Chapter 5: The Cocktail Party

As if fearing what would come, Jian Jinci received a call from Jian Senran early the next morning. He asked her to attend a cocktail party that evening, hosted by the newly listed company, Jingche Group.

She wanted to refuse, but Jian Senran said that the party was very important and she had to be there. Moreover, she couldn’t be late.

After hanging up the phone, Jian Jinci threw herself on the bed, sprawled out, staring at the ceiling. This was truly a cursed relationship. Would she really run into him at the cocktail party tonight?

She regretted it. If time could turn back, no matter how handsome or good-looking the man sitting next to her was, she wouldn’t have taken a second glance.

Thinking about the cocktail party tonight made her incredibly anxious. She should avoid him, after all, capitalists like him have more important things to do and wouldn’t pay attention to a small fry like her.

She comforted herself and had already thought of a way to deal with it. If she really ran into him, she would pretend not to know him. After all, she had drunk a lot that night and couldn’t remember clearly. Besides, she was just a nobody. How could someone like him possibly remember her?

Jian Jinci had taken on a job last night, the highest paying one she had ever taken. The client paid her a thousand yuan in advance, and another thousand would be paid upon completion of the design if the client was satisfied.

She designed according to the client’s requirements. She was so busy that she didn’t eat until two in the afternoon. It was common for her to forget to eat when she was busy.

At this time, Jian Senran sent someone over with a dress and a makeup artist. He also assigned her a driver and told her to get ready and go directly to the cocktail party.

Only on occasions like this would Jian Senran think of her for the sake of face. It was also at this time that she would put on a gorgeous dress and look like the Miss Jian of the Jian family.

After changing into the dress and getting her makeup done, she followed the driver to the cocktail party.

The cocktail party started at eight o’clock. She arrived just in time. As Jian Jinci got out of the car, she saw her stepsister, Jian Ying, holding Jian Senran’s arm, smiling confidently and generously. Liang Jinyu was holding his other arm.

Jian Ying was one year younger than her and was still a college student. She had been a beautiful girl since she was young. She was wearing a rose gold evening gown, her flax-colored wavy hair was draped lazily over her shoulders, her features were delicate, and her eyes were full of confidence.

The family of three were smiling happily.

This scene was both dazzling and ironic. She, the daughter of the original wife, was nothing in his eyes. If she died one day, he wouldn’t shed a single tear for her, his own daughter.

Jian Senran seemed to notice her and nodded slightly at her. Jian Jinci ignored him directly.

Jian Senran seemed to be greeting her, but in fact, he was telling her to arrange her own affairs tonight and not cause any trouble to embarrass the Jian family.

Jian Jinci walked into the cocktail party. She was wearing a white fishtail dress, showing off her beautiful figure. Her hair was casually tied up at the back of her head, with two strands of loose hair framing her face. Her skin was fair, and her aura was cold and aloof.

She didn’t need to lower her presence. With Jian Ying there, everyone would be surrounding her. That was fine, she didn’t like being the center of attention.

She took a glass of champagne and found a secluded corner to sit down, waiting for the party to end.

At the cocktail party, the chandeliers were dazzling, and the waiters carrying red wine shuttled through the crowd.

The surrounding people were noisy, clinking glasses, exchanging toasts, flattering each other. It was impossible to tell whether it was genuine or fake.

She took a sip of champagne and scanned the center of the cocktail party hall. Her gaze passed through the crowd and was drawn to a familiar figure.

The man was tall and slender, wearing a tailored suit, standing in the center of the crowd. His aura was different from everyone else, noble and cold.

He held a glass of red wine in his right hand, surrounded by a circle of people who were smiling and flattering him.

His lips moved, but she was too far away to hear what he was saying. After a few seconds, he drained the red wine in his glass, and then the crowd dispersed.

Perhaps her gaze was too intense, he looked over in her direction. Jian Jinci quickly lowered her head, secretly praying that he wouldn’t recognize her.

Two minutes later, Jian Jinci secretly glanced in that direction. By then, he was no longer in the banquet hall. She breathed a sigh of relief and secretly rejoiced.

“Sister Jian Jinci?”

Hearing the voice, Jian Jinci turned her head and saw Su Jingxuan walking over, holding Song Xuchen’s arm: “Sister Jian Jinci, it’s really you. I thought I was seeing things.”

Jian Jinci frowned. This was deliberately trying to make her uncomfortable. Since she insisted on putting herself in the line of fire, then she shouldn’t blame her for being impolite.

Jian Jinci looked at her and smiled: “Oh? Who is it? It’s our little sister, San San.”

Su Jingxuan’s face instantly turned black. She was furious: “You…”

Anger surged through her, but she wouldn’t lash out at the cocktail party.

Jian Jinci curled her lips: “Is this your first time attending such a high-class cocktail party, little sister San San? You should ask Mr. Song beside you to teach you the etiquette of cocktail parties. Don’t lose face. Your face is worthless, but the one beside you has a face worth a thousand gold.”

Su Jingxuan’s face turned ugly. This b*tch was implying that she was a mistress, someone who couldn’t be seen in public.

Song Xuchen: “Jian Jinci, don’t go too far.”

“Oh my…” Jian Jinci said: “You’re protecting her already?”

Su Jingxuan put on a delicate and weak posture: “Brother Xuchen, don’t blame my sister. It’s my fault.”

Her affected manner was sickening, but some men just fell for it.

Her eyes were filled with obvious mockery: “Song Xuchen, even if you changed women, I would be willing to be cheated on. Look at the woman you found. A white lotus flower and a green tea, the tea flavor is so strong it makes me nauseous. It’s as disgusting as it can be.”

Su Jingxuan was burning with anger, but she didn’t show it. Disguising herself was her forte: “Brother Xuchen, I’m fine. My sister is just heartbroken from breaking up with you, that’s why she’s like this.”

She played the role of the weak and innocent to the extreme.

Song Xuchen held her in his arms, feeling sorry for her.

“Little sister San San.” Jian Jinci sneered: “Don’t say that. I should thank you for ridding the world of this trash. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know what to do with this trash even if I went to the trash recycling center. I’m not heartbroken at all, blessings on your locked-in love.”

She said again: “But can I ask you a favor?”

“I beg you two to stay away from me. Don’t dirty my eyes, it’s disgusting.”

Jian Jinci took the champagne from the table and walked towards them. When she reached Su Jingxuan, she pretended to twist her ankle, and the champagne spilled all over her rose gold dress.

“Ah…” Su Jingxuan exclaimed.

Jian Jinci apologized with a face full of guilt: “Little sister San San, I didn’t mean to. Don’t be angry. It’s all my fault for being careless.”

Su Jingxuan suppressed her anger and could only force a smile and say it was okay.

Jian Jinci smiled innocently: “Well, since it’s okay, I have something to do, so I’ll go first.”

After saying that, Jian Jinci didn’t wait for Su Jingxuan’s response and left.

She left the noisy cocktail party hall and went to the restroom. It was quiet here, and she could avoid the people she didn’t want to see. She stayed in the restroom for a while before coming out.

As she came out of the restroom and turned a corner, that familiar figure was walking towards her.

What a strange coincidence…

Enemies meet, and ghosts won’t let go.

Jian Jinci felt a strong gaze on her. Could he have recognized her?

The two of them got closer and closer. After a mental struggle, whether he recognized her or not, she would pretend not to know him. She would never admit to knowing him.

She looked straight ahead, trying to make herself look less nervous.

She could feel her heart beating wildly.

After passing him, Jian Jinci breathed a sigh of relief.

“Miss.” That familiar voice came from behind her.

She stopped in her tracks, not knowing what to do for a moment. She took a deep breath and turned around: “Sir, do we know each other?”

Pei Yanzhou’s face was dark, he stared at her intently. After a long time, he slowly said: “No.”

“Then if you have nothing else, I’ll go first.” Jian Jinci fled in a panic. His dangerous eyes seemed to be able to see through her thoughts.

After leaving, she breathed a sigh of relief. Rich people are forgetful, maybe he really didn’t remember her.