"Little Xin…" a soothing masculine voice called out, breaking An Mei Lin from her train of thoughts.
She looked up to find a sleek black car parked not too far from her, but what truly caught her attention was not the car, but the young man standing beside it.
The man carried himself with an effortless charisma, his presence bold yet refined, the kind that naturally drew attention without him even trying. He stood there with a relaxed posture, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, yet the air around him seemed to shift because of him.
He was tall, with broad shoulders that gave him a commanding silhouette. His features were sharp and well-defined, his jawline clean and striking. His eyes held a subtle gleam of confidence, paired with a faint smile that made him appear approachable yet unreadable at the same time. His dark hair was neatly styled, slightly tousled in a way that looked intentional rather than careless.
Even dressed in something simple, he looked expensive.
It wasn't surprising that people around had already begun to notice him. Some girls nearby whispered excitedly, while others boldly took pictures, their faces flushed with admiration.
An Mei Lin couldn't help but wonder if he was some sort of celebrity.
While she was still trying to piece things together, she suddenly felt Little Xin let go of her hand and dash toward the man.
"Little uncle, where have you been?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "I found a really pretty aunt. Look at her, isn't she a goddess?"
Little Xin's remark caused An Mei Lin's already flushed cheeks to deepen in color.
The young man chuckled softly at the child's enthusiasm before bending down slightly to pick her up with ease. As he straightened, his gaze naturally fell on An Mei Lin.
For a brief second, his eyes lingered on her, as though taking in every detail. Then, he offered her a polite nod, a charming smile forming on his lips.
"Sorry, young miss. Did my little niece trouble you?" His tone held a gentle and playful lilt, one that softened his already striking presence and made it difficult for anyone to feel displeased.
The words she had intended to say, perhaps even a light scolding about leaving a child unattended, instantly dissolved.
An Mei Lin quickly composed herself before shaking her head lightly. "It's alright. Little Xin was actually a delight to have around," she replied, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
A subtle gleam flickered across the young man's eyes, one that An Mei Lin failed to notice.
"There's no need to be polite, miss. I'm sure it must have been quite troublesome looking after her for a while. We truly owe you," he said gently, his tone sincere yet carrying a teasing undertone.
But An Mei Lin shook her head again.
She knew how much she had enjoyed Little Xin's company. If circumstances were different, she wouldn't have minded spending more time with her. However, her current situation didn't allow for such luxuries.
"Really, it wasn't a bother at all. I actually adore Little Xin. It was a pleasure helping her find her uncles," she said, carefully choosing her words to sound polite yet firm.
The young man, however, didn't seem convinced. Instead, he remained persistent.
"There's no need to downplay it, young miss. It was careless of my brother and I to leave her alone in the car. We're genuinely grateful for your help. She could have gotten into serious trouble without you," he said earnestly, his voice calm yet persuasive, making it difficult to argue against him.
Before An Mei Lin could respond, he reached into his suit pocket and brought out a delicate envelope trimmed with fine gold edges. The material looked luxurious, almost weighty despite its size, exuding an air of exclusivity at first glance.
He extended it toward her.
"My brother and I owe you at least a meal, but we've been quite occupied lately. This is an invitation to the Luminosity Gala, an event held once every five years. My brother will be attending, so you may accompany him as his guest. That way, you won't feel out of place, since it is a private gathering."
An Mei Lin blinked, her lashes fluttering slightly as her mind struggled to catch up with what she had just heard. Her fingers twitched faintly at her sides, her usually composed expression momentarily cracking.
Did she hear that right?
An invitation… to the Luminosity Gala?
The Luminosity Gala was one of the most exclusive events in the world. It wasn't just a gathering, it was a symbol of status. Only the top one percent of elites across the globe were granted access.
For months, she had been trying to secure an invitation through her own means, exhausting connections and resources, yet every attempt had ended in failure.
She could have used her father's influence but she refused. She didn't want to alert her family, nor did she want to rely on them for something this important.
And now…
This man was casually offering her what she had been desperately trying to obtain.
Who exactly was he?
An Mei Lin remained frozen in place until she felt his hand gently take hers.
Her fingers stiffened slightly at the unexpected contact as he placed the invitation neatly onto her palm. His touch was brief, yet deliberate, as though he had already decided she wouldn't refuse.
When he withdrew, a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
"You can't refuse this, young miss. My brother will have a dress prepared for you and arrange for your pickup. Everything has already been handled, so there's no need for you to worry," he said, his tone calm yet carrying a quiet confidence, as though the matter had already been settled.