You Rong suppressed his urgency and waited until the brand held a cocktail party.
The atmosphere at the cocktail party was less formal than the red carpet event. It was attended by various guests invited by the brand, and the absence of entertainment reporters made it significantly more comfortable.
Upon arriving at the party, You Rong quickly scanned the venue and soon found Lin Qinghe, looking sexy and beautiful in a black haute couture cocktail dress.
Lin Qinghe's arm was linked with Zhang Shanghua's, and she wore a faint smile, seemingly listening as Zhang Shanghua introduced her to someone across from them.
Suddenly, Lin Qinghe turned her head towards You Rong. Their gazes met mid-air. You Rong's heart tightened, and he instinctively moved to walk towards her, but after a moment, Lin Qinghe indifferently withdrew her gaze.
You Rong felt as if he had been doused with cold water, his body stiffening.
Hu Xiaobei saw You Rong frozen in place and urged, "Brother! Sister Qinghe and Director Zhang are over there, hurry up and go!"
You Rong snapped back to reality, suppressing the bitterness in his heart. He intended to walk over when the cocktail party lights suddenly dimmed, and a romantic melody began to play.
It turned out the party was officially starting, and guests invited by the brand could dance together.
Under the ambiguous lighting, You Rong saw the man opposite Lin Qinghe take her hand and lead her to the center of the hall.
Although they were just dancing politely, seeing the man's arm around Lin Qinghe's waist stirred an impulse in You Rong's heart. He wanted to step forward and snatch Lin Qinghe away! He didn't want any man to get close to her!
You Rong took a step forward but then halted, a bitter smile on his face.
He had no right to dictate who Lin Qinghe danced with.
Hu Xiaobei also saw Lin Qinghe dancing with someone else. After a moment of thought, he muttered, "Brother... the man dancing with Sister Qinghe is Xiao Tian! The three-time Best Actor award winner Xiao Tian! Is he... very familiar with Sister Qinghe? Or did Director Zhang introduce them? I heard that Actor Xiao is still single. Could Director Zhang be planning to..."
In the dim light, Hu Xiaobei could see You Rong's face turning pale. He abruptly stopped what he was saying and, with a dry laugh, changed the subject, "Hehe... Brother, don't listen to my nonsense. Director Zhang probably introduced Sister Qinghe to Actor Xiao, wanting to set them up for a drama or movie..."
You Rong pursed his thin lips, remaining silent.
Lin Qinghe had been subtly watching You Rong from the corner of her eye, a mischievous glint in her gaze. She continued to feign indifference to You Rong and danced with Xiao Tian.
Seeing You Rong's expression, he looked jealous.
Then she didn't mind making him more jealous for a while longer.
You Rong watched Lin Qinghe, suppressing his urge to interrupt their dance. After the dance ended, You Rong tried several times to approach Lin Qinghe, but seeing her talking to Xiao Tian with smiling eyes, even when she finally made eye contact with him, she would immediately look away.
You Rong's throat felt tight, and his chest felt so heavy he could barely breathe.
He wanted to go to Lin Qinghe, but suddenly he was afraid. He feared hearing her say, "I've decided I don't like you anymore."
As if self-torturing, You Rong watched Lin Qinghe chatting and laughing with another man, feeling immense pain in his heart, yet his gaze uncontrollably followed Lin Qinghe.
Seeing You Rong drinking one glass of strong liquor after another, Lin Qinghe figured it was about time. She couldn't let You Rong get completely drunk, or her plan would be ruined.
Lin Qinghe told Xiao Tian it was too stuffy and she wanted some fresh air, then turned and walked towards the deserted large balcony.
Lin Qinghe stood before the large balcony, knowing You Rong had arrived but he hadn't come over. She wondered what he was thinking standing behind her.
Lin Qinghe's brow furrowed. To force You Rong to come over, she pretended to feel dizzy, rubbing her temples, and stumbled as if about to fall.
The next second, Lin Qinghe was caught by a pair of strong arms. You Rong's hoarse voice sounded from above her: "Are... are you alright?"
Lin Qinghe, her emotions unreadable, looked up and saw You Rong. She immediately pushed him away and said coldly, "I'm fine. Thank you just now. I have something to do... I'm leaving."
Lin Qinghe saw You Rong's face pale slightly. She didn't stop but walked past him.
One, two, three... Just as Lin Qinghe expected, after counting to three in her mind, You Rong grabbed her wrist and asked, his voice laced with bitterness, "I have something to tell you. Can you spare me a few minutes?"