The engagement banquet between Zhou Lin and I was exceptionally grand.

Unlike the secrecy surrounding Zhou Ning'er's engagement, Zhou Lin invited guests from the business community in the southern region to the Zhou family.

There were also various media outlets and reporters, providing real-time coverage throughout.

Zhou Lin said he wanted to give me the utmost face.

But I knew deep down - this was just his coronation ceremony for himself.

To completely sever ties with the past "Zhou Lin" and eliminate any stains, and from then on, there would be only prosperity and fortune.

In the lounge, it was just the two of us.

I was dressed in a red cheongsam with gold trim, wearing a hairpin with gold and jade, my dark hair and fair skin contrasting elegantly, my eyes shimmering.

I walked gracefully towards Zhou Lin, my face showing a suitable sense of nervousness.

"A Lin, do I look good enough in this outfit to be by your side?"

His eyes were filled with shadows of gold and red, very satisfied, as if he had seen his proudest creation.

"Jiao Jiao, you being the mistress of the Zhou family is your good fortune."

I lowered my gaze, obediently and joyfully nodding my head.

"I have never hoped for it, to truly stand by your side."

"You have been too good to me, making me feel like it's all just a dream. In the dream, you have always been that figure high above, so out of my reach."

Zhou Lin embraced me, comforting me as he caressed the ring on my hand:

"Jiao Jiao, you are the most gentle and considerate woman I have ever seen. I allow you to stand by my side."

I was held in his embrace, my back against him.

Looking at the radiant woman in the mirror before me, I had a moment of bewilderment.

The thin girl in a school uniform had completely transformed into a seductive beauty.

But I have no regrets.

It's just that if my sister were to see, she would frown and ask if I had gone astray.

I would exchange back the clear gaze I had in the beginning and shake my head at her.

Sister, I haven't gone astray.

I was rotten to the core from the beginning.

I am naturally a rotten flower, only able to survive through the nourishment of blood and flesh.

But you made me hide those despicable thoughts.

In the early years, I lived as a clean and virtuous person.