Chapter 63 Dinner 3
The moment Shen Nian'an and Xiao Xiao saw Jiang Yining's face, their pupils contracted sharply, and they almost dropped their champagne glasses.
It was Ningning, but the radiant, breathtakingly beautiful woman before them possessed a brilliance they had never seen before, subtly overlapping with yet separating from the refreshing, lemon-like girl in their memories.
Ignoring all the admiring or inquisitive glances, Xie Shiyan, accompanied by Jiang Yining, calmly entered the center of the venue. A middle-aged wealthy businessman, Mr. Qin, who had business dealings with the Xie family, was the first to greet them, his gaze filled with undisguised amazement.
"Mr. Xie, it's been a long time. You look even more radiant than before. And this is...?"
His gaze fell on Jiang Yining, filled with undisguised curiosity. Xie Shiyan stopped, his deep gaze sweeping over the instantly silent crowd before settling on the girl beside him. His eyes softened instantly, revealing a certain assertiveness.
He tightened his grip on Jiang Yining's hand, his voice low but clear enough to penetrate the background music and reach everyone's ears: "This is my fiancée, Jiang Yining."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over President Qin with an invisible pressure, then looked around, a faint yet extremely intimidating smile curving his lips. "Madam is gentle by nature and doesn't quite understand the nuances of these situations. Please bear with her and don't bully her."
The words "fiancée" left everyone stunned, and the seemingly polite but actually very warning "Don't bully her" instantly silenced all the restless thoughts in the room.
Who in the business world doesn't know Xie Shiyan's methods? Would he risk everything he's worked so hard to build for a woman? No one would be that foolish. The gazes that were initially filled with amazement or greed instantly softened, leaving only pure admiration or apprehension.
Secretary Lin, who had been following Xie Shiyan not far behind, was filled with mixed emotions as she watched her boss's protective declaration, which could be described as "love-struck".
Over the years, he had come to know the heavy burden the president carried in his past. Although he didn't understand why the "deceased" Miss Jiang had miraculously returned, he was genuinely happy for the president at this moment.
Jiang Yining sensed the change in the gazes around her and breathed a slight sigh of relief. Seeing that Xie Shiyan was quickly surrounded by new people trying to strike up a conversation, she gently tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "I'm going to go talk to Nian'an and the others."
Xie Shiyan looked down at her, his eyes gentle: "Okay, go ahead. Be careful." He raised his hand and very naturally tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingertips brushing against her slightly cool earlobe.
"If anyone makes you feel bad, tell me immediately and I'll take care of it." His tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable sense of protection.
"Okay." Jiang Yining smiled sweetly and turned to walk towards Chen Nian'an and the others.
Shen Nian'an immediately stepped forward and tightly grasped Jiang Yining's hand. Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she introduced Jiang Yining: "Ningning, this is Sima Xinwan, the daughter of the Sima family in J City."
Then she said to Sima Xinwan, "Awan, this is my best friend, Jiang Yining. Just call her Ningning."
"Hello, nice to meet you." Jiang Yining shook hands with Sima Xinwan with a graceful and generous smile.
"Hello Ningning, just call me Awan." Sima Xinwan's attitude was very polite, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible caution. Xie Shiyan's announcement just now was enough for anyone with a brain to weigh its weight.
The scrutinizing or envious glances that had been directed at them quickly subsided under the stern warnings of the family elders.
Jiang Yining was quickly pulled by Xiao Xiao towards the exquisite dessert table. "Try this," Xiao Xiao pointed to several uniquely shaped desserts, "the work of a top international pastry chef, the taste of which I myself cannot replicate. This is a rare opportunity."
Jiang Yining tasted it as instructed, and the delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor made her eyes light up: "Mmm, it's really delicious." Like a child who has discovered a treasure, she nodded earnestly in her evaluation.
Throughout the banquet, Xie Shiyan, though surrounded by people, would always find his gaze inadvertently drifting through the crowd to land precisely on the slender figure dressed as the "Moon Goddess," sharing food with her best friend. Seeing her peaceful and contented expression, the frost in his eyes seemed to melt away for a moment.
The charity auction began, and the guests took their seats. Jiang Yining was naturally led by Xie Shiyan to sit in the center of the first row, next to Xiao Xiao, Lu Jingshen, and Shen Nian'an. Zhou Yanzhe was unable to attend due to official business.
The auctioneer's steady voice rang out, and one rare work of art and jewelry after another was brought out. Whenever Jiang Yining's gaze lingered on a particular item for a few more seconds, revealing a hint of interest, Xie Shiyan would quietly raise his paddle.
A set of sapphire jewelry, a small oil painting by an Impressionist master, a famille rose porcelain vase from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty... he easily acquired them one after another at astonishing prices.
Jiang Yining watched the auctioneer repeatedly point in Xie Shiyan's direction, listening to the low gasps of astonishment around her, her palms sweating. She quietly tugged at Xie Shiyan's sleeve and whispered, "Ayan...it's too expensive..."
Xie Shiyan simply took her slightly cool fingers in his hand, squeezed them gently, and whispered reassuringly, "If you like it, it's worth it. Don't worry." His tone was as calm as if he were talking about the weather.
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