Yunjing Tower was alive with activity.
The private elevators opened and closed in steady intervals, each arrival marked by the soft chime of polished doors sliding apart.
Valets in crisp uniforms stood in perfect formation, bowing slightly as guests stepped out, their movements smooth and practiced.
Soft music drifted through the air-low, elegant, almost hypnotic-blending seamlessly with quiet conversations and the delicate clink of glasses.
At the very top floor-Paradise Peak-luxury wasn’t just displayed.
It dominated.
Golden light spilled from massive crystal chandeliers, casting a warm glow over the grand hall.
The marble floors reflected every movement like a mirror, doubling the elegance of those who walked across them.
Women glided through the crowd in gowns that shimmered with every step, fabrics flowing like liquid silk.
Diamonds caught the light at their throats and wrists, flickering with quiet brilliance.
Men stood in tailored suits, their posture straight, their expressions controlled-each one carrying an air of quiet authority.
This wasn’t just a gathering.
It was a silent competition.
A battlefield where status, wealth, and influence were measured without a single word.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Xing,”
Han Guo said politely, her lips curving into a refined smile.
Mrs.
Xing inclined her head slightly, her gaze calm but observant.
“The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Huang.”
“You look stunning tonight.”
Mrs.
Xing let out a soft chuckle, lifting her glass just slightly.
“Thank you.”
“Oh my–oh my!! what a surprise to see you both here.”
The voice slipped in smoothly, interrupting the moment without force-but with intention.
Mrs.
Tong approached, her smile perfectly shaped…
yet lacking warmth.
For a brief second, Han Guo and Mrs.
Xing exchanged a glance.
Then, almost instantly, both women adjusted their expressions, their smiles returning…polished, controlled.
It was easier this way.
Mrs.
Tong was not someone anyone wanted to offend.
At that moment-
The doors opened again.
The precise chime cut through the air, drawing a few glances.
Aecon Li stepped in first.
Behind him, Mo Ruyi followed, her posture straight, her expression composed.
Beside her walked Li Yue, her red gown vivid against the golden-lit hall.
Their entrance was steady.
Controlled.
Confident.
For a moment, a few heads turned.
Eyes swept over them.
Measuring, assessing.
Then-
Just as quickly-
Interest faded.
In a room filled with true elites, their presence barely lingered.
Aecon Li noticed.
Of course he did.
His gaze flickered across the room, sharp and calculating.
Every year, it was the same.
He arrived.
He greeted.
He left.
And nothing changed.
No real connections.
No real power.
Just empty conversations dressed as opportunity.
His jaw tightened slightly.
But not tonight.
This time-
Things would be different.
Mo Ruyi adjusted her gown subtly, her fingers brushing against the shimmering fabric as if grounding herself.
Li Yue stayed close, her chin slightly lifted, her smile practiced-perfect.
They looked the part.
They played the part.
And then-
Another figure appeared.
The soft echo of heels broke through the layered sounds of the hall.
Clear.
Measured.
Unhurried.
It wasn’t loud.
But somehow-
It drew attention.
One person turned.
Then another.
Conversations began to slow, words trailing off mid-sentence as subtle curiosity spread through the room.
Eyes shifted.
Gradually.
Inevitably.
Toward the entrance.
Li Yeli stepped into the light.
The black gown she wore clung and flowed in perfect balance, elegant, yet quietly bold.
The delicate net design shimmered faintly under the chandeliers, catching fragments of light with every step she took.
Her heels touched the marble floor with soft precision.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Each movement unhurried.
Unbothered.
Her hair fell naturally over her shoulders, framing a face that needed no effort to stand out.
She didn’t smile.
She didn’t lower her gaze.
She simply walked forward-
As if the attention around her meant nothing.
And yet-
Everything had changed.
The room stilled.
Not completely.
But enough.
Enough for it to be felt.
Glasses paused halfway to lips.
Fans slowed mid-motion.
Even the music-though still playing-seemed distant.
All eyes were on her.
Aecon Li saw it.
And slowly-
A smile formed on his lips.
Finally…
For the first time since he stepped into this place-
He wasn’t invisible.
A woman approached quickly, her expression bright, eager.
“Mr. and Mrs. Li, what a pleasure,” she said warmly.
Her gaze shifted to Li Yue.
“Miss Li, you look wonderful tonight.”
Li Yue’s smile widened slightly.
“Thank you, Mrs. Wang.”
Then-
Almost naturally-
Mrs.
Wang’s eyes moved.
They landed on Li Yeli.
And stayed there.
Just a moment longer than necessary.
“She is…?” she asked.
There was a brief pause.
Small.
But noticeable.
Aecon Li didn’t hesitate.
“My eldest daughter.”
Silence.
It spread quietly-like ripples across still water.
Li Yue’s smile stiffened.
Mo Ruyi’s fingers tightened at her side.
Neither of them spoke.
But the tension was immediate.
Sharp.
Unhidden.
“Your… first daughter?” Mrs.
Wang repeated, surprise slipping into her voice.
Nearby guests began to turn, curiosity rising.
Whispers followed.
Eyes lingered.
Questions formed.
Aecon Li remained composed, calm and in control.
“She grew up abroad,” he said smoothly, his tone steady.
“She was raised by my parents. She only recently returned.”
The explanation was simple.
Clean.
Believable.
And just like that-
The doubt faded.
Everyone believed him.
Heads nodded.
Expressions softened.
To them…
He was nothing more than a devoted father.
Mo Ruyi’s nails pressed into her palm.
Her expression remained composed.
But her eyes-
They burned.
Aecon Li glanced at her briefly.
A silent warning.
Don’t ruin this.
Moments later, he moved, guiding Li Yeli deeper into the crowd.
Li Yeli’s grip on him arm tightened slightly.
“You’re holding too stiffly,” Aecon Li quietly snapped at her, “Relax.”
Li Yeli released his arm immediately.
As if his touch repulsed her.
For a split second-
Something dark flickered in Aecon Li’s eyes.
But before it could surface-
A voice interrupted.
“Mr. Li… right?” A young man approached, his steps confident, his smile easy.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
His gaze shifted.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Until it rested on Li Yeli.
“And who might this be?”
Aecon Li’s expression changed instantly.
“My first daughter,” he said, pride slipping into his tone.
The young man’s eyes lingered.
Not briefly.
Not politely.
But with clear-
Undeniable-
Interest.