Chapter 3: The Impression

The Grand Imperial Hotel's ballroom was a sea of glittering gowns and polished tuxedos. Jiang Meilin weaved through the crowd, her tray of champagne flutes balanced precariously as she tried to avoid bumping into the elite of Xia City."Excuse me," she murmured, offering drinks to a group of laughing socialites. They barely spared her a glance as they plucked the glasses from her tray.

Despite the long hours on her feet, Meilin's natural bubbly personality shone through. Her striking beauty, even without makeup, often drew second glances. Her large, expressive eyes, framed by long, dark lashes, seemed to hold a world of emotions. Her smooth, porcelain skin glowed under the ballroom's soft lighting, and her full lips curved into a gentle smile despite her fatigue.

As she made her way to the bar for a refill, Meilin's eyes were drawn to a painting on display near the entrance. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized her own work – a swirling landscape of blues and golds that she had painted two years ago, during a time when she felt her future was very bleak. She had lost it when she moved to Xia City, selling it for a pittance to a gallery. Seeing it here, in such an opulent setting, filled her with a mix of melancholy, longing, and hope."I can't believe it made it here," she whispered, her emotions evident in her eyes. Looks like this will be my big break.

Across the room, Zhao Jingshen stood in a quiet corner, observing the guests. Tall, with sharp features and piercing dark eyes, he exuded an aura of power and authority that made him stand out even in the midst of Xia City's elite. His cold and aloof demeanor made him a formidable figure, someone who rarely spoke more than necessary.

As Zhao Jingshen eyes scanned the room, they landed on Meilin. Her untouched beauty and the way she seemed lost in thought as she admired the painting caught his attention. This painting was one of his favorites, and he had been searching for the unknown artist for some time. Watching her, he noticed the changes in her expression, the initial shock, the melancholy, the longing, and finally, a glimmer of hope.

Her emotions intrigued him, but he chose not to approach her, preferring to observe from a distance. A stunningly beautiful woman in a skin-tight red dress sashayed towards Zhao Jingshen, her eyes fixed on him. Lian Fei, his fiancée, was the epitome of elegance, with an air of confidence that matched her beauty. "Jingshen! There you are, darling!" she cooed, wrapping herself around his arm. Zhao Jingshen acknowledged her with a cool nod, his eyes flickering back to Meilin for a moment.

Lian Fei's posse of friends quickly surrounded her, showering her with compliments. "Lian Fei, you look stunning tonight!" one of them gushed."And your dress, simply gorgeous," another added, trying to outdo the previous praise.Lian Fei basked in their adulation, her laughter filling the air. "Thank you, ladies. And yes, it's custom-made, of course," she said, her tone dripping with satisfaction.

One of her friends, a brunette with overly contoured cheeks, leaned in. "You and CEO Zhao make such a perfect couple. So powerful, so elegant."Lian Fei's smile widened. "We do, don't we? He's such a brilliant and handsome man. I'm lucky to have him," she said, casting a proud glance at Zhao Jingshen, who remained impassive.

Zhao Jingshen's attention, however, was still partly on Meilin. He couldn't shake the image of her standing before her painting, her emotions laid bare for anyone perceptive enough to see. As the night progressed, Zhao Jingshen found himself glancing towards Meilin more often. She continued to serve drinks, maintaining her grace despite the demanding work.

Occasionally, his eyes would drift towards her to see her changing emotions across the crowded ballroom, sending an inexplicable thrill through him, but he kept his distance, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to himself or the young server. Unknown to him, an imperceptible smile dances on his lips for the first time tonight.

As the gala wound down, Meilin found herself gathering discarded glasses near the artwork display. Zhao Jingshen watched her from afar, his curiosity about her growing stronger. The way she handled herself, her otherworldly beauty, and her evident connection to the painting intrigued him more than he cared to admit.

Lian Fei, noticing his distraction, tugged at his arm. "Jingshen, let's go. The night is almost over, and we have other places to be," she said, her voice tinged with impatience.

Zhao Jingshen nodded, allowing Lian Fei to lead him away. But as they exited the ballroom, he cast one last glance at Jiang Meilin, who was now lost in her own thoughts, standing before the painting that meant so much to her.Inside, Meilin sighed, her mind replaying the moment she had first seen the painting. It was a piece about hope, created during one of the darkest periods of her life. Little did she know, her presence and her emotions had left a lasting impression on the cold and aloof CEO, Zhao Jingshen.