Perfect Mistake

Part 5

Gao Tu knew one thing for sure—facing the man head-on was not an option. If the man excelled in combat, Gao Tu's advantage lay in his intelligence and quick thinking. To escape this situation, he needed to outsmart him.

Stay calm. Find an opening. Disappear.

Talking to his mind.

He walked briskly down the hallway, his eyes scanning every door he passed. The first one—locked. The second—locked. The third—locked.

''Damn it'' he muttered under his breath. His fingers were starting to twitch with frustration. ''Come on... just one open door...''

The fourth doorknob turned. Bingo.

He slipped inside without hesitation, closing the door with a muted click. The room smelled of dust and old wood. Dim light filtered through the blinds, revealing stacks of forgotten furniture, boxes, and peeling wallpaper.

Crouching low, Gao Tu peered through the gap in the doorframe.

Outside, Shen Wen Lang had been stopped by a woman— a guest—blocking his path with idle chatter. A moment later, Shen veered toward the restroom.

Perfect. Looking in the wrong place.

Gao Tu rose, straightened his suit , smoothed his hair, and slipped back into the hallway with the unhurried poise of someone who belonged there.

A waiter passed by. Gao Tu plucked a glass of wine from the tray with casual elegance, nodding politely at guests as if he had been mingling all along. By the time he reached the exit, he left the wine on a side table and disappeared through the doors.

Outside, he pulled out his phone.

[ Waiting in the car ] he typed to Sheng Shao You.

Beep!

Sheng Shao You glanced at his phone, one brow lifting. "Bored already?" he murmured, tapping out a simple OK before sliding the phone into his right pocket. His gaze wandered lazily over the banquet hall.

That's when someone bump onto his side.

A teddy bear toy falls down. Sheng Shao You turn his body. Bending slightly, he retrieved the teddy bear, brushed the dust from its fur, and stretch his arm to give it back .. When he look who it is he was surprised.

The woman is wearing a ballgown. Her movements is avoidance, almost hesitant, and she never lifted her face to him, the joyful face he knew is gone the beautiful smile and her voice is gone. He knew her.

In that moment, everything else faded—the music, the chatter, even the clinking of glasses. All he saw was her. All he heard was the echo of a dream he'd kept locked away for years: taking her somewhere far from here, somewhere quiet, where she could laugh without fear. Where they could only be him and her alone. Would she go with him if he asked? Could she even understand?

A woman voice pulled him back to the present. "I'm sorry sir, she just ran away leaving us" a maid get the teddy bear and give it to the woman and immediately clutch the bear close.

Before he could speak, a deep voice interrupted.

"Mr. Sheng! You're already here—you didn't tell me."

Hua Yong's uncle approached, flanked by bodyguards and two maids. He gave a quick signal, and the maids gently took the woman's arm, guiding her away.

Sheng Shao You's eyes followed her until she vanished from sight, his chest tight with a longing he couldn't put into words.

A cough snapped him back. Hua Yong's uncle was watching him.

"I'll introduce you to my nephew" the man said, turning toward the other end of the hall. Sheng Shao You nodded and followed, still half lost in thought.

Across the room, Hua Yong was mid-conversation with some businessman when he spotted them approaching.

The group's attention shifted at once to the man entering beside Hua Yong's uncle. Warm smiles passed among the small circle as the elder made the introductions.

"This is Mr. Sheng from SSY Company" Hua Yong's uncle said, his voice smooth. "And this is my nephew, Hua Yong"

Before giving to Hua Yong his business card, one of the guests—a portly man with silver hair—stepped forward and extended a hand to Sheng Shao You.

''Mr. Sheng! I've heard SSY is expanding overseas. Is it true?'' the man asked.

Sheng Shao You gave a polite nod. ''We're opening discussions, but nothing's final yet. I believe in moving when the timing is right''

Another guest, a woman in a deep blue gown, smiled and tilted her head.

''They say SSY events always have a... surprising touch—things no one else dares to try. Is that your secret to winning the most exclusive clients?''

Sheng Shao You's lips curved slightly. ''Surprises are just the surface. What truly wins clients is knowing exactly what experience they want—before they even know it themselves''

The woman chuckled lightly. ''Spoken like a man who rarely loses''

Sheng Shao You extended his business card with a steady hand, offering it to each person in turn before presenting it to Hua Yong.

Hua Yong studied him briefly. The man stood tall in a sleek black suit, the tailored fabric hugging his frame with understated authority. Sharp lapels framed a dark shirt buttoned neatly to the collar, while a discreet silver pin at his waist caught the light with each subtle shift. His posture was impeccable, every line of his stance radiating composure, yet there was something in his gaze—calm, focused, and watchful—that spoke of a mind always measuring, always calculating. The planes of his jaw and cheekbones caught the light in a way that sharpened his air of quiet, unshakable confidence.

Without glancing at the card, Hua Yong took it. Moments later, a female assistant approached him.

"President Hua, it's time for your speech" she reminded.

Hua Yong inclined his head politely to the group, then stepped toward the stage. The ambient murmur of the banquet hall softened into silence as he reached the podium.

"Distinguished guests, partners, and friends" he began, his voice smooth and deliberate, "on behalf of Skyline, I welcome you tonight—not just to share a meal, but to share a vision.

Skyline began as a small firm with one guiding belief: that progress is not only about building higher, but building better. From our earliest projects in real estate to our expansions into finance, technology, and hospitality, our mission has remained unchanged—to create spaces, systems, and services that improve the way people live and connect.

Today, Skyline operates across continents, and yet our core values remain rooted in trust, innovation, and responsibility. In the coming years, we will focus on integrating sustainable design into every project, pioneering smart technologies that serve communities, and expanding our hospitality arm to offer experiences that are not just luxurious, but meaningful.

To our partners—thank you for your trust. To our team—you are the foundation upon which Skyline stands. And to all our guests tonight—I invite you to join us in building not only the skyline of our cities, but the horizon of our shared future"

Polite applause filled the hall as Hua Yong stepped down from the stage.

From across the room, Sheng Shao You's gaze followed him, a flicker of recognition sparking in his eyes.

"That man..." he murmured under his breath. He was the one from the luxury hotel during his last mission.

His lips curved faintly. "What a coincidence."

Two maids walked toward Hua Yong, accompanying the woman.

The moment she saw him, she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. People nearby began to whisper, their eyes following the pair—some with curiosity, others with envy. Sheng Shao You recognized her instantly.

Hua Yong returned the hug warmly, his hand resting gently on her back. He looked calm, caring—like a man completely devoted to her. To anyone watching, they looked like a perfect couple.

"If she hadn't lost her mind" one guest murmured to another, "President Hua would be the perfect man. So young, yet already in charge of such a huge company. It's such a shame she became ill"

The women in the crowd looked on, some with longing. They could easily imagine Hua Yong as the ideal husband.

"He knows she's sick, yet he still chooses to be engaged with her" an older wealthy woman said softly, admiration in her tone.

Sheng Shao You's stomach tightened. He turned sharply toward Hua Yong's uncle, searching for an explanation. The older man cleared his throat, noticing his expression.

"They've been engaged ever since she entered the Hua family" he said casually. "I must have forgotten to tell you."

Sheng Shao You's heart sank.

Forgot to tell me?

Saying in his mind.

The woman he had always wanted to be with—was Hua Yong's fiancee. His jaw tightened as the truth sank in. Hua Yong's uncle had known all along but never told him. A cold, heavy feeling filled his chest, and disbelief turned into quiet anger. His fingers curled into a fist, but his face stayed calm.

Hua Yong's uncle excused himself and approached Hua Yong and the woman. Sheng Shao You stayed where he was, contemplating the need to learn more about Hua Yong, just in case he turned out to be an obstacle. Turning away, he walked off and shifted his focus to other prominent business elites.

''Mei Lin''

Hua Yong glanced at his uncle when he heard him call his fiancée. However, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. Hua Yong's uncle made a displeased gesture, but it was brief.

"Uncle, I've been busy for months, and tonight is the only chance I have to be with her. Is it okay to talk to her for a bit?" Hua Yong smiled casually. There were people around them, and if he didn't approve, it might make others wonder why, so his uncle smiled warmly in agreement.

"Of course! It's no problem. But she should always have her maids by her side whenever she needs assistance" Hua Yong uncle said.

Hua Yong's eyes hardened, though his smile stayed in place. "Uncle, I'm her fiancee. I don't think I need permission to spend time with her"

His uncle's polite expression never faltered. "This is not about permission, Yong. You know how she is now... easily unsettled. Crowds, loud voices, unfamiliar faces—any of these could upset her''

"I can take care of her" Hua Yong said firmly, his hand settling protectively on Mei Lin's shoulder.

But Mei Lin stiffened at his touch, her fingers tightening around the edge of her clutch. Her gaze seemed to drift somewhere far away, as if the voices around her were muffled by memories only she could hear.

"That's what worries me" his uncle replied smoothly, though his eyes lingered on Mei Lin. "She needs calm, not questions... and certainly not reminders of things best forgotten. Let the maids tend to her. They know how to manage her when her mind... drifts"

Hua Yong's jaw tensed. On the surface, it sounded like care. But to him, it felt like a door being closed in his face.

Not far away, Shen Wen Lang witnessed everything. When Hua Yong's uncle left with his bodyguards, he walked close to Hua Yong, and both of them watched the man until he disappeared.

"Where have you been? You look like you've been running" Hua Yong said, scanning Shen Wen Lang from head to toe. His friend smiled faintly but remained silent, wary of the maids from his uncle who might overhear that he had been chasing after a private investigator he wanted to hire to help his friend.