Since Mengyao returned to the Hong family, Jiaxi had been living peacefully for several days.
She also ended her vacation and returned to the research institute to continue working.
Jiaxi still picked her up and dropped her off at work every morning and evening. They occasionally chatted in the car, but their conversations were polite and lacked their previous ease.
Tonight, Jiaxi's mother brought good news: a celebrity charity concert organized by the foundation she joined was scheduled to be held at the Hong family's mansion.
During dinner, Old Master Hong readily agreed to clear the lawn in front of the mansion to serve as the concert venue. Everyone knew this was a great opportunity for the entire Hong family to make an appearance.
Jiaxi's aunt and uncle were willing to help Jiaxi's mother organize the event, but Jiaxi seemed unenthusiastic, appearing indifferent to such matters.
Back in their room at night, Jiaxi's mother said to Mengyao before going to bed, "I really need to thank your mother this time. She is the president of the charity foundation, and it was her idea to hold it at our house."
"Mom, please don't say that. My mom told me that you are always the most active and contribute the most to every event. You earned this opportunity yourself," Mengyao said, already lying down, showing no desire to take credit.
Having spent more time with Mengyao, Jiaxi's mother found her to be quite good. She didn't have the airs of a wealthy young lady; in fact, her mother had overthought things.
Mengyao was a good daughter-in-law.
Jiaxi's mother smiled and said, "When the day comes, you should dress up nicely. You'll be more beautiful than any of those celebrities."
"Mom, you're teasing me again. Goodnight," Mengyao said, closing her eyes and falling asleep.
...
On the night of the charity event, the Hong family's lawn was beautifully decorated, illuminated by various lights as bright as day.
Suddenly, the venue was filled with wealthy socialites and famous stars.
The Hong family had never hosted such a high-profile event since their rise to prosperity, nor had they ever been so illustrious.
Everyone in the Hong family was dressed in their finest, hosting guests on the event grounds and taking photos with the celebrities.
Old Master Hong felt immensely proud, imagining their faces on tomorrow's headlines.
Although the Hong family had prospered early on, their origins in less reputable businesses meant they had never been truly accepted by the established families of high society. This event finally allowed the Hong family to make a grand appearance.
Amidst the crowd of guests on the lawn, Mengyao also saw her parents and her elder sister Mengqi with her husband.
"The in-laws have decorated the venue quite nicely," Wu Xiufang said with a smile, holding Mengyao's hand and praising the setup.
Mengyao spoke in defense of the Hong family, "Grandpa and Jiaxi's mother have put in a lot of effort, and they even hired a famous stage designer. Tonight's charity event will surely be a great success."
"It seems I chose the right person," Wu Xiufang said happily.
Huangfu Sisong looked at Mengyao and asked, "Where is Jiaxi? I don't see him."
Mengyao quickly replied, "Dad, he's with his mother entertaining guests."
"Call him over. I have something I want to discuss with him," Huangfu Sisong said with a serious expression.
Mengyao asked nervously, "Dad, what is it?"
"Something about his work," Huangfu Sisong didn't elaborate.
"Okay." Mengyao was about to go find Jiaxi.
Yao Feili stopped her and said, "I'll go get Jiaxi for you. You stay and chat with your sister." With that, he left.
At this moment, someone recognized Wu Xiufang and asked her about the arrangements for the charity event. Wu Xiufang then went to chat with the staff from the charity foundation.
While waiting for Jiaxi, Huangfu Sisong walked towards a nearby long table to get some wine.
When only Mengqi and Mengyao were left, Mengqi asked her, "Since you returned to the Hong family, how are things with Jiaxi? Has he gone crazy again?"
"It's okay. We are slowly repairing our marital relationship," Mengyao said with a wry smile.
"That's good." Mengqi didn't say much more and chatted with Mengyao about the gossip surrounding the celebrities performing at the charity event tonight.
A short while later, Yao Feili brought Jiaxi to Huangfu Sisong.
Mengyao watched from afar as her father seemed to be reprimanding Jiaxi, who kept his head down without arguing. She couldn't help but worry.
At this point, Yao Feili said he wanted to introduce Mengqi to some friends and led her away to another group of people.
Mengyao originally wanted to ask her father and Jiaxi what unpleasant thing had happened, but the lights on the stage lit up, and the music started playing, causing the surrounding lights to dim considerably.
The first female star took the stage and sang a beautiful English song, which garnered a lot of donations.
After listening to the song, Mengyao tried to find Jiaxi again, only to discover that neither he nor her father were at the long table anymore.
Next, a male star took the stage and sang a touching Chinese ballad. However, Mengyao was no longer in the mood to listen. She just wanted to find Jiaxi among the crowd and ask him what exactly had happened between him and her father.
But with so many people on the lawn and the dim lights on stage, she couldn't find Jiaxi.
As Mengyao was about to go inside the house to look for him, Luo Hang suddenly appeared in front of her and stopped her, saying, "Sister-in-law, are you looking for my brother?"
Mengyao nodded and tried to get past him.
"I know where my brother is now," Luo Hang said with a smile.
Mengyao immediately stopped and asked, "Where is he? Why didn't I see him on the lawn?"
Luo Hang leaned in to whisper in her ear, but she refused, saying, "If you have something to say, just say it properly."
"I just saw my brother quietly leave the venue and drive away."
"What? He hasn't finished yet. Where is he going so late at night? Did he tell you?"
Luo Hang looked at her with sympathy and said, "My brother didn't tell me where he was going, but I know where he's going. Sister-in-law, don't you know? My brother has someone else outside. He has another home outside."
Mengyao didn't understand for a moment and asked, "Are you drunk? What are you talking about? It doesn't make any sense."
"I swear to God, I haven't had a drop to drink today." Luo Hang pulled up a photo on his phone and showed it to her. "It's this woman."
Mengyao stared at the photo on his phone, looking at this unfamiliar woman. She was somewhat attractive, but not exceptionally so.
"Who is she?"
"She's the woman my brother is seeing on the side. You have to believe me. I can take you there right now, and I guarantee you'll catch him red-handed." Luo Hang said with great confidence.
Mengyao was tempted to go and see. She said, "But we are the hosts of this event at the Hong family. I can't just leave. What will Grandpa and Mom say if they look for me later?"
"Look, they are all listening to the music. They won't notice you. This charity concert won't end for at least an hour or two," Luo Hang said. "My brother is using this time difference to go see this woman."
Mengyao finally nodded.
Luo Hang led her away from the lawn and drove her to the apartment building.
He wanted to witness a good show, a grand spectacle. They drove quickly and arrived at the apartment building in twenty minutes.
Mengyao got out of the car, still in her evening gown, and asked, "Are you sure it's here?"
"Sister-in-law, it's on the top floor of this apartment building. Absolutely," Luo Hang said. He had already obtained a resident card for the building and took her to the elevator, which went straight to the top floor.