Chapter 112 — Meeting Someone At The Retirement Party
The party was in full swing by the time they got to the venue.
It was said to be a small retirement party, but Pei Yueran felt it was more on the scale of a grand gala. It was held in the hall room of one of the largest hotels in City M.
More than a dozen waiters milled around, serving different kinds of hors d'oeuvres and wine. Guests in splendid outfits moved slowly and regally, as if to keep in step with the calm music playing in the background.
Some of them gathered in groups, making small talk and exchanging cards and smiles.
The ambience was sophisticated and quite dignified.
Li Chuanmo walked side by side Pei Yueran as they went to greet the hosts —the Du family. Du Wangshan greeted him warmly, asked after Li Qianye and thanked them for coming. Li Chuanmo responded politely and asked after their son who was recently involved in an accident.
Both men eventually shook hands before he and Pei Yueran walked away.
"They look so good together. Judging from what Madam Li said the other day, the good news would be all over City M soon." His wife, Fang Ruowan said.
Du Wangshan nodded thoughtfully, looking at their backs as they walked away step by step.
Li Chuanmo was pulled away almost immediately, but he held Pei Yueran's hand as they went round, talking to family friends and business partners, and breaking hearts as he went.
Eyes followed them everywhere, making Pei Yueran especially uncomfortable. That so many people were looking at them was obvious —Pei Yueran could almost feel the gazes like a physical touch on her back.
She immediately squared her shoulders and straightened her postire, unknowingly wearing her "Queen-slash-Ironlady" look. It made her feel impervious to the intense stares—she felt more relaxed.
Li Chuanmo's eyes lit up just staring at her. She was looking so graceful and regal that he felt like shouting to the world that she was his.
A few tables away, a woman in a dark green gown looked in their direction and smiled. 'She's quite special', she thought to herself, twirling her glass of wine.
Soon, Li Chuanmo was called up to the stage to give his speech. Watching him stride purposefully with long legs—looking every inch the successful CEO, Pei Yueran smiled in admiration and subtle satisfaction.
This amazing man was hers.
His deep, pleasant voice transmitted from the microphone to everyone's ears, making a few young ladies blush and stare at him dreamily.
He thanked the hosts for inviting him, extolling the virtues of Du Wangshan and appreciating his years of dedication to the Li Conglomerate.
He then proposed a toast to the man of the hour, before thanking everyone for honoring the invitation. He ended the speech with a bow, saying that the Li Conglomerate was looking forward to future business dealings with everyone present.
He stepped off the stage to thunderous applause, but his eyes were fixed on Pei Yueran. He was walking towards her when a business partner stopped him for a chat. He looked at her helplessly from afar.
Pei Yueran met his eyes and nodded slightly. She wanted to go to the bathroom anyways.
She asked a waiter for the restroom before heading towards the direction she pointed out.
The ladies convenience was very modern, with state of the art furnishings and spacious toilet stalls. The entire place was pristine looking.
Just after Pei Yueran went into a stall, the woman who was wearing a dark green gown came in, standing in front of the mirror to touch up her makeup. She was applying color to her lips when a younger lady walked in.
She stiffened for a moment, but continued on as if nothing had happened. Unfortunately, the younger lady obviously came looking for trouble.
After using the toilet, Pei Yueran was about to push on the flush button when she heard a harsh voice speak.
"You're a very stubborn woman, Ms. Xu. Just give up already."
Pei Yueran paused. She had heard their footsteps when they came in, so she knew they were two. She guessed that the other woman probably thought they were alone.
The lady addressed as Ms. Xu—Xu Kexin did not respond, but the younger lady continued. "Just annul the engagement and free him quickly. Stop standing in the way of our love. Let him go, please. I'm begging you for the sake of the baby."
Xu Kexin finally reacted. Her lips curled up in a harmless smile as she asked, "Is that what he told you? That I'm holding on to him?"
A hint of doubt crossed the other lady's features, but she quickly calmed down. "If not? We love each other very much, and he already promised to marry me more than a month ago. It must be your fault that things are moving so slowly."
It was not in any way Pei Yueran's business, but she marveled at the boldness of the other lady. It was based on assumption, but from her words, this should be a scene of the mistress confronting the "legitimate wife"?
Xu Kexin was talking, "You're wrong Ms. Lin. You can have him all to yourself, I don't care."
"Liar! I know you have refused to cancel the engagement."
Xu Kexin was unfazed. "That was then. Now that I have come to terms with the annulment, he's the one still clinging to me."
Ms Lin still wanted to reply, but Pei Yueran chose that moment to press the flush button loudly, startling her.
Both pair of eyes turned to her as she opened the door, going straight to the wash basin. As water sluiced over her hands, she spoke almost conversationally.
"I personally think shame is an important characteristic that every human being should possess. Being shameless is not only repulsive, it is also distasteful and screams "Zero class".
"You should be careful, Miss. Although the country is more tolerant of adultery in recent years, it's still a moral defect, and not something to be proud of."
After she dried her hands, she walked out without looking back, leaving Ms Lin to stare at her in shocked and embarrassed silence. Xu Kexin's smile widened further, as if she was a mere bystander.
She said, "I couldn't have put it better. You should listen to her, that's a piece of good advice" before sashaying away. She wanted to catch up with Pei Yueran.
At the door, she stopped to add, "If you really love him, you shouldn't be here. Go and look for him. Both of you are a great match, and I wish you a happy marriage."
She stepped out in time to see the shimmering gown Pei Yueran was wearing sway with her every step, causing Xu Kexin to think about stars lighting up a dark blue sky. This lady was really elegant in looks and bearing.
"Special Assistant Pei, please wait!"