“That’s right. Yu Shan even threw herself at President Han, but he shoved her away…”
“Yu Shan is so pitiful.”
“Well, well, it serves her right to throw herself at a man in public. Let’s see if she has the audacity to do that in the future.”
Yu Shan’s gaze became fierce when she heard that. However, as she had just embarrassed herself in front of everyone, she lacked the courage to argue with them, hence, she left after stomping her feet in frustration, leaving her father with no choice but to follow suit.
On the other hand, Su Yaoyao’s father stoically stated, “Luckily, you did not act like Yu Shan earlier. Otherwise, you would have embarrassed yourself.”
Su Yaoyao was initially in a foul mood, but after seeing how exasperated Yu Shan was, she felt better somehow. I might not be the lucky woman today, but at least I’m not having the worst luck. Yu Shan has almost 80% of the crowd’s attention, so she’s bearing most of the humiliation tonight. “Dad, didn’t you mention that President Han has never taken a date to attend banquets? Who is that woman just now? I thought I saw her throwing herself at him.”
“That’s right. I’ve never seen this happening before. I’m not sure he had a sudden change of heart, the woman doesn’t look familiar. In fact, I’ve never seen her before.”
Su Yaoyao narrowed her eyes as she recalled their interaction. Just now, someone in the crowd guessed that Han Qing is planning to make a public announcement since he brought a woman to attend the banquet. However, if he were to announce anything at all, it would mean that those two are a couple. Then again, if they are a couple, why didn’t that girl hold onto his hand? Instead, she was clinging onto his sleeve while she walked. She looked as if she was afraid of upsetting him.
Su Yaoyao gave it a serious thought and stared unwaveringly at Yan’s back view. After a while, she asked, “Is it possible that there are too many women pestering President Han, which is why he found someone to attend the banquet with him to stop the gossip?”
“Stop the gossip?” Su Yaoyao’s father squinted at her when he heard that. “Well, that sounds reasonable, but… that reason only seems plausible if it were someone else. You should bear in mind that it’s President Han we are talking about. He’s been minding his own business alone for years. It doesn’t make sense for him to stop the gossip by showing up with a woman out of the blue. This is rather strange.”
Su Yaoyao persisted, “But Dad, just look at how they interact with each other. They don’t look like a couple at all. Shouldn’t couples be closer than this? Han Qing was standing all alone when we arrived earlier.”
“Yeah, that makes sense now that you mentioned it.”
“Dad, I’m suddenly curious. Let’s enter the banquet together. Help me later when you have the chance. I’ll ask the woman to find out more.”
Her father hesitated before asking her, “What are you planning to do? I told you to greet President Han just to try your luck. Now that he has ignored you, why would you approach him again? Wouldn’t he react unhappily?”
“Father, what nonsense are you thinking of? No matter who that young lady is to him, I’m just there to have a casual chat with her. I just want to ask a few questions out of curiosity and won’t be hurting her at all. Even if he is unhappy with me, it’s not like he can do anything to the Su Family.”
Mr. Su pondered before agreeing with her, “Well, that’s up to you.”
…
Yan followed Han Qing closely to enter the venue of the banquet with him. She had attracted plenty of attention the moment she stepped inside the hall, seeing that most of the attendees tried to figure out what was happening. After all, it was a rare occurrence for Han Qing to take a woman to attend the banquet. This was also the first time that she had the spotlight on her. No wonder Su Jiu said that I will be the most dazzling woman tonight.
Only some people stared at Yan when she walked the red carpet, but it was a completely different situation now because almost everyone gawked at her. Everyone knew Han Qing, but no one was looking at him anymore. On the contrary, they were more interested in the woman beside him. She felt embarrassed under such scrutiny and bit her lower lip in silence while tightening her grip around Han Qing’s sleeve.
Han Qing felt the changes in her movements clearly. When he felt that she pulled harder, he stopped in his steps and glanced sideways at Yan. “What is it?”
Yan’s actions were subconscious and she only realized that her movements affected him when he asked her what was wrong. Hence, she shook her head hastily. “Nothing!” She sounded terrified when she answered automatically after hearing him—a clear sign that she was extremely nervous.
Han Qing pursed his lips together, turning around to face Yan. “Are you extremely nervous?”
Yan stammered, “N-No, I’m n-not nervous.”
“Is it because everyone is staring at you?” Han Qing ignored her answer immediately and persistently asked.
Yan knew that Han Qing did not believe her at all when she tried to convince him that she wasn’t nervous. In the end, she nodded helplessly while explaining in a quiet voice, “Yes, I’m feeling uneasy because there are so many people staring. However… it shouldn’t be a problem.” It’s not like I’ve not walked with him. At that time, he was prepared to take Han Muzi along, but I ended up accompanying him. Everyone stared at me curiously, but Han Qing held that banquet specifically for his younger sister, so everyone had an understanding. That is why no one misunderstood my relationship with Han Qing back then. It’s different today though.
“It’s not a grand banquet. What will you do in the future if you’re already so scared now?” Han Qing asked instinctively.
“What?” Yan asked in confusion while staring at him in surprise. What does he mean by that? What will I do in the future? What does he mean by in the future?
Just then, the host of the banquet approached them with a friendly smile. “President Han! President Han, it’s such an honor for you to take the time to drop by tonight!” These were polite remarks, but to a certain extent, it was also the truth. After all, by releasing the news that Han Qing would be attending the banquet, the host was able to invite the main tycoons of the business world.
“You’re too kind.” President Han nodded at him in a polite, but distant manner.
Soon enough, the host noticed Yan standing behind Han Qing and asked with a smile, “This is…”
Yan met the man’s gaze, but hid behind Han Qing reflexively again and peeked her head out, making it an awkward situation for everyone. However, Han Qing never answered the host directly and replied with a smile instead, “I’m taking her out for a walk.”
The host immediately grasped what Han Qing meant, so the host nodded in a hurry. “I see! I understand. How should I address you, Miss?”
Yan glanced at Han Qing and only introduced herself after he nodded, “Good evening, my last name is Zhou.”
“I see, Miss Zhou. Please make yourself at home tonight. Enjoy the feast and please place your orders directly with us if you don’t see anything you like.”
Yan was at a loss for words. Isn’t he too polite? He asked me to place my orders directly… Hence, she smiled at him awkwardly. “There’s no need for that, thank you.”
“Miss Zhou, you are too polite. President Han is the most honorable guest that we have tonight. You’re President Han’s date, so you deserve the best.”
