During the ball, Guo min was standing with her crew. Yufan congratulates her seeming to finally gat his min off the love he had for her, Wang Ruoxi, Wu Xiang and Wu Lixi couldn't contain their happiness as well.
The air shifted the moment the Guo family stepped into the ballroom. The once-lively conversation between Guo Min and her friends slowed, then stilled completely as her stepmother, Tao Yi, and stepsister, Guo Ji, approached with matching smirks.
Tao Yi's gaze flickered over Guo Min's figure, pausing briefly at the diamond necklace adorning her collarbone. A bitter glint flashed in her eyes, but her expression remained composed. "Well, well," she drawled, her voice laced with mock sweetness. "Look at you, Min. You clean up nicely."
Guo Ji, her ever-petty stepsister, folded her arms, a sneer curling her lips. "I almost didn't recognize you. Who knew you'd actually find someone desperate enough to marry you?"
Wu Lixi's grip on her champagne glass tightened, her face darkening, but before she could speak, Guo Min let out a soft chuckle.
"Ah, Guo Ji," she mused, tilting her head. "Still so obsessed with me, I see. Is it admiration or just lingering insecurity?"
Guo Ji's face twisted, but Tao Yi placed a calming hand on her daughter's arm, keeping her in check. "We're just here to celebrate, Min," Tao Yi said smoothly. "No need for hostility. After all, we're family."
Ruoxi scoffed. "Family? You mean the same 'family' that threw her away when it was convenient?"
Guo Ji bristled, but Wu Xiang stepped in, his voice cold. "You must be confused. Min isn't part of your family anymore."
Yufan, who had been quiet up until now, took a deliberate step forward, his towering presence casting a long shadow over the two women. "Congratulate her properly, or walk away." His voice was calm, but the warning was unmistakable.
Guo Ji faltered, her bravado cracking under Yufan's gaze, but Tao Yi recovered quickly, smiling as if she hadn't just been threatened. "Oh, don't be so harsh. We truly are happy for Min," she said, though the insincerity in her tone was obvious.
Guo Min sighed, bored. "You're wasting my time. Say whatever you came to say and leave."
Tao Yi's smile tightened. "Fine. I just wanted to see if Zhu Zihan knows exactly what he's getting himself into."
At that moment, as if summoned, Zhu Zihan's presence cut through the tension like a blade.
He stepped beside Guo Min, effortlessly imposing in his tailored suit, his cold gaze sweeping over Tao Yi and Guo Ji like they were mere inconveniences.
"Knows what?" he asked, his voice chillingly even.
Tao Yi hesitated for the briefest second before regaining her composure. "Just that Min has… a complicated past. We wouldn't want that to taint your future, would we, CEO Zhu?"
Zihan's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something dangerous in his dark eyes. "If you're implying that I don't know every single detail of Guo Min's past, you're insulting my intelligence."
Tao Yi stiffened.
Guo Min smirked. "Try again."
Guo Ji, clearly flustered, scoffed. "You act so high and mighty, but you're still the unwanted daughter of the Guo family—"
"Wrong," Zihan cut in, his tone sharp enough to draw blood. "She's my fiancée. And I don't tolerate disrespect toward what's mine."
The room seemed to hold its breath.
Tao Yi paled slightly, and Guo Ji's mouth opened, but no words came out.
Zihan's gaze was unreadable, but his presence alone was suffocating. "Now, unless you have anything else of value to say, I suggest you walk away while I still allow it."
The unspoken threat lingered heavily in the air.
Tao Yi forced a smile, though it barely reached her eyes. "Of course. We wouldn't want to ruin such a happy occasion."
With that, she grabbed Guo Ji's arm and turned away, the two of them retreating into the crowd.
As soon as they were gone, Ruoxi let out a dramatic sigh. "God, they're exhausting."
Wu Lixi huffed. "I should've thrown my drink at them."
Wu Xiang chuckled, swirling the wine in his glass. "That would've been a sight. Pity you held back."
Wu Lixi rolled her eyes. "Next time, I won't."
Guo Min smirked, her fingers brushing over the diamond necklace at her collarbone—a silent reminder of where she stood now. "They're irrelevant," she said dismissively. "Not worth the trouble."
Yufan, who had been quiet, finally spoke, his gaze steady on her. "They wanted to shake you."
Guo Min met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "They can't."
Before anyone could respond, a warm presence settled beside her. Zhu Zihan.
Without looking at him, she could feel the shift in the air, the quiet authority he carried with him. His hand found the small of her back, subtle but firm. A silent claim.
Wu Xiang raised a brow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Look who's back. Done with the small talk, CEO Zhu?"
Zihan just glanced at him. "It was never important."
Ruoxi snorted. "Classic."
Ignoring them, Zihan leaned slightly toward Guo Min, his voice low. "Dance with me."
She arched a brow, turning to face him fully. "Was that a request or an order?"
Zihan's lips barely curved. "Does it matter?"
A slow, knowing smile spread across her lips. "ugh, you are such a handful"
She placed her hand in his, and he led her toward the dance floor without another word.
The moment they stepped onto the polished marble, the orchestra transitioned seamlessly into a slow, elegant waltz. Zihan's hand found her waist, pulling her close, his grip firm but effortless.
"Comfortable?" he murmured.
Guo Min smirked, resting her other hand on his shoulder. "Why? Afraid I'll step on your foot?"
He hummed, guiding her smoothly across the floor. "I don't doubt your balance, Guo Min."
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze locking onto his. "But you do doubt other things?"
His grip on her waist tightened briefly—a small, almost imperceptible movement. " rarely since I prefer certainty."
Guo Min's amusement didn't fade, but something in her eyes darkened—something thoughtful. "what are the rare thing that makes you doubt?".
His steps never faltered, his movements fluid, practiced. "...You".
"Me?".
He leaned in whispering to her. "You make me feel unsure Guo min, I start thinking lately. Does she want me or not, do I deserve her, am I good enough, am I too pushy, am I too controlling, what if I'm forcing her. ... you make me doubt of I'm capable or not".
And for the first time that night, Guo Min heart faltered, twitching a little at his words.