“Cousin, I’ve been looking for you for quite a while~” Lin Miaomiao tugged Gu Ting along as she approached the group, calling out to Xiang Jiamu.
Her small eyes curiously examined Jiang Shu’s face. She’s so beautiful, but why does she seem familiar? Yet she’d never seen this pretty sister before…
“Brother Xiyu, is this your girlfriend?” Her gossipy soul ignited as she noticed their clasped hands.
Cheng Xiyu frowned slightly without speaking, giving a silent nod in the quiet atmosphere that neither confirmed nor denied.
Lin Miaomiao observed Jiang Shu’s unchanged expression – no trace of disappointment or sadness, as if either accustomed to it or completely indifferent…
These two are so strange. I don’t get it.
Gu Ting smiled and said: “Everyone, let’s go inside and take our seats. The banquet is about to begin.”Ah right, my fault for forgetting about that,” Gu Zhao clapped his hand to his forehead in frustration.
The round table large enough to seat over ten people had ample space, never feeling crowded.
“Thank you all for coming. Today marks my son Gu Zhao’s 25th birthday. As he’s grown up, it’s time for him to start learning the family business. I ask all present to guide and support him…” Gu’s father beamed with irrepressible joy, his voice robust as he finished speaking and bowed with clasped hands toward the guests.
Gu’s mother was equally delighted, chatting with several corporate wives about their sons and daughters.
Gu Zhao: “I hope my uncles and elders will be patient with me and not hesitate to offer guidance…”
Prompted by his father, Gu Zhao exchanged some pleasantries before inviting everyone to enjoy the feast.
During the banquet, glasses clinked in toasts. Several figures frequently seen in financial reports discussed the recent government tender with Cheng Xiyu.
Lin Miaomiao kept Jiang Shu and Gu Ting engaged with stories from school. As a sophomore from a good family with cousin Xiang Jiamu’s backing, she moved through university circles with ease, thoroughly versed in entertainment industry gossip and socialite news, chattering endlessly about rumors.
“Sister Ting, Sister Shu, let me tell you – recently my cousin’s new work got its film adaptation rights bought by Manxing Media. And then! That supporting actress tried to pull strings by knocking on my cousin’s door late at night. Guess what happened?”
She grew excited, gesturing animatedly, barely containing herself yet insisting on creating suspense until someone asked.
Gu Ting seemed distracted, lost in thought somewhere without responding.
Jiang Shu found it somewhat amusing: “What happened in the end?”
“Haha, turns out my cousin didn’t even know her, and said to her—” Lin Miaomiao imitated Xiang Jiamu’s stiff tone: “‘No need for room service.'”
“Pffft—my cousin mistook her for housekeeping! That minor celebrity’s face twisted with anger on the spot.”
Jiang Shu couldn’t help smiling at this, never imagining Xiang Jiamu had such a side. Her peach blossom eyes curved slightly, the cold white skin making the small mole on her eyelid appear more vivid.
Lin Miaomiao’s sense of familiarity grew stronger, feeling she’d seen Jiang Shu smile like this somewhere before. But before she could recall where, Jiang Shu had already returned to her usual detached demeanor.
Sigh, her brain never was that sharp anyway. Maybe she remembered wrong.
Jiang Shu: “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
Feeling somewhat stifled, she stood and headed toward the second-floor bathroom.
In the distance, Cheng Xiyu lifted his eyelids slightly. It was unclear whether he had just noticed her or had been watching all along. His indifferent gaze drifted faintly over her as he watched her ascend to the second floor. Only when her figure disappeared from view did he leisurely withdraw his gaze, his expression unchanged. The executives surrounding him continued chattering incessantly about a new plot of land soon to be developed in the west district and how new energy projects were currently profitable…
Second-floor balcony.
Jiang Shu couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
The atmosphere at the banquet had been stifling. Having found an excuse to slip away, she could finally have a moment of peace.
From here, she could see an exceptionally bright star in the night sky…
A memory surfaced—a young man’s voice, clear and gentle as jade:
“Jiang Jiang, if someday I’m no longer by your side, don’t be sad…”
“Why say things like that~ Look! That star is so bright!”
“Mmm… very bright…” The girl smiled radiantly at the night sky, while the boy’s eyes were filled with nothing but her.
This was our midsummer night’s dream…
The boy’s voice in her memory carried a hint of laughter, starlight shimmering in his eyes, beneath which lay an unmistakable depth of love and profound sorrow…
Jiang Shu shook her head slightly, an indescribable ache swelling in her heart. The stars remained as they ever were, yet five years had passed, leaving everything changed beyond recognition…