10 Years Ago, 10 Years Later

Chapter 7

An international fashion event is sure to draw the attention of various relevant media. Even if said event is "invitation-only," it does not stop fashion journalists from crowding at the entrance, hoping to snap a few pictures of the renowned attendees walking the red carpet.

Wearing a set of his best suits, Gong Jun steps out of his car right at the lobby of L Hotel. It is one of the most famous five-star hotels in Paris, with a spacious, brightly lit lobby, and a large ballroom where the opening ceremony of the event he is going to attend is being held. Immediately, he spots reporters and photographers from local and foreign media making two lines on the left and right of the red carpet. Their voices are indiscernible, for some are speaking in French, some in English, while the rest are speaking in other languages. In the background, there is the sound of cameras clicking endlessly.

Being a guest from a foreign land who gets in through a connection to one of the event's biggest sponsors, at first, Gong Jun expects that these journalists will not have much interest in him. To his surprise, however, while he does not receive as much attention as the local celebrities, he does catch several broadcasters reporting his arrival, correctly mentioning his name and the company he represents while the cameramen are snapping his pictures from every possible angle.

"Huh... I guess the marketing department's preliminary research is pretty accurate. We really do have some market potential here," he thinks.

Past the lively red carpet, he finally arrives inside the hotel's lobby where a hotel staff readily directs him to the main ballroom. There are fewer crowds here; aside from the guests and event committee members, only several affiliate media are allowed in, blending in among the hotel's employees. A grand banquet has been prepared inside, though Gong Jun has to make a few stops here and there before he can even grab himself a drink. After all, the venue is full of individuals he recognizes who recognize him in return.

Clients and colleagues, business partners and all sorts of people he met before through his company's networks — Regardless of whether he likes it or not, it is of the utmost importance that he allocates some time to greet and speak with them, exchanging pleasantries to amuse each other. It is part of the job, he understands this very well, and he is sure that at least some of these people must've had the same thought as him — save for a handful of those who actually enjoy attending parties and meeting a bunch of people to make merry.

All in all, from a business perspective, he does make the right choice to fly all the way to another continent in order to squeeze his way into this prestigious event. On the other hand, comprehending full well the personal agenda of his visit, Gong Jun cannot help but feel a bit restless inside.

"Is he really here? What face will he make when he sees me again?" he ponders, "Or rather, what kind of face should I make when I see him?"

Speak of the devil and the devil comes. Just as he is about to grab something to eat, Gong Jun spots a familiar figure on the other side of the ballroom. He sees Zhang Zhehan standing with a glass of champagne in his hand; the latter does not see him because his body is partly turned around. At the moment, he appears to be chatting with several people, among them is President Bernard. As for the other people, Gong Jun looks at their faces one by one and decides that he knows none of them.

Their meeting at yesterday's dinner was nothing short of a shock for them both. Now that an entire day has passed, Gong Jun only realizes now that he hasn't taken a good look at his former fiance at all. A part of it is also because even when they finally had a brief private moment, Zhang Zhehan was too distraught to face him properly — for a reason that Gong Jun understood well. Still, an opportunity to observe someone closely without the other noticing rarely comes twice. With this thought in mind, Gong Jun takes the chance while Zhang Zhehan is occupied with his conversation partners to have a long, careful look at him.