[Free] The Years We Missed

Chapter 4

Under the warm glow of golden lights that bathed the grand hall, Zi Yu lifted his wine glass slightly, exchanging polite conversation with several people from the industry. Laughter mingled with the soft clinking of glasses, weaving through the gentle strains of background music. The scent of wine, the light, and the sound blended together, draping the entire venue in a brilliant, almost dreamlike glow.

Zi Yu had never been fond of gatherings like this, but that did not mean he was awkward in social situations. On the contrary, having entered society at a young age, he understood perfectly how to strike the right balance in conversation, neither distant nor ingratiating, always just enough to put the other person at ease. He knew how to read expressions, grasp unspoken intentions, and skillfully guide the conversation toward topics the other party found engaging, keeping everything natural and smooth. In short, Zi Yu possessed exceptionally high emotional intelligence; in a world driven by fame and profit like this, as long as he wished, he could navigate it with effortless ease, like a fish in water.

Suddenly, a ripple of hushed whispers rose from the area near the entrance. The atmosphere seemed to falter for a split second, and then, almost at once, everyone’s gaze converged on the handsome man striding in.

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, the collar slightly open, no tie in sight, an air of effortless confidence and restrained arrogance radiating from him. Tall, broad-shouldered, with a presence that set him apart. Even at a gala already crowded with famous stars and renowned designers, he stood out with ease, instantly becoming the center of attention.

“It’s Tian Xu Ning!”

“He’s attending this event too?”

“Why wasn’t his name announced on the guest list?”

“Oh my god, coming here tonight was totally worth it!”

The murmurs spread like ripples across water, threaded with excitement and curiosity.

Several celebrities, designers, and young brand founders had already begun to stir, eager to approach and strike up a conversation, hoping to seize the chance to make Tian Xu Ning’s acquaintance.

Amid all this, Zi Yu was the only one who remained rooted in place, as if his feet had been nailed to the floor. He tightened his grip on the wine glass, his lashes lowering slightly to conceal the storm of emotions churning in his eyes.

For the moment, Tian Xu Ning was quickly surrounded by the crowd. Greetings came one after another, conversations overlapped, and the enthusiasm of those around him left him barely a second to breathe.

All he could do was maintain a polite smile, answering here, clinking glasses there, upholding the impeccable composure expected of a top-tier star.

Yet even as he spoke the familiar pleasantries, his gaze continued to sweep across the hall, searching relentlessly for Zi Yu’s figure.

It took quite some time before he could finally extricate himself from the overenthusiastic crowd, using the excuse of greeting an acquaintance to slip away.

The moment he did, his steps carried him without the slightest hesitation toward a shadowed corner behind one of the hall’s large potted plants, where Zi Yu was standing.

Tian Xu Ning’s sudden appearance at the gala had dampened Zi Yu’s mood. The polite smile still lingered on his lips, yet the light in his eyes gradually dimmed. The pleasantries that once came so easily now felt heavy and hollow. He no longer had any interest in conversation; all he wanted was to find a quiet corner, to hide from the glare of the lights and the noisy laughter, and allow his emotions to settle.

He stood silently with his back against the wall, absently toying with the lighter in his hand.

Then, out of nowhere, a tall-stemmed glass entered his field of vision and lightly tapped against his own. The clear, delicate clink rang out, crisp and unmistakable.

Zi Yu froze for a moment, then instinctively lifted his head, only to find himself facing Tian Xu Ning’s breathtakingly handsome face.

Before he could react, Tian Xu Ning spoke first,

“So? Have you been drowning in parties like this lately? Caught yourself a big fish yet?”

Even though bitterness rose in his throat, Zi Yu forced himself to respond calmly,

“You’re that concerned about my love life?”

Tian Xu Ning let out a cold snort,

“Love? Someone as heartless as you, do you even know what that word means?”

Zi Yu’s nonchalant attitude made Tian Xu Ning feel as though a breath had been caught tight in his chest. Unable to restrain himself, he pressed on with even sharper words.

“Look at Mr. Zi is like a peacock spreading its tail, fawning over this person and that one every single day. It makes me curious. Have you managed to fool another i***t yet?”

Those grating words struck Zi Yu like a sledgehammer, crashing straight into his heart, leaving him in pain so sharp it nearly stole his breath away.

To keep Tian Xu Ning from seeing how close he was to breaking, Zi Yu gathered every shred of strength he had left, drew in a deep breath, and replied evenly,

“There are plenty of idiots out there. But ones who are both stupid and rich like you are hard to come by. So no, I haven’t set my sights on anyone.”

Successfully provoking a change in Tian Xu Ning’s expression, Zi Yu did not stop there and went on coldly,

“Why do you keep hovering around me? Or do you find me pitiful and feel like doing a bit of charity, coming here just to let me scam you again?”

Tian Xu Ning snorted in disdain, the corner of his lips lifting into a mocking smile.

“Do you think you’re worth it?”

Zi Yu’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, as if he were forcing a bitter taste back down his throat. Only after a few seconds did he speak again.

“I’m not. I know my place. So, Mr. Tian, stop lowering yourself to meet me, will you? The world is wide enough, there’s no need for you to stand in my way.”

With that, he shoved Tian Xu Ning aside and walked straight toward the main exit, leaving behind the grand hall where the gala was still in full swing.