Knock! Knock!
Right then, there was a sudden knock on the door.
Jiang Mohan clenched his fist, trying to calm himself down. Then, he put the photo back into the drawer, flipped a document open on the desk before him, and said, “Come in.”
Ling Wei entered and handed a document over to him. “President Jiang, please sign this document.”
Jiang Mohan flipped the document open, his face devoid of expression.
“You look pale. Are you not feeling well?” Ling Wei asked with concern, not mentioning a word about what happened yesterday.
Jiang Mohan pursed his lips while remaining silent.
Ling Wei bit her lips. “Mohan…”
“There you go.” Jiang Mohan tossed the document over the desk after signing it, making it clear that he was unwilling to listen to a word she said.
Ling Wei clenched her fists but eventually swallowed her words. She picked up the document and then handed a gilded invitation card to him. “The Dreams Foundation has sent you an invitation to the charity gala.”
Usually, this type of event was meant to serve as a platform for the wealthy and influential figures to build a good reputation.
It was a win-win activity. On the one hand, the rich could earn a good reputation for making donations. On the other, the foundation could provide help for the needy using the money collected.
Jiang Mohan cast a glance at the invitation card. “I got it.”
“I’m going with you.” Ling Wei was afraid that he might turn her down, so she quickly added, “You need a partner for that kind of occasion.”
Jiang Mohan gave a slight nod. “You can leave now.”
Standing in front of the hotel room with an apparel box in one hand, Gu Xian knocked on Zong Yanxi’s door with the other.
Meanwhile, Zong Yanxi was typing behind the computer in her home wear with a pair of anti-radiation glasses on the bridge of her nose. She went to answer the door after she heard someone knocking.
Upon seeing Gu Xian, she asked, “What brings you here?”
“It’s urgent.” Gu Xian slid into the room before Zong Yanxi even invited him in.
Zong Yanxi closed the door. “Would you like some drinks?” she asked while taking off her glasses.
“No thanks. Come and try this on.” Gu Xian handed a gown to her.
“What’s going on?” Zong Yanxi held a bewildered look on her face. “Why am I trying the gown?”
“Of course, there’s a solid reason why.” Gu Xian held both sides of her arms. “There’s this charity gala. I don’t have a partner, so I’m now inviting you as my partner to the gala.”
Zong Yanxi raised her brow. “I don’t have time for this.”
“I don’t care! Either you go with me, or you’ll lose a friend.” Gu Xian slouched into the couch, acting petulant.
Zong Yanxi had no choice but to pick up the gown. “It is rare for you to ask for my help. Since you’ve helped me a lot, I’ll return you a favor today.”
“It isn’t embarrassing to be my partner, is it?” Gu Xian let out a chuckle. “No one can call a man like me ugly.”
Zong Yanxi was amused. “You sure know how to blow your own horn.”
“Do you mean to say that I’m ugly?!” Gu Xian feigned an angry look, glaring at her.
“Fine, fine. You’re not ugly.” Zong Yanxi grabbed the gown and went into her room.
A moment later, she reappeared in the white gown. “How do I look?”
Gu Xian’s eyes lit up. “It suits you well! You’ve got to admit that I have pretty good taste. We’ll be ready to go after you style your hair.”
“Don’t I need a makeup?” asked Zong Yanxi.
With a smile, Gu Xian reassured her, “You look gorgeous even without makeup.”
However, Zong Yanxi held a different opinion on this matter. “I should at least apply light makeup. This is your first time making an appearance as the person in charge of the gala. I can’t afford to let you lose face at such an important event.”
Gu Xian was promoted as the head of the subsidiary company after a year of hard work. He might seem to be a person with a carefree attitude, but he was indeed a competent leader in the workplace.
“That would be fantastic!” Gu Xian’s smile grew wider.
Zong Yanxi shook her head resignedly at the man exclaiming in triumph.
At seven at night, the entrance of the event hall was jam-packed with luxury cars. One could easily see how grand and magnificent the charity gala was.
Ling Wei dressed up in a black gown for the charity gala, looking all gorgeous and enticing. She became the center of attention the moment she showed up arm-in-arm with Jiang Mohan at the venue. Her heart burst with joy upon hearing some of the people saying they looked like a perfect match.
She turned to look at Jiang Mohan in anticipation, only to find that he was indifferent. At that instant, the disappointment in her heart was hard to ignore.
Meanwhile, a car pulled up in front of the entrance. The next moment, the driver pulled the rear door open, and Gu Xian got out of the car in his grey suit, which made him look mature and staid. He was chivalrous like a charming prince when he held out his hand for Zong Yanxi.
Zong Yanxi put her hand in his, flashing him a smile as the latter helped her out of the car.
“Take my arm.” Gu Xian straightened up. There was a trace of sobriety in his manners, which replaced his usual cheekiness.
Zong Yanxi locked his arm and heard him saying, “Let’s go.”
The two made their way into the event hall.
The attendees all knew Gu Xian as the head of the subsidiary company, but the beautiful lady standing beside him was the one who got their attention.
“Today is certainly a gathering of beauties!” Someone exclaimed.
Gu Xian held his head high as if he enjoyed it a lot when people were casting envious glances at him.
Ling Wei turned her head and was surprised to see Zong Yanxi. Didn’t she just come back from abroad? How does she know Gu Xian? Why is she here with him?
As if the commotion in the crowd had caught his attention, Jiang Mohan turned around to see Zong Yanxi standing beside Gu Xian elegantly. She looked as pretty as a picture in her pearl white bias cut gown, which perfectly wrapped her curvaceous figure. Her black hair was tied into a loose bun, with loose tendrils of hair framing her face.
Jiang Mohan was in a daze as her temperament reminded him of the person that used to walk beside him, with her arm in his.
“Mohan.” Ling Wei tightened her grip around his arm.
Jiang Mohan finally returned to his senses and saw Gu Xian walking toward him.
“President Jiang.” Gu Xian greeted him. Even though he hadn’t engaged in any business dealing with Jiang Mohan, that man was a big name in B City. He had to admit that Jiang Mohan was certainly a capable man since he managed to become who he was today.
Zong Yanxi knew there was a high possibility that she would meet Jiang Mohan on such an occasion, but she didn’t expect Ling Wei to be his partner.
She sneered internally but projected a calm facade. “President Jiang, the two of you look perfect with each other.”
“Tha— “
“We’re just friends.” Jiang Mohan interrupted Ling Wei.
Right then, the voice of the host rang out. “Fate has brought us together today! We are all here today with a great heart full of compassion.”
After a short preamble, the host’s voice grew even louder and more passionate. “Tonight, we are organizing this charity gala in the hope of making some contributions to the needy. First of all, I would like to thank you for your support and send you warm regards on behalf of the organizer. Tonight’s fundraising will proceed in the form of an auction. Of course, all of the auction items are donations from our fellow philanthropists from different industries. The fund raised will go to the needy through the Dreams Foundation. For our love and our dreams! Let the auction begin! Our model will present to you our first auction item.”
A model in an evening dress with full face makeup proceeded onto the stage.
A murmur broke out when the crowd saw the model holding nothing in her hand. A man asked teasingly, “Are you auctioning the model?”
The host displayed a perfect smile. “Sir, of course, we are not auctioning the model. Allow me to introduce you to tonight’s first auction item—a limited edition diamond ring from an anonymous philanthropist.”
A huge diamond ring came into sight as the model raised her hand.
Zong Yanxi was shocked upon seeing the ring.
Jiang Mohan’s face, too, was clouded over. That was a custom-made diamond ring when he proposed to Zong Yanxi. She never took it off once he put it on her finger. He thought it was long gone with her when she died…
Locking her gaze on the ring, Zong Yanxi couldn’t help wringing her hands. She only found out that her ring was missing after being rescued by Gu Xian. I thought I’ve lost the ring… Why would it suddenly appear at the auction?
The host rang out again. “This ring itself is of great value, so its reserve price is considerably high. The starting bid is ten million!”
