The hostess, clad in a classical cheongsam, greeted guests with a smile as they arrived for the exhibition, overseeing the sign-in records before ushering them each into the adjacent lounge.
Zhang Yuksheng stood at the entrance of the exhibition hall, occasionally exchanging pleasantries and intimate conversations with the guests who had come to attend the event.
By then, he had long shed the desolate air of desperation from his slump a few months prior. The current Zhang Yuksheng was the famously successful general manager of Yuyuanzhai in Xuandu City, even within the wider Xuanjin. With a net worth in the tens of millions, his courteous and charismatic persona symbolized the self-made "Diamond Single King."
Some who knew Zhang Yuksheng could not help but sigh admiringly at his spirited appearance. Initially, when Jia Ming and Chen Shuhua conspired against him, he was pitifully derided and scorned by everyone. Yet, in just a few short months, Zhang Yuksheng had leveraged his strength and insight to stage an impressive comeback.
All of this transformation was thanks to a young woman named An Yiqing. Without her, Zhang Yuksheng might still be steeped in debt, languishing at the lowest rungs of society!
Everyone wore friendly smiles on their faces, warmly exchanging greetings at the entrance of the exhibition hall.
"Manager Zhang! Long time no see, how have you been?"
Upon hearing the voice, Zhang Yuksheng turned to see it was Qiu Yiping, who had previously sought An Yiqing’s help for treatment.
Qiu Yiping, the deputy director of the Xuanjin Finance Department, was known for his low profile and modest lifestyle, free from the taint of bureaucratic airs, a person of precision and gravity. Months ago, at the request of his brother-in-law, Lin Chengming, An Yiqing had not only cured Qiu Yiping of his illness and poison but also skillfully mended the relationship between him and his wife, Yang Xuan, clearing up years of misunderstandings and restoring harmony between them.
This time, Qiu Yiping came with his wife Yang Xuan. Their faces, once marked by a sense of defeat, were now brimming with tender affection and joy.
"Minister Qiu, Mrs. Qiu! Welcome, welcome! It’s an honor to have you both here. Your presence truly graces our exhibition," Zhang Yuksheng said warmly, taking a few quick steps forward to shake hands with Qiu Yiping and Yang Xuan in turn.
"You’re too kind, Manager Zhang. As long as Miss An is hosting the event, no matter how busy we are, my wife and I will make sure to attend," Qiu Yiping responded with a smile, glancing around in confusion, "Manager Zhang, hasn’t Miss An arrived yet?" Standing beside him, Yang Xuan also looked around with a look of concern on her face.
Zhang Yuksheng instantly knew that the couple must have something to discuss with An Yiqing.
"The time hasn’t come yet; Miss An hasn’t come out. Please wait a moment, I’ll give her a call." Pulling out his mobile phone, Zhang Yuksheng called An Yiqing, briefly mentioning that Qiu Yiping and Yang Xuan were looking for her.
"Minister Qiu, Mrs. Qiu, Miss An has agreed for you to go over."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Yiping nodded his thanks, and together with Yang Xuan, followed the hostess towards An Yiqing’s lounge.
The flow of people at the entrance of the exhibition hall grew, with Zhang Yuksheng and Hua Yun circulating tirelessly like relentless spinning tops among the guests.
Inside the lounge, people held wine glasses, chatting leisurely with friends nearby or eagerly perused the brochure of the exhibition.
As seconds and minutes slipped by, an hour was almost up, and most guests had arrived, moving from the lounge to take their seats at the outdoor seating area, waiting for the exhibition to officially begin.
With only about ten minutes left, some high-profile guests began to arrive one after another.