Chapter 2

The atmosphere in the ballroom was tense and electric following Tanzhuo's startling announcement. Under the opulent chandeliers, Tanzhuo's emerald green gown seemed to merge with the rich colors of a medieval painting. The delicate shoulder straps accentuated her refined collarbone, and her dark eyes, with just a hint of a playful glimmer, had the power to captivate anyone.

The crowd's initial shock slowly transformed into intrigue. Even though Tanzhuo's claim was outlandish, her stunning appearance and composure gave it an air of possible truth. But Tanzhuo was internally distressed, questioning whether the marriage certificate was real or if she had been misled.

梁初菀, ever opportunistic, seized the moment to press Tanzhuo further. "If your fiancé is really Chao Huai Du, why don't you call him right now and prove it to us?"

The crowd buzzed with anticipation.

"Yeah, make the call!"

"Prove it!"

A former friend of Tanzhuo's chimed in sarcastically, "Oh, I hope you haven't forgotten your fiancé's phone number."

梁初菀 added mockingly, "Shall I help you find it?"

Tanzhuo would have gladly accepted if she had access to the number herself. But before she could respond,梁颂 arrived on the scene. He noticed the commotion and walked over, intercepting梁初菀 and giving her a subtle signal to quiet down so as not to disturb the peace upstairs.

梁颂 turned his attention to Tanzhuo, whose radiant beauty contrasted sharply with her current predicament. In the past,梁颂 might have been interested in her, but the fall of the檀 family had drastically changed their statuses. Now, he could not afford to let the antics of young women disrupt the potential collaboration with the Chao family.

He addressed Tanzhuo with a seemingly polite but unmistakably firm tone. "Miss Tanzhuo, this isn't a matter for jest. Please leave."

Tanzhuo understood the implication instantly. Without the backing of the檀 family, she was no longer the privileged young lady and could be dismissed from such gatherings.

Clutching her half-full champagne glass tightly, her fingers turned pale from the grip. The onlookers reveled in her discomfort, eager to see her leave in humiliation.

Tanzhuo, never one to back down easily, considered the possibility of retaliating by pouring the champagne over the梁 siblings' heads. However, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming from the right staircase.

A young, impeccably dressed man with a drink in hand descended the stairs.梁颂's face fell at the sight, fearing that even the top secretary's intervention wouldn't be enough to manage the situation.

梁颂 managed a smile and said, "I'm surprised to see Secretary Cui come down. It seems everything is under control."

The fact that梁颂, usually high-handed, was so deferential to a mere secretary spoke volumes. Tanzhuo momentarily set aside her retaliatory thoughts, realizing her well-being was at stake.

To her astonishment, Secretary Cui approached her directly and presented a glass of clear, beautiful lychee whiskey. "Miss Tanzhuo, our Boss invites you to sample this."

Tanzhuo was momentarily stunned. "Boss" who? The sight of the exquisite lychee whiskey, with its aroma of alcohol and sweet fruit, left her bewildered. Her first instinct was to be cautious—beautiful things often had hidden dangers.

However, she noticed梁颂's reaction to the whiskey, a mix of surprise and awe. Secretary Cui's words had confirmed that the Boss was someone significant, and the gesture of offering her the drink seemed like a lifeline amidst her predicament.

Internally, she waged a battle between two voices: one urging her to accept the drink as a sign of support from a powerful figure, and the other warning her of possible ulterior motives. She recalled a previous incident where a mere smile had been misconstrued as an invitation.

Ultimately, Tanzhuo had to make a decision: accept the drink from the mysterious Boss or risk missing an opportunity to resolve her current crisis.

Before the minor character could provide an answer, Jiang Qingci noticed the unusual nature of the boss mentioned by Secretary Cui. She felt that her accidental outburst earlier had made Tan Zhuang the target of criticism and had been looking for an opportunity to make amends. Seizing the chance, she took the champagne glass from Tan Zhuang's hand and reminded her, "Quick, take the glass of lychee whiskey."

Just then, Liang Song politely called out, "Miss Tan."

This made Tan Zhuang immediately recall the embarrassment Liang Song had caused her minutes ago, and... his faint reverence towards the glass of alcohol.

Secretary Cui remained motionless in his gesture of offering the drink, his demeanor calm and orderly. It was clear that ordinary people could not handle someone like him as a secretary. At the very least, his aura surpassed that of her father's entire team of secretaries, who were now bankrupt.

Tan Zhuang, as if suddenly clearing away a fog in her mind, finally took the glass and thanked him.

She then looked up at Liang Song and smiled lightly, saying, "What, are you urging me to leave?"

Liang Song explained, "Miss Tan, you've misunderstood. I was concerned that you looked tired and was inviting you to the VIP lounge on the sixth floor."

Liang Song's previously indifferent and cold tone had disappeared, replaced by an unexpectedly warm one.

Tan Zhuang lowered her lashes and looked at the white fruit meat soaking in the liquid, clicking her tongue slightly: *Oh, this drink must be toxic.*

The smell of the alcohol alone could make Liang Song forget everything instantly.

The people present observed this dramatic turn of events, and even though most did not recognize Secretary Cui, they could sense something was amiss.

Except for Liang Chuwan, who was anxious, "Brother!"

Liang Song's face darkened, "That's enough. Our guest is here."

"Please make sure to properly host Miss Tan and other esteemed guests. No more nonsense."

Tan Zhuang had no interest in the sibling quarrel. Instead, she naturally struck up a conversation with the seemingly unapproachable Secretary Cui.

"You are Mr. Chao's secretary?"

Tan Zhuang, who was never good at beating around the bush, directly asked her guess.

Secretary Cui, who was usually unflappable, was momentarily taken aback, perhaps not used to someone being so direct.

After a moment, he replied in a businesslike manner, "Yes."

Tan Zhuang didn't care about his attitude and felt relieved. *A twist in the plot!*

Mr. Chao was indeed on the cruise and was helping her out.

But wait, why was Mr. Chao helping her?

Tan Zhuang hadn't forgotten the marriage contract and was even more determined to confirm it with Mr. Chao.

"Can I meet him?"

Secretary Cui replied, "Sorry, Mr. Chao's schedule is full tonight."

Even on the cruise, his schedule was full?

Tan Zhuang asked, "Can a suspected fiancée cut in line?"

Secretary Cui answered, "Sorry, Mr. Chao maintains a clear separation between public and private matters."

Tan Zhuang pushed, "Just ten minutes!"

Secretary Cui replied, "Sorry."

He was like a robot, seemingly only able to say that word.

Tan Zhuang's polite smile on her face was barely maintained... Why was it so hard to meet this person, even harder than asking a deity?

She could only watch as Secretary Cui went upstairs.

Tan Zhuang: *So frustrating!*

Her upbringing and manners didn't allow her to persist.

---

After sending away Jiang Qingci, who had come to apologize, Tan Zhuang had lost all interest in the ball. She leaned on the railing outside the cabin, her waist-length hair casually half-up, her fair skin and red lips captivating.

But her beauty only added to her frustration:

She had come to find out about the marriage contract with Mr. Chao, and it had developed into this mess.

If it turned out to be fake, how would she continue in this circle?

*sigh*

The spring night was beautiful, yet she almost became a laughingstock, leaving her in a terrible mood!

Except for this 'timely drink.'

Tan Zhuang lightly swirled the glass, the white lychee meat slightly moving.

She took a sip, finding it a bit sweet and a bit spicy, but quite good.

Unconsciously, she drank the entire glass.

Suddenly, German conversation could be heard from the deck below.

One of the voices sounded like Secretary Cui's.

She vaguely heard him address someone as "Mr. Chao."

*Hmm?!*

Tan Zhuang's eyes lit up, and she looked down to see people on the second floor.

After hesitating for two seconds, she put down the glass and, in high heels, ran down the stairs, against the light.

Step by step.

Tan Zhuang managed to intercept them at the stairway entrance.

On the deck outside, surrounded by a crowd of elites, the man was adjusting his cufflinks. The silver-blue diamond cufflinks were perfectly aligned on his wrist, and he was speaking softly with an expatriate secretary.

Noticing someone blocking him, Mr. Chao glanced over with a calm and penetrating gaze. His eyes, thin and with a light amber color, seemed to see through her every thought.

Before meeting Mr. Chao, Tan Zhuang had rehearsed countless lines and worried about recognizing the wrong person.

Now, just a glance made all her prepared words shatter into pieces, swept away by the sea breeze.

After a moment, she finally said, "Mr. Chao, I'd like to talk to you…"

Two bodyguards quickly stepped forward, watching Tan Zhuang with vigilance.

After all, there had been many women trying to get close to Mr. Chao with various tactics.

Secretary Cui, recognizing Tan Zhuang, explained, "Miss Tan, Mr. Chao has an important international meeting in fifteen minutes and needs to return to his cabin to prepare."

"I just want to say one thing!"

Tan Zhuang held up her slender, white index finger, speaking through the crowd, looking directly at the central figure.

Despite being so close, he seemed as distant as ever.

Mr. Chao signaled for the bodyguards to step back.

Tan Zhuang was finally able to come down the stairs and noticed that even in high heels, Mr. Chao was still taller than her.

He must be nearly 1.9 meters tall.

No wonder he had such an imposing presence.

Secretary Cui was about to remind Mr. Chao of the time, "Mr. Chao, you have to…"

Tan Zhuang, fearing Mr. Chao might leave, instinctively reached out to grab his sleeve.

Meeting him was so difficult; missing this chance might mean there would be no next time!

Mr. Chao did not brush her off. His cold, almost inorganic eyes slightly lowered, "What do you want to say?"

Knowing the urgency, Tan Zhuang succinctly expressed her initial reason for meeting Mr. Chao: "The marriage contract."

Moments later.

Mr. Chao looked at Secretary Cui and said, "Take Miss Tan to my rest cabin."

Tan Zhuang understood this meant they could discuss further.

Seeing the opportunity, she said, "Mr. Chao, please continue with your work."

She released his sleeve, noticing the creased fabric, and lightly smoothed it out, pretending nothing had happened.

Secretary Cui saw her actions clearly and, recalling Tan Zhuang's straightforward character, couldn't help but twitch his lips.

Could she really marry into the Chao family?

---

Mr. Chao's rest cabin was the most luxurious spot on the entire cruise ship, featuring a massive floor-to-ceiling window that took up half a wall, offering an excellent view. Unfortunately, it was night, and the rolling waves looked like a bizarre dream.

The temperature inside the cabin was just right. 

Since it was someone else's territory, Tan Zhuang quietly sat on the sofa for a while. However, she began to feel increasingly warm and couldn't help but press her cool palms against her face. It wasn't an illusion; she was truly overheating.

The image of that lychee-flavored drink flashed in her mind…

Hmm.

That drink had quite a kick.

Tan Zhuang yawned, her lashes dampened by the misty air. Her posture, initially poised, could no longer be maintained, and she slumped down on the sofa.

---

After more than two hours of continuous meetings, Mr. Chao pushed open the cabin door.

The air was filled with a strange, sweet fragrance and the intoxicating smell of alcohol.

Looking over, he saw the young woman lazily reclining against the wide armrest of the sofa. Her slim back formed a soft, delicate curve, and the dark green gown with a strong drape spread out across the floor, revealing a pair of snow-white, slender legs.

She looked like a beautiful, alluring gift waiting to be unwrapped by its owner.

Mr. Chao's arm, which had been taking off his suit jacket, froze momentarily. He casually draped the jacket over the sofa.

Tan Zhuang was still focused on the matter at hand. Although her eyelids were heavy, she hadn't been completely defeated by the alcohol. She struggled to lift her lashes upon hearing the door open.

Her voice, tinged with the slur of inebriation, was almost coquettish, "You're finally back."

If he didn't come back soon, she might fall asleep.

That wouldn't do.

Mr. Chao was so hard to meet; she couldn't miss this opportunity.

She had to… what was it she needed to do again?

At that moment, the suit jacket fell.

It ended up covering the young woman's legs.

The aftereffects of the alcohol were too strong; Tan Zhuang didn't even realize it. Instead, she felt hot and pushed the jacket onto the carpet, causing the silk gown to slide even further up.

Mr. Chao's interest was piqued.

The Tan family sure knew how to raise a socialite, making her so free-spirited.

Recalling the marriage contract that had recently come to light, he closed the cabin door and got straight to the point:

"Miss Tan, what would you like to discuss?"

Discuss what?

After a moment, she slowly sat up…

However, the alcohol made her body too weak, and she nearly bumped into the coffee table.

Fortunately, Mr. Chao, being a gentleman, reached out to steady her.

His fingers were cold and long.

Tan Zhuang instinctively held onto his hand. After a moment of coldness, she remembered: she needed to make Mr. Chao acknowledge her as his fiancée!

Liang Song might be a prince among the second-generation wealthy, but he was so courteous to his secretary. One can only imagine how prominent Mr. Chao's background and status must be in the circle. The rumors weren't exaggerated.

With his protection…

Tan Zhuang became a bit more sober.

So—

Tan Zhuang took a deep breath to calm herself and looked at him, asking, "Are you single?"

The young woman's question was unexpectedly direct, and it intrigued Mr. Chao.

He answered, "Yes."

Tan Zhuang asked again, "Is there someone you like?"

"No."

Tan Zhuang tilted her head and carefully observed the man standing in the dim light.

She could vaguely discern his superior appearance, handsome and aloof, like a mist hidden among the mountains and rivers of the Nine Provinces, high and distant, without desires.

With such good looks, it wasn't surprising that he had high standards.

She was beautiful too, and had high standards.

Confident in her own appearance, Tan Zhuang, with a bit of clumsiness, boldly offered, "Do you need a wife? Fair-skinned, beautiful… and gentle and caring, that sort of thing?"

Her eyes fluttered slightly, carrying an unconscious allure, though her tone remained innocent and naive.