Wallflowers

"Isn't it?" Li Yue threw a peanut into her mouth as she looked at her creation on the news. She had suspicions that Mo Li knew about what she did but since he didn't ask her anything, she also wouldn't tell him a thing. "Artists and their lives." Li Yue said.

"Good thing you released the statement. The timing was too perfect. I think Li Weiwei's manager must be so proud."

"I agree," she nodded and shamelessly praised herself. "Too perfect indeed."

"Hmmm. What do you think Lu Xinyi will do next time? I mean.. Now that her deeds are out in the open. Do you think she will attack Li Weiwei again?"

Li Yue turned silent for a few seconds. The sound of the news was the only thing that can be heard inside the room. "I believe so. Yes."

"Do you have any idea if Li Weiwei would be able to handle it?" 

"Yes. She will." Li Yue nodded without batting an eyelid. The female lead could handle everything thrown her way. No matter how much trouble Li Yue would throw Li Weiwei's way, she was certain that the leads of this world would be able to handle it with their undying devotion and fiery love towards one other.

"You seemed really confident?"

She fought the urge to roll her eyes. However, she maintained her foolish act and nodded. "Yes. They are rich. Money will let you do everything."

"Is that so." Mo Li turned silent. Li Yue… a woman who proclaimed that she loved money the most. And yet, she was willing to give almost half of her hard earned money from her paintings to the orphanage every month. A woman who acted nonchalant and dumb in front of Bai Lan and the guards. And yet, she easily manipulated Bai Lan in a matter of minutes after talking to her alone.

Li Yue… just what kind of woman are you? He wondered.

"What's wrong? If you are sleepy, please go home. I can't let you sleep in my bed. I am still an upright woman after all."

Mo Li chuckled at her words. So what if she was someone so hard to understand? Wasn't she just Li Yue? The simpleton Li Yue from all those years ago? He turned his head towards her.

"What's wrong?" Li Yue frowned. "Are you ill?"

"Hmmm I think I might be sick."

"Oh? Then go home! What are you doing here? Do you want to make me sick too?" With her eyes widened, Li Yue immediately left the living room and ran towards her room. "Don't come near me when you are sick. I have an extremely weak body and call me once you are already out. I need to disinfect the room."

"…" Yep. Still the simpleton Li Yue from the past. Mo Li let out a chuckle as he shook his head. Thinking about all these things was useless to him. After a few more minutes, Mo Li informed Li Yue that he would be leaving. 

When Mo Li left, Li Yue immediately went out of her room and sat on the sofa. She let out a long sigh of relief. Earlier, she felt open and exposed. She felt that staying with Mo Li would be bad for her heart. After all, Mo Li was smart and cunning. By now, he must have realized that she was not as stupid as she was before.

Well… didn't she show him how she manipulated Bai Lan to make him doubt his decision to marry her? Seeing that side of Li Yue should have been disturbing enough. It should be enough for someone like Mo Li to reconsider marrying such a scheming woman. She patted her chest and thought about the upcoming scheme that she planned for the Li Family and Lu Family war. 

…..

And just like that. Days passed. The day of the masquerade ball arrived.

Tonight, the mayor of Yin City will do their yearly banquet that has been a part of Yin City's tradition since Mo Li's maternal family started their reign. This was a banquet that was dedicated for the mayor's lovely wife. The sole purpose of the banquet was to appreciate art, dance and create more connections through lovely conversations. Each year, the mayor's wife, Madam Chi would choose a theme. Ballroom, Gatsby, Black and white, Casino Royale. Each theme showcased the elegance not just of Yin City but also of the people living in the most expensive city in the country.

The party had limited seats and only the rich and of the rich were invited to such a lavish and extravagant party. The invitation for such an event had become a status symbol of the city. Once a family was invited, many of them would spend millions just to find the perfect gown, the perfect jewelry and the perfect shoes. They needed to look their best. They needed to make everyone see that they were someone that deserved their spot at this banquet. 

Li Yue on the other hand was not as excited as everyone else. She knew that the Lu cousins would only use this opportunity to try and embarrass her. She could only hope that both Lizzy Lu and Lu Xinyi were not putting their whole attention against Li Weiwei after that incident. She eyed her reflection on the wall length mirror. Despite her protests, Mo Li still sent a group of people to make her look decent. Li Yue shivered when she remembered the waxing that they did earlier. 

Too painful.

She would never do it again!

"Miss.. You look perfect." One of the attendants praised her. Li Yue smiled in response. This was actually her first time attending a banquet as grand as this. She could only hope that she would not faint from the lights. Li Yue was originally planning to become a wallflower. Just stand in the corner without interacting with anyone until the mayor's wife introduced her to everyone.

Even Mo Li agreed that this should be the perfect plan. Except this time… he was planning to join her. He was actually planning to stand by her side and act like a wallflower too!

.....

Wallflower: According to urban dictionary. A wallflower is a person who is introverted and is separate from the crowd, usually at a party. Not particularly shy but are reserved when surrounded by a lot of people and big personalities. Not really knowing what to say so can come across as socially awkward. This person will blend in and become almost invisible to others.

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