C3 I Lost My Way!

Qiao Yiyi hesitated for a brief moment before softly uttering three words: "Qiao Xinya."

Qiao Xinya was her cousin, who at that moment was likely showering the middle-aged man suspected to be Patriarch Mo with attention.

Qiao Yiyi added, "I came for the dance party, and I've gotten lost."

Truth be told, she had a terrible sense of direction; getting lost was an all-too-familiar part of her life.

The man remained silent, simply watching her. Qiao Yiyi sensed an oppressive aura slowly enveloping her. For some reason, she thought the man behind her was frowning.

Did he not believe her?

After observing her for a moment, the man commanded, "Come."

He released her and strode ahead. Qiao Yiyi saw his figure blur, and he was already by the door. She jogged to catch up, puzzled by his swift pace.

She quickened her steps to keep up. The man moved briskly, pausing at corners to wait for her. Once he caught sight of her, he would continue on.

Before long, the man had led her to the staircase. Without a word, he gestured with his hand, signaling for her to descend.

Qiao Yiyi recognized the human figure on the staircase pillar as her landmark for ascending the stairs. She gave him a grateful smile, "Thank you."

The man showed no reaction, but Qiao Yiyi sensed his frown again. A subtle gleam seemed to flicker in his dark eyes behind the mask. Her heart raced, and she quickly descended the stairs.

Downstairs, the gentle music and dance continued, with elegantly dressed men and women either swaying to the music or engaged in lively conversation without the clamor. Qiao Yiyi returned to the food area, donned her mask, and took a lap around the dance floor. She picked up a drink and stood in a corner, her gaze lightly scanning each man.

She was curious about the identity of the man she had encountered. Dressed in a mask and fine attire, he was clearly a guest at the dance, yet why was he alone, playing the piano upstairs?

After surveying the room, she didn't spot the enigmatic man. It appeared he wasn't there, and Qiao Yiyi inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

Someone approached and invited Qiao Yiyi to dance, but she declined politely. It wasn't that she couldn't dance; she simply preferred not to.

At that moment, Qiao Yiyi overheard two girls whispering nearby.

"I heard that today's dance is to select a best friend for Miss Mo."

"Which one is Miss Mo?"

"The one on the sofa, in the purple dress."

Qiao Yiyi glanced over. Several people were seated on the sofa, but the girl in the middle, donning a purple dress, caught her attention. A silver crown adorned her head, and her black hair cascaded over her porcelain shoulders. Although her face was obscured, her serene demeanor reminded Qiao Yiyi of the peculiar man she had seen upstairs. The young men and women surrounding her were clearly vying for her favor, yet Miss Mo sat quietly, exuding an air of subtle detachment.

Qiao Yiyi's gaze shifted to the right, where a middle-aged man, likely Patriarch Mo, was surrounded by an even larger crowd. Among them was her cousin, Qiao Xinya.

Qiao Xinya, a minor celebrity, was adept at socializing and navigating such events with ease. Despite being seated a spot away from Patriarch Mo, her enthusiasm was undiminished. She leaned forward, her figure prominently on display, drawing the eyes of many.

Qiao Yiyi had three cousins: Qiao Xinya was her second cousin, while Qiao Xinhui, the eldest, helped their father manage the family business. Qiao Xinna, just a year older than Yiyi, attended the same school as her.

The Qiao family was among the affluent in Jinling City. When Qiao Yiyi's uncle, Qiao Zhenhai, took over the family business, he allocated only a small supermarket to his brother, Qiao Zhenxuan. Thankfully, Zhenxuan was a contented man who didn't fuss over his lot, and the family led a harmonious and joyful life running their modest store.