Chapter 18 So this is what being henpecked means?
A few days after riding in Huo Yanzhi's carriage, Ruan Yao had a dream.
In my dream, the room was dimly lit, with only a wall lamp by the bedside emitting a hazy light.
The man's hot body completely enveloped her, his powerful and scalding breath hitting her face, carrying a familiar scent, yet more aggressive than ever before.
His kisses carried a punitive undertone, lingering and sucking, giving her no chance to catch her breath.
"No more... um... Huo Yanzhi..."
She cried and begged for mercy softly, feeling extremely ashamed. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, wetting her hair, but this only resulted in more severe bullying.
The person on top showed no sign of stopping.
He raised his head, his rough thumb brushing against the corner of her moist eye, then lowered his head and kissed away her tears.
"Don't cry."
His voice was terribly hoarse, filled with intense lust.
"Yaoyao...the more you do this, the more I want to bully you."
...
When Ruan Yao woke up from her dream, her heart was pounding violently in her chest.
She subconsciously touched her cheek; it was burning hot.
Why would I have such a dream?
Ruan Yao hugged the quilt and buried her face in it, so ashamed that her toes curled up.
Just then, the cell phone on the bedside table started vibrating loudly.
She frantically grabbed her phone, and the screen displayed the three large characters "Jiang Tangtang".
Ruan Yao cleared her throat and answered the phone.
"Hey, Tangtang..."
"Ruan Yao, you heartless little thing, you still know how to answer the phone!" Jiang Tangtang's loud accusation came from the other end of the phone. "Have you forgotten that you have an eldest daughter named Jiang Tangtang? After we parted at the bar last time, you just disappeared like that."
Ruan Yao moved her phone further away.
Then it dawned on me that after parting ways with Jiang Tangtang at the bar last time, I had been so focused on my work at Lexing Island that I had completely forgotten about my best friend.
She quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I was wrong. I just found a job recently and I've been incredibly busy. I really didn't mean to not contact you."
"Work?" Jiang Tangtang asked in confusion. "Why didn't you stay and work for your Ruan family business? Why did you go out and work like a slave? Which company did you go to?"
"Happy Star Island".
Jiang Tangtang's voice on the other end of the phone sounded even more puzzled, "Lexing Island? When did you become interested in those trendy toys?"
"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. To make amends, it's the weekend, so I'll treat you to dinner. You can choose whatever you like, okay?" Ruan Yao changed the subject.
"No need for dinner." Jiang Tangtang changed the subject, her tone becoming mysterious. "If you come out and help me out now, this matter will be over."
Jiang Tangtang quickly sent an address.
Ruan Yao looked at the location on her phone screen; it was a five-star hotel.
She changed her clothes and rushed to the hotel lobby, where she immediately spotted Jiang Tangtang.
Today she was wearing a well-tailored little black dress, high heels, and exquisite makeup, and was pacing anxiously back and forth in the lobby.
"Tangtang, what are you doing?"
When Jiang Tangtang saw her, it was as if she had seen a savior. She grabbed her and pulled her to a corner of the rest area next to her.
"Help, my dear friend!" Jiang Tangtang whispered anxiously. "The company I interned at has only one opening for full-time employment after my probation period. Our director said that whoever can secure investment will stay."
"I did a lot of research and found a company that was most suitable for our project, but their CEO was very unapproachable. I visited the company several times, but I never even got to meet him."
Jiang Tangtang pointed towards the banquet hall not far away, "I found out that that old fox is having a social engagement here today, so I wanted to sneak in and find a chance to talk to him. But when I went in and took a look, my legs went weak, and I have no idea what to do."
She clasped her hands together and looked at Ruan Yao pitifully: "That's why I called you here. You're smart, so be my strategist!"
Looking at the scene before her, Ruan Yao also felt a bit of a headache.
"I'm not good at investing either."
Jiang Tangtang looked at Ruan Yao's innocent-looking face and felt deflated.
My dear daughter has been pampered since childhood, never lifting a finger to do anything practical. She doesn't seem like the kind of person who would lower herself to ask for investment.
Calling her over was a desperate measure.
But then she thought about it again and Jiang Tangtang cheered herself up.
"Never mind, just find a place to wait for me later and be my mascot."
The two followed the waiter into the banquet hall, where dazzling crystal chandeliers cascaded down, and amidst the fragrance of fine clothes and the clinking of glasses, the atmosphere was vibrant.
Jiang Tangtang gripped Ruan Yao's hand tightly, her palms sweating with nervousness.
She pulled Ruan Yao to a corner with green plants, grabbed two glasses of champagne, and pointed to a spot not far away in a low voice.
"See that? That man with the Mediterranean hairline is Mr. Li Wenbin, the CEO of Hengtong Capital. The woman in the cheongsam next to him is his wife."
"I heard that Mr. Li is notoriously henpecked. They have been married for thirty years, started from scratch together, and have a very good relationship. Other wealthy bosses are known for having affairs, but he takes his wife with him wherever he goes and never gives other women a chance."
Ruan Yao looked in the direction she was pointing.
A man around fifty years old was holding a wine glass, chatting with someone with a smile.
Standing beside him was a lady in a cheongsam, with a gentle and graceful demeanor.
The man would occasionally turn his head and whisper something in her ear, then diligently adjust his wife's shawl with a fawning smile on his face.
Mrs. Li accepted it calmly, her eyes revealing a spoiled and pampered air.
Jiang Tangtang's tone was full of envy, "Look how good their relationship is."
Ruan Yao stared at the scene, somewhat lost in thought.
In his previous life, Huo Yanzhi was the same.
No matter the size of the banquet or occasion, he always brought her with him.
She doesn't actually like socializing, and every time she tries to decline, he asks her if she doesn't care about him.
When she gets tired from wearing high heels, he will immediately find a place for her to rest and personally massage her ankles, completely disregarding the opinions of others.
So this is what being henpecked means?
This realization brought a belated sweetness to Ruan Yao's heart, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
Jiang Tangtang continued to add information, "Dingsheng started out in the physical business, and in the past two years they've been trying to transition to the internet, and our project is a perfect fit. If I can convince them, forget about getting a permanent position, I'll get promoted on the spot!"
Ruan Yao listened attentively, but her gaze never left President Li.
She recognized that face.
In her previous life, as Mrs. Huo, she had attended countless such social occasions with Huo Yanzhi.
She knows almost all the prominent figures in Beijing's social circles.
This Mr. Li, it seems she even had afternoon tea with his wife.
Jiang Tangtang continued her analysis, "I've looked it up. Mr. Li likes to collect antiques and calligraphy, and his wife likes to listen to operas... When I go over there later, should I start with his wife?"
She downed the champagne in one gulp, mustered her courage, and said, "No way, this is a golden opportunity, I'll just go for it!"
Just as she was about to take a step, Ruan Yao grabbed her arm.
Don't go.
Jiang Tangtang turned around, looking puzzled. "What's wrong?"
"I've got an idea." Ruan Yao winked at her, gesturing for her to come closer.
The two girls huddled together, heads touching, and started whispering in each other's ears.
At the other end of the banquet hall, a carved screen separated a quieter, more private area.
Several well-dressed men were sitting around talking in hushed tones, the atmosphere relaxed and private.
Huo Yanzhi was completely enveloped in the dark velvet of the sofa, as if he had become one with the shadows.
He held a glass of whiskey in his hand; the ice had long since melted, but the whiskey had not touched his lips.
Half of his face was hidden in the light and shadow, his gaze piercing through the carved gaps of the screen, greedily enveloping the smiling figure in the distance.
The middle-aged man noticed his distraction and tentatively asked, "Mr. Huo, what do you think of the cooperation proposal we just discussed?"
Huo Yanzhi withdrew his gaze, the darkness in his eyes disappeared, and he returned to his aloof and indifferent demeanor.
"very good."
He put down his wine glass, stood up, and straightened his cuffs.
"Excuse me, you two talk."
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