Chapter 5: The Engagement

Zhao Jingrou discovered early in the morning that Yun Chuxia was missing. She woke the servants and had them search several times, but there was no sign of her. She would not answer her phone either.

Yun Qingqing, woken from her sleep, looked bleary-eyed and deeply annoyed. "Perhaps she ran off to the engagement party herself, simply unable to wait to marry into the Si family."

Zhao Jingrou hurriedly checked the wardrobe; sure enough, the engagement gown was gone. She let out a sigh of relief and turned to instruct her daughter, "Hurry up and get yourself ready. Many of Yancheng’s elite will be there today; you should choose carefully."

Yun Qingqing looked uninterested. "What other family could possibly compare to the Si family?"

Zhao Jingrou pulled her closer and whispered, "The Si family is not just about Si Haochen. Have you heard of Si Yuchuan? He is the one who truly holds the power. If you can capture his attention, you will certainly be able to slap Yun Chuxia’s face in front of everyone."

Recalling the humiliation she had suffered the night before, Yun Qingqing’s eyes ignited with fury. When had she ever been treated with such disrespect? That Yun Chuxia actually dared to hit her? If her parents hadn't held her back, she would have destroyed her. A mere foster daughter, yet she dared to act so arrogantly in her presence. Relying on the favor of the Si family, she really thought she was someone. Yun Qingqing clenched her fists, a sudden thought striking her: if Si Haochen knew that Yun Chuxia was just a foster daughter, would he still marry her? Even if he were willing, what about the elders of the Si family?

Yun Qingqing reached up to touch her face. *Daring to hit me, Yun Chuxia? I will make sure your engagement is a disaster!*

*

Inside a white, detached French-style building, the air was heavy with the fragrance of expensive flowers as guests and a stream of live-commentary messages filled the venue.

[Ready to watch the substitute bride’s mask fall in the ultimate showdown.]
[What does that mean? Will the heroine expose her right away?]
[The moment the heroine appears, the slap to the face begins. The real one is the real one; a fake is just a fake.]
[The countdown to the supporting actress’s villain arc begins.]
[The hero is here! Look, the hero is so handsome!]

Si Haochen had arrived at the venue. Dressed in a sharp suit, his tall, lean frame and refined features stood out as he laughed and chatted with those around him. He had not expected that he would truly reach this point with Yun Chuxia. After all, he had only grown close to her because she resembled Su Muxue. Yet, over the past three years, he had been dazed many times—was he truly just playing a part every single day?

He was certain he must love Su Muxue. Because every time he thought of her, his heart ached uncontrollably; it felt as if loving her was his destiny, an instinct born within him. If Yun Chuxia and Su Muxue were placed side by side, he would always choose Su Muxue. A voice inside him had always whispered: *Yun Chuxia is nothing more than a substitute, a shadow, a pawn.* He was only becoming engaged to her to provoke Su Muxue, who had walked out of his life years ago.

Si Haochen’s gaze sharpened. Seeing someone walking toward him, he quickly adjusted his suit and called out respectfully, "Uncle."

Si Yuchuan lifted his eyes to scan him, his posture casual and languid. He asked as if the matter were of no consequence, "Who is it you are getting engaged to again?"

"Yun Chuxia, the daughter of the Yun family," Si Haochen replied quickly. "Uncle has never met her; I will bring her over to greet you later."

Si Yuchuan squinted at him indifferently for a few seconds, gave a curt nod, and walked inward with his hands in his pockets.

Yun Chuxia’s legs were numb from squatting. Early that morning, she had left the gown box at the door of the Su residence. Once the servants saw the note addressed to "Su Muxue," they had taken it to her room. Yun Chuxia had found a spot where she could see into Su Muxue’s bedroom window. She had watched clearly as Su Muxue put on the dress with delight, spinning in front of the mirror again and again.

The dress fit perfectly, as if it had been tailored for her—unlike when she had tried it on herself, when it had been tight across the chest and slightly too short. But she had no time to dwell on that; according to the spoilers in the live-commentary, it was time for Su Muxue to head out.

Sure enough, Su Muxue got into a car wearing the gown. Yun Chuxia followed her quietly.