7 Shattered Starlight and Escape
"Props."
These two words were like poisoned ice cones, fiercely drilling through Su Wan's shaky heart. The cold truth, with its biting chill, instantly froze all her blood and crushed the last glimmer of luck. The Starlight Island Development Project...Contractual Marriage...She was indeed just a cold symbol carefully selected to exchange for huge benefits!
The huge grief and overwhelming despair were like a cold tide, instantly drowning her completely. She even lost the strength to cry, and collapsed on the cold tile floor, with only a slight, uncontrollable tremor left in her body, like a candle about to go out in the wind. The heavy starlight sapphire on her neck, like Bai Weiwei's poisoned mocking eyes, was more like the cold mark branded by Helian Cheng himself, showing her tool nature, weighing heavily on her, almost breaking her slender neck.
Helian Cheng seemed very satisfied with her complete despair at the moment, crushed by the truth. His cold fingertips were like the tongue of a poisonous snake, stroking her wet cheeks and wiping away the teardrop that symbolized complete surrender. The cruel whisper that was almost a sigh - "I never break my promise to make you cry" - was like a final judgment, completely breaking her defense.
He stood up, and his tall figure cast a heavy shadow, completely covering Su Wan who was lying on the ground. He had no mercy at all, and his voice returned to his usual cold commanding tone, as if he was instructing the placement of an item: "Clean up. Leave in half an hour."
After saying that, he no longer looked at her, turned around and left the bathroom filled with the smell of vomit and sourness. The heavy footsteps faded away, leaving Su Wan alone facing the disheveled self in the mirror with empty eyes like dead ashes.
Props... tools... contract...
These cold words repeatedly hit her numb mind. She looked at the sapphire on her neck in the mirror, which reflected the dazzling starlight, and looked at her pale and desperate face. A strong urge to tear it off and crush it suddenly surged up! But when her fingertips touched the cold gem, she drooped powerlessly. What if I tear it apart? Can it change the fact that she is a prop? Can it save Lin Xiao? Can it escape from this cage?
No. None.
The tears of humiliation slid silently again. She struggled to get up and washed her hot cheeks and neck with cold water again and again, trying to wash away the disgusting humiliation, the cold touch left on Helian Cheng's fingertips, and the stinging pain brought by the sapphire like a shackle. But everything was in vain. The cold and humiliation had already penetrated the bone marrow.
Half an hour later, in the banquet hall of the top Peninsula Hotel in Jingjiang City.
The dazzling crystal chandelier illuminated the huge space like daylight. The air was filled with the mixed smell of expensive perfume, cigars and food. The people were dressed in fine clothes and drinking. Celebrities and business giants from Jingjiang City gathered here to add luster to a charity auction dinner that was said to be related to children's medical care.
Su Wan took Helian Cheng's arm and stepped into this glittering and colorful world of fame and fortune. She was wearing a silver-gray off-shoulder evening dress that Helian Cheng had specified, which was perfectly tailored and expensive. The design of the dress was extremely simple, but it outlined her figure in an exquisite manner, and it was flowing with a low-key luxurious luster under the bright lights. Around her neck, the deep starlight sapphire necklace from Bai Weiwei was like a finishing touch, attracting countless eyes that were either amazed, inquiring, or jealous.
Her face was carefully painted with impeccable makeup by a professional makeup artist, her paleness was covered, the dark blue under her eyes was modified, and her lips were painted with a gentle bean paste color. She raised her chin slightly, with a touch of the perfect, distant and elegant arc at the corner of her mouth that Teacher Wu had repeatedly trained. Her eyes were calm, like a deep pool of water.
The perfect Mrs. He.
Only she knew what kind of frozen wasteland was under this perfect shell. Helian Cheng's arms were strong and powerful, like an iron hoop around her waist, and with unquestionable control, he guided her through the crowd. He occasionally tilted his head, put his thin lips close to her ear, and instructed in a low voice that only the two of them could hear: "On the left is Mr. Wang, an important shareholder of Huanyu... Smile, nod..." "In front is the mayor's wife... Say hello, say 'I've heard a lot about you'..." "Bai Weiwei is coming... Keep your distance, just nod..."
His instructions were precise and cold, like controlling a puppet. Su Wan was like a precision machine that was input with a program, perfectly executing every instruction. Her smile was precise, her greetings were just right, and she only gave an impeccable nod to Bai Weiwei's obviously provocative and inquiring eyes, her eyes were calm without a ripple, as if the priceless necklace with naked mockery around her neck did not exist at all.
Helian Cheng seemed very satisfied with her performance. He even stretched out his hand very naturally, with a kind of intimacy that declared sovereignty, and gently brushed away a strand of hair that did not exist on her cheek. This action instantly attracted countless envious and jealous eyes around. Flashes came and went, recording the moment of "Helian Cheng, the helmsman of the universe, and his newlywed wife appearing in love."
Su Wan's body instinctively stiffened for a moment when he touched her, and then forced herself to relax, and even cooperated to slightly turn her head to reveal a more gentle side face angle. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest, not because of palpitations, but because of the nausea and humiliation under strong pressure. She felt like a toy that had been stripped naked and displayed under the spotlight. Every movement and every expression was carried out under Helian Cheng's cold instructions for people to watch and judge.
The auction began. Expensive jewelry, artworks, and even the "special experiences" of some celebrities were pushed onto the stand, attracting bidding sounds one after another. The atmosphere gradually became heated.
As the focus of the whole audience, Helian Cheng naturally could not miss this performance that showed financial strength and "philanthropy". He took Su Wan to sit in the front row. Su Wan still maintained a perfect sitting posture, with her back straight, her hands elegantly folded on her knees, and her eyes calmly staring at the stand. The starlight sapphire around her neck flickered faintly under the light.
When the auctioneer introduced a sapphire crown that was said to belong to an ancient royal family in Europe, the bidding reached a climax. Bai Weiwei also joined the competition. She frequently raised her hand, but her eyes always inadvertently glanced at Helian Cheng, with obvious provocation and expectation.
Helian Cheng looked calm, as if he had no interest in the crown. He casually pressed a few times on the bidding machine and quoted a sky-high price that shocked the audience! Instantly surpassed Bai Weiwei's bid.
The auctioneer excitedly dropped the hammer: "Congratulations, Mr. He!"
The applause was thunderous. Countless eyes focused on Helian Cheng, full of amazement, awe and envy. Helian Cheng nodded slightly, his posture was noble and calm. He turned his head and whispered in Su Wan's ear. The voice was not loud, but it was enough for the people around who pricked up their ears to hear vaguely: "It's just right for you."
This sentence was like a drop of water thrown into a frying pan, instantly detonating the suppressed amazement and jealousy around! Especially Bai Weiwei, her face instantly became extremely ugly, and her carefully trimmed nails almost pinched into her palm. Helian Cheng actually bid such a sky-high crown for Su Wan! And said such ambiguous and doting words in public!
Su Wan's heart sank to the bottom. It's right for her? Just right? How ironic! He bought the crown, just like putting Bai Weiwei's necklace on her, just to complete the perfect packaging of the prop "Mrs. He"! In order to add a more important chip on the chessboard of the Xingguang Island development project! Her value will always lie only in her identity and the benefits she can bring to him!
A cold despair and a deeper feeling of nausea surged up. She felt the starlight sapphire around her neck getting heavier and heavier, almost suffocating her. The envious eyes around her, the hypocritical applause, Helian Cheng's seemingly doting whispers... all of this was like a huge, disgusting net that trapped her tightly.
Just then, a waiter passed by with a tray with champagne on it. Helian Cheng reached out and took two glasses, and handed one to Su Wan.
Su Wan took it mechanically, and the cold wall of the glass touched her fingertips. She looked at the bubbles rising in the golden liquid in the glass, her flawless but mask-like face reflected on the wall of the glass, and the sapphire around her neck that reflected the cold starlight... She felt like a delicate puppet with a soul drained out, playing the most pathetic role in this grand drama called "Starlight Island" directed by Helian Cheng.
"Mrs. He, please." Helian Cheng's deep voice sounded, with an unquestionable command.
Su Wan numbly raised her hand and brought the cold edge of the cup to her lips. The golden liquid slid into her mouth, with a slight tingling sensation of bubbles and cold sourness. She forced herself to swallow it, but her throat felt like it was burned by fire.
At this moment, the lights on the auction table changed, and the host's voice sounded with an excited tone: "Next, it is the most special and last item of this charity dinner! Specially provided by Mr. Helian Cheng and Ms. Su Wan! Mr. Helian Cheng's private collection - an exclusive vacation experience on the private island "Star Island" in the South Pacific! Starting price -"
Star Island? !
These four words were like thunder, exploding in Su Wan's dead heart! She raised her head suddenly and looked at the auction table in disbelief! On the huge screen, several breathtaking island scenery photos were being displayed - a clear blue sky, white and fine sand, a crystal clear jelly sea, and... a lush, paradise-like central area of the island!
The outline of that area... the unique blue of that sea... and the name... Starlight Island? !
This is not a private island at all! This is clearly... the inspiration for her design "Flowing Light Island"! It is the pure land she has depicted countless times in her dreams, and it carries her infinite yearning for freedom and creation! It is the most precious secret hidden in her heart that she has never mentioned to outsiders!
Helian Cheng! He actually knew it! Not only did he know it, he also named it "Starlight Island"! And he put it up for auction? ! As a prop for him and her, the "contract couple", to perform charity? !
An indescribable torrent of shock, anger and overwhelming despair instantly washed away all of Su Wan's rationality and cold disguise!
"No --!!!"
A shrill scream like a dying beast suddenly tore through the hypocritical noise in the banquet hall!
The champagne glass in Su Wan's hand shattered on the smooth floor with a "pop", and the golden wine and glass fragments splashed everywhere! She stood up suddenly, and her movement was so big that she knocked over the chair behind her, making a harsh sound!
All eyes were instantly focused on her! Astonishment, doubt, contempt, gloating... like countless sharp arrows, instantly nailed her to the spot!
She was shaking violently, and the perfect makeup on her face could no longer cover up the huge pain and despair surging from her eyes! She stared at the familiar yet unfamiliar island photo on the auction table, then turned her head suddenly, her red eyes like weeping blood, staring at Helian Cheng who also stood up beside her and whose face was instantly gloomy!
"Helian Cheng! How dare you?!!" Her voice was sharp and changed due to extreme anger and pain, with a determination to burn everything down, "That's mine! It's my 'Island of Flowing Light'! It's my dream! How dare you take it out... and auction it as your thing?! How dare you use it to decorate your dirty contract?!!"
She no longer cared about the dignity of "Mrs. He" or the safety of Lin Xiao! The huge sense of betrayal and the anger of having her dream completely desecrated erupted in her body like a volcano! She suddenly reached out, grabbed the cold platinum chain around her neck, and pulled it hard with all her strength!
"Click!" The tiny buckle broke!
The starlight sapphire necklace that bore Bai Weiwei's ridicule and Helian Cheng's contract imprint was ripped off by her! The dazzling sapphire drew a cold arc in the air, and then with a "snap", it fell heavily on the thickly carpeted floor!
The gem did not break, but the chain fell apart. The deep blue gem that reflected the starlight lay alone on the scarlet carpet fiber, like an abandoned, cold tear.
Dead silence.
The entire banquet hall fell into an unprecedented dead silence. Everyone was stunned by this sudden change. The celebrities who were just immersed in Helian Cheng's sky-high auction items and his declaration of pampering his wife were now staring in amazement at the new "Mrs. He" who was like a madman, trembling all over, with desperate and crazy eyes.
Helian Cheng's face was so gloomy that water could drip out. In his deep eyes, there was a sudden surge of rage like a storm and a cold murderous intent of being challenged in public! He stared at Su Wan, his eyes like a beast that was ready to eat anyone!
"Su Wan!" He growled, his voice suppressing the violent anger, with a thunderous pressure, "You are looking for death!"
Su Wan seemed to have not heard his threat at all. The huge anger and despair gave her the last strength. She looked at the cold sapphire on the ground, and then looked at the photo of the island named "Star Island" on the screen, which carried her dream of "Flowing Light Island". A strong urge to escape from here instantly grabbed her!
Escape! Leave here! Leave this devil! Leave this gorgeous cage woven with contracts and lies!
She pushed the chair in front of her away, ignoring the glass fragments and wine splashing around her feet. Like a completely enraged and desperate little beast, she used all her strength to stumble towards the huge and heavy gilded door of the banquet hall, which symbolized the exit!
"Stop her!" Helian Cheng's cold and angry command exploded like thunder in the dead silent banquet hall!
The bodyguards in black suits standing near the door reacted instantly, like two black lightnings, and rushed towards the slender figure who rushed to the door desperately!
Su Wan heard the footsteps and wind coming quickly behind her! The huge fear made her burst out her last potential! She accelerated suddenly, and at the moment when the bodyguard's hand was about to grab her shoulder, she slammed open the heavy gilded door!
"Bang!"
A huge sound!
The cold wind outside the door poured in instantly! Su Wan staggered out, her high heels making a messy and rapid sound on the smooth marble corridor! She didn't dare to look back, she just ran forward desperately! Behind her was the footsteps of the bodyguards chasing her and Helian Cheng's terrifying anger like a death warrant!
The lights in the corridor flickered in front of her eyes, and the closed doors on both sides were like the huge mouth of a monster. She was panicking and wanted to get away from that place! She rushed into the safe passage, and the cold metal stair handrail hurt her. She kicked off the high heels that were in the way and ran barefoot on the cold and rough concrete steps! The soles of her feet were broken and there was a sharp stinging pain, but she didn't feel it at all!
One floor! Two floors! Three floors!
She didn't know how long she had been running, her lungs seemed to be on fire, and every breath was filled with the smell of blood. The footsteps of the bodyguards chasing behind her were like maggots on the tarsal bones, getting closer and closer!
Finally, she rushed to the back door of the hotel! The cold night wind instantly wrapped her frail body! In front of her was the dim lights of the hotel's back alley and the cramped space filled with debris!
She rushed out like grabbing a life-saving straw! Barefoot on the cold, rough ground mixed with sewage and gravel, the biting cold and pain made her stagger and almost fall!
"Stop!" The bodyguard's low shout came from behind her, with ferocity!
Su Wan's heart almost jumped out of her throat! She gritted her teeth and rushed desperately towards the darker place deep in the alley! As long as she could hide! As long as she could escape!
At this moment, a black, unmarked commercial vehicle slid silently to the entrance of the alley like a ghost, lying in front of her, blocking her way!
The car door was suddenly opened!
Su Wan's pupils instantly dilated with despair! Helian Cheng's people? ! Blocked so quickly? !
She subconsciously wanted to turn around and run in another direction!
"Miss Su! Get in the car!" A very low but familiar voice came out from the car!
Su Wan suddenly stopped! In the dim light, she saw the anxious and worried face in the driver's seat - it was Uncle Fu? !
Uncle Fu? ! The old housekeeper of the He family? !
Huge shock and disbelief instantly seized Su Wan! Her mind was blank! Uncle Fu... How could he be here? ! Is he here to take her back? Or... ?
"Hurry! There's no time!" Uncle Fu urged anxiously, his eyes quickly glancing at the bodyguard figure behind her who was getting closer and closer!
The heavy footsteps and low shouts of the bodyguard behind her were like a death warrant!
Su Wan had no time to think! The huge instinct for survival overwhelmed all doubts! Almost by instinct, she used up her last bit of strength, rushed to the open car door, and rolled in in a mess!
"Bang!" The car door was slammed shut by Fu Bo behind her!
The engine roared, and the black business car rushed out like an arrow, leaving the chasing bodyguards and the back alley full of despair and humiliation, as well as the Peninsula Hotel, which was brightly lit and like a huge cage, behind!
The car sped in the night, and the scenery outside the window quickly retreated, blurring into a stream of light.
Su Wan collapsed in the cold back seat of the car, her bare feet covered with stains and bloodstains, her evening dress was scratched, and she was in a mess. She was panting violently, and her heart was beating wildly in her chest, almost exploding. The exhaustion and huge sense of unreality after surviving the disaster made her tremble all over.
She raised her head and looked through the rearview mirror at Uncle Fu's eyes, which looked particularly complicated, full of worry and an indescribable pain in the dim light.
"Uncle Fu... you..." Her voice was hoarse and dry, with the trembling and great confusion of surviving a disaster.
Uncle Fu did not answer immediately. He drove the car attentively, and the car flexibly shuttled through the traffic at night, as if avoiding something. After a long while, he sighed long and heavily, with a voice full of vicissitudes and suppressed pain:
"Miss Su... no, Madam... there are some things that it's time for you to know." He looked through the rearview mirror and took a deep look at Su Wan, his eyes full of pity and a determined determination.
"About Xingguang Island... about the contract... and... your father."