The Day of the Engagement Banquet
It wasn’t even seven in the morning yet.
The day, carefully chosen among many, was blessed with radiant sunshine.
Golden light poured over the stately Zuo family estate. Through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows, it spilled onto the red-carpeted hallway, illuminating antique vases adorned with paper cuttings of the double-happiness character. Fresh flowers and colorful ribbons decorated every corner, breathing new life into the solemn old house.
There were still hours left before the engagement banquet, which would officially take place at noon in the largest hotel in the Federation. But the Zuo residence was already bustling with early preparations for the family’s joyous occasion.
“Good morning, Young Master Zuo Shihuan.”
Butler Lin knocked politely on the door to perform his usual wake-up duty.
Not that he ever really needed to—his master was far too disciplined for that. Butler Lin often felt both proud and somewhat useless as the personal butler of someone so self-sufficient.
“Come in,” came the cool, composed reply.
Sure enough, upon entering, Butler Lin saw Young Master Zuo sitting on the balcony, reading through printed documents. He was dressed in a cream-colored home outfit, leaning leisurely in a rattan chair with a steaming cup of coffee beside him. His black hair, still tousled from sleep, gave him a natural, unstudied charm that softened his usual elegance.
Zuo Shihuan lifted his eyes briefly at the butler before returning to his coffee and morning reports, as if this were just another ordinary workday.
Butler Lin blinked, momentarily dazed. If it weren’t for the constant chatter throughout the house about today’s engagement banquet, he might have thought he’d got the date wrong.
He couldn’t help but admire the young master’s composure—if he were the one getting engaged, he’d have been a nervous wreck the moment he opened his eyes.
Butler Lin bent slightly and said, “Young Master Zuo Shihuan, the master and madam, as well as everyone else, are waiting for you in the dining room to have breakfast together.”
Zuo Shihuan looked puzzled. “Father is up this early too?”
Normally, his father, Zuo Zoujian, came home late and got up even later. Several of the Zuo sons and daughters who inherited his libertine temperament were the same—sleeping until noon and never up before.
Only during the more formal dinners would the Zuo family gather in full.
Butler Lin replied, “Because today is a special day. Master Zuo Zoujian values you deeply, Young Master Shihuan, so he had everyone gather early to wait for you.”
“Special?”
Zuo Shihuan gave a faint chuckle, his gaze drifting toward the beautiful view beyond the balcony—his heart utterly calm and empty of interest.
In the past— He might have felt anxious as the date of the engagement banquet drew nearer, as if bound by invisible chains, forced to kneel and walk forward step by step.
But now that the engagement day had truly arrived— He felt unusually serene.
After all, this was just another kind of “work.”
A trace of weariness flickered through his eyes. He quietly closed the documents in his hand and said with a light smile, “Please tell Father that I’ll be there in a moment.”
***
At the Zuo residence dining room—
The long table was packed fuller than ever before, more lively than any usual morning. Relatives who had rushed back from afar filled the seats, their curious eyes fixed on the two figures at the main table.
His father, Zuo Zoujian, wore a pleased expression as he raised his glass to begin the meal with a few congratulatory words, then reminded everyone of what to keep in mind during today’s engagement banquet—above all, not to embarrass the Zuo family name.
Zuo Shihuan maintained a polite smile, responding with a few words of thanks. He spoke calmly and modestly to the family members seated below, asking for their understanding and support for him and Miss Yu, the newly engaged couple who would be living within the Zuo household.
Soon, everyone joined in with their congratulations. A few half-siblings who had come from other regions presented gifts they had prepared in advance. Zuo Shihuan received them all with the same courteous, practiced smile.
A bustling yet hollow social performance— Zuo Shihuan was long accustomed to it. And later, he would have to endure an even grander and more pretentious social occasion, one where he would barely be able to eat.
He picked up his fork, twirling a bite of creamy bacon pasta, and brought it mechanically to his mouth—chewing and swallowing like an unfeeling machine built to consume food.
Then his gaze caught the red roses on the table, the red wine pouring into a glass, and across from him, someone squeezing tomato sauce onto their plate—red sauce coating their noodles, entering their open mouth, staining their lips, dripping down their chin…
Red.
Red.
Red.
The flowing red color in an instant pulled Zuo Shihuan back into the nightmare of a few days ago—the endless red, the splattering blood, running down the walls in slow, dreadful streams.
Looking again at the pasta on his plate, waves of nausea churned in his stomach, killing his appetite entirely.
He stopped moving his knife and fork. His light brown pupils trembled slightly; his pale lips pressed together as he tried to compose himself, forcing his hand to pick up the utensils again. But he could not win against the acid rising from his stomach.
Finally, he set the utensils down. Covering part of his face with one hand, he lowered his gaze, concealing the discomfort and vulnerability in his eyes.
Meanwhile, his father, Zuo Zoujian, continued boasting proudly beside him.
“This morning, even that female Alpha President of the Federation is going to attend our family’s engagement banquet! When we first sent the invitation to the Presidential Office, we heard she had an important interplanetary trade meeting today and assumed she wouldn’t come. But this morning, her secretary suddenly informed us she would! Seems she still respects the Zuo family enough to make time for us!”
Suppressing the queasiness in his stomach, Zuo Shihuan smiled faintly and said, “That’s all thanks to your leadership, Father. Every year, Blue Eagle Group pays massive taxes to the Federation government and brings in extraordinary profits as an official partner. The President values us, which is why she’s making the effort to attend despite her busy schedule.”
Zuo Zoujian’s face flushed with pride. Raising his glass, he exclaimed, “Exactly! Now I can show you off properly!”
“Let those b*stards who whisper that I have no capable heir and will soon lose control of the Zuo family eat their words! Even the Federation President is attending my Alpha son’s engagement banquet! Next time, maybe the Emperor of the neighboring Empire will show up for your wedding! Hahaha—!”
The Emperor of the neighboring hostile Empire attending his wedding?
Zuo Shihuan thought it sounded more like the premise of a horror movie—though he didn’t yet know that one day, it might actually happen.
For now, he simply thought his father had drunk too much.
To keep him from overindulging, Zuo Shihuan firmly took the wineglass from his father’s hand, passed it to the waiting servant, and instructed that the overly bright red flowers on the table be removed as well.
Zuo Zoujian muttered discontentedly, “Just a little wine, it won’t get me drunk. Your father’s tolerance is incredible—could drink another dozen and still be fine.”
Zuo Shihuan’s eyes hardened, his tone cold as he diverted the topic. “Father, don’t forget—many important guests are coming today. Especially since the Federation President herself will be arriving, if she’s even slightly delayed, we’ll need to adjust the schedule for the ceremony accordingly.”
Zuo Zoujian replied casually, “She shouldn’t be too late…”
Zuo Shihuan’s gaze sharpened. “Then when exactly is the President arriving? I suddenly realized I haven’t finalized the arrangements for her reception. Today’s my engagement banquet and I’m busy—why don’t you help me handle it, Father?”
Seeing the stern expression of his Alpha heir, Zuo Zoujian immediately lost his bluster and laughed it off. “No need, no need. I trust you’ll manage everything perfectly. The engagement banquet and all Blue Eagle Group affairs—I’ve long left them in your capable hands, hahaha—”
He was joking, of course.
Ever since Zuo Zoujian became the head of the Zuo family and the ruler of the Blue Eagle Group, he had long since tired of actual work. Decades of labor had worn him out—any more and it would feel like a century.
It hadn’t been easy to get an Alpha heir who could take over the workload—so how could he possibly volunteer to do anything himself and waste the time he could be spending indulging in pleasure and enjoying life?
As for those with ulterior motives who kept hinting that Zuo Shihuan might seize power one day— Well, the power would stay within their main Zuo family line either way. What was there to worry about? Long before Zuo Shihuan ever appeared, when the branch families had tried to threaten and oust him, Zuo Zoujian had already prepared himself an escape route. Even if Zuo Shihuan did one day become head of the Zuo family, Zuo Zoujian wouldn’t be the least bit concerned.
Besides, Zuo Zoujian prided himself on having some eye for people.
He believed his Alpha son, Zuo Shihuan, wasn’t the kind to turn his back on those he had once recognized. In fact, in some ways, Zuo Shihuan was far too soft-hearted toward those under his protection—even toward the mother who had abandoned him for years, he couldn’t bring himself to be cruel.
Completely unlike Zuo Zoujian and Yu Cha—two selfish, cold-blooded people through and through.
Fortunately, he wasn’t like them.
That smiling old fox Zuo Zoujian kept laughing heartily as he continued his breakfast. Since he’d been forbidden alcohol, he simply reached for the glass beside him and had a servant pour him a cup of orange juice instead.
The glass’s original owner—Madam Zuo—was speechless. Too tired to argue, she merely motioned for the housekeeper beside her to fetch another.
“Well then, thank you, Father, for your guidance and trust,” said Zuo Shihuan, a trace of resignation in his tone. He set down his knife and fork, having no appetite left.
He rose to leave.
As the central figure of today’s engagement banquet, he needed to arrive early—there were countless matters to oversee, and he still had to change into the outfit prepared for the ceremony.
But just at this busiest moment—
A servant came rushing in, flanked by two police officers, his expression pale and anxious. “Young Master Zuo Shihuan! These two officers said they need to see you regarding a murder investigation, s-so I brought them here.”
The two young officers immediately produced their badges and quickly identified the strikingly handsome man in the crowd. One of them spoke formally: “Three days ago, there was an explosion and homicide at the Aofuli Museum. The victim, a businessman surnamed Tang, reportedly had a dispute with you before his death. Mr. Zuo Shihuan, please come with us to the station to assist with the investigation.”
A flicker of something complicated and regretful crossed Zuo Shihuan’s eyes, but his face remained calm and expressionless.
Before he could say anything, someone far more invested in seeing the engagement proceed without interruption lost his temper first.
Crash! —the sound of a glass shattering split the air.
His father, Zuo Zoujian, slammed the table and stood up, pointing furiously at the two officers. “Do you even know where you are?! You dare barge into the Zuo residence without a warrant? Today of all days—my Alpha heir’s engagement to the Yu family’s daughter—and you come to bring bad luck? I’ll be calling your police chief right now to lodge a complaint!”
He immediately ordered the old butler to fetch the communicator to make the call.
Within minutes, the two officers actually received a call from their superior—who promptly chewed them out over the line. Their faces flushed with frustration, but they could only obey the reprimand, seething quietly.
Meanwhile, the servant who had brought the officers in without permission was dragged aside by the butler, harshly scolded, and summarily dismissed on the spot.
Zuo Zoujian snorted derisively. “Young people really don’t know their place these days. Just a couple of small fry, daring to walk into the Zuo house without approval.”
The two young policemen looked humiliated, but one still forced himself to say, “Our investigation was incomplete. We apologize for coming without an arrest warrant. We’ll return another time, when Mr. Zuo Shihuan is available, to continue our inquiries. We’ll take our leave now.”
Only then did they understand why none of the senior officers had wanted to come when they heard the suspect was from the Zuo family—why they’d pushed the task onto the new recruits instead.
It was a trap, a total setup!
Now they’d not only offended the powerful but also gotten yelled at by their superior. What bad luck!
Just as the two dejected officers were about to leave, Zuo Shihuan suddenly stopped them.
“Please wait, officers. Regarding the murder case at the museum charity gala, there are some details I’d like to understand.”
The two officers turned back in surprise—it was the very suspect they’d come to take away. Their eyes immediately sharpened with caution. “What is it you want to know?”
Zuo Shihuan’s gaze deepened. “I’ll be heading somewhere shortly. If you don’t mind sparing a little time, I can cooperate with your investigation. I’d also like to help you uncover the truth sooner.”
Ever since facing that crime scene three days ago, he’d been haunted by nightmares—plagued by the image of red, by the sight of blood. For days he’d been nauseous, unable to eat.
He needed to know—who had killed that middle-aged man named Tang?
The killer had slain an adult man, leaving not even a complete corpse, and had done it effortlessly, without leaving a trace, in a public place.
Clearly, the murderer had hated the victim deeply. Considering what kind of man Tang had been, his death wasn’t surprising.
What was strange was how the killer had done it—so cleanly that even the police couldn’t trace a lead.
If the culprit remained uncaught, that meant someone this dangerous might still be near him—an inhuman monster lurking among people.
The thought made Zuo Shihuan’s back prickle with unease.
The two young officers exchanged a look and nodded hesitantly in agreement.
Only Zuo Zoujian muttered disapprovingly from the side, “What’s there to investigate? The dead man was a sick-minded little merchant who’d offended plenty of people. He was bound to die sooner or later—no need for you to get dragged into it.”
Zuo Shihuan’s eyes darkened. Outwardly, he smiled faintly and said, “Still, it was during the security incident I ordered that the accident occurred. Now that I’m listed as one of the suspects, it’s better to resolve it early—so it doesn’t tarnish the Zuo family’s reputation.”
Zuo Zoujian could never win against his strong-willed Alpha son, so he let him do as he pleased.
Zuo Shihuan averted his gaze and turned toward the two visibly tense young officers. His light brown eyes softened into a polite, reassuring smile.
“Why don’t I have the butler escort you both to the car first? I’ll just change clothes and be right out.”
The two young officers relaxed slightly at that, nodded, and allowed the others to escort them away.
***
They ended up waiting for half an hour.
The two sat inside a sleek white luxury sedan, the driver waiting quietly in the front seat.
The air in the car was so quiet and awkward that both officers grew uneasy, exchanging glances but not daring to ask when the person they were waiting for would arrive.
They could only observe the car’s interior in silence. Everything looked expensive—far beyond anything they owned, or even the patrol cars back at the station.
Upon closer look, even the bulletproof glass was double-layered.
Boredom soon gave way to curiosity, and one of them secretly searched the model on the StarNet. The result made both their jaws drop—this car’s base model cost at least thirty million Federation credits, not counting any custom modifications.
At once, the two officers from ordinary families froze in shock and sat up straight, afraid to move a finger.
If they so much as scratched the car, a year’s worth of hard-earned police salary would vanish—might as well call it working for free.
Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait much longer.
“Apologies—today’s a special occasion, the stylist took a bit longer than expected. I came as fast as I could.”
The moment they heard someone finally arriving, the two young officers were just about to breathe out a sigh of relief—when the door opened, and they both froze, struck dumb by the sight before them.
The person stepping into the car seemed to carry a faint, hazy glow, polished and unreal.
Zuo Shihuan was dressed in an impeccably tailored white suit, a sapphire-and-gold falcon brooch pinned to his chest. His hair was black as ink, his waist lean and tall. With eyes lowered coolly, he entered the car with calm grace. His handsome features were refined and noble, and when his pale lips parted slightly, he said softly—
“Sorry to have kept you waiting.”
He slowly lifted his gaze toward the two officers, and the polite curve of his lips left them both stunned.
Under the light, a faint golden sheen shimmered in his light-colored eyes. His side profile was elegant—like something carved from time itself, that distant, cool smile beautiful enough to make the moment feel suspended in eternity.
It was as though even time itself slowed for him.
The two inexperienced young officers immediately blushed bright red, too self-conscious to lift their heads again, though they couldn’t stop replaying the moment in their minds.
Just earlier that day, they’d seen this Alpha at the Zuo family estate—but now, in this white suit, he seemed like a different person altogether: graceful, luminous, impossible to look away from.
Flustered, they both bowed their heads lower, the warmth in their cheeks refusing to fade. Neither could think of anything to say, sitting there like mute fools.
One of them, in fact, was also an Alpha.
Normally, Alphas instinctively repel one another—their pheromones clash. They don’t blush, and their hearts don’t race like this.
Feeling panic rise, the Alpha officer wondered what on earth was happening. He’d only ever been attracted to Omegas before—since when did he react to another Alpha?
He tried to recall the rough, rowdy faces of the Alphas from his police academy days—their sweaty, obnoxious grins instantly cooled his overheated brain.
“If you officers have any questions, please go ahead,” Zuo Shihuan said mildly. “You both look a little tired; here’s some water. We can take our time.”
A slender, pale hand appeared, pulling out a hidden tray in front of their seats and placing two glasses of water before them.
The young Alpha officer felt his heart start racing all over again. His mind went blank, and before he could stop himself, he blurted out—
“Excuse me… are you an Alpha?”
Zuo Shihuan blinked, taken aback. He’d expected questions about the murder case—not this.
He frowned slightly, then said, “I am an Alpha. Is that hard to tell? Or are you asking to verify my identity information?”
The Alpha officer’s pupils dilated as he realized what a stupid thing he’d just said. He scrambled to cover it up, laughing nervously: “Right—yes, just confirming identity! Sometimes I can’t tell Alphas and Betas apart, hahaha—”
His Beta partner couldn’t take it anymore and covered his face in embarrassment.
Sure, this Alpha was extraordinarily good-looking—but as Federation police, no matter how attractive a suspect was, they had a duty to seek the truth.
At least, that’s what he told himself.
Even so, when he turned to face the window and asked in an oddly stiff voice, “Mr. Zuo, three days ago when you met the victim, did you notice anyone suspicious at the scene?”—he still couldn’t bring himself to meet the man’s eyes.
Zuo Shihuan frowned slightly at the Beta’s wandering gaze, wondering if his expression was too stern again. It happened often—people at the Zuo estate would tense up and avoid his eyes whenever he appeared.
A faint disappointment flickered in him, though outwardly he stayed perfectly composed. Hands resting neatly on his knees, he answered with a calm smile, “No one suspicious. If anything, the most suspicious person there was the victim himself.”
The Beta officer paused.
That was true. The surveillance footage had been reviewed countless times—aside from the victim, there hadn’t been anyone else at the scene. Truthfully, when this elegant Alpha subdued that twisted criminal, several officers had even quietly applauded.
Still, the dead man had been a Federation citizen. He hadn’t made it to trial, and it was the police’s duty to uncover the truth.
After a brief hesitation, the Beta officer spoke gravely: “Then I’m afraid it’s troublesome, Mr. Zuo. You appear to be the prime suspect. It was you who instructed two guards to take the victim to the scene, and no one else had the time or opportunity to commit the crime. We’ve reviewed the victim’s connections—most others have alibis.”
Zuo Shihuan only smiled faintly. “If I truly were the main suspect, officer, you wouldn’t be asking me like this—would you?”
The Beta officer adjusted the brim of his cap to hide his eyes and said, “What I’m about to say is just my personal opinion—it doesn’t represent the official stance of the police. Personally, I don’t think Mr. Zuo is the killer. Although the victim had contact with you before, it was also you who called the police first. You have no clear motive for the crime. The person with the strongest motive and who could’ve accessed the explosives was another suspect present at the scene.”
Zuo Shihuan immediately understood whom he meant—the other man who had nearly killed the victim: Dr. Ji Zhaohe.
Soon, the Beta officer continued, “There’s one question we didn’t ask when recording your initial statement. Can you recall whether Dr. Ji Zhaohe displayed any unusual behavior at that time?”
Zuo Shihuan thought for a while, his mind tangled like a knotted thread. There was something faintly off, but he couldn’t put it into words. He shook his head and replied, “The only ‘unusual’ thing was that Ji Zhaohe almost beat the victim to death—that much, you officers already know. Aside from that, I can’t think of anything strange he did.”
The Beta officer proceeded to ask a series of follow-up questions, and Zuo Shihuan answered them truthfully one by one.
By the time the questioning was nearly over, the Beta officer’s expression had grown increasingly grim and weary. His brows furrowed tight as he bit the end of his pen, staring at the notes in his book as though troubled by the lack of progress.
Seeing this, Zuo Shihuan asked, “If the killer can’t be found, what happens in the end?”
The Beta officer fell silent for a moment, pressing down the brim of his hat with a sigh. “Even though this case has caused a huge public stir, the station’s under enormous pressure. But if too much time passes and we still can’t find the culprit, it’ll just become another cold case—eventually forgotten once no one talks about it anymore.”
“This case is particularly brutal and bloody. What’s worse, the murderer is cunning and meticulous—it feels like we’re dealing with someone with strong anti-investigation awareness, maybe even a sociopathic personality. The troubling part is, we can’t figure out where he got access to that kind of high-concentration explosive.”
The Beta officer sighed again. “And since the victim himself was a morally bankrupt scumbag—he’s harmed nearly a dozen children—it’s not exactly shocking that someone wanted him dead. Now there are too many people with possible motives for murder, which has thrown the whole investigation into a deadlock.”
“So far, the only tangible clue we have is a trace of metallic residue found at the scene that didn’t belong to the victim’s clothing. But it’s an extremely common component—it could come from a communicator, a hovercar, a pendant, even a button. And since the crime took place in a public museum restroom, anyone could’ve dropped it accidentally. That makes things even harder to narrow down…”
A button?
Zuo Shihuan suddenly remembered—Dr. Ji’s white lab coat had indeed been missing a button when he left that day. But he couldn’t bring himself to wrongfully accuse an innocent man.
“Did you search Dr. Ji’s home?” he asked.
“We applied for a warrant and did,” the Beta officer replied, “but we didn’t find anything. We tried to apply again to search his laboratory, but the request was denied.”
He looked uneasy. “Dr. Ji has high social standing—someone powerful’s protecting him. The investigation ran into a wall. Most of the senior officers decided to shift focus to other cases. Only the two of us—rookies with nothing else on our desks—are stubbornly sticking with this one.”
Scratching his head in embarrassment, the Beta officer added, “Sorry, I shouldn’t be complaining to you. You can drop us off at the next corner, that’ll do. Thanks for cooperating with the investigation.”
“It’s nothing. You’re just doing your job,” said Zuo Shihuan. Still, what the officer had said about Dr. Ji lingered in his mind.
He’d invited Dr. Ji and his daughter to his engagement banquet. If Dr. Ji really had killed someone, would he still attend an event like that under police scrutiny—bringing his family along as if nothing had happened?
Zuo Shihuan decided to stop thinking about it.
He didn’t want to believe ill of someone who would risk his life to protect his own family.
Before leaving, the Beta officer gathered his courage and gave him a thumbs-up. “By the way, I heard you’re getting engaged soon. Congratulations—wishing you and your bride a happy marriage. Also… I’ve got to say, you look incredible today. Forget the bride, even my partner and I are about to fall for you.”
He followed the joke with a playful kick at his Alpha partner—who had been blushing the whole time and barely managed to say a word throughout the questioning, leaving all the talking to him.
The Alpha officer raised his hands in surrender, brushing the dust off his pants where he’d been kicked, still blushing furiously and not daring to meet the elegant suspect’s gaze—afraid his hard-won sense of orientation might start to waver again.
Zuo Shihuan chuckled lightly, assuming it was all a joke. His pale brown eyes curved with amusement. “Then thank you for the compliment, Officer. Unfortunately, I already belong to someone else today.”
The Beta officer laughed regretfully. “What a shame. If only I’d met you sooner—and if you were a Beta too—I might’ve actually gone after you.”
Zuo Shihuan’s gaze dimmed slightly, but he smiled faintly. “A few years ago, I was a Beta from the slums. If I’d met your pursuit back then, I might have said yes.”
The Beta officer’s eyes widened in surprise. “You? I can’t imagine someone as refined and noble as you ever living in the slums. I only go there when duty requires it—I can’t stand even setting foot inside.”
Zuo Shihuan smiled. “Can’t tell, can you?”
The officer shook his head vigorously. “Not at all. You don’t look like it one bit.”
Zuo Shihuan lowered his gaze and smiled quietly, the light in his eyes shadowed with a trace of something unreadable. “Well,” he said in a tone half-playful, half-solemn, “even a vagrant from the slums can look clean once he’s washed up. And today, that same vagrant has to put on a wedding suit and get married.”
“Hahahaha—Mr. Zuo, you’re really funny—”
Zuo Shihuan smiled along with him.
Reality was funny, in a way.
No one would’ve imagined that a once-forgotten Beta from the slums would one day marry the daughter of an elite Omega family. Yet no one ever stopped to ask whether either of the two people at the center of that wedding actually wanted it.
***
The wedding hotel.
In the backstage dressing room, makeup artists and stylists bustled about—every one of them the best in their field, handpicked for the engagement banquet uniting two of the most powerful families in the Federation: the Zuo family and the Yu family.
Under the dazzling lights, stylists carefully held an array of lavish, priceless jewelry and outfits, preparing the two protagonists of the engagement banquet for their grand appearance.
There was a sense of stardom under the spotlight—except, ironically, the two main characters were the least interested in any of it.
On the table, a red velvet box lay casually open.
No one seemed concerned that in the bustling dressing room, the box containing the pair of platinum rings meant for the ceremony’s exchange could easily be misplaced.
Zuo Shihuan half leaned against the dressing table, waiting for Yu Lizhu, whose makeup was growing ever more exquisite. He watched her beautiful face with eyes as cold and hollow as if they held no soul.
“Do you really want this?” he asked.
“Why not? I’m beautiful today, wearing the most gorgeous gown, attending the grandest wedding, putting on the most expensive ring, and being envied and blessed by everyone.”
After the stylist placed the veil over her head, Yu Lizhu took Zuo Shihuan’s arm and rose slowly, her tone calm and expressionless.
The stylists around them were full of admiration for their masterpiece.
“Mr. Zuo, Miss Yu—you two are such a perfect match. The most stunning pair of bride and groom I’ve ever seen.”
In the mirror, their reflections—handsome man and beautiful woman—looked flawless.
Zuo Shihuan stood tall and striking in an elegant white suit. His features were sharp and cold, his pale lips lightly pressed together, his air so refined and distant it was almost intimidating—like the unreachable sky.
Beside him stood his Omega fiancée, Yu Lizhu. Linked arm in arm with the tall man, she appeared all the more delicate and petite. Almond eyes, red lips, pearl earrings, dark hair pinned up beneath a white embroidered veil, and a pure white mermaid gown that made her look like a drifting camellia blossom in the sea.
But amid all the praise, no one noticed the emptiness in their eyes—cold and detached, like two exquisite dolls leaning against each other for display.
Made to be admired by the world.
Soon, someone came to call them out.
“Master Zuo and Miss Yu, the engagement banquet is about to start. Guests are arriving one after another, and Mr. Zuo Zoujian says some important figures are on their way—you should head to the entrance to greet them.”
Zuo Shihuan lowered his eyes and replied, “I understand.”
He then glanced at Yu Lizhu, who had remained silent with her head down, his gaze faintly worried.
Of course, Yu Lizhu noticed. She gave a soft smile and said, “Don’t look at me like that. This is the best choice for both of us—I’ve long accepted that. It’s just…”
“It’s a little sad, isn’t it? That the most beautiful moment in a wedding dress isn’t for the one you love. Luckily, Ji Shenwen won’t be here today.”
Her smile faded gradually, sorrow shimmering in her eyes. Still, she forced herself to lift Zuo Shihuan’s arm and said briskly, “Come on, we should go—they’re probably waiting for us.”
Zuo Shihuan paused. When Yu Lizhu turned to him in confusion, he reached out to free the pearl earring caught in her veil. His light brown eyes glowed with a gentle firmness.
“Give me three years,” he said softly. “Then you can wear your wedding dress for the person you truly want to marry.”
Yu Lizhu froze, her voice trembling. “Why are you so kind to me? We’ve barely met a few times. Compared to the great Zuo family, even the Yu family is nothing. Anyone could take my place as your fiancée.”
“Because… I envy you,” Zuo Shihuan said with a faint smile.
Such a simple truth—he envied her for having something he never could. He envied the genuine love between her and Ji Shenwen. Even now, dressed in a wedding gown beside him, her heart still belonged to that Alpha far away from the Federation’s main star.
Ji Shenwen was a good Alpha too. He hadn’t let Yu Lizhu down; even when busy, he’d always made time to reach out to her.
Envy.
He envied that even in a wedding gown, Yu Lizhu’s life was just beginning—someone still waited for her somewhere ahead. But once Zuo Shihuan donned his wedding suit, he could already see the end of his road: a cold, lonely, numb existence.
Yet even with that clarity, he still wished for those beside him to have better lives.
Yu Lizhu was stunned, as if she had caught a glimpse of the real sorrow buried deep in Zuo Shihuan’s heart—like he, too, was missing someone he could no longer see.
“Let me walk this part of the road with you, Miss Yu—my fiancée.”
Zuo Shihuan smiled and extended his hand to her. In his elegant white suit, with warm brown eyes and a gentle curve to his lips, he looked flawless—too perfect, almost unreal.
Yu Lizhu frowned slightly, gripped his hand in return, and said earnestly, “Young Master Zuo—my fiancé—you can laugh when you want to in front of me. And when you can’t, I’ll laugh for you. After all, I’m the fiancée you chose. The road ahead might be very, very long…”
Zuo Shihuan’s eyes softened with genuine amusement, his lips curving as he teased, “As long as Miss Yu occasionally remembers her poor fiancé left as the third wheel on your dates, that’ll be enough for me.”
Yu Lizhu widened her eyes. “Don’t worry, between you and Ji Shenwen, I’ll definitely choose you.”
Zuo Shihuan chuckled. “Then I must thank Miss Yu for her kindness.”
Neither of them took the words seriously.
They never imagined that once they stepped through that door, the joke they had just made would turn into prophecy—binding their fates together for good.
***
As the doors opened,
Zuo Shihuan and Yu Lizhu walked out side by side, their hearts unexpectedly lighter than before.
They chatted cheerfully along the way, Zuo Shihuan smiling as he counted all the times he’d been dragged along as her “decoy” for dates. The guiltier Yu Lizhu grew, the more her eyes darted away, until she finally lifted her gown and, even in heels, tried to flee.
Watching her hurry off like someone escaping disaster,
Zuo Shihuan couldn’t help but stop in his tracks, clutch his stomach, and laugh heartily. Only when he had laughed enough did he finally follow after her, step by step.
