May brings the rainy season to Xiangjiang and with it, unpredictable weather.
Miss Bian sits in front of her dressing mirror, casually tossing her cell phone onto the table.
The screen of the cell phone is still lit, displaying a message from the popular actress Shi An'an.
Shi An'an's words are sharp and straightforward, full of a provocative tone—"Miss Bian, at Picnic Bay ferry terminal, I'd like to speak with you in person about Shiheng."
Li Sihe has been constantly enveloped in scandals over the past year, but this is the first time Bian Yue has seen someone be so blatant about being "the other woman."
It seems her fiancé, Li Sihe, truly dotes on her.
Picnic Bay is not far from Tianhou Temple, thinking it over, Bian Yue decides to meet anyway and take the opportunity to also pay respects to the Goddess of Sea, thus she succinctly replies 'okay' before putting down the phone.
At this moment, Bian Yue looks up at her reflection in the mirror—her skin as white as mutton fat jade, with almond-shaped eyes and red lips, exuding delicate and luxurious beauty only sustainable through pampering.
However, tragically, even the most beautiful things can become tiresome with time.
Without any reluctance, Bian Yue rises and descends down the winding vintage staircase, her eyes inadvertently glancing towards the corner of the second floor.
At the end of the second-floor hallway, a marble relief frame is precisely carved, set against the dark-embroidered velvet wall.
The frame contains a family portrait of the Li Family, with Bian Yue being the only outsider.
At the age of 16, after both her parents died, Bian Yue was taken in by the Li Family and the photograph was taken at the Li Family Ancestral Hall on the day she was adopted.
In the photo, the young girl's hair is adorned with sorrowful little white flowers, her timidity evoking sympathy.
Beside her stands the 18-year-old Li Sihe. Even in a simple white shirt, he exudes a flavor of prominence, his elegance and youthful vigor unmistakable, his face graced by God's favor, the dream of numerous young girls in Gang City.
Surrounding them are various elders of the Li Family.
From then on, Bian Yue became the Li Family Princess, and thus began the years when Li Sihe loved her the most.
Certainly extravagant.
She, Bian Yue, has the capital to be extravagant.
The butler on the ground floor sees Bian Yue stepping out, courteously asking, "Miss, are you going out? The young master will be home for lunch today, shall you wait for him?"
Bian Yue tosses back her perfectly curled hair, her eyes smiling as she responds, "Tell Li Sihe that I'm going out to clear away his romantic entanglements, he should add a couple more dishes to the meal, eat well and enjoy."
The butler, stiff as a robot, takes an umbrella from the side, "It might rain outside."
Bian Yue thanks him and takes the umbrella, walking out.
Inside the taxi, Bian Yue looks at Shi An'an's photograph.
Bian Yue can say she knows Shi An'an.
Bian Yue is one of the most famous producers in the industry, and her close friend Wen Jiao is a fan of Shi An'an. Miss Wen acts on whims, and impressed by Shi An'an's demeanor, invested money into Shi An'an's film using funds from Bian Yue's company accounts.
Though under Wen Jiao's name, it was Bian Yue who profited.
As Wen Jiao says, "Bian Yue, I support Shi An'an because she reminds me of you."
After meeting Shi An'an, Bian Yue plans to tell Wen Jiao whether they resemble each other or not.
"Miss, we're here."
The cab stops at the entrance to Picnic Bay; Bian Yue pays and gets out, looking around.
The tranquil waters of Picnic Bay home to numerous ferries, Bian Yue heads towards the agreed spot, walking towards the most luxurious, multi-storied grand vessel docked at the center of the harbor.
The sun was high and shining on the southern-facing sea-facing glass of the boat cabin.
When Bian Yue got out of the taxi, the sunlight was intense, casting the shadow of a man reflected on the glass.
Through the silhouettes on the glass, the man's profile was perfectly contoured, his figure tall and slender, his demeanor distant and noble.
He was slightly lowering his head, as if sizing up, but even the shadow carried an inherent aloofness typical of those of higher status.
But it seemed too distant, almost ethereal.
Inside the cabin, the man's friend spoke up humorously, "Those old folks from the Shen Family act high and mighty usually, but today they're all frantic, nearly going mad trying to find you. This is your welcome party back to the country; they wouldn't even dare to touch their chopsticks without you present."
The man did not speak until that delicate figure disappeared from sight; he then withdrew his gaze, turned around, and sat down.
The lights inside were off, one could vaguely see the man's eyes lowered, his demeanor indifferent and detached, he spoke in a hoarse and distracted voice, "Hmm."
His friend spoke again, this time with emphasis, "Remember, the welcome party I'm hosting for you, you must come!"
The man remained silent, seemingly contemplative, lifted the tea from the table, took a light sip, his hands holding the teacup, pure white and slender, beautiful as an artwork.
In the same top-level boat cabin, the sound of the violin was melodious, sunlight streamed in, peaceful and warm.
Bian Yue walked in and sat down by the window, reserved by Shi An'an in advance.
The best spot in this cabin was not by the window but the cabin directly opposite it.
This ship cabin had only one such room; opening the door revealed a Jiangnan-style garden landscape with an artificial hot spring.
The dining table was set beside a water lily pond, allowing diners to appreciate the flowers while eating. If the lights were turned off, there would be another kind of fun.
When Bian Yue was still a student, she often sat inside studying with Wen Jiao.
Wen Jiao's eyes would hurt from reading, so she would look at newly debuted young stars in magazines and
if she found them pleasing, she would call them over to sing and dance.
Wen Jiao wanted those who sang to dance, and those who danced to perform juggling acts; those male stars adored by many would comply with a smile, for fear of offense.
After a while, Bian Yue found it boring and stopped participating.
In Xiangjiang, where rich people were abundant to the extent that stepping down could crush several, that cabin was not just available to any rich person.
Shi An'an's status wasn't enough.
Besides, today, the magnolia flower sign indicating vacancy on the cabin's door was missing, suggesting someone important was inside.
Bian Yue withdrew her gaze, looking towards the sea outside the window.
The warm sunlight fell on her face, casting extremely enticing light and shadows, her demeanor delicate, truly a living little princess.
Not far away, the female attendant, usually seeing dignitaries, just glanced at Bian Yue from afar, was dazzled, and hurriedly came over with a thick menu embroidered with silk and gold.
The attendant enthusiastically bent down to ask, "Miss, what would you like to order?"
Bian Yue lowered her head, her black curly hair slightly scattered across her chest, her water-like fingers gently lifted, flipping the menu and casually ordered several dishes, her voice soft, "These few, not these. Bring one serving of everything else, and charge it to the beautiful lady arriving later."
The female attendant was used to storms, only briefly shocked before responding, "Okay, please wait a moment!"
The attendant left, and Bian Yue waited languidly, soon seeing a woman with an elegant demeanor approaching briskly.
"Miss Bian, I'm sorry for being late!"
It was the big star, Shi An'an.
Bian Yue sized her up discreetly—dressed in luxury, overly extravagant, a nouveau riche reborn.
Shi An'an sat down, similarly observing Bian Yue quietly—lacking taste, just a foolish woman with some looks.