What came into view was an extremely delicate-looking woman.
She was wearing a crescent-colored silk chiffon dress, simply standing on the stage, as if able to attract everyone's gaze.
Her appearance wasn't stunningly beautiful, but the more you looked, the more pleasing she became.
Unlike others who were dressed up, she only wore a wooden hairpin, gathering her long hair up, with a few strands scattered around her cheeks, making her look ethereal.
So beautiful...
Zhi Yao stared at Shen Yilian blankly.
Seeing Zhi Yao's expression, Pei Chiyao was practically fuming.
Just as Zhi Yao was enjoying the sight, suddenly she felt something hit the back of her head. Before she could react, a forceful shove turned her head.
"Don't look," Pei Chiyao said gruffly.
After saying that, he realized and lowered his tone, "Only look at me."
Zhi Yao looked at Pei Chiyao incredulously, "But I was looking at a girl, isn't that allowed?"
"No."
Girls, boys, animals - none were allowed.
Zhi Yao: "..."
She glared at Pei Chiyao, and as they remained in a standoff, a familiar figure suddenly appeared before them, "Can I sit here?"
Zhi Yao looked up sharply. Shen Yilian, who had been on stage moments ago, had come down without notice.
She smiled at Zhi Yao, then her gaze fell on Pei Chiyao, "Ayao."
She called Pei Chiyao's name gently and softly.
Pei Chiyao glanced at the empty seat beside him, with no name tag.
"No," Pei Chiyao said coldly. "I'm allergic to perfume."
Shen Yilian's expression instantly froze. She had specifically sprayed sandalwood perfume. How could he be allergic...
Seeing Shen Yilian's slightly dejected look, Zhi Yao's heart almost shattered.
She loved beautiful women the most. How could she bear to see a beauty unhappy?
Zhi Yao hurriedly patted the empty seat beside her, "You can sit here! I'm not allergic to perfume!"
The little girl was so eager, who could refuse such a sweet and soft big sister?
Shen Yilian composed herself in three seconds, nodding gratefully to Zhi Yao, "Thank you."
She sat down beside Zhi Yao.
From Zhi Yao's face earlier, she thought she was a girl with a difficult temper, but after hearing her speak... she seemed rather naive and innocent.
Shen Yilian studied Zhi Yao closely, then casually asked, "My name is Shen Yilian, what's yours?"
"My name is Zhi Yao."
Zhi Yao...
Shen Yilian repeated the name several times in her mind, confirming she had never heard of it among elite families, then breathed a sigh of relief.
"Nice to meet you, Zhi Yao. Yesterday Pei Chiyao publicly announced your relationship. May I ask, are you two... really boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Boyfriend and girlfriend?
Shen Yilian took the initiative to talk to Zhi Yao, which pleased her.
But... she was a bit puzzled.
"Boyfriend and girlfriend?" Zhi Yao's tone was light, sounding unsure to Shen Yilian.
She immediately became interested, eagerly asking, "Yes, aren't you? Actually... Ayao and I are childhood friends..."
Before she could finish, Zhi Yao's delayed reaction kicked in. The village girl smacked her forehead and said, "Ah, I get it! You mean that, right?"
Shen Yilian looked at Zhi Yao, confused.
"I don't know about boyfriends and girlfriends, but Pei Chiyao said I'm his fiancée!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yilian was struck as if by lightning.
Fiancée... Fiancée?!
These three words made Shen Yilian look as if she had heard something unimaginable, her face turning deathly pale.
She had intended to say that she and Pei Chiyao were childhood friends, innocent playmates.
But now, Zhi Yao was brazenly interrupting her, declaring that she and Pei Chiyao were... engaged?!
This was a slap in her face!
Yet Zhi Yao still looked so innocent.
"Beautiful sister, are you unwell?" Zhi Yao asked.
Pei Chiyao was about to burst out laughing on the side.
He had been prepared to have someone drag Shen Yilian out, but... was Zhi Yao playing the fool to act the tyrant?
It seemed his little girl had grown up. She wasn't as naive as before.
For some reason, Pei Chiyao felt a tinge of reluctance.
Shen Yilian looked at Zhi Yao and Pei Chiyao in disbelief.
But soon, she regained her composure. No matter, even if married, divorce was an option, let alone just being engaged.
She stared hard at Zhi Yao, finding her more repulsive the longer she looked. What kind of pure lotus flower was she?
Shen Yilian let out a cold laugh, "No."
She ignored Zhi Yao and turned to Pei Chiyao, trying to soften her tone, "Ayao, I overheard the judges say you'll likely win Best Actor this time." She covered her mouth with a coy smile, "Let me congratulate you in advance."
Pei Chiyao didn't respond to her.
Shen Yilian wasn't embarrassed, simply smiling, "Ayao has always been cold-natured and indifferent to such awards."
Zhi Yao, sandwiched between them, felt puzzled upon hearing this, "Cold?"
Shen Yilian's smile deepened, "Yes, Miss Zhi Yao, don't blame Ayao for being cold sometimes, he's been like that since childhood, you'll get used to it."
Her tone was intimately familiar, as if she and Pei Chiyao were family while Zhi Yao was an outsider.
But soon, Shen Yilian couldn't smile anymore.
"But he's not cold at all," Zhi Yao said with a troubled look. "He's so clingy, hugging me every night to sleep, always touching me... especially touching my..."
Before Zhi Yao could finish, Pei Chiyao covered her mouth, "Yao, this is a public place."
This little vixen truly knew no shame.
Zhi Yao glared fiercely at him, "You dare do it but not let me speak of it? Who makes me stay up at night?"
Pei Chiyao scrutinized Zhi Yao for a while.
He felt he might have overestimated her.
Could it be... she wasn't playing the fool to act the tyrant?
But Shen Yilian's expression had completely darkened due to Zhi Yao's words.
Seeing this, Zhi Yao was full of admiration, "Sister, you're so good at changing expressions, no wonder you won Best Actress!"
Shen Yilian was about to be infuriated to death by Zhi Yao, "You... you..."
Zhi Yao's golden eyes were filled with reverence and envy.
Pei Chiyao couldn't help but snicker.
