At the end of May, the final exam ended.
“We’re finally going back home!” Winnie was beside herself with excitement. “I miss the barbecue and malatang back home so much. I’m going to eat like crazy when I get back!”
Mia slung an arm over her shoulders. “When’s your flight?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“Will you miss me after three months apart?”
Winnie wrapped an arm around her waist. “Of course I will. Why don’t you come to China and visit me?”
“Sure,” Mia agreed readily. “Too bad our darling Yaoyao has an internship and can’t come have fun with us.”
Meng Shuyao curved her lips. “There will be other chances.”
Winnie nodded. “True. Gallery internships don’t come around often.”
Mia suddenly remembered something. “Do you want to go out tomorrow night?”
Winnie blinked. “Where?”
Mia said, “King Club. They’re holding an anniversary gala tomorrow night. I heard they invited a famous dance troupe and band to perform. It’ll be lively.”
Winnie said, “How do we get in without membership cards?”
Mia smiled, the corner of her lips lifting. “My cousin is the deputy manager there. Getting him to open a little back door for us couldn’t be easier.”
Winnie nodded hard. “Then okay. I’ve never been there before.”
“What about you, Yaoyao? Exams are finally over, come relax with us,” Mia said. “Don’t worry, my brother will be on duty there tomorrow. Nothing will happen.”
Meng Shuyao agreed.
It would be boring staying alone in the dorm anyway. Recently, she hadn’t had much inspiration for painting.
Ever since she left the hotel that day, she had not contacted Pei Yuzhou.
As for pursuing him, she had already mustered all her courage and shamelessly clung to him.
But if doing so made him feel repulsed and disgusted, she no longer dared to take another step forward.
Her pride would not allow it.
-
King Club’s twentieth anniversary celebration was held with great grandeur.
Luxury cars arrived one after another, and young men and women dressed in bright, exquisite attire entered and exited the club.
At the entrance, neon lights blazed, spilling shimmering radiance everywhere.
Mia had gotten three invitation vouchers from her brother. After showing them to the staff, they entered smoothly.
The main hall was resplendent and magnificent, the very air seeming to drift with extravagance.
The three of them took the elevator straight upstairs to the thirty-seventh floor to watch the performance.
The performance hall was six or seven hundred square meters, with seats scattered throughout, spacious aisles, and thick non-slip carpeting laid across the floor.
The booths were arranged in a semi-circular shape, and every table had drinks and fruit platters prepared.
The performance had not yet begun. The stage was concealed behind a red velvet curtain, maintaining an air of mystery.
Mia’s brother Rosen learned that they had arrived and specially took a moment to come over and remind them, “Ladies, just find a place to sit and watch the show. Don’t wander around, and especially don’t get into conflict with anyone. Those young masters aren’t people you can afford to offend. If you provoke them, it’ll be very troublesome.”
Mia nodded repeatedly. “We know. You don’t need to worry.”
Rosen raised a hand and knocked her on the head. “Don’t cause trouble for me.”
Mia dodged. “Don’t knock my head. What if you make me stupid?”
Rosen cast her a disdainful glance. “You weren’t that smart to begin with.”
Mia retorted, “You’re the one who isn’t smart.”
Meng Shuyao smiled and said, “Brother Sen, go get busy. We won’t run around.”
“Good.” Rosen truly had no time to watch over them. There were many things to handle that night. After giving them a few more reminders, he left.
Mia picked a seat toward the back, where the view was relatively good.
At eight o’clock, the performance began on time.
The lights in the hall automatically went out, the curtain drew open, and the female lead entered in splendid costume, dancing ballet. Her figure was light, her posture elegant.
Winnie’s eyes lit up. “Wow, this dance troupe is super popular. Usually it’s impossible to get tickets. I didn’t expect to see them here today.”
Mia took a sip of her cocktail. “Told you we didn’t come for nothing.”
The performance was wonderful, and the audience below was immersed in it.
Meng Shuyao drank two glasses of juice and wanted to use the restroom midway.
She didn’t disturb anyone and quietly slipped out from the back.
After using the restroom and coming back, she unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance in the corridor.
“Miss Elara, long time no see.”
Meng Shuyao lifted her eyes and froze slightly. “Mr. Allen.”
It had indeed been a long time.
That time, she had suddenly run away from the club. He must have been very angry.
“You’re here to watch the performance?” Allen’s tone was casual.
Meng Shuyao nodded. “Mm. I’m here with friends.”
“Last week, I went to China on a business trip and happened to run into your father,” Allen mentioned as if making small talk. “I unintentionally heard that he wants you to go back during summer break to get engaged.”
Meng Shuyao curled her fingers into her palm and clenched them tight.
No wonder he had been forcing her to return to China as soon as possible. So he was this impatient.
“That marriage partner of yours is homosexual, isn’t he?” Allen spoke with regret on her behalf. “You’re so beautiful. Are you truly willing to marry someone like that and spend the rest of your life with him?”
Meng Shuyao suppressed her emotions. “Mr. Allen, this is my private matter.”
“I know. I simply can’t bear to watch you jump into a fire pit. You clearly could have a better choice.” Allen did not beat around the bush. “Rather than marry him, why not marry me, Miss Elara?”
Shock flashed through Meng Shuyao’s eyes. She instinctively opened her mouth to refuse. “I…”
Allen interrupted her. “Listen to me first, then decide whether you want to consider it. I don’t like forcing people. The choice is yours.”
Meng Shuyao pressed her lips together.
Allen spoke frankly. “Marry me. After marriage, I won’t interfere with anything you like to do. As long as you cooperate with me in public and play the role of a considerate wife, I’ll give you the greatest degree of freedom. Whether you want to work or stay at home, either is fine. I can also guarantee that aside from you, there won’t be any other women in the future.”
He added, “And I have very good medical resources in my hands. If your sister needs them, I can provide help at any time.”
Meng Shuyao’s gaze suddenly trembled.
She didn’t care about anything he had said before, but on this final point, she admitted that for an instant, she wavered.
Allen continued to promise, “Everything I’ve said can be written into the prenuptial agreement when the time comes.”
Meng Shuyao was silent for a long while before saying, “I’m sorry. I still can’t agree.”
She didn’t want to marry someone she didn’t love and spend the second half of her life with him. Besides, who knew whether this wasn’t simply jumping from one fire pit into another?
Once married, whether life was good or bad would depend entirely on the other party’s conscience. She had no one to rely on. What could she use to protect herself?
Allen had expected this. “It’s fine. I know this is very sudden, and you need time to consider. I’m not in a hurry for an answer. You can contact me anytime once you’ve thought it through.”
“Mr. Allen.” Someone greeted him from behind.
The man turned his head, a smile hanging at the corner of his mouth. “Miss Jenny, you’re here too. Alone?”
The girl lifted her lips. “I came with Mr. Kerwin.”
Meng Shuyao had originally intended to leave, but when she suddenly heard that familiar name, her footsteps paused.
Allen raised the tail of his brow. “Mr. Kerwin is here as well?”
“Mm. He’s upstairs discussing business. I’m waiting for him to finish so we can go back together.” Jenny looked toward Meng Shuyao, who was standing to the side, and asked politely, “And this is?”
Allen introduced her. “Miss Elara, my friend.”
Jenny nodded at Meng Shuyao, then withdrew her gaze. “I’ll head upstairs first. See you next time.”
Allen smiled in response. “All right.”
After she left, Meng Shuyao still couldn’t help asking, “What is that girl’s relationship with Mr. Kerwin?”