The speech concluded, and Fang Yaozu spoke further about the development of the Fang Corporation over the past two years.
The speaker on stage was full of vigor and in excellent spirits; the audience below had their own thoughts and were making their own calculations.
Qin He watched coldly, her doubts growing.
Fang Yaozu was not that foolish; there must be another reason for him to target her.
But what was it? Fang Yaozu had said she might understand after the annual meeting.
The long and tedious speech finally ended, and Qin He stealthily yawned. Following the speech was a banquet.
Fang Yaozu smiled at everyone, "Actually, there is another matter I wish to announce today."
He scanned the crowd, his gaze finally settling on Qin He.
Qin He raised an eyebrow and looked at Fang Yaozu.
Fang Yaozu then shifted his gaze, "As everyone knows, I had a wife when I was young, but she passed away due to illness. After her passing, I was busy with work and remained single until now—"
The crowd immediately understood what Fang Yaozu intended to say.
Qin He narrowed her eyes, a premonition telling her this was related to her. Could it be that Zhang Caiyu and Fang Yaozu were going to be together?
If so, Fang Yaozu helping Zhang Caiyu would be normal, but targeting her seemed like too great a cost.
As Qin He was contemplating this, she heard Fang Yaozu chuckle, "So, two months ago, my current wife and I registered our marriage."
A ripple of exclamations went through the audience: "Mr. Fang got married, and he didn't inform us?"
"Yes, is the new Mrs. Fang still hidden away from us?"
These were all jests, and Fang Yaozu paid them no mind.
He let out a hearty laugh, "My wife is rather introverted and dislikes grand, ostentatious ceremonies, so we haven't held a banquet. We only had a small meal with family and relatives. However, I thought it was time everyone met her, which is why I'm announcing it today. I also want everyone to meet her, as we will be living in Qingcheng from now on, so it's a way to acknowledge friends."
The crowd clamored for Mrs. Fang to come out.
Fang Yaozu looked towards a side of the stage.
Qin He turned her head. The side door opened, and a graceful, beautiful figure appeared.
The woman wore a vintage magenta long dress, her hair neatly pulled back, adorned with a pearl necklace.
Clutching her handbag, she slowly emerged from the doorway.
However, upon seeing the woman's face, Qin He was utterly stunned.
How could it be her?!
Beside Qin He, Gu Qichen's expression instantly turned icy.
It was Song Nuan!
Qin He's lips were tightly pressed together, but she remained silent, her face taut.
Song Nuan had tried to harm her repeatedly on several occasions. Later, she had slipped away from Gu Qichen and disappeared completely.
Even Yu Jing had been investigating her whereabouts without success.
As Qin He was thinking, many in the audience also fell silent.
After all, they recognized Song Nuan's face.
Fang Yaozu on stage seemed oblivious to their reactions.
"My wife's name is Lin Xiaoya. Like me, she's from the capital. She grew up in a scholarly family and studied abroad for several years before returning recently."
Lin Xiaoya?
Those in the silent audience subtly observed the woman on stage.
Her figure was slightly thinner than Song Nuan's, and there was an added mole under her right eye.
But how could someone in the world look so alike?
Someone looked at Lin Xiaoya's chest, her exceptionally ample bosom, and quietly whispered to his companion.
"Is this really not Song Nuan?"
Song Nuan had been a female celebrity, and everyone was too familiar with her looks.
Lin Xiaoya gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling sweetly at everyone, her voice soft yet with a hint of huskiness.
"Hello everyone. It's a pleasure to meet you all. We will be living in Qingcheng from now on. If the ladies don't mind, you're welcome to visit the Fang residence often."
Her demeanor was gracious and gentle.
Qin He clenched her fists, gritting her teeth as she stared intently at Lin Xiaoya.
Those around them, after hearing her voice, noted that it was different from Song Nuan's.
Some were already marveling at how alike people could truly look.
Qin He took a deep breath, but her intuition screamed that it was Song Nuan!
Suddenly, Qin He's hand was held. She turned and saw Gu Qichen looking down at her.
His dark eyes were filled with tenderness, "Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of this."
Qin He nodded.
"I think she is Song Nuan. If she is, then it makes sense why Fang Yaozu would use Zhang Caiyu to target me."
She knew better than anyone how much Song Nuan hated her.
Lin Xiaoya on stage swept her gaze gently over the crowd. When her eyes fell upon Qin He and Gu Qichen, she saw Gu Qichen holding Qin He's hand and whispering something to her.
Her gaze didn't linger for even a moment before sweeping past them.
Fang Yaozu walked to Lin Xiaoya's side and stood with her, announcing the start of the banquet with a smile.
Fang Yaozu, nearing fifty, and Lin Xiaoya, who appeared to be no older than twenty-five, looked more like father and daughter than a couple.
Especially since Lin Xiaoya was beautiful, gentle in temperament, and her figure—was as voluptuous as some European women.
Qin He remained seated. She looked at Gu Qichen and said in a low voice, "I think I understand why Fang Yaozu is targeting me."
Such a ridiculous and sinister scheme was indeed typical of something Song Nuan would do.
Gu Qichen's expression was somber, "I'll have Yu Jing come over to apprehend her."
"No," Qin He quickly stopped Gu Qichen. "Since Fang Yaozu dares to bring her out, he must have made thorough preparations. At the very least, the identity of Lin Xiaoya is absolutely solid."
Moreover, Lin Xiaoya's identity information was based in the capital, a place where the Fang family had held sway for generations. To truly investigate it would take a considerable amount of time.
Qin He looked up in the direction of Lin Xiaoya.
Fang Yaozu introducing her at the annual meeting indicated the importance he placed on her. Currently, Fang Yaozu had his arm around her waist, chatting with two guests.
Lin Xiaoya carried herself with elegance, even the minute details of her movements were different from before.
It was as if she had undergone professional training.
Qin He narrowed her eyes, "I'll go talk to her."
Gu Qichen immediately stood up and stayed by her side, "I'll go with you."
As the two approached Fang Yaozu and Lin Xiaoya, Lin Xiaoya spotted them before Fang Yaozu did, smiling sweetly, "Husband, Mr. Gu and Miss Qin are here."
Gu Qichen and Qin He walked up and stopped in front of them. Qin He smiled, "You know us?"
Lin Xiaoya's attitude was friendly, "You are the eldest daughter of the Qin family in Qingcheng, and one of Qingcheng's Top Ten Philanthropists. Miss Qin, you underestimate your own influence. I am also one of your many fans."
Qin He nodded, her gaze fixed on Lin Xiaoya, "Mrs. Fang pays close attention to me."
Lin Xiaoya smiled, "Yes, my husband often says you are a role model for independent women."
Her demeanor, acting as if she lived by Fang Yaozu's words, seemed rather ironic given what she was saying.
Qin He stared at the tear mole under Lin Xiaoya's eye, "In that case, I feel an instant kinship with Mrs. Fang as well. I wonder which school Mrs. Fang graduated from."
"Austin College of Arts in the US."
Qin He nodded, "Very famous."
"Not really," Lin Xiaoya chuckled. "The school's environment was just nice. I really liked the wisteria corridor. Miss Qin, if you have the chance to visit the US, you can go see it. It might be the world's largest wisteria corridor, over four thousand meters long..."