Chapter 131: 66th Birthday
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Very soon, it was Hong Minima’s 66th birthday.
At this time, Lin Xiaowan had long received a personal invitation from Hong Minima. The invitation was exquisite. At that time, Hong Minhua even told her to not bring any gifts and that her presence was enough. Needless to say, it was impossible for her not to bring any gifts. No matter what, she had to express her gratitude. Moreover, she had already gotten the other party a gift. There was no reason for her not to give it to the other party.
Lin Xiaowan got up early in the morning. While she was deciding what to wear, she saw Huo Zheng getting ready for work. She asked, “You’re going to work today?”
Huo Zheng buttoned his shirt. After he was done, he stood at the side, waiting for Lin Xiaowan to pick a tie for him. Upon hearing her question, he asked in return, “Why wouldn’t I go to work today?”
“It’s Grandma Hong’s birthday party today. Aren’t you coming with me?” Lin Xiaowan asked.
Huo Zheng leaned over and kissed Lin Xiaowan while she put on his tie for him before he replied, “That’s tonight, right?”
In other words, he could get a lot of work done during the day.
In fact, Huo Zheng rarely attended events like this in the past. Usually, he would send someone to deliver the gift, and no one would say anything about it. However, the situation was different now. He was naturally willing to attend such an event because of Lin Xiaowan.
“Oh, okay.”
Lin Xiaowan selected a few pieces of clothing, but she was not too satisfied with them. She wanted to wear something that would match Huo Zheng. However, his clothes were all dark while hers were light.
She thought of something at this moment and asked, “By the way, what are you giving Grandma Hong?”
Huo Zheng was putting on his watch when he heard her question. He smiled and replied, “I’m giving her the painting, Auspicious Sun on Mount Lu.”
This was what Lin Xiaowan planned to give Hong Minhua if she could not find anything better. Although it was not her first choice, its value could not be underestimated. In fact, it was even more valuable than Wu Shenbo’s Longevity painting that she had bid for. Previously, Huo Zheng had told Assistant Song to obtain the painting for him.
Lin Xiaowan pinched him lightly when she heard his words. She said jokingly, “Hey! You benefited from my research!”
Huo Zheng chuckled. Before he left, he asked, “Shall we go together? 1’11 get the driver to pick you up later…”
Lin Xiaowan thought about it for a moment before she said, “Okay, pick me up at the dessert shop.”
She had not drawn any anthropomorphic desserts recently, and she wanted to practice more for the Venus Hope Competition. However, when she thought about how she would have to bring her dress and shoes to the dessert shop with her later to change before the party, she changed her mind. She said, “Forget it. Pick me up at home.”
At night.
When they arrived at the banquet hall, Lin Xiaowan handed the gift to the person standing at the entrance as per customs.
Upon seeing this, the Hong family’s butler did not put the gift away with the other gifts. He said with a smile, “I’ll personally bring Miss Lin’s gift to Old Madam’s room.”
Lin Xiaowan, who addressed Hong Minhua as Grandma Hong, was not used to hearing the latter being addressed as Old Madam.
There were not many familiar faces at the birthday party, and Gu Yuwu was not in attendance. Previously, she had said to Lin Xiaowan, “It’s so boring. If I go, I’ll only have to make small talk. Moreover, I’m not involved in my family’s business. I’m not going.”
Today, Hong Minhua was dressed in a bright and elegant red dress. It was a traditional Shangxia dress, and it was similar to what Mrs. Zheng, her daughter-in-law, liked to wear. It was obvious that Mrs. Zheng had helped her dress up today.
Speaking of Mrs. Zheng, Lin Xiaowan learned not long ago that the former had the same surname as her husband. Her husband’s surname was also Zheng.
Not long after, Hong Minhua gave a short speech before she happily went over to cut her cake. After that, it was time for everyone to socialize.
Although Lin Xiaowan did not know anyone, everyone knew Huo Zheng. Alas, he had no intention of socializing today. Those who wanted to strike up a conversation with him were deterred by his cold expression. In just a while, no one dared to shamelessly approach him anymore.
Nonetheless, this did not stop others from talking about him. Seeing that Huo Zheng had no intention of socializing, two people stood in the distance and discussed among themselves.
“That woman next to him is the boss of the dessert shop, right? 1 told you about her previously, but you didn’t believe me!”
“You’re right. However, 1 heard she hasn’t been going to the shop recently…”
“I don’t think that has anything to do with Second Master Huo. By the way, I heard that she has a high status in the Huo family…”
“Did they get married? I haven’t heard any news about that though…”
“I don’t think so. My wife ran into Mrs. Huo once. Mrs. Huo said that the young woman has no intention of getting married yet since she’s still so young…”
“That’s surprising…”
Lin Xiaowan was eating a small slice of cake at this moment. Seeing how different Huo Zheng was from his usual gentleness, she said teasingly, “You were so fierce earlier.”
Huo Zheng’s expression softened when he looked down at Lin Xiaowan and said, “But I’ll never be fierce to you…”
Lin Xiaowan continued to enjoy the food at the banquet. The food was exquisite and delicious, thanks to Hong Minhua who was a foodie. There were many of them that she had never seen before.
While the couple chatted softly among themselves, she suddenly felt a gaze on her. When she looked up, she saw Hai Linzhi standing not far away, smiling at her.
Hai Linzhi was dressed in a flashy casual suit with a peony pinned on his chest pocket. He looked rather frivolous.
Lin Xiaowan was speechless. She had met Hai Linzhi thrice, and each time, he was dressed in different styles. It was truly unpredictable.
Seeing that Lin Xiaowan and Huo Zheng had noticed him, Hai Linzhi walked over. He raised the glass in his hand and said, “Miss Lin, I’m sorry about what happened at the auction previously.”
Hai Linzhi’s attitude was neither servile nor overbearing. His voice was gentle, and his expression was sincere, making it difficult hard for people to dislike him.
After listening to Gu Yuwu’s explanation and Huo Zheng’s words, Lin Xiaowan was no longer wary of Hai Linzhi. However, she still scoffed and looked away.
Huo Zheng smiled and squeezed her hand.
Hai Linzhi scratched his nose awkwardly.
In fact, after Gu Yuwu praised Hai Linzhi in a roundabout manner, Lin Xiaowan was not really angry with Hai Linzhi.
Hai Linzhi seemed to know this, and he continued to say, “Initially, I wanted to apologize to Miss Lin after I left that day. However, I didn’t have Miss Lin’s contact information. As such, 1 could only wait for the right time to apologize..”