"Hiss!"
Sweat beaded on Ou Yunchen's forehead as the wound throbbed, blood soaking through half his shirt.
At that moment, a voice crackled through the woman's walkie-talkie, inquiring about the situation.
Ou Yunchen activated the surveillance, a mere glance revealing the grim truth.
Disaster!
The man left in the car had sensed something was amiss and was heading their way!
In a moment of desperation, Ou Yunchen altered his course, making a dash for the hotel kitchen.
Passing the laundry room, he bumped into a service staff member pushing a rack of dry-cleaned clothes. Ou Yunchen swiped a suit, then ducked into a restroom.
***
After the ball, Michelle, a supermodel long retired, was the media's darling.
However, beyond her well-known public persona, she also represented the empire's interests, stepping in for Tang.
The press relentlessly questioned Michelle about her recent activities, some even aware of her selection as an Oscar juror.
Yet, others expressed strong doubts. Michelle, after her supermodel career, had only participated in one film, "Fallen Angel." How had she earned the title of an Oscar juror?
Facing the cameras, Michelle remained remarkably tight-lipped.
Michelle: "I am honored."
With this single sentence, the media was silenced. No one dared to displease her.
Meanwhile, Mo Qingyun, who had been closely observing Michelle, seized the opportunity. The photograph clutched in her hand felt searingly hot. Today, she had to know if this woman recognized the person in the picture.
Mo Qingyun saw the entourage around Michelle gradually disperse, leaving only a few bodyguards standing at a discreet distance. She hurried forward, but before she could reach Michelle, a fan cut in line.
Michelle kindly accepted the fan's autograph book and even posed for a photo.
Then, Michelle extended her hand to Mo Qingyun.
Michelle: "Would you like an autograph?"
Mo Qingyun was speechless. Standing this close to the international supermodel, she, like everyone else, was stunned by her beauty!
Combined with her perfect figure, it created an illusion that a second glance would leave one's mind utterly blank.
Mo Qingyun nervously handed over her book, but in her haste, she couldn't find the photograph she had tucked inside.
Mo Qingyun turned the book upside down and shook it, but no photo fell out.
Though Mo Qingyun's actions struck Michelle as peculiar, she offered a kind smile as their eyes met.
Mo Qingyun quickly fumbled for a pen. Without the photograph, she would have to write. Perhaps writing the name "Tumi" would jog Michelle's memory?
But as she bent her head to write, a man approached Michelle swiftly.
They exchanged a few whispered words, and Michelle's expression immediately turned anxious. In less than a second, she clenched her fist, her friendly demeanor replaced by ferocity.
The man bowed his head and stepped back, seemingly awaiting reprimand.
Mo Qingyun finished writing her question, but before she could raise the book, Michelle feigned a smile.
Michelle: "Excuse me, I must take my leave."
The moment she turned, Ou Yunchen appeared behind Michelle, and they collided unexpectedly.
The pain caused Ou Yunchen to grunt.
However, Michelle, preoccupied, paid no attention to Ou Yunchen and strode rapidly out of the ballroom.
Ou Yunchen stared, astonished, at the mute girl before him.
Ou Yunchen: "What are you doing here?"
Mo Qingyun was also surprised. Running into Ou Yunchen at this ball? Didn't he say he was on a business trip?
Ou Yunchen glanced at the words on Mo Qingyun's notebook. His head swam. Had Mo Qingyun just said something to Michelle? Could his identity as Axe have been exposed?
A call of "Darling" broke their reverie!
Ou Yunchen followed the sound. A girl in a beautiful gown rushed over.
A minute earlier, Su Ruiyi, who had been chatting with Emmanuel, suddenly spotted Ou Yunchen.
Seeing Su Ruiyi abandon him, Emmanuel offered a wry smile. He picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter's tray and murmured to himself, "This is the feeling. When he appears, the mind is swept by a tempest, and impulse takes over, rushing headlong into love."
Su Ruiyi immediately linked her arm through Ou Yunchen's. No matter how grand the ball, no man held more appeal than the one before her.
Su Ruiyi: "How did you get here? You saw the message I sent, didn't you? You're here to surprise me, right?"
Ou Yunchen felt a tug on his wound and instinctively clutched his shoulder. He hadn't bandaged it, and blood was already trickling down his sleeve to his wrist.
Su Ruiyi noticed Ou Yunchen's distress immediately. Seeing his pale lips, she grew anxious.
Su Ruiyi: "What's wrong?"
Mo Qingyun suddenly covered her mouth, pointing to Ou Yunchen's dangling hand.
Su Ruiyi: "Ah!"
Ou Yunchen: "Don't scream!"
Su Ruiyi looked at Ou Yunchen with concern, but he tugged at his suit, avoiding her gaze.
Ou Yunchen: "I have something to do. I'll be in touch."
With that, Ou Yunchen took Mo Qingyun's hand, and they quickly left the ball.
Watching Ou Yunchen leave with another woman, Su Ruiyi felt deeply displeased. But at the ball, she couldn't show it. If she lost her temper, she'd be photographed.
She thought carefully. Wasn't this girl the mute one?
How was she here?
How did she reconnect with Ou Yunchen?
Ou Yunchen clearly disliked this mute girl. Why was he leaving with her now?
Still standing frozen, Su Ruiyi was momentarily at a loss. Emmanuel approached her with two glasses of champagne.
Emmanuel: "Have a drink. To love."