That evening, the two of them stayed home, ate takeout, visited several shops run by old artisans, and bought a secondhand little black dress. The next day, they went to a wedding together.
The Zhan Group had a lot of employees, and the work atmosphere was good, with colleagues being very united.
Therefore, most of the attendees at the wedding were acquaintances.
Men and women gathered in groups of twos and threes, chatting animatedly.
He Yao was glad he had come with Tang Gong. Otherwise, he would have felt so awkward at a time like this.
He linked his arm with Tang Gong's, and the two of them looked like a perfect couple.
The people from the technical department saw them and came over to tease them in surprise.
"What's going on? Manager Tang said he was bringing a female companion today, he wasn't bluffing. Isn't that He Yao?"
"You two are something! When did this happen? Such fast progress. You've been keeping this from us all along?"
"Manager Tang, you're quite the player."
Tang Gong had brought He Yao to this event to show face, so he naturally didn't refute their assumptions about their relationship and let them say whatever they wanted.
A group of young people squeezed together, standing in the romantic wedding venue under the autumn sun at past nine in the morning. They were a truly captivating and lively sight.
Zhan Jingrui went out onto the large balcony to get some fresh air. In the adjacent room, Chu Xi, impeccably dressed and neat, came over to him, holding the hem of her dress.
"You're up? Why didn't you call me? I thought you'd be working late and sleeping in after such a late night yesterday."
"The temperature has dropped again recently, and it's especially chilly in the mornings. Why aren't you wearing warmer clothes?"
He was still wearing a white shirt and black trousers, and slippers on his feet.
It was indeed a bit cold in Nan City in the morning in mid-October according to the lunar calendar.
Chu Xi wore a black square-neck little black dress, a pearl necklace, and a white fringed shawl over her shoulders. She casually handed him his coat.
"Put it on quickly. It's an engagement today; it wouldn't be good if you caught a cold."
She was dressed beautifully today.
No, it would be more accurate to say that Chu Xi was always exquisitely beautiful every day.
For so many years, Zhan Jingrui had never seen her without makeup.
She was perfect, like a meticulously crafted plastic rose.
Always radiant and pleasing to the eye, never wilting.
What more could one be dissatisfied with? Zhan Jingrui thought to himself.
Leaving you, Chu Xi would not fare worse. But if you left her, you would never find a more perfect girl.
Chu Xi gently draped the coat over his shoulders. Zhan Jingrui turned around, cooperating by slightly bending his body, and casually wrapped his arms around her back.
Although it wasn't a full embrace, it was close.
The two of them rarely engaged in intimate gestures; Zhan Jingrui deeply respected Chu Xi.
Even though he brought her to meet his family and didn't hide their relationship from anyone,
He never made any improper moves like other men.
Perhaps it was because they were getting engaged today that he was finally willing to be a little affectionate.
To be honest, Chu Xi was quite happy.
After helping him put on his coat, Chu Xi proactively hugged him back. Seen from a distance, the two of them looked incredibly loving and moving as they stood close together.
One looking up, the other looking down, murmuring to each other. It was quite enchanting.
It was unclear who saw them first and nudged the person next to them.
"Look up! Over there! Isn't that President Zhan?"
"It looks like him. It is! The more I look, the more it resembles him! My goodness, what is he doing? So early in the morning, is this something we get to see for free?"
"Ah? Is it really President Zhan? Why are you all so calm? I'm so heartbroken! President Zhan has a girlfriend? Is that woman his girlfriend? I thought he was a single diamond bachelor and thought I still had a chance! Why did this devastating news hit me so suddenly?"
"Oh dear, you're so out of touch. Who in the company doesn't know President Zhan is taken? It's just you who doesn't know. They've been childhood sweethearts, and I heard both sets of parents strongly approve. The Zhan Group and his girlfriend's family have been collaborating for a long time."
"Ah, something like that? I really didn't know! Quickly tell me about his girlfriend's background, I'm so envious!"
That person explained Chu Xi's family situation in detail and then said,
"Do you know why they are here? Perhaps their family is settled here. This hotel is controlled by the Chu family."
"Tsk tsk, now that you mention it, I really don't dare to fantasize. They are such a perfect match, a match made in heaven, and I don't even have the right to fantasize!"
"Exactly, alas. Extremely handsome men with wealth and good looks are simply not meant for us. There are too many rich and beautiful women, and they all get absorbed internally."
He Yao didn't want to be unseemly, but she couldn't control her eyes.
Upon hearing Zhan Jingrui's name, she couldn't help but look up with everyone else.
Then, she saw that heart-wrenching scene.
Once upon a time, Zhan Jingrui's embrace…
As soon as she started thinking this, He Yao pinched herself hard.
What "once upon a time"!
He Yao, wake up!
How long had you been dating him? Didn't you know Zhan Jingrui's temperament during your relationship?
He had been with Chu Xi for so many years; could he not treat you the way he treated her?
They must be so affectionate and sweet every day.
Just because Zhan Jingrui did some insignificant little things for you, asked you a question, and didn't take advantage of what he wanted, you felt indebted to him?
Truly pathetic!
Don't be so pathetic, He Yao.
No man is good, and Zhan Jingrui is no exception. So be it.
From now on, bridges will be bridges and roads will be roads. Never think of him again.
The wedding was held on the lawn, another marriage of a talented man and a beautiful woman, a strong union.
Looking at other people's romantic weddings and the exquisite things they owned, He Yao could only sigh, "It's good to be rich."
Although she didn't know how happy making money would make her, she now only wanted to earn money.
After the wedding, the buffet began.
Tang Gong could still look after her, but later, colleagues started circulating and greeting each other, and they got separated as they walked.
He Yao didn't stand on ceremony and ate her fill by herself. Feeling that her mission for the day was accomplished, she decided to leave.
However, before leaving, she needed to use the restroom in the hotel.
She had been holding it in all morning and felt extremely uncomfortable.
It was lunchtime, and the waiters were all busy. She couldn't find anyone to ask for directions to the restroom.
She wandered around the vast hotel alone. As she was wandering, a group of people finished their meal, pushed open the door of a private room, and bumped into her head-on.
It was a group of tall, burly men.
He Yao was dressed beautifully today. To make Tang Gong look good, her makeup was a bit heavy and very refined.
Paired with a black strapless little black dress, a rented pearl necklace, and a pair of black velvet gloves.
And her hair, though short, was playful and lively, like a dignified yet graceful elf, making her incredibly likable.
Seeing her, everyone's eyes lit up.
"Wow, where did this beauty come from? Who is she?"
He Yao didn't recognize them.
From their demeanor, she could sense that they were not to be trifled with.
As a lone girl, she couldn't handle a group of drunken men. She glanced quickly and then ran in the opposite direction.