Annie gently moved Zhang Hongmei's hand and whispered in Mandarin, "Mom, you're sweating."
Zhang Hongmei nodded. "Annie, Mom is very nervous. Really."
Carlos patted Zhang Hongmei's arm, which was linked with his, and said, "Don't be nervous, it's really nothing."
Zhang Hongmei didn't want to talk to him. The three of them had just entered the door when they saw Beth and the others waiting.
Zhang Hongmei let go of Carlos and quickly walked to Huang Meihua's side with Annie in her hand. "Godmother, I was so nervous."
"Hehe, you'll get used to it in a bit. Let's go inside. It's not good for you to leave Carlos like this."
"Godmother, no, I can't do it. Holding his hand and being stared at by others makes my hair stand on end. I'd rather hold your hand instead."
"Hehe, you have to get used to this occasion. It's okay. He's your sworn brother, isn't he? Hurry up and go over. We're only a little further away from finishing."
In the end, Zhang Hongmei still took Carlos's hand. Annie looked at Zhang Hongmei with amusement, "Mom, you're too nervous, your smile is terrifying."
Zhang Hongmei took a deep breath, thinking that she couldn't smile, so a blank expression would be more natural.
Carlos felt a pang of sadness. Was he suffering because he was with him?
"Hongmei, we have to meet quite a few people later, so make sure you're in good spirits."
"Okay, I understand." Zhang Hongmei was much better now than before. Huang Meihua was right; Carlos was her sworn brother, so there was no need to think too much about it.
Zhang Hongmei knew it was her own conservatism at work. She really wasn't used to being too close to men. Finally, they reached the hall, where many eyes were now on them. Some people came over to greet them; after all, the head of the most powerful family in the M country had arrived, and many wanted to strike up a conversation.
Carlos released Zhang Hongmei's arm, put his hand on her back, and gently supported her waist. Everyone greeted each other first, and then the topic turned to Zhang Hongmei.
"Mr. McKen, who is this beautiful lady?"
"Hehe, this is our Miss McCann, Zhang Hongmei McCann."
Zhang Hongmei smiled slightly at the dozen or so people who had gathered around her and said, "Hello everyone, it's a great honor to meet you all here."
Carlos introduced each of these people to Zhang Hongmei, explaining that they were all business associates.
Zhang Hongmei shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with each of them. Just as this group left, another group arrived.
Zhang Hongmei had to try hard to remember them. After all, it was difficult; they were all blond and blue-eyed. Fortunately, her memory was still pretty good.
Just then, someone else arrived. Of course, the people inside the venue didn't know who it was, but the commotion outside was quite loud. Zhang Hongmei thought to herself, "This must be another important person."
When the man entered, Zhang Hongmei was taken aback. This man was so strikingly handsome. He wasn't particularly tall or dashing, but he gave off a unique vibe.
"Hongmei, this is the prince you wanted to see. Would you like to go over and say hello?"
Zhang Hongmei shook her head. "No, I want to see him, but I don't want to get to know him. Let's just forget about it."
"Heh, what kind of thinking is that?"
"Hehe, just to see what His Highness looks like."
Carlos, Anne and I went to see our godmother.
"Alright, I'll take you there. Other people who come to this kind of event are eager to meet more people, but you're the one who's hiding."
"Hehe, I'm not trying to hide, I just don't know how to communicate with them. Besides, I really dislike the hand-kissing custom here."
"Hehe, now I finally understand why you always extend your hand to shake hands with others first."
"I was afraid that if I avoided you, everyone would feel awkward, okay? We're here, you can go ahead and get busy! Don't come looking for me."
"Haha, that won't do, we still have to dance later."
"I'm really sorry, Carlos, I don't dance."
Does this have anything to do with it?
Zhang Hongmei nodded, "I promised my husband I wouldn't dance with anyone." She decided to use Zhang Shouyi as a shield.
After hearing Zhang Hongmei's words, Carlos smiled awkwardly, turned around and left.
Beth was also chatting with others, while only Zeng Zhongkang and Huang Meihua were sitting on the sofa.
Zhang Hongmei led Annie to sit down. "Godmother, I regret coming here. I can't adapt to this kind of life."
"Hehe, I was like that at first too, especially hating their hand-kissing and forehead-kissing. But I gradually got used to it, but I have never accepted either of these greetings from anyone other than Bass. I think it's disrespectful to me."
"Me too. I was the one who extended my hand to shake hands first."
"Hehe, we received different educations."
"So I ran away and came back."
"Hongmei, Annie, what would you two like to drink?"
"Annie, how about we have some juice?"
"Okay, Mom!"
Zeng Zhongkang got up to get a drink. "Godmother, I just refused Carlos's invitation to dance. I promised Brother Zhang that I wouldn't dance with anyone."
Huang Meihua nodded knowingly. "It's okay, if you don't want to jump, you don't have to."
"Bass and I aren't going to the dance floor anymore."
"I'm sorry, godmother."
"Hehe, what does it matter?"
"I've affected your mood."
"Silly girl, what does this have to do with you? It's better if you don't dance, otherwise it won't be good if someone comes over to ask you to dance and you don't agree. It's better not to dance at all so you have an excuse."
Zhang Hongmei nodded. She hadn't thought that far ahead. But she definitely wouldn't dance.
Carlos perked up and went to the prince's vicinity as well. They had met a few times, but only nodding acquaintances, so they exchanged a few pleasantries and then left.
Carlos was disheartened by Zhang Hongmei's words. Even at this important gathering, he couldn't muster the energy to participate.
At this moment, several noble ladies gathered around. They all knew each other and had a decent relationship. So Carlos was held up by them.
The host of the banquet, also a nobleman, stood in the middle and said, "Welcome everyone. We are all old friends and acquaintances. This gathering is to give everyone a chance to meet. So I won't waste any more time. I wish you all a happy day!"
Zhang Hongmei didn't want to meet anyone, so she stayed on the sofa with Annie. Of course, many ladies came over to greet Huang Meihua.
Zhang Hongmei stood by, smiling obsequiously. She was as well-behaved as if she were another granddaughter.
When the buffet started, Zeng Zhongkang became the waiter for the three ladies, responsible for serving them food.
However, I ate some dinner at home, so I'm just having it as a snack now.
Zhang Hongmei only ate a few pieces of fruit as a token gesture, but she did drink a glass of juice. She had been talking a lot earlier, and now her mouth felt dry.
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