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The little girl seemed unafraid of Ji Nuan Yang's reprimand because there were outsiders present; instead, she pouted and said, "I didn't do it on purpose."
With her acting this way, Ji Nuan Yang found it difficult to continue scolding her. However, the person in front of them was Mrs. Jin, so he couldn't just let it slide.
"You..."
"Qiao Nuo?" At that moment, Jin Chengyan walked over. He was clearly surprised by Qiao Nuo's arrival, but his expression darkened when he saw her extravagant dress.
This woman had the audacity to wear such a flamboyant gown to a place filled with men!
When he had called her in the afternoon, she had mentioned working overtime—was this what she meant by working?
"Sorry, Xi Ning was being naughty and bumped into Mrs. Jin," Ji Nuan Yang explained to Jin Chengyan while pulling Ji Xining closer. "Aren't you going to apologize?"
Jin Chengyan wasn't one to nitpick over such matters, and he had long heard that the Ji family spoiled their youngest daughter too much to actually make her apologize.
"It's fine. Let's have Miss Ji change into something more appropriate first! The banquet is about to start," Jin Chengyan suggested with a slight gesture.
In truth, he was utterly fed up with such gatherings, mingling with a bunch of unfamiliar faces. He despised the Ji family even more.
Ji Nuan Yang had a warm-sounding name, yet she was nothing but a cunning and ruthless character, just like that Yan Beiting—both were hypocrites!
While they could chat amiably here, once outside this banquet hall, the cutthroat nature of the business world would leave no room for any semblance of friendship.
"Then I'll excuse myself for now." With that, Ji Nuan Yang took Ji Xining away to change clothes.
As she was leaving, Qiao Nuo caught sight of Ji Xining sticking her tongue out at her, looking quite adorable.
On the other hand, Ji Nuan Yang gave Qiao Nuo a deep glance, subtly acknowledging her dress with a hint of praise, as if to say that his judgment was spot on and that Qiao Nuo looked great in that gown.
Qiao Nuo could only respond with an awkward smile.
This smile, however, did not go unnoticed by Jin Chengyan.
He stepped forward, positioning himself between Qiao Nuo and Ji Nuan Yang.
"What are you doing here?" Jin Chengyan asked gruffly.
Only then did Qiao Nuo pull her gaze away and look at Jin Chengyan. She was about to speak when she remembered that Sun Wen was still around.
Sun Wen, being perceptive, quickly excused himself, saying he had spotted a friend. This left only Qiao Nuo and Jin Chengyan together.
Everyone else was focused on Jin Chengyan and his wife talking, naturally hesitant to interrupt, which afforded the two a rare moment of privacy.
"Do you know Ji Nuan Yang?" Seeing the earlier exchange between Qiao Nuo and Ji Nuan Yang, he speculated that they might be acquainted.
"I don't know him, but I would like to," she replied.
Jin Chengyan's brow twitched. This woman!
"Well, Ruan Shengyu and Yan Beiting are here together. Are you okay with that?" Qiao Nuo quickly changed the subject. She had been worried about this all along, but the earlier distraction caused by Ji Nuan Yang and his sister had prevented her from asking.
Qiao Nuo really was a source of trouble for Jin Chengyan, bringing up topics best left untouched!
Jin Chengyan's gaze drifted past Qiao Nuo to where Yan Beiting and Ruan Shengyu were chatting amiably.
Six years ago, Ruan Shengyu had asked Jin Chengyan if she and Yan Beiting looked particularly well-matched standing together. Yet all those years had passed without them ever having the chance to stand side by side.
Who would have thought that six years later, her wish would finally come true?
"What do I have to worry about? I won't forget that I'm a married man now." As he spoke, Jin Chengyan placed Qiao Nuo's hand on his arm, encouraging her to link it with him.
Qiao Nuo opened her mouth slightly, wanting to say something, but when she saw Jin Chengyan's expression, the words caught in her throat.
He looked… angry.
Angry because he saw Ruan Shengyu standing next to Yan Beiting.
He claimed he wasn't upset, yet his face betrayed him.
Jin Chengyan, do you really need to be so obvious?
Qiao Nuo let out a bitter smile. What was she really hoping for?
She linked her arm with Jin Chengyan's, a breathtaking smile blooming on her face.
She was already beautiful, especially her pair of eyes, glistening with a watery sheen, embodying both innocence and allure. With the trendiest lip-biting makeup, just a gentle bite seemed capable of drawing blood!
"You think if I act all close to you, Ruan Shengyu will get jealous?" She tilted her head, playfully gazing at Jin Chengyan.
As Jin Chengyan lowered his head, he caught sight of Qiao Nuo's enchanting face.
She had a face that could captivate anyone; just a slight smile was enough to leave others spellbound.
He gently lifted Qiao Nuo's chin with one hand. "You're too nosy."
Their whispered conversation was inaudible to outsiders, yet they appeared to be a loving couple, making everyone else in the banquet hall fade into the background.
Especially the couple who had just entered—Yan Beiting and Ruan Shengyu.
Not far away, Yan Beiting stopped chatting with some indifferent acquaintances and took Ruan Shengyu's hand, making his way toward Jin Chengyan and Qiao Nuo without a care for anyone else.
Ruan Shengyu could feel the strength of Yan Beiting's grip on her hand.
Both of them couldn't stand seeing the couple across from them being affectionate in public.
In no time, Yan Beiting approached and greeted Jin Chengyan.
“Yan, long time no see.” Yan Beiting immediately interrupted the affectionate moment between Qiao Nuo and Jin Chengyan. He glanced at Qiao Nuo but ultimately did not linger on her for too long.
Perhaps he was afraid.
Such a beautiful person, it was hard to look away after stealing a glance.
Jin Chengyan let out a light scoff. Long time no see? Only someone as hypocritical as Yan Beiting could say such a thing.
Of course, Jin Chengyan wouldn’t confront Yan Beiting in a place like this; he didn’t want his personal matters on display for so many people to see.
“Yeah, long time no see,” Jin Chengyan replied with a feigned smile. Wasn’t it just a competition of who was more hypocritical? If Yan Beiting could do it, so could he.
He provocatively pulled Qiao Nuo into his embrace. Others might not know, but Jin Chengyan certainly did!
That hypocritical man had feelings for Qiao Nuo!
So he wanted to show off his possession of Qiao Nuo in front of Yan Beiting, making him feel hurt!
To this, Yan Beiting could only think three words… so childish.
“Surprised to see me standing with Ruan Shengyu?” Yan Beiting didn’t act particularly close to Ruan Shengyu. “She’s the new spokesperson we signed at our company.”
“Miss Ruan’s career is indeed smooth; being able to represent Yan Fei is quite an achievement,” Jin Chengyan remarked with a sneer.
When Jin Chengyan initially asked Ruan Shengyu to be the spokesperson for the cosmetics line under Jin, she had never given a clear answer. It wasn't that she thought poorly of Jin; rather, she didn't want to take advantage of Jin Chengyan.
But now, wasn't she taking advantage of Yan Beiting?
This thought left Jin Chengyan feeling quite displeased.
Qiao Nuo genuinely didn't want to listen to the conversation between Jin Chengyan and Yan Beiting. These two men were truly... fighting over a woman...
Over Ruan Shengyu.
Qiao Nuo observed Ruan Shengyu, who remained calm throughout, as if the exchange between Jin Chengyan and Yan Beiting had nothing to do with her.
She was indeed a clever woman, not speaking up while two men argued over her, showing no favoritism.
"Thank you for your kind words, Young Master Jin." In front of outsiders, Ruan Shengyu maintained her distance from Jin Chengyan. "The news from a few days ago really caused some trouble for you, Young Master Jin. The entertainment industry is a mixed bag, full of unsavory dealings behind the scenes. However, I believe this hasn't affected you too much; you and your wife truly seem to be in love."
Ruan Shengyu emphasized the words "your wife," venting her dissatisfaction.
"Indeed, there hasn't been much trouble; just some extra work for public relations. As long as my marriage is harmonious and my wife and I are affectionate, what obstacles could we not overcome?" Jin Chengyan retorted to Ruan Shengyu.
Qiao Nuo and Yan Beiting simultaneously rubbed their temples.
The sharp exchanges between these two were truly unparalleled.
"You all continue chatting; I need to use the restroom." Qiao Nuo pushed away Jin Chengyan's hand that was around her and walked toward the restroom without waiting for his response.
She couldn't stand Jin Chengyan's behavior, flaunting his affection for another woman right in front of her.
As she left, Jin Chengyan turned his gaze away, only to catch Yan Beiting looking at him with reluctance.
This hypocritical man, showing such greedy eyes toward his wife in front of him—did he think he was invisible?
"Yan San, your date is still right next to you!" Jin Chengyan snorted coldly, prompting Yan Beiting to look away.
Yan Beiting had always been nonchalant about many things, so he didn't take Jin Chengyan's words to heart.
"You've always liked the feeling of monopolizing the spotlight. Now that the Ji Family is in Qin Cheng, it seems you're quite welcoming?" With Qiao Nuo gone, Yan Beiting felt a sense of relief.
After all, he and Jin Chengyan had grown up together as friends. No matter what happened, they were still brothers at heart.
Even with so many siblings from both the Jin and Yan families, Yan Beiting still believed that he and Jin Chengyan were the best of brothers.
Some matters, however, were just too complicated.
"You’re meddling too much," Jin Chengyan replied, not intending to engage with Yan Beiting's question.
At that moment, Yan An City hurried over. Little did he know that he would walk into such a situation. He quickly tried to slip away but was unexpectedly caught by Yan Beiting.
“Lao Liu, where are you running off to? Come here!” Yan An City could only resign himself and walk over.
He smiled cheerfully at Jin Chengyan and Yan Beiting.
On one side was his cousin by blood, and on the other was a good brother he had become very close with. He had been avoiding situations where both of them would be present, but he never expected to get caught this time.
“Brother San, Yan Ge.” Yan An City scratched his head, “Sister Ruan Shengyu is here too, hahaha…” His laughter came out a bit awkwardly.
Seeing all three of them together, Ruan Shengyu smiled brightly and said, “You all continue chatting; I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”
*
In the restroom, Qiao Nuo rolled her eyes at the mirror. She truly hated herself for being like this; beneath her feigned calmness, her heart felt like it was shattering into pieces.
Could she please not care so much about Jin Chengyan?
At that moment, Qiao Nuo saw Ruan Shengyu walk into the restroom.
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