Chapter 285: Liang banquet (1)
Chapter 285: Liang banquet (1)
Thursday, the evening of Liang Zou’s birthday banquet.
Liu villa.
Nana had worn a plain, ivory-colored gown and tied her hair into a bun. She had already taken a set of a gown to change in the banquet.
Since she would be busy in the kitchen preparations, Nana couldn’t wear an expensive and stylish gown while working.
Jinhai wore more formal clothes; a maroon-colored shirt, covered by a designer black jacket and black trousers. There were a beautiful pair of diamond cuff links on his shirt cuffs.
Jinhai hugged Nana from behind. He kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful.”
Nana grinned. “And you look handsome.”
“You took your change of clothes?”
Nana nodded. “En.”
She was rubbing her hands together in anticipation. “It’s finally the day. I’m so nervous.”
Tonight, everyone would finally come face-to-face. Even now, her heart was loudly drumming in her chest.
Jinhai softly said, “Me too.”
Nana looked at him, surprised.
Jinhai chuckled. “Of course. They are my in-laws. They must have a good impression of their daughter’s husband. Otherwise, if they don’t like me, then what will I do if they take you away from me?”
Nana pinched his cheeks. She lightly pecked his chin. “How can they not like you? You are so good to me.”
Jinhai pursed his lips. “What if…they don’t like the fact that I was married before?”
Nana flicked his forehead. “What happened before we met each other was in nobody’s control. How can anybody hold that against you?”
“But isn’t your brother treating Huian? What if she says something against me? I know. I tricked her into signing the divorce papers and then…I couldn’t save her from falling off the balcony. She must hold a grudge against me, right? Your parents won’t like it.”
Jinhai looked a little downcast.
Nana sighed.
How can I tell Jinhai that Huian felt nothing like that now?
“Don’t worry. Nothing as such will happen. We all know that we pretty much had no choice back then. They will surely understand. Oh, I remembered. Dad said that Uncle and Aunt Xiang and Huian is also going to come to the banquet.”
Jinhai slightly stiffened. He narrowed his eyes as he went silent.
“…Hm.”
He was lost in a thought.
Nana knew what he was concerned about. “You must be worried about the guests, right? After all, she is your ex-wife, and we are going to be at the banquet together. People will surely talk a lot.”
But Jinhai’s mind was elsewhere. He didn’t respond.
“Jinhai?” She patted him.
Jinhai snapped out of his stupor. “Hm? Well…yes. I don’t care about the guests. But it’s the first time meeting my in-laws, and my ex-wife will also be there. It is going to be a little awkward.”
Nana sighed. She couldn’t deny that.
“We will face it when the time comes. Now let’s go. I have to look after a lot of preparations! We will be late.”
Jinhai looked stern. “You remember what you promised me, right? You will only work how much I will tell you.”
Nana pouted. “Yes, I remember.”
As they got ready and were about to step out of the room, Nana exclaimed. “Oh wait, I forgot something.”
Nana slowly walked towards the cupboard. She opened a drawer and took out some small-sized papers with a light floral design in them.
“These? Right, I remember.” Jinhai said.
“Yes. After the meal is done, I always give these small notes to the guests.” Nana smiled.
He sighed. “You made so many of them?”
“Well, I’m free now all the time, and Jing and the twins helped too.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
—
In her condo, Huo Xiao Fan was holding a glass of wine in her hand, apparently in deep thought.
She knew that Liang Zou and Liang Xiao Dan would have invited Huo Shen and Huo Liwei too in the banquet. Since for so many years, being a part of the upper echelon, Huo Xiao Fan already got the news of his birthday celebration.
She was sure that Liang Xiao Dan would have wanted to invite her too, but she didn’t know her address. In fact, she might still be thinking that she would be Tokyo now.
But the question was, should she go to the banquet?
Even if she appeared so suddenly, Liang Xiao Dan would be delighted. She would welcome her with open arms. Because she still didn’t know the truth.
What about the Liu family?
As far as she knew, Liu and Liang families didn’t have any ties, not personally or professionally. So maybe, they weren’t part of the banquet.
But how can I attend the banquet of that man who…
But then again, there was Huo Shen too.
Will he come to the banquet?
The only reason why Huo Xiao Fan wanted to go was to meet Huo Shen. She just wanted to look at him once, even if it was from afar.
The past few months, she realized how lonely she was without him. She followed every news regarding the Huo Corps even if there was remotely Huo Shen mentioned anywhere.
She decided. Getting an invitation was not a problem with her connections. She would wait outside, and if Huo Shen came, only then would she go inside.
—
Liang villa, 7:30 PM
Guests started coming in and filling the banquet hall. It was hustling and bustling with all prominent business personalities and also some renowned doctors and specialists from the medical field.
Such banquets were a great chance to form relationships and connections to climb up the society and business ladder. Some CEO’s already started to talk about potential business deals.
They were enjoying the light music and the lovely atmosphere. Meiling already took charge of serving refreshments and starters to the guests.
Five minutes later, Xiang family made their entrance. The socialites were dumbfounded to see Huian coming in a wheelchair. Xiang Wei was wheeling it from behind. Some of the women had also attended the Chen family banquet, so they knew everything that had happened that night.
“Oh, my God! Is she Huian?”
“She is Liu Jinhai’s ex-wife! Why is she here?”
“Yes, the last time I had heard that she had an accident and was in a coma for seven months.”
“Really that woman…you do remember how she was exposed, right?”
One woman sneered. “How can I forget it? She completely lost her reputation. God, she played so many games behind everyone’s backs!”
“She had forced Liu Jinhai into marrying her, or should I say trapped him?”
Huian heard all the sneers and taunts. She knew this was going to happen. All the foxy socialites would instantly corner her as soon as they would see her. But she paid no heed. She treated them as air and maintained her poise.
The women’s faces turned sour to know that it didn’t affect Huian that much. In fact, she was ignoring them altogether.
“What gives her the attitude? She is no longer the daughter-in-law of the Liu family.” One mumbled.
Even though it didn’t affect her, Xiang Wei and Xiang Qingge were furious. His aura turned cold and frigid.
The socialites promptly backed away. They couldn’t afford to mess with the Xiang family.
Huian slowly looked up at her father and shook her head. “Dad, it’s…okay. You also know this was…going to happen. Let it be. They will talk some more…and let go silent once it’s over.”
It still hurt a little when she talked.
Xiang Wei pursed his lips. Xiang Qingge softly elbowed him and nodded.
“Uncle and Aunt Xiang!”
Everyone saw a handsome man making his way towards them. His lips were curved into a charming smile that instantly took every woman’s breath away. That was the main reason why the socialites came tonight; to impress Liang Shin.
Xiang Wei brightly smiled at the young man. “Liang Shin. So good to see you.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Uncle.” Liang Shin grinned. He bowed.
He looked at Huian and smiled. “Glad that you made it too. I told you, didn’t I?”
Huian smiled and nodded. She really did manage to go through with his hellish regime and get in the wheelchair. Sometimes she would beg him to take a break from the exercises, but Liang Shin would stand like a devil, mercilessly rejecting it.
Xiang Qingge spoke, a little emotional. “I don’t know how we should thank you. Our Huian is all well and recovering because of your efforts.”
“No, Aunt. It’s because of her. She didn’t give up. In fact, I would like all my patients to be as dedicated as her. It would make our doctor’s life so easy.”
The other women were dumbfounded. They had no idea that Huian was this close to Liang Shin.
Liang Shin said, “Ah, you make yourselves comfortable. I will check on the other arrangements.”
They nodded.
He said to Huian. “If you feel any discomfort at any time, call me.”
Huian nodded.
Then suddenly, the hall went silent.
Because now it was the Liu family who made their grand entrance.