The only seven-star hotel in the city, the Ruiqi Hotel.

Luxury cars lined the area outside the hotel, and those who stepped out were all business tycoons and industry leaders.

"Holy crap, look! Isn't that the CEO of Zhou Sheng Jewelry?"

"Hey, hey, doesn't that look like the president of Wancan Entertainment?!"

One after another, important figures who could only be seen in news videos suddenly appeared, surprising passersby who snapped photos non-stop.

At that moment, a Porsche slowly pulled up to the side of the road.

A boy got off the bus, and pedestrians who happened to catch a glimpse of him couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

My god, that's so cool.

The boy was tall and slender, easily over 1.8 meters. He wore a white shirt and a black suit, with well-tailored trousers that hugged his long, straight legs, making him look incredibly handsome.

His buzz cut was slightly styled, with a wisp of hair casually falling across his forehead, giving him a carefree and unrestrained look, yet his eyes were quite indifferent.

His eyebrows and eyes were dark, his nose was straight, and his lips were light and thin.

Is this some newly debuted star?

The girls around her clutched their wildly beating hearts.

Brother, I'll definitely vote for you!!!

I'd be willing to grind myself to dominate the leaderboard!!!

After getting out of the car, the handsome man didn't leave; instead, he turned around and picked up the gift bag from the back seat.

No one knows what he was thinking, but a faint tenderness appeared in his cold phoenix eyes, driving the onlookers crazy.

The girls who were secretly observing him felt their hearts race.

Doctor, doctor, we urgently need oxygen masks!

Xie Jingcheng's eyes softened briefly, but many people stared at his departing figure, unable to recover for a long time.

...

The grand hall on the top floor is magnificent and luxurious. Instead of walls, it is surrounded by transparent tempered glass, allowing you to overlook the bustling cityscape of City B from above.

As soon as Xie Jingcheng stepped into the hall, a cute little dumpling rushed over to him.

"Brother Jingcheng, it's been so long since I've seen you."

The little dumpling said with a wronged expression.

"It will only take five days."

Xie Jingcheng picked her up and weighed her in one hand.

It's too heavy.

"But I won't see you again for another five days."

Every day I felt particularly melancholy.

Xie Jingcheng pondered for a moment, then said, "Then I'll come back to live here."

Seeing that Chaochao didn't understand, he said, "This way you can see me every day."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Jingcheng could almost see the light bulb above the little dumpling's head light up.

"That's great! Then Brother Jingcheng can come to my house for dinner!"

Xie Jingcheng: "..."

He recalled the fear he had felt last time when he was dominated by Chaochao's chopsticks.

"Excuse me, little one, how did you get in here?" A gentle female voice sounded behind the two of them.

Upon hearing this voice, Xie Jingcheng's eyes turned cold, his brows furrowed, and he revealed undisguised disgust.

Dong Qin walked over with a glass of red wine, smiling and subtly observing the little girl in Xie Jingcheng's arms.

Dong Qin remembered her; she was the child who got lost at the police station that day.

Her gaze swept over the girl's thin down jacket, and she understood immediately, though she couldn't help feeling a little disdain.

It seems she's just an ordinary kid who managed to snag a high position with Xie Jingcheng.

This banquet hosted by the Huo family was the most prestigious event in the entire B City, and everyone present, including the children, was dressed in expensive evening gowns.

The girl in front of me was wearing a cheap, no-name down jacket. Apart from being cute, she didn't look like a child from a wealthy family.

“Young Master Jingcheng, an invitation is required to join the association. This young man probably doesn’t qualify, does he?” Dong Qin smiled slightly.

Xie Jingcheng's eyes were filled with intense mockery, showing no mercy.

"If she doesn't deserve you, then what kind of trash are you?"

Dong Qin's face stiffened; the disdain and disgust in Xie Jingcheng's eyes deeply stung her pride.

She smiled nonchalantly and said, "I entered as Mr. Xie's female companion, which is perfectly legitimate and reasonable."

"Young Master, you brought her here without President Xie's consent. I'm afraid this might displease the Huo family and hinder the cooperation between our two families. That would be good."

He spoke with great conviction, displaying an air of righteousness that prioritized the greater good.

Xie Jingcheng sneered, his eyes filled with pity.

"Even if you leave, she can't leave."

Dong Qin looked at Chaochao, her smile gentle but her words sharp, "Little friend, are you here for the banquet?"

Chaochao blinked, looking confused.

What does "participate" mean?

"Xiao Qi, am I here to participate?"

System: "...Yes and no."

Because this banquet was held specifically for her.

"Then let me rephrase my question: Did you bring a gift?"

That's true.

Chao Chao shook her head honestly.

Dong Qin's smile deepened.

"Then you can't come."

"Now, please step forward—"

"Dong Qin, shut up!" A suppressed angry voice rang out from the side.

Dong Qin was so startled that her hand trembled, and the red wine in her glass almost spilled.

A refined-looking man, whose face was always gentle to outsiders, appeared particularly gloomy because he was suppressing his anger, and there were even bulging veins on his neck.

That stupid woman!

He was just discussing a collaboration with Huo Qin. He had been keeping an eye on the Huo family's activities and knew that his son had recently become quite close to Huo Qin's daughter, so he wanted to use this opportunity to strengthen their relationship.

He had only spoken halfway when he saw Huo Qin take a sip of red wine, his eyes gleaming coldly as he stared in a certain direction.

"Mr. Xie, you should take a look at what your female companion is doing."

He followed the gaze and immediately recognized the little girl in Xie Jingcheng's arms as President Huo's beloved daughter.

How could he not recognize Chairman Huo, who posts on his WeChat Moments all the time?

As I approached, I heard his secretary shooing away Hochin's youngest daughter, the star of the dinner party.

Xie Yulin's right eyelid twitched with anger, and the cold, oppressive feeling from the man beside him grew stronger.

Dong Qin forced a smile, "President Xie, when did you... arrive?"

Chaochao saw Huo Qin next to him and immediately shouted happily.

"dad!"

Xie Yulin stood with Huo Qin, and from an outsider's perspective, the sound seemed to be directed at Xie Yulin.

Based on Mr. Xie's reaction.

Dong Qin's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at President Xie. "She...she's your daughter?!"

Yet another illegitimate daughter born out of wedlock?

Her originally gentle voice became shrill and distorted due to extreme shock.

Xie Yulin: "..."

How could he have ever fallen for that idiot?