Su Wanxia looked at her incredulous expression, slowly walked over to her, and like seeing an old friend, gently hugged her while whispering into her ear in a volume only the two of them could hear, "When the time comes, naturally I'll return."
Then, she took a step back, watching the vibrant array of expressions on her face.
Ding Nianzi tried to compose her chaotic feelings, looking arrogantly at Su Wanxia, "You've come with Yan Yirou, haven't you?"
Afterward, with feigned pity, she shook her head, "Tsk, tsk. Who would have thought? The top student and campus beauty of Hill has fallen to such levels."
"Without Yan Yirou, you probably couldn't even get in!" sneered Ding Nianzi.
Su Wanxia laughed coldly, "Sorry to disappoint you," and casually pulled out a glittering gold invitation, waving it in front of Ding Nianzi's eyes.
Ding Nianzi's face instantly turned as ugly as if she had swallowed a fly; she actually had a gold invitation!
Yan Yirou's eyes also widened. Wanxia's invitation was gold? At such large-scale banquets, the invitations are usually of three kinds: red, silver, gold, symbolizing the status and identity of the invitees.
Yan Yirou blinked, wondering if Wanxia had become really influential abroad?
Su Wanxia elegantly turned around, without giving Ding Nianzi as much as a glance, and walked towards the venue with Yan Yirou.
Ding Nianzi, looking at their backs with hatred, clenched her fingers tightly, and after a while, took out a silver invitation and also went in with her companion.
The whole venue was luxurious and grand, with dazzling crystal lights that left people's eyes flitting everywhere. Su Wanxia and Yan Yirou found a relatively secluded corner to sit down and wait for the banquet to begin.
Su Wanxia surveyed the room. Not many people had arrived at the venue yet, and almost no foreigners were present. This was a prestigious event for the World Building Association, attended by renowned experts from the architecture circles of various countries.
She had also attended such a banquet two years ago, which had been held in France, and it was indeed exceedingly extravagant.
"Wanxia, I heard that this session of the Architects' Association is being held in China because a very big Chinese investor is planning a large resort hotel in Bali Island," Yan Yirou said to Su Wanxia with astonishment.
Su Wanxia nodded, "Hmm, I've heard about it."
"Wonder who that tycoon could be, to have such deep pockets."
Actually, Su Wanxia was also perplexed. A year ago, her company had received some information about the big project in Bali Island, but the identity of the lead investor remained a mystery.
The reason she had suddenly returned to the country was precisely because of the Bali project. She had heard that the investor was a tycoon from China, but she had yet to receive any specific information.
Hence, this gathering of the world's top architects was not just a large dinner party; it was also a moment when the investor would decide and sign an agreement with the professional team from a certain country to build this future world-renowned resort castle.
"Wanxia, which major family do you think it could be? I asked my dad, but he won't say. He just said he's one of the minor investors and knows very little," Yan Yirou said with a frustrated expression.
Hearing her say this, Su Wanxia couldn't help but twitch the corners of her mouth. A real estate magnate that's spread across the nation calls himself just one of the minor investors; she had no idea who the mysterious high-profile investor could be.
Meanwhile, at the top-floor executive office of the Mu Group.
Mu Yingchen stood desolately on the transparent viewing platform, lifting a glass of whisky to his lips as he glanced at the time, just past 6 p.m.
Coming back to his desk, he looked at the silver-white business card beside his computer. After a moment, he pressed on the dedicated intercom and spoke indifferently, "Ask Director Ji to come in."
"Yes," the secretary replied respectfully and efficiently.
Soon, Ji Hua knocked and entered, "Big brother." At this time, he didn't need to ask why he had been summoned or what to do; all he needed was to await instructions, such was Mu Yingchen's style of handling matters. Once a decision had been made, no one could change it.
Mu Yingchen didn't look at him, his obsidian-like eyes gazing out at the unobstructed evening lights, "Get ready, we'll leave for the World Building Association banquet in 20 minutes."
Ji Hua, upon hearing Mu Yingchen's words, was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise. Hadn't it been arranged a month in advance that he would go and lead the negotiation and signing? Why did he suddenly want to go in person today? It didn't seem to Ji Hua that the Bali project was important enough to warrant his personal presence.
After a long pause without a response from Ji Hua, Mu Yingchen turned around, his gaze scrutinizing him.
He finally came to his senses, opened his mouth to agree, and then raised a finger, pointing at his nose, "What about me?"
Mu Yingchen glanced at him, "Together."
"Alright, I'll go get ready," Ji Hua said, leaving with a puzzled face.
Mu Yingchen picked up the silver-white business card again, staring at the name on it in a daze, silently reciting the name of the person who had disappeared six years ago: Su Wanxia.
Meanwhile, Su Wanxia was sitting in a corner with Yan Yirou, discussing the beautiful men and women from various countries.
"Wanxia, that one is from the United States, right? So tall and handsome."
"Mhm, he's a famous engineer."
"And that one, the one with fair skin and brown eyes?"
"He's from France, a well-known architect."
"Wow, Wanxia, how do you know everything?" Yan Yirou looked at Su Wanxia with a face full of amazement.
Su Wanxia smiled slightly, "In our line of work, you definitely need to know who's at the top."
"What about you then, what exactly do you do?" Ever since she saw Su Wanxia's golden invitation, she had been grappling with this question.
"Me? I'm just a little interior designer," Su Wanxia said.
"I don't believe it."
"I'm a living person right in front of you, would I still lie to you?"
"That's true," Yan Yirou decided not to dwell on it anymore and shifted her attention to the center of the venue.
The venue was now filling up, and people from different countries could be seen gathering together, happily discussing.
Suddenly, she saw her parents, "Wanxia, my parents are here, I need to go check in, or I'll get scolded again."
"Okay, go ahead."
Su Wanxia, feeling bored alone, casually looked around the venue until her gaze lit up, and she walked towards the center with a glass of wine in hand.
"Designer Meng!" Su Wanxia called out to the handsome man in a white suit, drawing out her words leisurely.
Meng Can turned around, saw Su Wanxia, and his face lit up with surprise: "Summer!" Then he quickly walked towards Su Wanxia.
Su Wanxia raised her glass, "Yeah, long time no see."
"Indeed, it's been a long time, two years since we last met in France, right?"
"Mhm, Designer Meng's fame has been rising steadily over these two years."
Meng Can looked at the beautiful and elegant figure before him, "Our design world's Queen of Variation is still so beautiful, so enchanting."
Su Wanxia gave him a sideways glance, "Wrong, you should say 'becoming more beautiful, more enchanting.'"
"Haha, yes, becoming more beautiful and more enchanting."
"Haha."