Xue Qiandai is a person with mild mysophobia. In daily life, apart from Huo Meiren, physical contact with other people makes her uncomfortable.
However, today, Madam Zhao broke her routine several times. When Madam Zhao covered her mouth and made her call her aunt, Xue Qiandai realized something: Zhao Jiequn said that her stepmother was sickly, but perhaps the illness was not physical, but mental.
To Xue Qiandai's astonishment, Madam Zhao went to the dressing room and quickly changed into the cheongsam. The frog buttons were decorative; the real zipper was hidden in the back. "Could you help me zip it up?"
Xue Qiandai walked around behind her. Her back was very white, like milk, and her shoulder blades were clearly visible. Xue Qiandai pulled her up and casually complimented, "Madam Zhao, your shoulder blades are very beautiful."
"Don't call me Madam Zhao, call me Auntie." Madam Zhao corrected her earnestly, then said softly, "You look a lot like your father."
Xue Qiandai's breathing became erratic. Madam Zhao actually knew her father? Was she an old acquaintance? Overwhelmed with excitement, she grabbed Madam Zhao's wrist. "Auntie, are you... my mother's best friend, or just a friend?"
Mrs. Zhao paused for a moment, blinked hard as she thought, then rubbed her temples and shook her head. "Dai Dai, it's your uncle's birthday, shall we go out and see?"
With a heart full of trepidation, Xue Qiandai helped Madam Zhao downstairs.
*
The birthday party has already begun on the waterfront platform.
Business tycoons mingled and raised their glasses frequently, their conversation revolving around current affairs and finance. Huo Yunchao remained with Zhao Sheng throughout, as the most distinguished guest.
Rong Xiao looked at Huo Yunchao from afar and complained to Zhao Jiequn beside him, "Between you and Mr. Huo, who is your father's biological son?"
Zhao Jiequn: "..."
Isn't that obvious? Don't expose the harsh realities of life.
Rong Xiao added, "I thought Huo was your father's illegitimate son! Why does he get all the benefits?"
Zhao Jiequn: "..."
That makes so much sense, I'm speechless.
Without a word, the crowd parted to make way.
Amidst everyone's attention, Zhao Jiening walked in arm in arm with Lan Shan. Today, Zhao Jiening wore a royal blue velvet gown, elegant and charming; Lan Shan wore a blue suit and trousers with a white shirt underneath, looking more dashing and debonair than his usual stiff barista persona.
All eyes were on this couple.
As everyone present knows, this is the Zhao family's little princess, Mr. Zhao's darling, and now, it seems she already has someone.
Some people are envious, and some are jealous.
In just a few dozen meters, Lanshan felt like a celebrity walking a red carpet; the glamour was fake, the tension was real.
Zhao Sheng looked at his daughter, his hand gripping the wine glass tighter.
Father and son-in-law are natural rivals in love.
"Mr. Zhao, congratulations on the birth of your wonderful son-in-law." Huo Yunchao's voice rang out at the right time, deep and magnetic.
Zhao Sheng's pupils were deep and unfathomable, and he remained noncommittal.
The perfect couple has already approached.
“Dad, happy birthday!” Zhao Jiening stepped forward and pointed at Lan Shan, “This is my boyfriend, Lan Rufeng.”
Lan Shan's forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat.
Actually, ever since signing on as a major corporate client with Tiansheng, Lanshan would personally go to Tiansheng every afternoon to make coffee, but she had never met Zhao Sheng. This future father-in-law's aura was just too powerful.
"Uncle, this is just a small gift, nothing more. Wishing you boundless happiness..."
Zhao Sheng waved his hand, interrupting Lan Shan. "Jie Ning, Dad is very busy today and doesn't have time to entertain your friends. Please make yourself at home."
He refused to admit that he was his daughter's boyfriend, maintaining an icy demeanor and keeping everyone at arm's length.
Zhao Jiening handed the gift to the person behind her father, then pulled Lanshan away.
"Jie Ning?" Lan Shan wanted to ask where she was going, but her voice was hoarse.
Zhao Jiening smiled at him to ease his tension, "I'll take you to meet my stepmother. My dad values my stepmother the most. If she speaks well of you, my dad wouldn't dare say a bad word about you even if he had a hundred lives."
Lan Shan is confused. How can Zhao Jiening be so sure that her stepmother will be on her side?
"Brother," Zhao Jiening found Zhao Jiequn, looking around, "Where is our stepmother?"
Zhao Jiequn, holding a wine glass, pointed behind her and said, "Look, the person has arrived."
Zhao Jiening turned around and saw Madam Zhao and Xue Qiandai approaching gracefully in sync. Madam Zhao was wearing a cheongsam made by Xue Qiandai.
Different ages, similar temperament, and incredibly compatible aura. At first glance, they look like sisters, but upon closer inspection, they resemble mother and daughter.
The oppressive aura emanating from Zhao Sheng dissipated automatically, his sharp edge transforming into tenderness. Huo Yunchao raised an eyebrow; he clearly sensed several wisps of greedy, angry, and infatuated gazes from him.
Hmph, what a rotten romantic prospect!
"Tsk tsk, so beautiful!" Zhao Jiequn murmured. It was unclear whether he was referring to Madam Zhao or Xue Qiandai.
Rong Xiao stroked his chin. "My Consort Dai is naturally beautiful."
Zhao Jiequn mocked sarcastically, "Would you dare say that to Huo Yunchao's face?"
"Is it meaningful to make fun of me like this? You didn't get any grapes either, did you? You're so sour! It's the pot calling the kettle black!"
Zhao Jiequn: "..."
Is this young master of the Rong family here specifically to bring him bad luck?
Hua Se glanced at her fiancé Jin Heng's infatuated expression and quietly slipped away.
Guo Wen was with her older sister Guo Fei, who was clearly very disappointed in her troublemaking younger sister and was preparing to take her away. Guo Wen was sullen, and this mood reached the point of exploding when Hua Se walked over. "Your best friend, you can't win, so you use me as a pawn. I trusted you so much time and time again."
Hua Se blinked her innocent eyes, looked over Guo Wen's shoulder, and saw a familiar figure—the man who had twice entered and exited Panhai International. "Wenwen, I really don't know what you're talking about. I was just praising your sister's design."
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