It was an hour later when Huo Xiaohua was returned to the villa.
Seeing the luxury cars gathered at the entrance and the constant stream of people coming and going, Shi Ran assumed there was some kind of gathering at Huo Xiaohua's home and didn't think much of it or ask any questions.
After parking the car at the entrance, she said to Huo Xiaohua, "Mr. Huo, we're here. You should go inside quickly, don't keep your family waiting."
Huo Xiaohua, sitting in the back, turned his head to look out the window, a fleeting gleam in his eyes. He glanced at his wristwatch. "It's already eleven in the morning. Stay for lunch."
"Ah? No, no, no, it's not necessary."
Shi Ran, in the driver's seat, turned back and gave an awkward smile. "It's perfect timing for me to head back now."
"You said we're friends. As a token of my appreciation, I'm inviting you home for a meal. If Miss Shi refuses, wouldn't that be rather embarrassing for me?"
He extended a warm invitation, offering an olive branch.
"This..."
"Don't hesitate, let's go."
Huo Xiaohua didn't give Shi Ran a chance to hesitate. He got out of the car directly and stood by to wait for her.
After all, he was the CEO of Cybertron Group, and Shi Ran couldn't afford to offend him, nor did she dare to decline his invitation. She could only brace herself, get out of the car, and follow Huo Xiaohua into the villa.
The villa was decorated with flowers and balloons, and colorful ribbons adorned the space. A poster nearby featured a candid photo of Zhong Wuyan with the words 'Happy Birthday, Little Princess' written on it.
Upon seeing the photo, Shi Ran's expression stiffened, and her steps faltered. She belatedly remembered Huo Xiaohua saying to Tang Si at the Western restaurant that day, "Her sister's birthday is in a couple of days, and the old man asked me to come over."
When Chinese people say "a couple of days," they usually mean "a few days." But Shi Ran had no idea that Huo Xiaohua's "couple of days" truly meant "two days"!
"Oh, Da Hua, you're finally back. Oh my, is this your girlfriend? She's so beautiful."
"Xiaohua, you child, it's not proper for you to be working at the company on your sister's birthday."
"Has the iron tree finally bloomed? Da Hua has finally found a girlfriend?"
"No wonder you insisted on going to the company; it turns out you were just finding an excuse to bring your girlfriend over for your sister's birthday."
"The girl is so pretty. When your father sees her later, he'll be overjoyed."
...
As the two walked in, several heavily made-up, bejeweled women surrounded them, scrutinizing Shi Ran and speaking amongst themselves.
Listening to their words, Shi Ran felt a wave of embarrassment. "I..."
"Auntie, Aunt, please don't joke. This is my friend. Just call her Ranran."
Huo Xiaohua was ostensibly clarifying his relationship with Shi Ran, but the intimate nickname 'Ranran' inadvertently solidified their supposed relationship.
Before Shi Ran could even start to explain, the crowd, hearing Huo Xiaohua's words, became even more enthusiastic towards her.
"Ranran, you're so beautiful."
"Such a cute girl. No wonder Xiaohua has been single; it turns out he likes someone like you."
"Xiaohua is so lucky to have found such a radiant young lady like you."
"Come on, Ranran, come inside and play with me. Your father will be very happy to see you."
The aunts and relatives showed immense interest in Shi Ran, chatting with her enthusiastically and acting as if they had known her for ages.
Shi Ran's face flushed with embarrassment. She shook her head, denying, "Auntie, you've misunderstood. I..."
"Ranran, you go inside with them. I need to take a call."
Before Shi Ran could finish, Huo Xiaohua waved his ringing phone and walked aside to answer it.
At this point, even with a hundred mouths, Shi Ran couldn't possibly explain her relationship with Huo Xiaohua.