So he swallowed the irritation and the disappointment.
He forced a light smile onto his lips, gentle and reassuring, as if nothing had happened at all.
Madam Gong's posture loosened a little when she saw the polite expression return to her son's face, yet inside her chest, panic churned like a storm.
She had noticed the moment he froze.The way his gaze had locked onto Lin Che.The look he had worn — that look of stunned admiration, something dangerously close to affection.
It made her stomach twist.
Lin Che's appearance tonight was a threat — a big one.A threat to the arrangements she had made.A threat to the alliances she planned to build.A threat to the future she had already mapped out for her son.
She had worked too hard for everything.She would not let one girl — a village girl at that — ruin it.
Her gaze sharpened as she looked across the ballroom toward the shadowed corner where Lin Che stood.
It was a silent promise.A warning.A vow of retribution.
Just wait.I will deal with you.
But Lin Che, oblivious to the silent daggers aimed at her, continued marveling at the grand hall.
The crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling sparkled like clusters of stars. The orchestra's gentle music swelled and dipped like ripples on a lake. Elegant guests mingled in clusters, laughter blending with soft chatter, and servers moved gracefully through the crowd with silver trays in their hands.
Lin Che stood near the far wall alone, half-hidden behind one of the marble pillars. The lights did not reach her fully, placing her in a small pocket of soft shadow.
She preferred it this way.
She wasn't used to crowds or lavish parties. She was still slightly overwhelmed by the camera flashes earlier, and her heartbeat had only just calmed down.
Nan Lu had already disappeared somewhere into the crowd, giggling excitedly as she linked arms with a new friend — a young lady she'd met only minutes ago but was already gossiping happily with.
So Lin Che remained where she was, hands clasped before her, quietly taking everything in.
But even in the shadows, she couldn't avoid attention.
Because the moment she looked up, she found a tall, striking man standing directly in front of her.
His features were sharp and aristocratic. His posture relaxed yet elegant, the type of presence that signaled someone from a wealthy and powerful background. The soft lighting caught the edge of his jaw, making his profile look almost flawless.
He held a crystal glass in his hand — a pale golden drink swirling gently inside.
His smile was warm, refined, and undeniably charming.
"Care for a drink," he said, extending the glass toward her with a small bow, "beautiful miss?"
His tone was respectful but filled with admiration — the kind of admiration that was immediate, magnetic, and unmistakably interested.
Lin Che's breath caught slightly.
The man was undeniably handsome.
Lin Che lifted her gaze and immediately realized just how striking he was. His features were soft yet well-defined, blending together in a way that made him look gentle rather than aggressive. Even his eyes carried a warmth to them—several degrees warmer than most men she had met—and when they settled on her, they made her feel as though she were being looked at with particular care.
Almost too much care.
For some reason, Lin Che felt that he looked at every woman this way. It was the kind of gaze that made people feel special without him needing to say anything at all.
She had been trying her best to remain inconspicuous throughout the night, quietly standing at the edge of the ballroom, half-hidden from the lights. Now that someone had deliberately approached her, she couldn't help but wonder what he wanted.
"No need," she said quickly, then added again out of habit, "Sorry. No need."
The man smiled, clearly amused rather than offended.
"Wearing such a dress and standing away from the lights," he said gently, "is not a very good idea, beautiful miss." His tone was teasing but not crude. "And no—I won't accept no as an answer. You're having a drink with me."
Lin Che's body stiffened instantly.
She wasn't used to this kind of conversation, nor this kind of environment. The closeness, the confidence, the way people spoke as though boundaries were merely suggestions—it all made her uncomfortable.
The man noticed immediately.
His smile softened, and a trace of embarrassment flickered across his face. "Miss, that wasn't my intention," he said calmly. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. If you prefer, we can simply stand here and talk."
Lin Che hesitated.
She looked at him again—truly looked this time. Everything about him spoke of quiet luxury. Even without knowing brands, she could tell that the watch on his wrist alone was worth several million. It gleamed subtly beneath the ballroom lights, understated yet impossible to ignore.
She couldn't help but wonder what in the world the two of them could possibly talk about.
While she was lost in thought, Lin Che failed to notice the number of eyes that had quietly turned in her direction.
She was unfamiliar to most of the guests—new, unknown, and suddenly very noticeable. And in a gathering filled with carefully groomed young ladies hoping to secure the best match, her presence was a silent threat.
Because the man standing in front of her was no ordinary guest.
He was Fu Rong.
Young Master Fu of the Fu family.
One of the most sought-after men in the capital. Wealthy, powerful, and devastatingly handsome. The object of countless quiet obsessions and open ambitions.
Despite his family urging him to settle down, Fu Rong had shown little interest in romance. He rarely approached women, and even more rarely initiated conversation. Yet here he was, standing in front of an unfamiliar girl, speaking to her with patience and interest.
The surrounding women were far from pleased.
Jealousy simmered quietly in every corner of the ballroom.
But the unhappiest of them all was seated in a shadowed corner, gripping a glass so tightly that it looked as though it might shatter at any second.
Gong Feng.
His gaze was locked onto Lin Che, sharp and unyielding. He didn't understand when this feeling had begun—or why it was so intense—but the moment he saw Fu Rong walk up to her, something inside his chest tightened painfully.
It felt suffocating.
As though something that belonged to him was being taken away—right in front of his eyes.
And he didn't like it at all.