Chapter 2 Same Engagement Day As The Ex-Boyfriend

The engagement party was held at South City's most prestigious hotel, the Ao Fei Hotel. The occasion was celebrated in the hotel's sky garden located on the top floor. It was rumored that only a privileged few in South City were ever allowed to host guests at the sky garden. Yan Wan wore an elegant white diamond-studded dress. Coupled with exquisite makeup, she looked stunningly beautiful and exotic. She entered the hotel's main lobby and made her way toward the elevator. There was a poster that featured the wedding of another couple. She was all too familiar with that couple. It was her ex-boyfriend and her nemesis during her university days. Of all the days in the year and hotels in South City to hold his wedding, he had to pick this day and the same hotel as her. Yan Wan's expression turned pale. She felt a faint stab in her heart as she found the situation ironic. “Yan Wan, what are you doing here?!” A female voice rang across the main hall. A furious Ou Nuoya, dressed in a pure white wedding gown, stomped her way toward Yan Wan. The groom followed closely behind her in his suit and dress shoes. It was Si Nan, her ex-boyfriend. He gazed at Yan Wan, looking confused. His thin lips gently pressed against each other. As Yan Wan looked at them, memories of betrayal resurfaced, sending chills down her spine. Ou Nuoya stepped closer and stared at Yan Wan's gown. Her face turned red with anger. “Haven't you had enough? Si Nan dumped you! Give it up! Don't you feel shameless showing up here?” she yelled. Her outburst attracted the attention of unwanted eyes. Some threw looks of disgusts at Yan Wan, while others whispered under their breath. Yan Wan felt sick in her stomach and looked at the two of them with dagger eyes. Her tone grew cold. “Don't flatter yourselves. I have no interest in your wedding,” she retorted. “Why are you here then? This gown is meant for weddings and engagement parties,” Ou Nuoya replied sarcastically. Ou Nuoya treated her with contempt and continued, “You obviously have not given up on Si Nan, or you wouldn't be here. Or do you mean to tell me you are engaged to Mr. Huo?” There were only two banquets that evening. The Huo family's engagement and the Si family's wedding. In Ou Nuoya's eyes, Yan Wan was not even qualified to attend the Huo family's engagement banquet, let alone be engaged to Huo Lichen. Ou Nuoya's bridesmaid ridiculed Yan Wan in despise. “Mr. Huo is a man of great stature. You are just a lowly woman with nothing to show for. Who are you to be engaged to a man like Mr. Huo?” she said. They played off each other and took turns to humiliate her verbally. Yan Wan's blood boiled with rage as her body trembled. She wanted to rebuke them, but she knew no one would believe her. Not right now. “I hit the nail on the head, didn't I? Yan Wan, admit it. You are here to seduce Si Nan!” Ou Nuoya fumed with anger as she gestured at Yan Wan's nose. “Si Nan and I are already married, but you are still making a nuisance of yourself. Don't you have any sense of shame?” Bystanders started to gossip while gesturing in Yan Wan's direction. The situation presented Yan Wan as the third party in the relationship. Si Nan stood there and did not say a word. He looked at Yan Wan with accusing eyes. He murmured, “Go back. It's impossible between us.” His words trampled on Yan Wan's dignity though it was disguised as exhorting words. Yan Wan was outraged. What right did these people have to insult her this way? “Young Master Si seems to have forgotten his place. Did you just insult my fiancée?” The deep voice came from behind with a hint of sarcasm. The voice caught Si Nan by surprise. He spun around and froze dead in his tracks with his jaw dropped in shock. Ou Nuoya turned around as well. Her face turned pale as a ghost as if she was struck by lightning when she saw who it was. It was Huo Lichen! Did he just call Yan Wan his fiancée? That's impossible! Huo Lichen walked toward them elegantly. His crisp black tuxedo complemented his near-perfect physique. As his eyes met Yan Wan's, he beckoned her. “Come over here.” Yan Wan stared blankly at him as her heart pounded with anxiety. She did not expect him to show up in her hour of need. She quickly regained her composure and walked confidently toward him with a smile. Si Nan watched as the turn of events unfolded before him. As Yan Wan stood beside Huo Lichen, he was reminded of his actions earlier and how he had made a fool of himself. Right then, he was red-faced with embarrassment. He reminded himself that he was also a man of influence and status. A smile was feigned on his face in an attempt to hide his emotions. “It was all a misunderstanding. Ms. Yan and I are friends. I was only joking.” A joke? Yan Wan stared at Si Nan with a murderous look. How blind she must have been not to realize what a vile person he was. Huo Lichen took a step forward and stood in front of Yan Wan. His broad shoulders and towering height seemed to shield her from all things hostile. He pressed his lips and gave Si Nan an icy stare. He did not mince his words as he confronted Si Nan, “Are you in a position to crack jokes with her?” Si Nan's expression turned pale and red interchangeably. He was caught in an awkward position and felt naked before him. He opened his mouth to speak but could not find a word to defend himself. The Si family was powerful. But in the presence of Huo Lichen, they were insignificant. Si Nan clenched his fists behind his back as he lowered his head and apologized, “My apologies, Mr. Huo. This will not happen again. You have my word.” Huo Lichen sniggered and ignored Si Nan. He turned to Yan Wan and raised his arm for her. Yan Wan was bewildered as she struggled to comprehend what had happened. Was this the same arrogant man from yesterday who cared little for her? Why was he so nice to her? She caught glimpses of his qualities as a fiancé; his protectiveness, and how he stuck up for her.