Chapter 5: Unfolding Secrets

Lin Yue had barely made it back to her apartment when her phone buzzed with a message. She set her bag down and glanced at the screen, expecting a casual follow-up from Zhang Wei. Instead, it was from her best friend, Mei Chen.

"Emergency meeting. My place. Now."

Lin Yue sighed. Mei's "emergencies" were usually trivial—like a cute guy at work asking her out or the new dessert shop opening around the corner. But this time, something in Mei's tone felt different.

"Be there in 15," Lin Yue replied.

Mei opened the door before Lin Yue could knock, dragging her inside with urgency.

"You won't believe what I found," Mei said, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Please tell me this isn't about another sale," Lin Yue joked, slipping off her shoes.

"Lin Yue, I'm serious! It's about him!" Mei exclaimed, thrusting her phone in Lin Yue's face.

"Who?" Lin Yue asked, baffled.

"Zhang Wei, of course! I did a little digging. Do you know how rare it is to meet a guy like him? He's basically perfect!"

Lin Yue frowned, taking the phone from Mei. On the screen was an article about Zhang Wei's app, but what caught her attention was the mention of his family background.

"Zhang Wei… son of the late entrepreneur Zhang Lin, heir to the Zhang Corporation?" Lin Yue read aloud, her heart skipping a beat.

Mei nodded furiously. "He's loaded, Yue. Like, old money loaded. And he's working on a passion project instead of just living off his inheritance? Total dream guy."

Lin Yue set the phone down, her mind racing. Zhang Wei hadn't mentioned anything about his family. Was it intentional, or was he just being private?

As Lin Yue walked home later, her mind was a whirlwind. She couldn't decide how to feel about the revelation. Zhang Wei didn't strike her as the kind of person to flaunt his wealth, but she couldn't ignore the nagging thought: Why didn't he tell me?

Was it even her business? They'd only just met, after all. But still, she couldn't shake the feeling that this new information might complicate things.

"Don't overthink it," she muttered to herself, though she knew it was a futile command.

That evening, as Lin Yue settled down with her laptop to edit an article, her phone rang. Zhang Wei's name lit up the screen.

"Hey," she answered, trying to sound casual.

"Hey yourself," he replied. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Just working," she said. "What's up?"

"I was wondering if you're free tomorrow night. There's an event I have to attend, and I could use the company."

Lin Yue hesitated. "What kind of event?"

"A charity gala," he said. "It's for a good cause, but honestly, these things are a little dull without someone to talk to. What do you say?"

Her heart thudded in her chest. A gala? She'd never been to anything so formal. And considering what she now knew about his background, it made sense why he'd be attending.

"Sure," she said before she could overthink it.

The next day, Lin Yue found herself standing in front of her wardrobe, feeling completely unprepared.

"This is impossible," she muttered, staring at the array of casual clothes and office attire.

She called Mei, who arrived within minutes, armed with two garment bags and a makeup kit.

"I knew you'd need me," Mei said smugly, hanging up the bags. "Now, let's make you unforgettable."

Hours later, Lin Yue stood in front of the mirror, barely recognizing herself. The dress Mei had picked—a sleek, navy gown—hugged her figure perfectly. Her hair was swept into an elegant updo, and her makeup was understated but flawless.

"You look stunning," Mei said, beaming.

Lin Yue smiled nervously. "I just hope I don't trip over my own feet."

When Zhang Wei picked her up, he looked dashing in a tailored black suit. His eyes widened slightly as he saw her, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"You look amazing," he said, his voice warm.

"Thanks," she replied, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. "You don't look too bad yourself."

The gala was held in a grand ballroom, glittering with chandeliers and filled with elegantly dressed guests. As they entered, Lin Yue felt completely out of place.

"Relax," Zhang Wei whispered, leaning close. "You're doing great."

His reassurance steadied her nerves, and as the evening went on, she found herself surprisingly comfortable. Zhang Wei introduced her to a few colleagues and investors, always keeping her close and making sure she didn't feel overwhelmed.

As they stepped out onto the balcony for some air, Lin Yue turned to Zhang Wei. "Why didn't you tell me about your family?"

He looked at her, surprised. "I didn't think it mattered. Does it?"

She hesitated. "I don't know. It just caught me off guard. Mei found an article about you."

Zhang Wei sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not something I like to bring up. People treat you differently when they know. I didn't want that with you."

His honesty disarmed her. "I get it," she said softly. "But you should've told me. I wouldn't have judged you."

"I know," he said, his gaze meeting hers. "That's why I like being around you. You don't see me as just… Zhang Wei, the heir. You see me."

Her heart fluttered at his words, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade.