Chapter 254 Come with me

Seeing the man's expressionless and aloof demeanor, Lin Zhixin's face paled, and she panicked instantly.

He's never missed a year in the past five years, so why the sudden change this year...?

Lin Zhixin took a deep breath, suppressing her anxiety and unease, and gently persuaded her:

“Brother Jinghuai, actually, whether or not there is a gift is not important. What is important is that we can take this opportunity to get together as a family and have a meal. As long as you can attend, it will be the best birthday gift for my father.”

"Our whole family?" Xie Jinghuai's handsome face froze.

Seeing his expression change, Lin Zhixin quickly added, "You are my brother-in-law, and my sister and I are half-sisters, so we are indeed family."

Upon hearing this, the man's expression softened slightly.

He clearly prefers the title "brother-in-law" to "Brother Jinghuai".

Seeing Xie Jinghuai remain silent, Lin Zhixin felt anxious, and her eyes reddened slightly.

“Brother-in-law, some of my father’s business partners are here tonight. You come every year, and if you don’t come this year… they’ll think there’s some kind of conflict between you and the Lin family. Brother-in-law, you know how sycophantic most people are in the business world. I’m afraid they’ll gossip and cause trouble, and then when Dad tries to negotiate a deal, it won’t go so smoothly…”

Over the years, the Lin family has benefited immensely from Xie Jinghuai's support, enjoying smooth sailing in business, a stark contrast to the struggling Yongheng Technology.

Although he supported the Lin family to repay Lin Zhixin for saving his life, he was actually uncomfortable with her stating her purpose so bluntly.

“Okay, I’ll go.” The man changed his mind.

"Really? Brother Jinghuai, that's wonderful!"

Lin Zhixin's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, settled down, and her tone became lighter, "Otherwise, our Lin family really wouldn't know how to handle this tonight. Dad will be very happy to know that you can go!"

Xie Jinghuai looked at her with a complicated expression.

Actually, the reason he condescended to attend Lin Chengchou's birthday banquet was entirely because Lin Zhixin wanted him to go.

Otherwise, given the Lin family's status, they wouldn't even be worthy of dining at the same table with him.

But going is a favor, not going is his duty. But now it seems like this matter has become a task he has to complete every year, and not going would make it seem like he is letting the Lin family down.

This feeling made him very uncomfortable.

“Then, Brother Jinghuai, I’ll go with you.” Lin Zhixin’s face lit up with joy, and she was about to go forward and pull him along.

“Zhixin”.

Xie Jinghuai suddenly spoke up, asking casually, "Did you inform your sister that she's going to the birthday party tonight?"

Will your sister be coming over tonight?

Lin Zhixin paused, a wave of disgust washing over her, but she still gently shook her head, feigning helplessness.

“Since my sister’s mother passed away, she has hardly come home. She has never come back for Dad’s birthday, nor has she prepared a gift for him. Even when Dad invites her back for a simple family meal, she refuses to come. We notify her every year, but as you can see, Jinghuai, it’s no use. She will never come.”

Thinking about it, my sister probably blamed Dad for Aunt Jiang's death... But my sister really misunderstood Dad, and I wonder when she'll understand.

"Oh." Xie Jinghuai's phoenix eyes were deep and thoughtful.

He decided to go tonight mainly because he wanted to find a time after the birthday party to ask Lin Zhixin about the hotel incident in person.

If he could take this opportunity to see Jiang Shiyuan, he would like to explain to her the misunderstanding he had caused her last time.

“Brother Jinghuai, if you want to see my sister, I will go and invite her.”

Lin Zhixin looked aggrieved, "Even knowing I'd be rejected, I'm still willing to try for you..."

“Okay, go ask.” Xie Jinghuai immediately agreed before she could finish speaking.

Lin Zhixin turned pale with anger, her fists clenched tightly, realizing she had been too talkative!

But what infuriated her even more was that she hadn't expected Xie Jinghuai to actually want to see that bitch Jiang Shiyuan at his birthday party tonight! What a joke!

If the guests at the banquet tonight knew that they were husband and wife, wouldn't she lose face completely?

Jiang Shiyuan must not show up at the birthday party tonight!

...

At Yongheng Technology, Jiang Shiyuan had just returned from inspecting the new energy vehicle factory. She was still wearing her gray workshop work clothes. Despite being busy all day, she showed no signs of fatigue and was full of energy.

"Mr. Jiang, you look absolutely stunning in this outfit!"

Yin Meng cupped her cheeks in her hands, gazing at her adoringly, "Super cool, super stylish! A professional woman who gets things done is so cool, unlike that pretentious woman Lin Zhixin, all show and no substance!"

Jiang Shiyuan looked at her rosy cheeks and couldn't help but tease her:

"Secretary Yin, are you praising me or scolding me?"

Yin Meng didn't react immediately, "Of course I'm praising you! I'm your die-hard fan!"

"Praising me? You're comparing me to Lin Zhixin?"

Yin Meng was stunned, and her face instantly turned red with embarrassment.

Just then, Jiang Shiyuan's phone rang.

She bit the corner of her glove, pulled it down, and pulled out her fair hand, taking out her phone from her pocket.

This simple gesture captivated Yin Meng once again. She only wished that President Jiang wasn't a man; otherwise, she would have loved to marry him!

Jiang Shiyuan lowered her eyes and stared at the screen, her expression suddenly changing drastically.

"President Jiang, what's wrong? Who called?" Yin Meng asked anxiously.

Jiang Shiyuan's beautiful eyes darkened. "It's Fu Chong."

"Damn it! What bad luck!" Yin Meng accidentally swore; just hearing the name gave her a headache.

She recalled that night when she lost consciousness in front of Fu Chong, and the words Fu Chenzhou warned her to stay away from this man after she woke up.

Jiang Shiyuan's heart tightened. After hesitating for a moment, she still chose to answer the call:

"Hello, Mr. Fu." Her voice was steady, without a trace of panic.

"President Jiang, why haven't I heard from you since that night?" Fu Chong's voice rose at the end, revealing a playful laziness.

Jiang Shiyuan secretly composed herself and smiled insincerely, "President Fu is the president of the Fu Group. He must be very busy with official duties. How could I possibly bother him?"

Fu Chong chuckled softly, and whether it was from being steeped in tobacco and alcohol or something else, he spoke to her in the most chillingly bubbly voice of the moment:

"I am indeed very busy, but I will always be available whenever Mr. Jiang contacts me."

Jiang Shiyuan felt discomfort in her eardrums, as if a motorcycle was running through them.

"What are your plans for tonight, Mr. Jiang? Are you going home to celebrate your father's birthday?" Fu Chong suddenly asked with a smile.

Jiang Shiyuan's pupils contracted slightly, and her long eyelashes blinked.

Only then did she remember that today was Lin Chengchou's birthday.

Since her mother passed away, she has hardly ever returned to the Lin family home, let alone celebrated Lin Chengchou's birthday.

She couldn't bring herself to call him "Dad." She didn't want to wish that heartless man a long and healthy life. If he lived a long life, what about her mother, who died young, filled with resentment?

"President Fu seems very interested in the Lin family's affairs; he even remembers whose birthday it is perfectly."

Jiang Shiyuan smiled enigmatically, "However, I will not be attending Chairman Lin's birthday banquet."

Aren't you going over there?

"No."

Fu Chong laughed mockingly, "Even if there's a big show to watch, don't you want to go and see it?"

Jiang Shiyuan paused, turned her back, and lowered her voice:

"What's all the commotion about?"

"I'm downstairs at your company."

Jiang Shiyuan was secretly alarmed and quickly walked to the French windows to look down.

Sure enough, across the street, under a streetlight, stood a black Aston Martin.

Fu Chong, dressed in a full black suit, leaned against the car door, raised his sharp and wicked face, and looked up at the building without looking away. He naturally did not know which floor Jiang Shiyuan was on, but his gaze was so focused that it seemed to Jiang Shiyuan that he was looking right at her.

Jiang Shiyuan quickly turned around and took a deep breath.

Fu Chong chuckled softly in her ear, "Although I can't see you, I think President Jiang must have seen me. I'm so handsome, there's no reason you couldn't see me."

"What kind of excitement did President Fu want me to go see?" Although Jiang Shiyuan was wary of this man, she was also very curious.

"Come with me, and I guarantee you'll make a profit."

...

Tonight, the Lin family villa was packed with guests, with luxury cars lined up one after another, creating a lively atmosphere.

Since Lin Chengchou founded Yuntu Oriental Technology, he has held a birthday banquet every year at his residence or a five-star hotel. But this time, the number of guests was undoubtedly the largest.

Not only because Lin Chengchou's net worth has increased dramatically, it is now vastly different from what it used to be.

Furthermore, the unapproachable Mr. Xie is graced with his presence at the Lin family's birthday banquet tonight, becoming a distinguished guest. Those who wish to curry favor or curry favor with him will have to show their support for Lin Chengchou, even if they don't care about Mr. Xie's reputation.

The Rolls-Royce drove into the Lin family compound and stopped in the center of the main gate.

Xie Jinghuai and Lin Zhixin got out of the car together. Lin Zhixin lifted her skirt and stepped forward, just about to take the man's arm, but Xie Jinghuai took a big step forward and dodged away without leaving a trace.

She swayed and stumbled, only to miss her target.

However, even so, it has already drawn immense envy from those around them:

"The fact that Miss Lin was able to ride in Mr. Xie's car and attend events with him shows that their relationship is quite special."

"Mr. Xie is probably already Chairman Lin's prospective son-in-law. Mr. Xie is an extraordinary figure; he comes to celebrate Chairman Lin's birthday every year. Tell me, who else in the entire capital city has such prestige? What else could he be but a prospective son-in-law?"

"Yes, yes! Alas, with the Xie family's support, the future of Yuntu Dongfang is immeasurable!"

Just then, another question arose:

"Huh? I remember Chairman Lin has a daughter, right? I haven't seen that young lady at Chairman Lin's birthday celebrations these past two years."

"That's Chairman Lin's daughter with his ex-wife. I saw the little girl once at his ex-wife's funeral, but I haven't seen her since. I guess the Lin family has long since left her without a place to live."

The guests clicked their tongues in admiration, "With a stepmother comes a stepfather, and what's more, the stepmother's daughter is more likable, sensible, and talented than her. Who wouldn't like a daughter like that?"

"That's true. They don't even dare to show their faces. They're probably just ordinary-looking, mediocre people. They'd only embarrass themselves if they came."

The rumors, by sheer coincidence, reached Xie Jinghuai's ears.

The man suddenly stopped, his phoenix eyes glancing sideways, sending a sharp glare flying.