Copycat - Chapter 27

Chapter 27

◎The Engagement Banquet◎

The floor was covered in bl00d.

Zhou Ziyan’s hand was resting in a pool of bl00d. The temperature of her palm was colder than the floor. Fresh bl00d flowed from her forehead to her jawline, and droplets dripped along her jaw, staining her pristine white shirt red.

Her expression was blank, and memories flashed through her mind like fragmented pieces.

Chen Xing was one of the informants she had planted in the Zhou family’s underground casino.

He was a nobody at the casino who was initially reluctant but later moved by the high salary and bought off by her.

“I’m just an employee at the casino. How about I help you contact my supervisor instead?”

“Hey, the gossip people like me talk about every day is unreliable.”

“I heard my supervisor say that a real estate company under Zhou Cheng is looking for new material suppliers.”

“At the beginning of last month, the food factory under Zhou Na’s name changed a batch of new ingredients.”

The information Chen Xing had always provided her was mostly bits and pieces of company developments.

Initially, she hadn’t paid much attention until the people she had sent to Zhou Cheng and Zhou Na’s companies brought back information, and she realized that these pieces of news weren’t unfounded. She then began to take the gossip Chen Xing heard more seriously.

The conversations from the past echoed in her ears. Zhou Ziyan suddenly looked up, her gaze meeting Zhou Shancheng’s murky yet sharp black eyes. It was then that she suddenly understood.

“You set me up.”

She had been set up from the very beginning.

Zhou Shancheng sneered, sat down, and took a sip of tea. He then disgustedly splashed the tea onto the floor, his tone meaningful: “What kind of rotten tea is this, to have the nerve to bring it home.”

Zhou Ziyan’s legs felt weak. She wanted to stand up but was powerless. Her forearm trembled with panic. Zhou Shancheng looked at her indifferently: “If this kind of acting could fool me, the Zhou family would have died thousands of times over, and you wouldn’t be living in the lap of luxury today.”

“You think I can’t tell that you’ve hated me all this time because of that woman, Lu Xiaochen?”

Zhou Ziyan was limp on the floor, trying hard to hold back her tears. Upon hearing her mother’s name, her tear-filled eyes suddenly looked up, glaring fiercely at Zhou Shancheng: “You’re not worthy of saying my mother’s name!”

Zhou Shancheng glanced at her and heavily put down his teacup. The porcelain clinked against the saucer with a crisp, shattering sound.

“Chen Xing,” Zhou Shancheng said in a low voice.

A shifty-looking man with a buzz cut came out of one of the guest rooms in the hall: “Master.”

Zhou Ziyan’s hateful gaze fell on the man’s pockmarked and disgusting face.

“Take her to that villa in the western suburbs. Confiscate all her communication devices. You’re in charge of this.”

Chen Xing gave a sly smile: “Yes.”

He approached the spot where Zhou Ziyan had fallen, intending to drag her to the car. As soon as he touched her wrist, Zhou Ziyan’s gaze suddenly fell on the point where their skin met, and she let out a cold laugh.

“What the…”

The man’s dirty bl00d spurted out. A few drops splashed onto Zhou Ziyan’s lips. Zhou Ziyan frowned in disgust and spat onto the floor as if to cleanse herself.

Chen Xing’s hand was covered in bl00d. A thumb-sized piece of flesh had been bitten directly off his right hand.

He grimaced in pain and jumped up and down: “My hand, my hand—”

“Hurry, take me to the hospital, the hospital—”

Zhou Shancheng frowned slightly. It was just a small injury, and he was shouting so much, he was too impatient. He really was just an uneducated casino lackey. Just as he was about to speak, his eyes fell on Zhou Ziyan, who was slumped on the floor.

A memory from his mind involuntarily emerged.

A frail woman was kneeling weakly on the floor, bl00d seeping through her clothes. The thin, bony back beneath her clothes was straight, and the look in her eyes was full of hatred for him.

It was a scene that gave him a momentary hallucination.

The current Zhou Ziyan was the spitting image of Lu Xiaochen.

With only one difference.

Zhou Shancheng quietly watched the resentful Zhou Ziyan. A flash of intuition, named worry, crossed his mind, but it was quickly replaced by the arrogance that came with his experience.

The old house’s floor was covered in bl00d.

Aside from the drops from Zhou Ziyan’s forehead, most of it was from Chen Xing’s torn bl00d vessels.

The area around the Zhou family’s old house was extremely quiet. The only sound was the screaming of the bleeding Chen Xing, begging the driver to take him to the nearest private hospital. The maids and butlers ran back and forth in a frantic hurry.

Zhou Shancheng and Zhou Ziyan stared at each other for a long time. In the midst of the frantic footsteps, Zhou Ziyan suddenly spoke.

“Zhou Shancheng.” Her voice was a little hoarse, but her pale lips clearly articulated every word.

“You will not have a good death.”

Zhou Shancheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.

A sarcastic smile appeared on his lips: “Someone cursed me with those exact words a long time ago.”

He stood up, leaning on his cane, and walked to Zhou Ziyan’s side. The red bl00d stained the tip of his cane.

“Guess what happened to her later?”

“That person has been dead for many years. Her body has turned to ash, and I—”

“Am still alive and well.”

A strong hand clamped her jaw, forcing Zhou Ziyan to look up at Zhou Shancheng’s smug eyes. She suddenly flashed a brilliant smile, a smile that made Zhou Shancheng’s brows slowly furrow into a frown.

“What are you laughing at?” he asked.

“A disaster will be known for ten thousand years. I didn’t say you wouldn’t live long.” Zhou Ziyan’s smile was like a blooming flower.

“What I said is that you will die a horrible death, a tragic death, a death where not even your bones will remain.”

“Your reputation will be so bad that every person who passes your grave will be so disgusted they can’t help but spit on it.”

Zhou Shancheng’s expression turned cold, but Zhou Ziyan continued to smile at him.

“Take her to the villa in the western suburbs and lock her up. Starve her for a week first.”

…

M Country.

“CEO Wen, congratulations on going public.”

“Little Wen, you’re so young and accomplished. It looks like we have a new elite on Wall Street.”

“It’s a real shame you didn’t choose Silicon Valley as the location for your headquarters.”

“CEO Wen, why don’t you reconsider and join us for a drink after the celebration banquet?”

“Let’s not. Let’s let CEO Wen rest.”

“That’s true. CEO Wen is young and accomplished, but she shouldn’t overwork herself.”

After a round of pleasantries, Wen Jiao smiled faintly: “The company has just started, and the stock price is unstable in the market. It needs sufficient technological support to go further.”

She politely declined the invitations: “Let’s get together another time.”

Night was falling. The 43-story building was brightly lit. Eric sent Wen Jiao to her car, and as she was about to leave, Eric suddenly blocked the car door, which was about to close, and grabbed her arm.

“Evelyn,” Eric said with a worried tone.

Wen Jiao looked at him calmly. Eric leaned against the open car door, released her arm, and crossed his hands over his chest: “Don’t think I’m meddling.”

“You’re in bad shape and you need to rest.” Eric stared at Wen Jiao’s pale face and frowned slightly: “…not to rush to another country across sixteen time zones.”

“I have my reasons for having to go back, Eric.”

Wen Jiao’s reply was concise, leaving Eric with no reason to try and persuade her further.

Tonight was a celebration banquet, and the tech giants who attended were all in suits and ties, but Wen Jiao was dressed casually, in a simple pair of jeans and a light black down jacket.

Her small face was buried in her collar, and her fatigue and flushed cheeks were visible from a distance.

Eric was puzzled: “What exactly happened?”

Wen Jiao pursed her lips and said nothing.

A month ago, she had received an anonymous message in her email.

The anonymous sender had used the latest technology to hide all relevant information. The only thing she could confirm was that the IP address was from inside the country.

The anonymous message was very simple: an invitation.

An engagement invitation for Cheng Junfeng, the heir of the Cheng Group, and Zhou Ziyan, the young lady of the Zhou Group.

The engagement was scheduled for 8 p.m. on the last night of this year.

The location was the most luxurious Banerwind Hotel in A City.

The sender was malicious and had deliberately Photoshopped a picture of the soon-to-be-engaged couple smiling and looking at each other.

Cheng Junfeng was in a black suit, smiling smugly, while Zhou Ziyan was wearing a red cheongsam, her head shyly lowered, looking every bit like an enviable loving couple.

If not for the Photoshopped picture, Wen Jiao might have believed it more. She quickly ignored the email.

It wasn’t until this past week that she received a message from an employee at her domestic studio.

“CEO Wen, we’ve received an invitation from the Cheng Group. Should we send someone to attend the engagement banquet of the Cheng and Zhou families?”

After shifting her focus overseas, Wen Jiao had officially disbanded the studio, but in reality, the studio had been broken up into small companies, expanding and developing in different directions domestically.

The one that was doing the best had already reached a medium size in the country, so it was reasonable for it to receive a friendly invitation from the Cheng Group.

The only thing she hadn’t expected was that Zhou Ziyan was actually going to get engaged to Cheng Junfeng.

Late at night after work, Wen Jiao lay in bed in the early morning, looking at the long-silent chat box on her phone, tossing and turning.

The middle of the night in M Country was noon in China.

She thought about her words for a long time, and in the end, she still sent a message to Zhou Ziyan.

Wen Jiao: “Are you there?”

The reply was an exclamation mark.

…

Eric let go of the car door, his expression serious: “Evelyn, you’re sick. I can’t let you leave like this.”

“Eric, move. My flight takes off in two hours.”

Wen Jiao looked at the time in China. The engagement banquet of the Cheng and Zhou families was in 24 hours. If she left now, she could still make it in time to find Zhou Ziyan and get a clear answer.

Why did she suddenly block her and cut off contact?

When nothing had happened between them…

Wen Jiao tried to close the car door. Eric’s voice held a hint of anger: “Evelyn, do you know what your physical condition is right now? You can’t even stand steadily at the banquet.”

“Everyone could see it, but no one dared to say it out loud!”

“Eric.” Wen Jiao’s expression darkened: “Stop talking.”

Eric continued: “Do you know why Lisbon didn’t invest in your company? When we met in private, he said that your physical condition was very poor, and since the company’s technology is concentrated in you, he felt the investment risk was too high, which is why he didn’t dare to invest.”

“Do you really have to go back to the country in such a poor state?!”

“Eric.” Wen Jiao’s expression was calm.

“Can’t you handle the truth anymore?” Eric said angrily.

Wen Jiao’s eyes turned cold, her dark pupils hiding all emotions, her feelings as deep as an abyss: “You’ve crossed a line.”

Eric froze in place.

Wen Jiao pried his fingers from the car door: “You’re too concerned with my private life.”

“We have only ever been partners.”

Wen Jiao said in a low voice: “And that’s all there is to it.”

The car’s engine started and drove towards the airport, fifty kilometers away.

…

“Smile, bride.”

Inside a cramped room, a group of people were surrounding the woman in the middle, setting up lights and taking photos.

The photographer held up his camera and reviewed the pictures he had taken. The bride was very beautiful, but she wouldn’t smile, not at all. Her expression was so cold that she didn’t look like she was getting engaged; she looked as if she hated someone to the extreme and was about to stab them.

“Master, what should we do?” The young man holding a spotlight came over. The photographer sighed heavily. He knew this high-paying job wouldn’t be so easy.

“What else can we do? Just keep Photoshopping her, like last time.”

“Oh.” The young apprentice scratched his head.

After the photoshoot was over, the photographer packed up his equipment. The star of the engagement banquet was taken into a dressing room to have her makeup redone. Dozens of stylists surrounded her, bustling about like she was the center of their world.

The engagement banquet was in a few hours.

The young apprentice put down the spotlight and came over. He glanced at the engagement banquet’s star, who was being led away: “Master, don’t you think something is different about the third young lady of the Zhou family?”

“Hmm?” The photographer glanced at the open dressing room door and frowned: “She does seem to have changed.”

“She’s thinner.”

The apprentice shook his head: “I mean her temperament.”

When he was taking pictures for the engagement invitations, he had seen the third young lady once. She didn’t smile much then either, but even without a smile, he could feel the gentle aura she exuded from within.

The third young lady was a gentle person on the inside.

Only a short two months had passed.

Her eyes had become dull and lifeless, her emotions were becoming fewer and fewer, and her limbs were stiff. She was like a puppet being manipulated by others, with a faint air of death surrounding her.

The apprentice sighed. The photographer came over and patted his shoulder: “The affairs of these rich families are not something little people like us can get involved in.”

His gaze fell on the black-suited bodyguards with guns not far away, and he frowned slightly: “An engagement banquet being set up like peace talks for a war is quite rare. Xiao Zhang, let’s leave early.”

…

Engagement banquet venue.

Zhou Ziyan, in a custom-made toasting dress, followed expressionlessly behind the other star of the engagement banquet. Bodyguards followed them quietly from a hundred meters away.

After successfully handing her over, the bodyguards who had been watching Zhou Ziyan all breathed a sigh of relief. Their two months of effort had finally gotten her to the engagement banquet alive.

Zhou Shancheng had ordered them to starve Zhou Ziyan for a week. Zhou Ziyan had been very calm about it, not crying or making a fuss, but later they found out Zhou Ziyan’s real intention.

After a week, Zhou Ziyan still wouldn’t eat any food. Fortunately, Chen Xing had an idea and said something to Zhou Ziyan. Only then did she resume her normal diet.

Engagement banquet social center.

“Ziyan was such a mess as a child, I never thought she would grow up to be so beautiful.”

A female elder praised her: “You and Junfeng are a match made in heaven.”

Everyone laughed merrily. The previously silent Zhou Ziyan suddenly let out a cold laugh.

She had a smile on her lips, but her tone was sarcastic as she asked back: “Is that so?”

“If it’s about the ability to change your stance with the wind, then Junfeng is indeed a great talent.”

Everyone looked at each other. Cheng Junfeng’s hand, holding his wine glass, suddenly clenched.

The marriage alliance between the Zhou and Cheng families had been agreed to by Zhou Ziyan herself. She was the one who was once a loving couple with Cheng Junfeng, and now she was the one with the sarcastic look on her face, refusing to cooperate.

The female elder said awkwardly: “Hahaha, Ziyan… has such a sense of humor.”

Cheng Junfeng also gave a couple of awkward laughs: “Ziyan has always been very humorous.”

“We’re going to get ready in the waiting area. We’ll come back and toast everyone when the engagement banquet begins.”

“Hurry up and go.”

The people there laughed awkwardly, wishing they could send this plague away as soon as possible.

Edge of the banquet.

Cheng Junfeng pulled Zhou Ziyan to a secluded corner on the third floor and let go of her with some anger.

He kept his voice low, but the anger in it was hard to hide: “Zhou Ziyan, what is the meaning of this?”

Zhou Ziyan frowned and expressionlessly rubbed her swollen wrist: “The literal meaning.”

“Senior Cheng is a great talent, unmatched by anyone.”

“You’re still mad at me.” Cheng Junfeng bit his lower lip: “I had no choice.”

“Your plan was exposed. If Zhou Shancheng knew I helped you, this marriage alliance opportunity would have…”

Before he could finish, Zhou Ziyan interrupted him with a cold laugh: “Does your ‘no choice’ mean helping Zhou Shancheng imprison me and arming the bodyguard team with guns at the wedding venue to strictly prevent me from escaping the engagement banquet?”

“…”

Cheng Junfeng frowned slightly: “Junior schoolmate.”

“You’re too sharp.”

“I can not be sharp. I can even cooperate with you at the engagement banquet and play the part of a loving couple in front of everyone, as you wish.”

Zhou Ziyan looked at him with a smile: “If you promise to let me leave here and go to M Country to find her.”

“Impossible.” Cheng Junfeng’s expression turned cold: “You’re my fiancée. If you leave like that, what will the elite circles of A City think of me?”

“After we’re engaged, I’ll arrange for you to move into a Cheng family villa. All the new luxury goods will be delivered to your closet on a regular basis, so you can live the life of a wealthy lady without a worry. As for what you’re asking, it’s absolutely impossible.”

“Don’t even think about it.”

A sarcastic smile appeared on Zhou Ziyan’s lips. Cheng Junfeng frowned and instructed the bodyguards in the distance: “I’m going to go toast people. You’re in charge of following her. Don’t forget what I told you.”

“Yes, Young Master Cheng.”

…

First-floor restaurant. Zhou Ziyan leaned against a pillar. People were coming and going nearby. Although her red toasting dress was eye-catching, it didn’t stand out too much.

Most of the people attending the engagement banquet were dressed to the nines. There were even many women who wore long white dresses that looked similar to wedding gowns.

“Zhou Ziyan.”

A familiar voice came from nearby. Zhou Ziyan looked up and saw Mu Siyu, in a smart dark blue pantsuit, walking directly towards her.

Zhou Ziyan’s eyes showed surprise, and a fleeting moment of joy flashed in her eyes, but she quickly hid it. She glanced at the bodyguards in the distance who had instantly become vigilant and simply said: “Why are you here?”

Mu Siyu looked her up and down, was silent for a moment, and answered her with a question of her own: “You’ve changed a lot.”

“Have I?” Zhou Ziyan took two glasses of red wine from a waiter’s tray and handed one to her: “Maybe change is a good thing.”

Mu Siyu took the wine glass, took a sip of the red wine, and shook her head.

“I heard about what happened to you.”

Zhou Ziyan was taken aback, then gave a faint smile: “What, are you here to offer me help?”

Mu Siyu shook her head: “I can’t help you, but…”

Her tone changed: “I sent her a message.”

“Wen Jiao has returned to the country.”

The red wine glass in the woman’s hand suddenly fell to the floor. The glass shattered on the smooth white marble, and the red wine stained the entire white area like fresh bl00d.

“Are you insane?!” Zhou Ziyan stepped forward and grabbed Mu Siyu’s collar. She lowered her voice, her arms trembling uncontrollably: “Do you know how dangerous it is here? Why did you tell her to come?”

Mu Siyu’s gaze fell on the plainclothes bodyguards with guns and she said softly: “This is a society ruled by law now.”

Zhou Ziyan was almost angered to laughter by her naivete: “If the law was really useful, do you think I would have ended up like this, unable to even step out of the door of my own home?”

Mu Siyu’s brows furrowed. Zhou Ziyan let go of her collar.

Mu Siyu took a step forward and grabbed her wrist: “I’ll take you to Wen Jiao right now.”

“I’m from the Mu family. They wouldn’t dare do anything to me.”