The truth behind a “fairy tale” was often cruel.
And the fairy tale did not last long. Halfway through the evening, Emily spotted another man and promptly abandoned Austen to go to him. Wang Cheng witnessed the scene from behind and instinctively looked toward Duke Austen. To his surprise, the duke showed not the slightest embarrassment or disappointment, as though this were perfectly normal.
After Duke Austen escorted Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng inside, guests soon approached with wineglasses in hand. Some were business partners, others members of the nobility. Austen introduced them to Wang Cheng one by one.
Some had heard of Zhou Group. The company had already paid for advertising in preparation for its expansion into Britain. Although the advertisements were neither frequent nor particularly influential, an online search would turn up information about the firm. When these people discovered that this foreign company knew both the Aimer family’s heir and Duke Austen, they did not dare underestimate it. Wang Cheng quickly found himself on their lists of people worth cultivating.
After exchanging pleasantries with six or seven guests, Wang Cheng’s face had grown stiff from smiling. He watched the last nobleman depart and, finally free, immediately changed locations with Chu Yifeng.
“This is killing me. I never knew socializing could be so exhausting.” Wang Cheng tugged at his tightly knotted tie. He could barely breathe.
Chu Yifeng handed him a glass of red wine. “Once you have more experience, it won’t be so tiring.”
Wang Cheng took a sip. “That’s experience I could do without. Mother Emily is incredible, though. I’ve noticed that she’s had at least twenty different men at her side since she came in. Don’t tell me they’re all former lovers?”
“Of course not. She’s extremely selective about men. Most of them simply admire her from afar.”
Every man privileged enough to become Emily’s lover possessed at least one outstanding quality. That was something they all had in common. Wealth alone could never attract her. Countless men were infatuated with Emily, but very few genuinely caught her eye.
Wang Cheng laughed. “I’ve realized it’s a good thing Mother Emily never intends to remarry. With her romantic history and outlook, you might have ended up with a whole collection of stepfathers or younger brothers.”
Chu Yifeng raised an eyebrow and was about to respond when the lights dimmed. A bright spotlight swept to the second-floor staircase, and the host’s resonant, enthusiastic voice filled the hall.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome tonight’s bride and groom, Master Fitch, heir to the Rolle family, and Miss Mary, daughter of Duke Austen!”
Two figures appeared in the light. They were Mary and her groom, Fitch. Hand in hand, the newlyweds descended the stairs at an unhurried pace as the spotlight followed their every step, displaying their movements to everyone in the banquet hall.
Wang Cheng narrowed his eyes as he studied the beautiful, distinguished bride, the woman rumored to have loved Chu Yifeng for more than ten years. She carried herself with the pride of a white swan. Even when she smiled, there was something haughty about her, but no one thought it inappropriate. As a duke’s daughter, Mary certainly had the standing to justify it.
“Interested in her?” Chu Yifeng asked, noticing his fixed gaze.
Wang Cheng looked away. “I’d say she’s the one interested in you.”
Chu Yifeng understood at once. “My mother told you?”
“That doesn’t matter anymore.” Wang Cheng spread his hands. Because he had been watching Mary, he had noticed her eyes repeatedly straying toward their position. He had a hunch she knew Chu Yifeng was standing there. Suddenly, Emily’s warning seemed a little more credible. “I think it’s better to stay in China. You have too many female admirers abroad. Someone like Sophie is an absolute miracle.” Chu Yifeng slipped an arm around his waist and laughed softly beside his ear. “We can go home if you want.”
The lights came back on, but Chu Yifeng did not release him. After their eyes adjusted, nearby guests could see them clearly. None reacted strangely. Same-sex relationships had long been legal in this country, and they were far from the only couple of men in the hall, though most of the others were being discreet.
Wang Cheng was still smiling when he abruptly felt a scorching gaze on him. He turned, but saw nothing.
Emily happened to be nearby. After bidding farewell to a man reluctant to let her go, she came over and asked the two of them to accompany her in greeting the newlyweds.
Mary’s husband Fitch was a very handsome man. He appeared deeply in love with Mary, keeping one arm around her waist the entire time. As the Rolle family’s heir, he was impeccably mannered, with an appealing youthful charm in everything he did.
“Mr. Aimer, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you. My father often speaks of you and tells me I ought to learn from you. Thank you for taking the time to attend Mary and my wedding banquet.”
Chu Yifeng was the kind of person parents held up as an example to their own children. Fitch was himself quite accomplished, or Duke Austen would never have agreed to the marriage. Chu Yifeng was simply more accomplished still.
“Thank you for the compliment.” Chu Yifeng shook his hand, then tried to withdraw it, only to feel Fitch tighten his grip. He glanced over and found the man’s vivid blue eyes boring into him, something concealed beneath their surface. The pressure meant little to him. He squeezed back, and Fitch’s expression shifted slightly. A few seconds later, Fitch calmly let go.
When Emily introduced Wang Cheng, Fitch seemed uninterested, until she mentioned that Wang Cheng was Chu Yifeng’s partner. For an instant, he looked startled. Beside him, Mary’s gaze sharpened and lingered on Wang Cheng with striking intensity.
Fitch immediately became much warmer. Mary alone remained cool and indifferent. Even when speaking to Chu Yifeng, she showed no particular excitement.
After exchanging greetings, Emily and Austen went off together.
Other well-wishers surrounded the bride and groom. Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng slipped away to a relatively deserted corner.
“What was that about just now?”
Other people might not have noticed, but Wang Cheng had caught the brief contest of strength during Chu Yifeng’s handshake with Fitch.
“The groom probably knows Mary used to like me and sees me as a rival.” Chu Yifeng drank some wine and then curved his lips, apparently finding it mildly amusing.
“What? Does that make you happy?” Wang Cheng examined his smile.
Instead of answering, Chu Yifeng said, “Fitch and Mary’s marriage is actually an alliance between their two families.”
Wang Cheng caught on. “You mean it was an arranged marriage, but Fitch really did fall in love with Mary?” He also began to understand Emily’s comment at the hotel about how the couple could not simply divorce. Their union involved the interests of two families, and dissolving it would affect them both.
“Most likely. A man who feels nothing for his spouse would have little reason to resent the person she likes, let alone openly challenge him. If Fitch had no feelings for Mary, he wouldn’t have done that.” Chu Yifeng remembered the hostility in the man’s eyes.
Wang Cheng considered this and smiled. “Mother Emily told me at the hotel today to be wary of Mary. Women really do understand other women best.”
“We’re returning to Italy tomorrow. There’s no need to worry about Mary,” Chu Yifeng said.
“But aren’t we visiting Duke Austen’s residence tomorrow morning?” Wang Cheng was more concerned with Emily’s final remark. Had she meant Mary would not take her marriage seriously even after the wedding? If so, they had good reason to remain on guard. Before Chu Yifeng could answer, he dismissed the thought himself. “Forget it. Tonight is a great opportunity. I should focus on meeting those influential people.”
Chu Yifeng set down his wineglass. “I’ll come with you.”
With Chu Yifeng’s help, Wang Cheng met a great many people whose interests aligned with his own. In a single evening, almost everyone in British high society learned about Zhou Group and Jinding Hotel. Later, many wealthy people and nobles instinctively chose Jinding Hotel when deciding where to stay, giving Zhou Group an excellent reputation and promising prospects for its development in Britain.
The banquet did not finish until midnight, though some guests left much earlier, including Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng. Emily returned comparatively late. It was almost twelve when Duke Austen personally escorted her back. She had been drinking, and her beautiful cheeks were flushed. She leaned against the duke as though she had no bones, until the thoroughly tempted man could not resist kissing her passionately at the doorway. Wang Cheng sensed something amiss and opened the door just in time to witness it.
Fortunately, Austen was restrained and a gentleman. He would not take advantage of Emily while she was drunk. After leaving her in Wang Cheng and Chu Yifeng’s care, he departed.