Manipulative Harem God

Chapter 403 Engagement (3)

*Gasp*

Chen Yulan, usually the epitome of grace and confidence, seemed a shadow of her former self.

Her steps were tentative and frail, each one taken with great effort.

Her dress, though exquisitely crafted, hung on her frame with a delicate fragility. The gown was a traditional red, symbolizing good fortune and joy, but the bright color contrasted sharply with her pale face.

The intricate embroidery and sparkling jewels on the dress shimmered under the hall lights, but they did little to mask the unmistakable tremor of her hands or the haunted look in her eyes.

The guests exchanged looks of concern and confusion. Whispers began to ripple through the room once more, this time laced with worry rather than curiosity.

"Is she unwell? She looks so pale," a well-dressed woman murmured to her companion, her eyes never leaving Chen Yulan's slow progress.

"I heard she was perfectly fine this afternoon. Something must have happened," replied her companion, a hint of intrigue lacing his voice.

Nearby, a group of Liu Ming's friends huddled together, their expressions a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Dare to make the mayor wait, they are really courageous," one of them scoffed quietly.

Chen Daozi, oblivious to the gravity of the situation and lost in his own world, chuckled to himself. "Free drinks and a drama, what more can a man ask for?" he mumbled, attracting disapproving glances from those nearby.

In a more secluded corner, a group of older guests, friends of the Mayor, discussed in hushed tones. "Liu Kang won't be pleased with this development. It's not just a family matter; it's about his reputation too," one of them said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

Chen Dong, overhearing snippets of conversations as he helped his sister, felt a growing sense of protectiveness and frustration. His gaze darted around the room, meeting the eyes of the whispering guests, each look fueling his concern for his sister.

Amidst all this, Zhang Wei remained a silent observer, his presence almost like a shadow on the wall.

As the ceremony proceeded, the tension in the room was palpable. Chen Yulan stood at the center, her trembling hands barely able to hold the ring.

"Are you okay?" Liu Ming whispered, his voice laced with concern and confusion. The guests, straining to hear the exchange, leaned in subtly.

Chen Yulan's eyes flickered to meet his, a storm of emotions swirling within them. "I... I'm fine," she managed to reply, her voice a fragile echo of its usual strength.

Xie Meirong, smiling silently, stepped forward. "Apologies for the inconvenience, everyone. The bride is feeling a bit under the weather. It's just nerves, you know how it is," she announced, her voice loud enough for all to hear. Her words were met with nods of understanding from the crowd, but the underlying skepticism remained.

Meanwhile, Liu Kang, observing from his wheelchair, spoke in a low voice to one of his aides. "Ensure everything proceeds smoothly. We can't afford a scandal," he instructed, his words barely audible over the murmur of the crowd.

The ceremony concluded in its customary grandeur, but as the party kicked off, Chen Dong gallantly escorted the ailing Chen Yulan away, bidding adieu to the distinguished guests with genuine concern etched across his face.

Amidst the festivity, no earth-shattering scandal unfolded, and Liu Kang offered a subtle nod of approval while the party forged ahead without them. The exception was Liu Ming, who drowned his frustrations in a sea of liquor.

To the untrained eye, everything unfolded seamlessly as planned, but for those with a discerning gaze, the fa?ade bore hairline cracks, and subtle tells hinted at a far more different picture.

_______

The vast expanse of the Grand Canyon, under the cloak of night, transformed into a contrasting spectacle of natural beauty and human exhilaration.

Moonlight cascaded down the rugged cliffs, casting ethereal shadows over the ancient rocks, painting them in hues of silver and obsidian.

The distant howl of a coyote echoed, merging with the whispers of the Colorado River below, creating a serene yet haunting symphony of wilderness.

In stark contrast, the roar of engines shattered the nocturnal peace.

A makeshift race track, carved on the plateau near the canyon's edge, was alive with fervor. Floodlights, like artificial stars, illuminated the dusty track, around which a motley crowd of spectators had gathered.

The scent of gasoline mingled with the crisp desert air, as colorful cars revved impatiently, their drivers eager for the night's illicit races to begin.

Amidst this chaotic fusion of nature and adrenaline, a dispute erupted on the fringes of the crowd.

Chu Yaoyao and Chen Xiaoya, stood face to face, their argument intensifying with each passing moment.

Their voices rose above the hum of the crowd, attracting curious onlookers.

Chu Yaoyao, a tempest of emotions, stood fiercely under the glaring floodlights, her gestures as wild as the winds that swept through the canyon.

Her eyes, deep and tumultuous like the chasms below, shone with an unyielding spirit. "This racetrack is ours," she declared, her voice a steady drumbeat in the night. "We've arrived!"

Chen Xiaoya, her demeanor as calm as the still waters of the river, met Yaoyao's intensity with a cool resolve. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, locked onto Yaoyao's with a challenge as solid as the canyon walls.

"It isn't about who came first, Yaoyao. It's about being worthy, and we are definitely more so!" she responded, her voice echoing with a firm conviction, reverberating off the rocky terrain.

At Chen Xiaoya's words, Chu Yaoyao's face registered shock, her fiery aura momentarily flickering. Behind them, a sea of spectators and a fleet of supercars waited in anticipation, engines purring like a chorus of restless predators.

Chen Xiaoya's laugh, light and teasing, cut through the tension. "How about we decide it with a race? Whoever wins gets the racetrack," she proposed, her white hair gleaming under the floodlights like moonlight on snow.

Chu Yaoyao's expression darkened as her gaze shifted to the gleaming gray Koenigsegg beside Chen Xiaoya, a mechanical beast aimed for dominance. "Why would I bother to race you?" she retorted, her pride stung.

"Eehe~ so is our Miss Yaoyao scared now?" Chen Xiaoya's giggle floated in the air, mocking and playful.

She stood confidently, her slender figure draped in a flowy, off-

shoulder bohemian dress, its loose sleeves fluttering like the wings of a desert bird.

The dress, an array of midnight blues and purples, seemed to capture the essence of the night sky, while her striking white hair and alabaster skin contrasted starkly against the dark backdrop of the canyon.

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