asked in confusion.
Cheng Mo Su's eyelids fluttered slightly as she exhaled softly, her half-closed eyes making it hard to read her emotions. "I haven't danced in a long time; I want to move around a bit."
In the evening, before it was completely dark, many people from the Shangguan Family began to arrive one after another. The housekeeper, Aunt Chen, warmly greeted guests at the entrance while Shangguan Yiting sat gracefully in the hall, wearing a stunningly beautiful smile. Her long golden evening gown trailed on the floor, adorned with diamonds that showcased her status and nobility. She slightly lifted her chin; under the bright lights, her neck formed an elegant curve, resembling a beautiful painting.
Cheng Mo Su stood behind a column on the second floor, silently observing the crowd below. Most of the male guests were dressed in military uniforms while the female guests wore various colorful gowns. Her pupils tightened slightly; among everyone, she quickly found him—not because of his outstanding demeanor or heroic presence, but because his mere presence made her heart race inexplicably.
He seemed to be searching for her as well but was interrupted by several generals who came to greet him. His eyes remained as cold as when they first met; there was no trace of the gentleness he showed when he was with her. When he spoke, his lips curved slightly upward in just the right amount, giving him an air of calmness and determination.
"Lin Gege!" A sweet voice reached her ears. She focused on a girl around her age who had linked arms with him, smiling brightly and playfully as if they were old acquaintances. Surprisingly, a hint of genuine smile appeared on Shangguan Shaoyi's indifferent face.
After less than a moment of conversation between them, his gaze drifted toward where she stood; his eyes paused slightly. Since he had seen her, she descended the winding crystal staircase and approached him. Shangguan Shaoyi held her hand tightly and kissed her forehead in front of everyone. The surrounding crowd suddenly fell silent, each person looking at her with curious eyes; she felt her face burn with embarrassment while he smiled calmly.
Everyone understood what was happening and nodded knowingly to each other. Those old generals who tried to connect with Shangguan Shaoyi also grasped his meaning and refrained from making themselves uncomfortable. However... Cheng Mo Su's gaze turned toward the lively girl who did not hide her disdain and stared directly at Cheng Mo Su. "Who are you?"
Cheng Mo Su smiled lightly, her brows slightly furrowed but still calm as water without stirring any ripples. "Miss, when you ask someone else's name, you should first introduce yourself. Also, it seems you forgot to use 'please'."
The woman was taken aback, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes. "Do you think you deserve to know my name?"
"This is my family's long-time friend, Miss Rong Yuqiao," Shangguan Shaoyi said lightly, his gaze sliding over to Cheng Mo Su with a hint of a smile. "This is Miss Cheng from Shanghai, Cheng Mo Su."
"Hello, Miss Rong." Cheng Mo Su smiled quietly, extending her fair little hand, but Lin Yuqiao raised an eyebrow and coldly laughed, not taking the offered hand and turning to leave. Cheng Mo Su sighed softly, suppressing her strong emotions. Shangguan Shaoyi's eyes flickered; he knew exactly what she was thinking. Without saying much, he reached out and pulled her into his embrace. "Yuqiao and I grew up together, just like you and Zuo Wei. Do you think you would like someone you've always considered a sibling?"
Cheng Mo Su's gaze faltered. She wouldn't, but that didn't mean others wouldn't. She pouted cutely. Shangguan Shaoyi smiled lightly. "Is my Mo Su feeling jealous?"
"Who’s jealous?" Cheng Mo Su shot him a glare.
"Alright, alright, if you say you're not, then you're not." Shangguan Shaoyi slightly bowed and made a gesture inviting her to dance. His eyes held a deep light that pierced into her heart. His voice seemed to come from the heavens yet felt within reach. "This time, let me invite you to dance."
She paused slightly, recalling the ball on Christmas Eve when they had danced for the first time. He had been at the lowest point in his life then, while she had been deeply interested in him and had insisted on dancing with him. And now...
Her heart warmed as her hand gently touched his palm, and he led her gracefully into the dance.
The brightness of the lights could not compare to their own colors. In a swirling crowd, he led her in a dance that belonged solely to them. The corners of her lips held a quiet smile—gentle, serene, bright, enchanting—her waist soft and slender as he embraced this pure version of her. Watching her smile bloom from the depths of her heart made him feel as if the world itself was astonished by their beauty. They spun and danced, leaped and embraced, captivating the scenery and stunning time itself while breaking the gaze of two others.
Xiao Zuo Wei held a glass of red wine, leaning against the window sill as he quietly watched those gentle eyes that didn't belong to him yet still enchanted him. Memories flooded back to their childhood—strolling by the riverbank with splashes of water, sitting tiredly by the forest after studying at their desks. She still wore that same smile, overlapping with the hazy memories of those days—tranquil yet profound.
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