Chapter 24: CH 24

Huo Xiang’s ingenuity made Bai Zhen Zhen amazed.

She didn’t react until Huo Xiang hugged her shoulders.

“Darling, you haven’t introduced yet, who is this gentleman?” Huo Xiang asked coquettishly.

After several critical attacks, Bai Zhen Zhen had already begun to become immune to Huo Xiang acting cute, and the number of goosebumps rising had also decreased greatly.

She replied: “Oh, him. My high school classmate, Zhen Wei.”

She whispered quietly into Huo Xiang’s ear: “Actually, he should be called ‘Zhen Wei Suo (Zhen Pervert)’.”

Though Zhen Wei had a slight trepidation of the aura the man in front of him exuded, but as someone who had always been arrogant, he couldn’t casually bow down in front of a stranger.

“Nice to meet you, buddy,” Zhen Wei started to introduce himself arrogantly, “I am Zhen Wei, the big boss of the famous Juju Entertainment Company in this city. What’s your name, and where are you working at?”

“The famous Juju Entertainment Company?! Why haven’t I heard of it before?” Huo Xiang raised his eyebrow, turning towards Bai Zhen Zhen: “Darling, what entertainment company is that? Have you heard of it before?”

“I’ve also never heard of it before!” Bai Zhen Zhen pretended to be thoughtful, “Maybe it’s the company whose artistes likes to tie double ponytails.”*

Zhen Wei was indignant, asking again: “Then you should have heard of Mining Corporation?! The boss of Mining Corporation is my dad!!”

Bai Zhen Zhen and Huo Xiang looked at each other.

“‘Mining Corporation’? What does it do? Mining?”

“It can’t be? A mining company’s name should be domineering. Could the name really be so cute?!”

“What do you understand!” Zhen Wei ground his teeth in anger, “A family like ours who owns mines have different aesthetics from you! Look at your reaction! At first glance, it’s clear you have no experience in society!”

Bai Zhen Zhen bowled over in laughter.

Huo Xiang held back a smile, and deliberately flattered: “Yes, yes. Whatever Boss Zhen says is right. Your family has a big business, able to buy a building just by digging a few rocks. How could it be possible for a normal person to do such things.”

“That’s right!” Zhen Wei lifted hsi chin, smugly saying, “My father was in the top three on the city’s list of richest people last year! My family has more mines than the number of rice grains in your family!”

He paused, before giving Huo Xiang a disdainful look: “Buddy, I see that you are also someone who can be reasoned with. I will give you a word of advise. You should be careful when making friends, and not let noisy birds flap around you, blinding you to who you can or cannot afford to provoke!”

“Noisy birds?” Huo Xiang pretended not to understand, “Boss Zhen jokes. After I got my darling, none of those noisy birds can enter my eyes!”

“Is that so?” Zhen Wei sneered, “Then your eyes are quite good. Of so many people, you pick the one I didn’t want.”

Huo Xiang was taken aback by this sentence.

He subconsciously looked towards Bai Zhen Zhen. With a single glance, he read understood the ins and outs of the matter from Bai Zhen Zhen’s expression.

“Boss Zhen, what are you saying! I’ve chased my darling for so many years, but I have never heard of someone she likes! However, I heard that during high school, there were many people who were rejected by her, and started disseminating rumors about her after that…”

He suddenly paused, his right hand covering his mouth, pretending to gasp in surprise: “Oh, this person couldn’t be…”

His gaze fell on Zhen Wei complicatedly.

“What are you blustering about!” Zhen Wei huffed, “I warn you, you better not blindly accuse others!”

“Tsk tsk.” Huo Xiang didn’t say anything, just sighing and shaking his head.

Zhen Wei was so angry he almost burst a vessel. He suppressed his anger and asked Huo Xiang: “What is your background? You dare to treat me in this manner? If you have the capabilities, then report your company’s name to me! With my dad’s connections in the business world, it would be too easy to deal with a small fry like you! I really want to see how long you can last!”

Huo Xiang’s heart suddenly blossomed with joy.

He retorted: “You’re attending this conference, yet you don’t know who I am?!”

Bai Zhen Zhen couldn’t help but laugh.

Worthy of being her partner for a few days, even the questions they asked were in tacit agreement.**

Zhen Wei laughed sarcastically: “Why must I know who you are?! A small fry who doesn’t even know of our Mining Corporation? For someone like you to have the qualifications to attend this conference, you must have muddled your way in too, right?”

At that exact moment, the butler, Uncle Cai walked over and said respectfully to Huo Xiang: “Young Master, the Old Master asked me to remind you that you will appear on stage in half an hour.”

Huo Xiang nodded: “I know. I will be there soon.”

Following that, he gestured towards Zhen Wei opposite him: “Uncle Cai, this is Juju Entertainment’s CEO Zhen. His father is the boss of Mining Corporation. Could I trouble you to inform his father that we won’t trouble their family to attend our family’s conferences in the future.”

“Alright, Young Master.” Uncle Cai agreed, giving a deep look at Zhen Wei before stepping back silently.

Zhen Wei was stunned for a full ten seconds before reacting.

“You are the Huo family’s… missing young master?!”

Huo Xiang nodded, stretching out his right hand: “Boss Zhen, nice to meet you. My name is Huo Xiang.”

Zhen Wei stretched out his hand while trembling, but he didn’t expect that Huo Xiang didn’t have any intentions of shaking hands with him at all. Instead, Huo Xiang took a step forward, and patted his shoulders, speaking earnestly: “Boss Zhen, I think you are also someone who can be reasoned with. I will give you a word of advice — You should be careful when acting cool, don’t provoke those who you cannot afford to provoke!”

He wrapped his arm around Bai Zhen Zhen’s waist and said gently: “Let’s go, darling. I’ll take you to eat delicious food.”

— System: “Ding~ Female lead happiness points +2.”

****

Bai Zhen Zhen and Huo Xiang walked over to the champagne tower.

Recalling Zhen Wei’s deflated expression after finding out Huo Xiang’s true identity, Bai Zhen Zhen couldn’t help but laugh.

“It turns out that you can really do whatever you want with money!” Bai Zhen Zhen signed, “With you as a friend, I feel that I can travel the whole world without fear!”

Huo Xiang smiled, before examining Bai Zhen Zhen seriously, praising: “I was too busy dealing with that guy just now that I forgot to praise you — You’re really beautiful tonight!”

“After all, clothes make the man. Besides, I can’t embarrass you tonight.” Bai Zhen Zhen waved her hand, showing off the ring again, “I will return you the necklace and earrings tonight, but I want to keep the ring for a while. But don’t worry, I have already typed up the IOU.”

Huo Xiang replied: “You don’t have to return it. Grandfather specifically gave it to you!”

“No, this is what grandpa gave to his granddaughter-in-law!” Bai Zhen Zhen corrected him.

“Actually, these are small trinkets to my family. How about taking it as a greeting gift!”

“I’d rather not,” Bai Zhen Zhen hurriedly refused, “These things are nothing much to you, but I cannot afford it. It’s not right to taking something that doesn’t belong to me, not to mention I originally approached you with a motive in mind.”

Recalling their marriage, Bai Zhen Zhen weakly continued: “I spent three thousand dollars for you to enter a contract marriage with me. Now that your identity has changed, actually there’s no need to continue cooperating with me…”

“Who said there’s no need?” Huo Xiang raised his eyebrows, “Didn’t we already sign the agreement? The penalty for breach of agreement is a fine of one million dollars!”

“What is one million dollars to you!” Bai Zhen Zhen answered without thinking, “You don’t even care about these priceless jewels, yet you still care about that one million?”

Huo Xiang’s lips hooked up beautifully, his tone also becoming gentle: “Yes, you also know that I’m willing to give you priceless jewelry. How could I not be willing to help you with such a small favor?”

Bai Zhen Zhen was startled.

Meeting Huo Xiang’s gentle gaze, her heart warmed.

“Alright, let’s not talk about it. Go ahead and work.” Bai Zhen Zhen pushed his arm.

Huo Xiang shrugged: “Then I’ll go ahead first. You wander around by yourself. If anything happens, you can call me anytime.”

Bai Zhen Zhen nodded: “Ok.”

Huo Xiang turned, and was about to leave when he suddenly spotted Jiang Mu Yang and Jiang Mu Yu standing not far away. Chatting with them was precisely Ling Hao Chen and his fiancee, Song Ling.

Jiang Mu Yu’s eyes were sharp, spotting Huo Xiang in an instant, and immediately said to him: “Oh, what a coincidence, you are here too!”

Huo Xiang’s foot paused. He reached out and patted Bai Zhen Zhen on the back. Bai Zhen Zhen followed suit and turned around.

“Sister Zhen Zhen, we meet again!” Jiang Mu Yu greeted while walking towards Bai Zhen Zhen. Her brother, Ling Hao Chen and Song Ling followed behind her.

“Sister Zhen Zhen, what are you doing here?” Jiang Mu Yu asked.

Bai Zhen Zhen looked at these people curiously, brushing over Jiang Mu Yu’s question, asking instead: “You know each other?”

In her impression, the first male lead knew the second male lead due to the female lead’s presence at the second male lead’s birthday party.

Jiang Mu Yang kindly explained: “Oh, we just met CEO Ling and Ms Song. Our father met CEO Ling’s father just now, so he helped to introduce us to one another.”

“So that’s it!” Bai Zhen Zhen suddenly realised.

The business world was also a circle. Being in the same circle, the outstanding people naturally knew each other.

“Sister Zhen Zhen, you haven’t told us yet, what are you doing here?” Jiang Mu Yu was persistent, “This is the conference of the world’s richest man. Even the reporters come from reputable companies, but Sister Zhen Zhen you…”

Jiang Mu Yu looked like she wanted to continue speaking, but she stopped.

“What’s wrong? I was also invited!” Bai Zhen Zhen looked calm.

“Is that so!” Jiang Mu Yu laughed, continuing, “Sister Zhen Zhen is amazing, somehow managing to get into yet another high-class gathering!”

Huo Xiang was uncomfortable listening to her words, shooting back: “Ms Jiang, mind your words.”

Jiang Mu Yu glanced at Huo Xiang: “That’s right, you’re here too. Didn’t you say you had an interview these few days? Didn’t you say I could find out through the interview which company’s chairman you are? Why hasn’t there been any news? Hahahaha…”

Jiang Mu Yu burst into peals of laughter.

“Mu Yu,” Jiang Mu Yang reprimanded in a low voice, “You’re being too rude! Quickly apologise to Zhen Zhen.”

“Why should I apologise to her?!” Jiang Mu Yu retorted.

She examined Bai Zhen Zhen again, a mocking smile appearing on her face, asking: “Sister Zhen Zhen, your gown wouldn’t be rented from the same place as the last time, is it? Then you should be careful, don’t get it dirty again. This set looks more expensive than the last one!

Jiang Mu Yu inched closer to Song Ling, who was standing beside her: “Sister Song, let me tell you a joke! Last time, Sister Zhen Zhen attended my brother’s party and specially rented a gown. A good sister of mine accidentally spilled red wine on her dress. At that time, I still wanted to let her compensate for the dress, but Sister Zhen Zhen wanted to maintain her ego and refused. After that, my good sister felt really bad about it, and went behind Sister Zhen Zhen’s back to try to compensate. In the end, she found out that the gown came from a rental shop, and she had bought the gown afterwards.”

“Sister Zhen Zhen, you’re too kind and loyal! If I was you, I would have accepted that three thousand dollars that day!” Jiang Mu Yu finished speaking, clutching her stomach in laughter.

Bai Zhen Zhen gave her a “none of your business” look, too lazy to even reply.

Jiang Mu Yang was concerned, saying: “Zhen Zhen, did you rent that dress? Why didn’t you tell me? If I knew, I would have gone with you…”

“Mu Yu, are you mistaken?” Song Ling suddenly spoke up, “With an identity like Ms Song’s, how could she rent her gown? I’ve also seen the gown that Ms Song is currently wearing. It’s custom-made from a luxurious Italy brand. There’s only a limited number of it across the whole world. Even if someone wanted to rent it, they wouldn’t be able to find it.”

“That can’t be!” Jiang Mu Yu was surprised, then looked at Bai Zhen Zhen with an incredulous look, “Sister Zhen Zhen, if you want to rent clothes, you can rent them. It’s only a matter of being poorer than an average person, there’s no shame in that! But how could you wear an imitation?!”

Huo Xiang said: “Ms Jiang has never seen real haute couture. Regarding it as imitation clothes is also natural. But I must correct you, this gown was flown overnight from Italy yesterday. Thomas, a well-known Italy gown designer, also flew over. He refined the details of this dress based on Zhen Zhen’s figure.”

He sighed with a little regret: “Actually, if it wasn’t due to time constraint, I would have let the designer start from the beginning, designing and creating a unique gown for Zhen Zhen.”

Listening to Huo Xiang’s words, Jiang Mu Yu couldn’t help clapping her hands, sarcastically praising: “Secretary Huo sure is full of tricks; your words are getting more and more impressive! Those who don’t know would really be fooled by you.”

“What do you mean?” Huo Xiang asked.

Jiang Mu Yang whispered: “Mu Yu, don’t mess around.”

Jiang Mu Yu protested cutely: “Brother~ I’m not messing around. You’re being fooled by them!”

She looked towards Song Ling and Ling Hao Chen, continuing: “Ms Song and CEO Ling probably don’t know about it. This Bai Zhen Zhen is my brother’s high school classmate. After graduating from high school, she immediately went out to scam others in society. Last time, she and that little boyfriend surnamed Huo beside her pretended to be a CEO and secretary of a listed company, boasting in front of my Brother and I.”

“Mu Yu!” Jiang Mu Yang fiercely interrupted Jiang Mu Yu’s words.

“Brother, listen to me.” Jiang Mu Yu said solemnly, “I investigated their background a long time ago. Bai Zhen Zhen had a stroke of good luck awhile ago, getting one million dollars and quitting her job after. Before that, she was a waitress in a restaurant! How could she be a CEO of a company!”

“And this so-called Secretary Huo, I don’t even know where he used to work, but I know he’s an orphan with no parents. Because of a problem in his brain, he even stayed a good half a month in the hospital, and he was only discharged after meeting Bai Zhen Zhen in the hospital! It was probably then when the two of them hooked up.”

“Brother, they are both — two great scammers!”

Jiang Mu Yu looked towards Ling Hao Chen: “That’s right, CEO Ling, you should also know about Bai Zhen Zhen’s matters, right? I heard that you were the one who gave her a million dollars as thanks for her picking up your handphone.”

Ling Hao Chen had a cold face, neither admitting nor denying.

“Sister Song, though we only met today, but since we’ve both met this person, then I wanted to take the opportunity to tell you her story, as a cautionary tale for you.” Jiang Mu Yu pulled on Song Ling’s arm, pretending to be speaking out of goodwill, “If not, she might one day find another excuse to find her way into another gathering and approach the others in our circle.”

However, Song Ling extracted her arm from Jiang Mu Yu’s hands.

The faint smile on her face didn’t change throughout Jiang Mu Yu’s speech. Her warm gaze fell onto Bai Zhen Zhen, and she replied: “Actually, I knew Ms Bai before I even met you.”

Jiang Mu Yu was taken aback: “You- You know her?”

She suddenly “understood”, smiling: “Did you know her through CEO Ling? Then Ms Song, you should be even more careful. She’s very scheming, don’t be deceived by her! You need to keep an eye out for CEO Ling, don’t let him fall for this woman’s traps!”

Song Ling replied contrary to expectations: “I feel that Ms Bai has a kind heart, and I really like her. I trust her.”

“Sister Song, you–” Jiang Mu Yu couldn’t believe what she heard.

At this moment, Bai Zhen Zhen spoke up.

She asked Jiang Mu Yu with interest: “Ms Jiang, since you’ve investigated my husband so thoroughly, haven’t you even found out his true identity?”

“True identity?!”

“Husband?!”

Jiang Mu Yu and Jiang Mu Yang had completely different reactions.

Jiang Mu Yu asked: “What real identity could he have?!”

Jiang Mu Yang asked: “Zhen Zhen, you’re already married?!”

Bai Zhen Zhen answered Jiang Mu Yang’s question first: “Yes, Senior, my husband and I got our marriage certificate two days ago.”

She once again waved the diamond ring on her ring finger.

After that, she turned towards Jiang Mu Yu: “Ms Jiang, since you know my husband is surnamed Huo, and is an orphan, then the reason why we are here today — You still can’t think of it?”

Jiang Mu Yu frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Huo Xiang pursed his lips: “Ms Jiang, your words just now were overboard. What do you mean by ‘I’m an orphan with no parents’? If my grandfather heard those words, you don’t have to attend future gatherings like this.”

Jiang Mu Yu was immediately stunned.

“No, it’s impossible… How could you be…”

Ling Hao Chen’s lukewarm toned confirmed Huo Xiang’s words: “Young Master Huo is certainly born from a wealthy family. Though you’ve been wandering outside for awhile, but your words are still full of spirit.”

“Zhen Zhen, I haven’t had the time to congratulate you. Come to think of it, it can be considered a double happiness!” Song Ling said sincerely.

Bai Zhen Zhen and Huo Xiang looked at Jiang Mu Yu at the same time, examining the changes in her expression with interest.

The embarrassment on Jiang Mu Yu’s face could no longer be concealed.

She gritted her teeth, and said to her brother: “Brother, I don’t feel too well. I’ll head back first. When dad and mom asks later, remember to help me tell them.”

Turning around, she hurriedly left.

Bai Zhen Zhen’s lips hooked up into a scornful smile.

Jiang Mu Yang didn’t seem to hear his sister’s words at all.

His thoughts were still stuck on when Bai Zhen Zhen said that she was already married, his gaze frozen on Bai Zhen Zhen’s ring finger.

“Zhen Zhen, your gown today is really beautiful. Young Master Huo has good eyes.” Song Ling praised.

Bai Zhen Zhen gave her a closed smile: “Ms Song, thank you for helping me out just now.”

Song Ling also gently smiled: “It’s nothing, I merely spoke the truth.”

“Zhen Zhen…” Jiang Mu Yang spoke up.

He raised his eyes, looking at Bai Zhen Zhen’s face: “Congratulations…”

The loneliness in his eyes couldn’t be concealed.

“Thank you, Senior.” Bai Zhen Zhen replied, her tone extremely polite.

Jiang Mu Yang swallowed his saliva before continuing: “Young Master Huo, he… looks like a good man. I believe he will treat you well.”

Huo Xiang immediately responded to his words: “Mr Jiang, that’s for certain! Zhen Zhen is my wife, the love of my life. If I don’t treat her well, then who will?”

Jiang Mu Yang perceived the dissatisfaction in Huo Xiang’s tone, pressed his lips together and stopped talking.

“Everyone, there are a lot of food and drinks in the restaurant. You can have a taste. I still have something to do, so I won’t be able to accompany you.” Huo Xiang continued.

He held Bai Zhen Zhen’s hand, asking softly: “Darling, do you want to come with me, or reminisce with your friends?”

“I’m your wife, of course I will follow you, darling.” Bai Zhen Zhen gave a brilliant smile.

She even deliberately included an intimate endearment.

The two of them gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes as they left, as if wanting to drown those people with their thick love.

The moment they turned around the corner and out of sight of those people, they instantly tore down their masks.

Huo Xiang immediately let go of Bai Zhen Zhen’s hand.

Bai Zhen Zhen took a long sigh of relief, saying: “Life is full of coincidences. I have finally experienced that for myself today! Everyone of them were meaner and tougher than the other. Luckily, you were there.”

Huo Xiang didn’t speak, silently watching her with a glum face.

Bai Zhen Zhen thought that he was exhausted by what happened, and quickly said: “You’re going on stage soon, right? Quickly go back. I’ll go find something to eat again.”

Bai Zhen Zhen was about to leave, only to find that Huo Xiang remained stationary, his expression becoming even colder.

Bai Zhen Zhen asked in confusion: “What’s wrong?”

Huo Xiang took a deep breath.

Then, he asked with grief: “Bai Zhen Zhen, you gained a million dollars from Ling Hao Chen, but you only gave me three thousand? And you even want to pay in installments??!!”

Bai Zhen Zhen: “…”

Boss, you’ve misunderstood!!!

qwq