The Engagement Banquet (2)

A black car stopped in front of the red carpet of Xing Hotel.

The door of the black car opened and, a slender leg came out.

Slowly Zhao Mei came out of the black car.

Everyone held their breath in anticipation of who was this beautiful lady?

She was donning an off-shoulder starry purple colored mermaid gown.

The diamond-like stones embedded in the dress give one feel like stars have come down from the sky.

She looked bedazzling with her rosy cheeks and red lips.

Her hair was in a complex bun with unruly hairs falling softly at both sides of her cheeks and forehead.

Her lovely swan neck was adorned with the pendant necklace that was with her from the day she transmigrated here.

The pendant holds a significant place in her life. It was this pendant that made the Zhao couple think that she was their daughter.

It was a simple cherry blossom-shaped pendant. It looked really lovely, completing her overall look.

She looked just like an innocent fairy who was not tainted by this dirty world.

Suddenly someone from the crowd shouted, "Isn't she Zhao Mei? The adopted daughter of Zhao Family."

Zhao Mei clearly heard everyone talking about her.

How she was the ex-fiancé of Lu Xiang. Throwing insulting words or whatnot.

But she didn't care. She was only here to mark her presence and then left quietly, forever after the ceremony.

She knows she has to sever her ties with her adopted family to live freely and happily. This will be the last time she will be meeting her adopted parents.

Even though her heart ached from leaving, but she had to harden it. If she still cherishes the new life God has given her.

Thousands of flashes were entering into her ears while she was walking past the red carpet.

She held her head high with dignity and walked past the red carpet to the hall where the engagement was going to happen.

Even she was the adopted daughter, no one could deny she was ethereal beauty. A feast to eyes.

********

Zhao Mei entered the banquet hall. It was bustling with elites and socialites. She quickly scanned the area to find where her adopted parents are.

After finding them, she walked towards her adopted parents who busy toasting and chatting with the Lu family members.

"Hello! Mom and Dad," she smiled sweetly at her parents. "Hope I'm not late for the ceremony."

The Zhao couple looked at their adopted daughter. Their eyes flashed with some complex emotions.

The Lu family members just stood there motionlessly. They only nodded their heads and excused themselves. The contempt look that Lu's family members were giving her didn't go unnoticed from her eyes.

However, Zhao Mei masked her emotions perfectly and acted as an obedient daughter.

"It's good that you are here," her father, Zhao Wenjun grunted in response. But Yu Meixiu kept mum. Only showing a distance emotion.

Zhao Mei didn't know what had happened. Why all of them being alienated from her. It pained her but she hid her painful expression. She found the courage and told her parents.

"Mom, Dad. I want to go abroad after this engagement party," she continued. "FOREVER."

"I know you both have taken care of me greatly. However, now the situation had turned like this. I cannot stay here. I did not want to steal your love and care from Zhao Li Ying and I will be damned if I didn't say I will not be hurt if you didn't provide me attention.

And there is the matter with Lu family. I don't want to come between any of these. So, for my sake please cancel my adoption." Zhao Mei said what was in her heart and her decision in one breathe.

A hint of sharpness flashed in both the Zhao couple's eyes. Their eyes no longer hold complex emotion instead it turned into blankness.

Zhao Mei cannot think about what was going on in their minds.

"Ok, as you wish!" Zhao Wenjun after some contemplation said these words.

"Thank you," Zhao Mei bowed her head showing her sincere gratitude towards them.

However, what she did not know both of them were looking at her with contempt and sarcasm. Like she was an ant that was only born to be crushed by their feet. A pig who was ready to be slaughtered.

Just then the emcee announced the arrival of Lu Xiang and Zhao Li Ying.

Both Lu Xiang and Zhao Li Ying were clad in a black and white combination of dresses.

Lu Xiang wore a black tuxedo with a white shirt and diamond-studded cuff links.

He stood there in glory with the love of his life. He was looking extremely handsome, and why not he is the male lead.

Suddenly Zhao Mei's mind flashed with pair of deep bluish-grey eyes. And her face flushed, remembering the embarrassing incident. She pulled herself back from her reverie.

Zhao Li Ying, just like the novel describes an innocent jade rabbit-like girl with lovely pair of eyes and red lips. She was donning the custom-made piece of the famous designer of City S.

Her gown was white in color studded with real diamonds with a cute bow at the back. Overall, she looked exactly like the novel has described, a real female lead.

She looked like a naïve little girl in love with her blushed cheeks, when someone started to tease her or was, she?

Zhao Li Ying and Lu Xiang clasped their hands together and walked upstairs. Where everyone can see them vividly.

The emcee announced the beginning of the engagement ceremony.

Both of them look lovingly in each other eyes. Their whole posture and aura screamed they have eyes only for each other and put the rings on their beloved finger.

"I will love you till my last breath, Yingying," Lu Xiang, the cold and arrogant male lead poured out his feelings just for his beloved.

"My dear, Yingying is, was, and will be with you and love you even after she becomes a ghost," Zhao Li Ying expressed her heartfelt feelings.

Everyone was cheering for the lovely couple.

Zhao Mei was witnessing all this silently from the corner of the hall. She tried to keep her neutral façade as long as needed. But her heart was bleeding.

Why she was not there with him?

They were happy before the arrival of Zhao Li Ying. But everything changed after Zhao Li Ying came back.

If Lu Xiang didn't pay her attention or care, she would also not bother to fall in love with him.

Why in the first place did he get engaged to her? When he only see her as a little sister.

If he didn't agree for them to be engaged first. She would still smile and give them genuine blessings.

It would not have been hurting so much.

She was stupid. Even after knowing he was the male lead destined to fall in love with the female lead Zhao Li Ying.

Idiot! she tried so hard to be all gone in vain.

There were many ifs, which were left unanswered.

A single lone tear falls from Zhao Mei's eye, which she quickly wipes away with the back of her forefinger.

In all according to her, it was all due to female lead halo and male lead halo.

She was destined to be alone.

Suddenly Zhao Mei felt her brain has been electrocuted. She cursed under her breathe.

'That damn novel! If what is written in the novel is happening after all this. Then she should be careful today, or else she may end up in red lights district as was written in the book.'

Loud thunderous claps resounded all over the banquet hall, which brought back Zhao Mei from her reverie.

Suddenly, someone's eyes fell on Zhao Mei. They started to whisper on their own.

"Why was the adopted daughter of the Zhao family being here?"

"I must say she has very thick skin to come here and see her ex-fiancé getting engaged with the real one."

"Was she is here to cause some commotion?"

"Did she think Young Master Lu will leave Miss Zhao Li Ying if she show her seductive face?"

"Whatever! It looks like she didn't even care if Young Master Lu married someone else."

Everyone was gossiping loudly about Zhao Mei ignoring whether she will be hurt or not.

"She wanted to be a phoenix. Bahahaha! Look at her wanting to climb the high society."

"Shameless!"

It was getting louder. The words said by the guests were heard clearly by everyone including, Zhao Mei.

She was hurt, but she maintained her neutral face. She did not want any one of them has hold of her weakness.

A voice rang from behind dispelling all the talks of the guests. "Sis Mei, why are you standing here? Come here, let go and have some toast."

Listening to Zhao Li Ying's words, everyone thought that both girls have a good relation.

"Today is my big day. Will you not accompany me?" she eyed Zhao Mei with puppy eyes.

"Ok," sighed Zhao Mei and agreed to her request.

Just like this, all the rumors regarding Zhao Mei dispersed with few words of the female lead.

What a strong female lead halo?

****************************************************

"Sis, for you," Zhao Li Ying handed the champagne glass to Zhao Mei, celebrating the joyous occasion.

'So considerate of you,' Zhao Mei snorted.

With a fake smile, Zhao Mei accepted the glass. She was contemplating whether to drink it or not.

In the end, her mind answered not to eat or drink anything. Zhao Mei silently pours the champagne in the nearby vase when Zhao Li Ying's eyes were searching for Lu Xiang.

"Brother Xiang!" Zhao Li Ying called her beloved in her melodious voice.

Zhao Mei's glass was empty when Zhao Li Ying focused her gaze back on her.

Seeing her holding the glass near her lips. Zhao Li Ying's eyes flashed with sinister glint.

'Heh! Let's begin the end.'