Huo Xunzhou's appearance caused quite a stir.
There were even screams coming from the crowd.
The source of the commotion was completely unaware as he continued to look at Lin Shanchu.
His eyes were unusually focused.
It was as if he would continue to stare at her like this if she didn't refer to him as Brother Xunzhou.
For some reason, Lin Shanchu opened her mouth. "...Brother Xunzhou."
The corners of Huo Xunzhou's eyes lifted with a faint smile. He looked very satisfied.
Tang Qidai frowned. Lin Shanchu was really amazing. How was she able to hook up with Huo Xunzhou?
She looked at Lu Shiyuan's darkened face and smiled without saying anything.
"Shanshan, since you're here, why don't you accompany Brother Shiyuan to the party? After all, you're brother Shiyuan's fiancée."
Tang Qidai's words were indirectly criticizing Lin Shanchu for being in an affair with Huo Xunzhou as Lu Shiyuan's fiancée.
As expected, Lu Shiyuan's expression darkened even more.
The people around who were watching the show also began to whisper about Lin Shanchu's faults.
Lin Shanchu smiled and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing her beautiful neck. Every move she made was flirtatious.
Her expression, actions, and temperament showed that she was very different from her usual self.
It was as if she had become a completely different person.
"It's a pity that he never cares about his actual fiancée. Otherwise, why would he come to the party without me?"
Tang Qidai had garnered all of Lu Shiyuan's love, yet she still wanted to cast herself off.
In your dreams!
She must label Tang Qidai as the mistress no matter what!
Lin Shanchu turned around and leaned into Huo Xunzhou's ear to ask, "Are we going in now?"
Huo Xunzhou didn't say anything. He only nodded slightly.
Lin Shanchu pushed Huo Xunzhou in.
The crowd that was originally watching also dispersed because of their departure.
Compared to the endless drama of love and hatred between Lu Shiyuan, Tang Qidai, and Lin Shanchu, they were more interested in Huo Xunzhou, who had suddenly appeared.
"Brother Shiyuan, don't be angry. Shanshan and Huo Xunzhou..." Tang Qidai soothed in a soft voice. "I don't think it's the kind of relationship we're thinking of."
Lu Shiyuan's expression was twisted into an ugly mask, but when he was talking to Tang Qidai, his tone softened. "Don't speak up for her. I know very well what kind of person she is."
"Seriously, that Shanshan is... You treat her so well, and yet she still wants to cancel the engagement. Could it be that she and Huo Xunzhou..."
As Tang Qidai spoke, she noticed that Lu Shiyuan's expression had turned cold again. A smug smile flashed across her eyes.
...
They entered the party.
Lin Shanchu finally found a chance to thank Huo Xunzhou.
"Thank you," she said.
Huo Xunzhou held a glass of wine in his hand and did not respond. His expression was so indifferent that no one could tell what he was feeling.
But Lin Shanchu knew that he had heard it.
This was the second time he had helped her.
As the female lead of a sadistic novel, she was meant to be weak and incompetent to the point that everyone could step on her.
He was the only one who had helped her.
"No need to thank me," Huo Xunzhou suddenly said.
A puzzled expression appeared on Lin Shanchu's face.
"I didn't help you with anything, and no one can help you."
He looked at her deeply, his magnetic voice low and powerful. "Except for yourself."
His alluring eyes were filled with insight and an imperceptible pity.
He saw through Lin Shanchu's difficult situation.
She had her own reasons for falling into such a state.
However, this was not her fault.
"So do you believe that I want to destroy Lu Shiyuan now?"
Lin Shanchu's eyes lit up. In order to make it more convenient to talk to him, she squatted down in front of him.
She leaned forward, not noticing that the collar of her dress was slightly open.
Huo Xunzhou looked away.
Lin Shanchu tilted her head and asked, "Then, are you willing to cooperate with me?"
Huo Xunzhou turned around and quickly looked away. "Stand up and talk."
Lin Shanchu seemed to have sensed something.
She looked down and quickly stood up. Then, she looked at him expectantly with bright eyes.
Huo Xunzhou replied coldly and firmly, "I won't work with you."
Lin Shanchu's eyes darkened.
"Why?" She pursed her lips in disappointment.
Huo Xunzhou looked at her, thinking that she looked like a cat.
A cat with drooping ears, no less.
She was docile and pitiful.
Huo Xunzhou explained patiently, "You want to take revenge on Lu Shiyuan and I want to do business. Our goals are not the same."
Lin Shanchu was silent for a long time. "I get it."
It was Huo Xunzhou's freedom to decide whether he wanted to work with her or not.
She could vaguely feel that the in-depth reason why Huo Xunzhou was unwilling to cooperate with her was that he wanted to win against Lu Shiyuan in a more noble way.
Huo Xunzhou was a man of high status, after all. He should not be hanging out with her.
...
Huo Xunzhou's main purpose for attending the party was not to make friends. It was to make a comeback.
He returned to the public's view with another identity.
Therefore, Huo Xunzhou left halfway through the party.
Lin Shanchu came with him, so it was natural for her to leave with him.
As soon as they left the hotel, they were surrounded by reporters.
"Mr. Huo, do you have any thoughts on making a comeback?"
"May I ask what you've been up to this year?"
Huo Xunzhou was once famous in the entertainment industry. It was normal for reporters to come after the news of his appearance at the cocktail party.
Despite having made mental preparations beforehand, Lin Shanchu couldn't help but be surprised the moment she saw hordes of reporters around them.
Even with the security guards leading the way, Lin Shanchu still pushed Huo Xunzhou very slowly.
The reporters' questions revolved around Huo Xunzhou's potential comeback and his physical condition.
Someone suddenly asked, "Mr. Huo, can you tell me about your relationship with Lin Shanchu?"
Huo Xunzhou, who had not answered any questions the whole time, suddenly gestured for Lin Shanchu to stop.
"She's my teacher's daughter," he said into the microphone.
After a brief silence, the scene suddenly became heated.
"So, you're friends with Ms. Lin?"
"As far as I know, Ms. Lin's parents passed away a long time ago..."
Lin Shanchu, who was standing behind Huo Xunzhou, was still in a state of confusion when she heard Huo Xunzhou's reply. "Her mother was my kindergarten teacher. She had helped me a lot in the past."
Huo Xunzhou was so popular back then that his family background had long been exposed.
It was said that he became an orphan at a very young age and had a hard time when he was young. Fortunately, he was later adopted.
After that, Huo Xunzhou did not answer any more questions from the reporters.
Lin Shanchu remembered the original novel mentioning that his parents had opened a kindergarten before they got into the business partnership with the Lu family.
Her mother would take her along whenever she taught classes.
However, she was too young at that time and could not remember anything.
Huo Xunzhou was four years older than her.
In other words, Huo Xunzhou's claim that they were kindergarten classmates that day at the hospital was not a random excuse.
Lin Shanchu was shocked.
She actually had such a connection with a character like Huo Xunzhou!
She even felt overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.