An Unwelcome Guest

The grand ballroom was awash in the warm glow of candlelight, the air thick with the heady scent of fragrant blossoms and the melodic strains of traditional music. It was a scene of unbridled joy and celebration, a tapestry woven from the rich threads of love and tradition, as Li Xinjie and his radiant bride, Cen Yuhuan, basked in the revelry of their wedding day.

Yet, amidst the laughter and merriment, a dark cloud seemed to linger, a spectre of malice that threatened to cast a pall over the joyous occasion. It was Li Chen who first noticed the unwelcome guest, his keen eyes scanning the periphery of the ballroom, ever vigilant for any sign of danger.