“……”
Yu Huan’s eyes suddenly widened. “How can this be allowed!”
She suspected Zhu Heqing had done it on purpose.
On purpose, he hadn’t told her in advance, only mentioning it after she had already agreed that his parents would also be attending.
Whether it was a banquet or a formal visit—
Both led to the same outcome!
They both meant meeting Zhu Heqing’s parents.
Zhu Heqing found Yu Huan’s reaction adorable. He suppressed the urge to smile, his eyes filled with amusement as he mimicked her tone, “How can this be allowed?”
His voice was even gentler.
Yu Huan snorted and slapped his hand away from her stomach. “You don’t need to rub my stomach anymore.”
Her tone was accusatory. “You’re really a big bad guy.”
“Alright.” Zhu Heqing accepted her accusation without hesitation. “I’m a big bad guy.”
“Then will the smart, beautiful, kind Baby—who likes Zhu Heqing the most—be willing to accompany this big bad guy to the banquet?”
Praising her was one thing, but he had even slipped in that she liked him the most.
Yu Huan thought Zhu Heqing was truly shameless.
But she liked being praised.
On the surface, she pretended to be reluctant, but the smug little expression on her face was impossible to hide.
“Then I’ll reluctantly agree to your request.”
The banquet was scheduled for next Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Zhu Heqing went to Yu Huan’s house to pick her up. At the same time, he brought some health supplements for Zhang Ya and Yu Hezhang.
Knowing they didn’t like overly expensive gifts, Zhu Heqing had deliberately chosen well-known traditional supplements that were reasonably priced yet highly effective.
He also hadn’t forgotten what Yu Huan had said—he had prepared a gift for her: a bracelet made with a pink diamond he had acquired at this year’s auction.
The dazzling diamond, combined with exquisite craftsmanship, made Yu Huan fall in love with it at first sight. She eagerly asked Zhu Heqing to help her put it on.
After putting it on, Yu Huan happily took photos with her phone and posted them on her social media.
She had chosen a great angle—the beauty of the bracelet was fully displayed, along with her fair and slender wrist.
As soon as the photo was uploaded, it quickly received many likes. Some people, already familiar with her, began enthusiastically showering her with compliments in the comments:
【Such a beautiful bracelet! Such a beautiful wrist! Such a perfect goddess!】
【Just thinking that someone this beautiful is my roommate makes me feel like the heavens have treated me well.】
【The bracelet is nice, but I want to see the goddess’s face even more~】
Yu Huan’s face was full of delight. She beckoned at Zhu Heqing, who had just sat in the driver’s seat.
Zhu Heqing obediently leaned closer.
“Mua.”
Yu Huan kissed him on the cheek and said sweetly, “Thank you, Older Brother. I really like the gift you gave me.”
Yu Huan was someone driven by her emotions.
When she liked something, she wanted everyone to know.
And to those who gave her things she loved, she would respond with all her smiles and best attitude.
Zhu Heqing had long been used to this, and every time her reactions and words were the same.
But no matter how many times Yu Huan kissed him and acted spoiled in that soft, sweet way, he had no resistance to it.
His gaze softened so much it was almost overflowing.
How wonderful—his girlfriend liked the gift he gave her, liked the diamond he had specially acquired for her.
A great sense of satisfaction filled Zhu Heqing’s chest, making him feel almost euphoric.
Yu Huan continued scrolling through the comments. In just a short time, several new ones had appeared.
Her attention was caught by one of them:
【Showing off the bracelet is one thing, but why show off your relationship too? As a single dog, I can only swallow this dog food with tears and wish you and your boyfriend a long-lasting relationship.】
Yu Huan felt confused when she saw that comment.
She hadn’t shown off her relationship.
She hadn’t even mentioned Zhu Heqing in the caption.
Yu Huan opened the photo again and examined it closely.
She had taken the picture by raising her hand and aiming straight ahead. At the moment she pressed the shutter, Zhu Heqing happened to walk past the front of the car, and his figure had been captured in the shot.
Because it was blurred, Yu Huan hadn’t noticed it at all.
Yu Huan: “?!”
The person who left that comment must have had detective-level observation skills.
The banquet was held at seven in the evening.
The venue was a manor under the Xu Family Residence.
By the time Yu Huan and Zhu Heqing arrived, many people were already there.
The magnificent building was brightly lit, and luxury cars filled the outside, with guests coming and going in a constant stream.
There were attendants responsible for parking the guests’ cars. Aside from company vehicles, Zhu Heqing didn’t like his private cars being handled by others.
“Baby, would you like to go in first and wait for me, or come with me to park the car?”
To match the bracelet Zhu Heqing had given her, Yu Huan wore a pink evening dress today, which made her already fair skin look even more luminous.
Yu Huan thought for a moment. “I’ll go in. After parking, you’d still have to walk back—it’s too troublesome.”
“Alright, then I’ll walk you in first, and after I park the car, I’ll come find you.”
Zhu Heqing got out of the car, walked to the passenger side, opened the door for Yu Huan, and led her toward the entrance.
It was Yu Huan’s first time attending a formal banquet. Before even entering, she could already see small groups of people inside the hall, holding wine glasses and chatting happily.
Zhu Heqing noticed her discomfort. His large hand gently stroked the back of hers, his tone warm.
“Do whatever you want. Don’t worry about making mistakes—I’m here for everything.”
Yu Huan nodded, her slender neck lifting slightly. “Mm.”
Wherever Zhu Heqing appeared, he became the center of attention.
Guests nearby stopped their conversations, smiling warmly as they walked over to greet him.
“President Zhu, long time no see.”
Zhu Heqing responded calmly, giving a slight nod. “Hello.”
His indifferent attitude didn’t dampen their enthusiasm at all. Their gazes shifted to Yu Huan standing beside him.
Even though they had seen countless beauties before, the moment they saw Yu Huan, their eyes lit up.
Everyone’s standards of beauty might differ, but in the face of absolute beauty, those standards seemed to align.
One of the younger men couldn’t help but ask, “And this is…?”
Zhu Heqing glanced at him. “My girlfriend.”
The man felt a chill run down his back under Zhu Heqing’s gaze and hurriedly praised, “President Zhu, you and your girlfriend are truly a perfect match—talented man and beautiful woman.”
Zhu Heqing gave a faint smile. “Thank you for your blessing.”
People who navigated the business world were all shrewd—they knew exactly where to draw the line.
After exchanging greetings with Zhu Heqing and learning the identity of the woman beside him, they didn’t linger any longer.
Zhu Heqing gently hugged Yu Huan, then released her hand.
“Baby, wait for me a moment. I’ll be back soon.”
After Zhu Heqing left, Yu Huan wandered around casually before stopping at the dessert table.
She hadn’t eaten much before coming, and the desserts at the banquet were perfectly portioned—designed with female guests in mind, small enough not to smudge lipstick.
A servant stood nearby. Yu Huan took a small plate and selected two small cakes, eating them slowly.
In front of the dessert table stood a champagne tower. Two or three men were chatting beside it.
Perhaps because there were fewer people in that area, they spoke without much restraint. Their voices weren’t quiet, and Yu Huan, standing behind them, could hear everything clearly.
“You guys tell me—what exactly is going on between President Zhu and the eldest daughter of the Xu Family Residence?”