Chapter 56
Countless versions of the story were circulated in Taihua's gossip and intelligence groups. The most widely circulated one was that Wen Zhenni was the big devil's underground lover and had entered the president's office through the back door.
I guessed so many versions, but I didn't connect it to Mrs. Ci's identity.
Mrs. Ci, the wife of a wealthy empire and the enviable daughter of a jeweler, had actually been their colleague for over a month. And she had an even more shocking alias: a top-tier actress in China.
I wonder how incredible the expressions on my colleagues’ faces would be when they knew the truth.
Despite her surprise, Lucy remained calm. She quickly calmed down and said apologetically, "...We didn't realize you were your wife. We apologize for any offense we caused in the President's office."
Wen Zhenni didn't take the minor friction at work seriously at all. She sighed and said, "Look, I was right to disguise myself and go to work at Taihua."
She said half-jokingly, half-seriously, "If you knew my identity, you'd definitely worship me like a deity. Then why would I go to work and listen to gossip?"
Lucy smiled cautiously. After all, the boss lady held the power over life and death. "Those are just some fun things to do outside of work. Ma'am, please don't take them personally."
"I understand," Wen Zhenni said, her beautiful eyes always tilted, making her look soft and kind. "Don't worry, I don't blame you. I actually love to hear gossip, especially gossip about your big boss."
Lucy didn't expect that the boss's wife actually liked to listen to the boss's gossip.
But she certainly couldn't be so tactless as to expose the boss's shortcomings in front of the boss's wife. "Privately, we always talk about Cricket Ci as the big devil behind his back, but honestly, he's the best among the bosses."
"Not many workers can be nice to their bosses, I understand that." Wen Zhenni has a deep understanding of this, so she can think about the rationality from the perspective of an employee.
After she finished speaking, she looked at Lucy and said, "Lucy, don't call me Madam or Madam, it's too distant. Just call me Zhenni. And don't call me "you come, you go"; it sounds like an old leader in his seventies or eighties."
Wen Zhenni doesn't like titles that clearly define class. It's okay if she uses them at work out of social conventions, but if she does it in private, then it's meaningless.
"You should still think of me as your colleague Qiao Qianqian. We're coming to Taraf for vacation together. I don't speak the local language and don't know much about the local culture and customs, so I need your help as a guide."
As she was speaking, the maid came in and informed her that Ms. Lyra was on her way to visit her and would arrive in about twenty minutes.
"Just as I was saying it, it came alive."
Wen Zhenni told the maid that she understood and took Lucy's hand. "Do you want to go get something to eat? Let's go downstairs and sit down. There's something delicious there."
The two came to the living room, where the maid had already prepared snacks and a pot of hot black tea.
Wen Zhenni was in a very good mood when she met an acquaintance in a foreign country. She pulled Lucy to sit on the sofa and hurriedly handed her a cup of black tea. "You are really low-key. I have known you for such a long time, but I have never heard you speak Taraf."
The atmosphere relaxed, and Lucy gradually relaxed as well. "Actually, my parents have worked in Taraf for over twenty years. I was born here and didn't leave until I was admitted to a university in China. Since then, I've been studying and working in China. You could say Taraf is my second home."
It is easy to understand why she is fluent in Taraf and was sent by the company to work as a translator.
"So that's how it is." Wen Zhenni suddenly realized and asked her, "Have you ever considered coming back to work here after graduation?"
Lucy shook her head. "There are plenty of job opportunities in China, and I wanted to get some experience for a few years before making a decision. Plus, the year I graduated, Taihua was looking for an assistant to the president's office, and they specifically required proficiency in Taraf. Seeing that I met all the requirements, I applied, and to my surprise, I got the offer."
When Wen Zhenni first learned that Taihua had secured the Tafra partnership, she was at best surprised. But now, after hearing what Lucy said, it seemed Ciheng had been planning this for a long time.
Wen Zhenni held the teacup in her hand, thinking of the guest she would meet later, and asked, "By the way, Lucy, do you know this Ms. Lyra? I haven't done any research, I just know she's Mr. Hawthorne's wife."
Lucy nodded. "Yes, she was originally a beach volleyball player. After getting married, she retired and switched to the media industry. She quickly rose to prominence and worked her way up to deputy editor of Global Celebrity Magazine."
Global Celebrity magazine, founded over 70 years ago, is one of the world's top ten weekly magazines. Its "100 Most Influential People in the World" list is highly symbolic, encompassing national leaders, entrepreneurs, scholars, artists, idols, and pioneering figures who have made an impact in their respective countries and even globally.
Needless to say, the magazine is famous. Wen Zhenni is certainly aware of the value of this magazine. It must be no easy task to be the deputy editor-in-chief.
"Lyra is so capable." She was very moved. After all, Lyra looked very young.
Lucy hadn't actually finished her words. She put down her teacup and added, "That's not all. She's also the Crown Princess's half-sister. After she gave birth last year, the royal family officially bestowed upon her the title of 'Lady Rona'. This is the highest honor a non-royal member can receive."
While there was still time, Lucy logically sorted out the couple's family tree for her, including the marriage between the two families, their influence in the political and business circles, and the Hawthorne family's huge industry that radiated across the world.
Most importantly, she was about to attend an important event, including the royal family members she might meet, the basic etiquette of meeting the king, the rules of dining, and the taboos of her country. Lucy briefly and concisely explained the key points, preparing for the upcoming dinner.
Twenty minutes later, Lucy finished her talk and Ms. Lyra arrived.
If yesterday's Lyra was dressed formally and looked dignified and elegant, then today's Lyra in a casual suspender skirt looks much more friendly and gentle.
Lucy translated her original words as follows: "If you're meeting friends too formally, like you're having some kind of important ceremony, everyone will feel uncomfortable."
And today, I specially prepared a gift for you. It was wrapped in a beautiful box, tied with a beautiful purple ribbon and tied into a three-dimensional flower knot. Every detail showed my care and taste.
Wen Zhenni didn't expect that she would prepare a gift, but she had nothing prepared.
Lyra might not have thought of this, but Lucy noticed Wen Zhenni's embarrassment and explained in a low voice, "Don't feel too burdened, just accept it. According to the custom here, when visiting a friend for the first time, preparing a gift is a token of your thoughtfulness."
She touched Wen Zhenni's arm imperceptibly and said, "Open the gift and take a look."
Wen Zhenni no longer hesitated and opened the gift openly.
Lying in the box is a pearl bracelet with high gloss and fullness. The design is simple but the overall look is elegant.
Lyra had obviously done her homework and understood Wen Zhenni's preferences.
"It's a very beautiful bracelet, thank you!" Wen Zhenni expressed her gratitude to her.
"Your necklace is also very beautiful." Lyra's eyes fell gently on her neck, a smile on her lips. "You seem to like this necklace very much and wear it on many occasions. It means a lot to you, right?"
Wen Zhenni raised her hand and stroked the necklace. That time seemed like yesterday, and even now it makes her heart warm when she thinks about it.
She said: "When I came of age, I went to South America with my husband to see the blue morpho butterfly. Later, he designed this necklace with the 'blue morpho butterfly' as the theme as my coming-of-age gift."
As Lucy translated, Lyra's eyes brightened. "That sounds like a wonderful thing. Mr. Ci must love you very much."
Wen Zhenni just smiled and didn't refute. She wasn't sure what kind of love it was, but it was certain that Ciheng indulged her.
After chatting, they gradually became familiar with each other, so Lyra suggested going out for a walk.
Taraf has many attractions and unique architecture. Wen Zhenni has been there many times, but she never really enjoyed herself.
After playing with Lyra, I felt exhausted. I didn't realize that Lyra, who looked relaxed, had more energy than her.
It was almost evening when Lyra received a phone call and told Wen Zhenni that their husbands had gone out to sea in the afternoon and had now returned to the manor, and they planned to have a brief gathering.
She invited the two of them to visit the manor: "If you don't mind, you can stay at the manor. We can go to the signing site together tomorrow."
Lucy was so tired that she couldn't straighten her back. She relied on Wen Zhenni's support to get into the car, and then straightened her back as she walked into the manor that looked as magnificent as a palace.
It was a gathering for friends, but it was really just an ordinary one. Everyone was dressed in their everyday casual clothes, relaxed and free from all the formalities.
There were quite a few people who came, including Hawthorne's brothers, nephews, and friends who were specially invited.
The place was full of foreigners with high noses and deep eyes. Despite being in an unfamiliar language environment, Wen Zhenni was not at all nervous. She greeted everyone warmly in fluent English with ease.
I found Ciheng in the main living room. He was wearing casual clothes, leaning on the sofa with his legs crossed, talking to others with a smile on his face.
As his eyes moved, he saw Wen Zhenni walking towards him from afar in the crowd. He raised his hand to signal the person he was talking to next to him, then calmly stood up and walked to her, obviously preparing to introduce her to everyone.
But before he could open his mouth, a slightly plump man spoke first.
"Miss Wen Zhenni!"
The man spoke Taraf and waved his hands as he introduced her to everyone: "I know her. She's a famous actress. My daughter loves her very much and has collected many of her albums and merchandise."
Lucy was somewhere else and hadn't caught up yet. Wen Zhen couldn't understand what he was saying, but she felt that his body language was exaggerated and he seemed very excited.
She looked at Ciheng beside her blankly, with questioning eyes.
Ciheng naturally acted as her temporary translator, leaning forward slightly and explaining in a voice only the two of them could hear: "He recognized you and said you are the most beautiful female star and his daughter's idol."
Wen Zhenni didn't suspect he was exaggerating, and a slightly embarrassed look on her face asked, "Did you really say that?"
The smile on Ciheng's lips deepened. "Even if I lied to you, it was still pleasant to hear, wasn't it? Or do you not like hearing people praise your beauty?"
Wen Zhenni felt that it made sense, but something seemed wrong.
In short, she couldn't argue with him, so she just laughed it off.
Amidst the greetings, Ciheng took her hand, clasping her fingertips with her palm, and led her to the front of the crowd. She said to everyone present in Tafra, "Let me introduce you to Wen Zhenni, my wife."
Wen Zhenni smiled, greeted everyone, and then sat down behind Ciheng.
At dinner time, the couple were seated to the right of the host and hostess respectively. Sitting next to Wen Zhenni was the man who recognized her at first sight.
The man couldn't hide his excitement and cautiously asked her if he could have a video call with his daughter. After getting her consent, he immediately took out his phone and called his daughter after dinner.
On the other side of the screen, a girl of about twelve or thirteen was so excited that she was incoherent. She tried to greet her in English, but her words were halting.
Wen Zhenni responded with a smile, and even kindly guided her not to be too nervous, and finally fulfilled the girl's wish for a handwritten signature.
Ciheng leaned back in his chair, his gaze occasionally darting across. Seeing his wife quickly integrate into a completely unfamiliar social circle, handling both men and women with ease, his whole being lit up. A smile crossed his eyes.
Hawthorne caught his mood and teased, "Miss Wen seems to be very popular. She becomes the focus wherever she goes. Are you jealous?"
Ciheng retracted her gaze, picked up the wine glass in front of her, and answered him frankly: "I am very happy that she feels a different kind of love."
Because there were so many people coming, Lyra invited some of the female family members to move to the leisure living room, where a small tea party was prepared.
Wen Zhenni was not interested in the business topics the men were talking about, so she pulled Lucy to join the tea party.
Regardless of their profession and age, the ladies relaxed on the sofa, ate carefully prepared snacks, chatted and laughed freely, and talked only about life, not work.
During this time, the nanny came in, carrying a delicate, but crying little boy. This was the first time Wen Zhenni had seen Lyra's son. The little boy, less than two years old, had a red face from crying, and his features looked more like Lyra's.
The nanny said that after the little guy woke up, he started to make a fuss and looked for his mother everywhere, and no one could comfort him.
Lyra's face was full of helplessness: "Sorry, I may have to leave for a few minutes." She asked her sister-in-law to help greet everyone, and she went ahead with the child.
The child's crying gradually faded away, and the guests also said that it was getting late and said goodbye.
Wen Zhenni and Lucy followed the crowd out. After a period of noise, the hallway gradually quieted down. She turned her eyes and saw Ciheng in front of the spiral staircase.
He was bent over, intently teasing a caramel-colored cat.
A very special cat, with short, dense, burnt-yellow fur and a pair of long, pointed ears, it stood there straight and straight, not paying much attention to anyone. Its already arrogant posture was made even more arrogant and aloof by the thin gold chain around its neck.
"What a beautiful Abyssinian cat." Wen Zhenni recognized this breed of cat. She took two steps at a time, walked up to the cat, and tried to reach out her hand to the cat.
Ciheng smiled and said, "It's called Coco, Hawthorne's sweetheart, and it's a girl."
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Author's note: I've been updating for 9 consecutive days now, and I have 9 red flowers! Keep up the good work in September!
I'd also like to thank all the little cuties for giving me nutrient solution. 1,000 bottles now! [Spread the flowers] I've never been so wealthy. [Hug]
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