The gift box contained a black V-neck little dress, its silk fabric smooth and fine, unmistakably a custom design from a renowned creator.
Next to the dress was a pair of high heels, the surface adorned with sparkling rhinestones.
From top to bottom, it was worth a pretty penny.
The day after she returned to the villa, the driver sent by the Huo Family's butler purchased several pieces of women's clothing for her. Although none of them were cheap, the styles were quite common and ordinary—t-shirts, jeans, sneakers—which were completely different from the high-end garments before her eyes.
"The shop assistant also paired it with a set of cosmetics. Miss Jiayi, if you need it, you can use it before the banquet," the butler presented a small, branded makeup bag and handed it to Jiayi.
"It's really beautiful. Miss Jiayi, wearing this outfit, you will surely be the belle of the ball tonight," Auntie Li said with a smile.
Hadn't they agreed that all she needed to do was help him deal with Jian Meiyi? Why did she still have to attend some damn banquet?
"Where is Mr. Huo?" She glanced at the expensive attire in the gift box, wanting to ask him personally.
Seeing her reluctance, the butler said, "The young master is still at the company. He'll come over when the banquet begins and has instructed us to please ensure Miss Jiayi dresses up for the evening."
Although she had only interacted with that man for a few days, she was clear about what kind of person he was. Once he made a decision, it was impossible to defy.
Resigned, Jiayi sighed softly, deciding she could only go and see how things would unfold.
The night on Huanglong Mountain arrived especially fast.
The banquet was set up beside the Huo Family villa's swimming pool, an outdoor event.
After dusk, searchlights in the pool illuminated the shore in a spectrum of colors, as bright and grand as daylight.
Several dining tables were placed around the pool, arranged with an assortment of desserts, king prawns, red wine, orange juice, and other beverages in advance.
The guests attending the banquet arrived one after another early on, standing by the poolside, raising their glasses to drink together, chatting and laughing in a leisurely scene. Most of them were middle to senior-level employees from the Huanglong Mountain hunting ground and Huo Group.
The rare appearance of the Crown Prince and President Huo Zhenyang bringing friends to play at the hunting ground was traditionally followed by a banquet before departure, to reward his staff and lift their spirits. Thus, everyone was quite happy, freely enjoying themselves beyond the work at hand.
The women employees, dressed to the nines, formed little clusters, whispering among themselves with flushed faces.
Having spent a few days at Huanglong Mountain, and hosting the banquet tonight himself, the employees, particularly a few young and beautiful women, were not about to miss the opportunity for closure interaction and cast meaningful glances at Huo Zhenyang now and then.
Because it was an outdoor banquet, Zhenyang dressed casually, his white shirt crisply ironed, the collar partially open, the sleeves rolled up to his well-sculpted elbows. He held a glass of whiskey, gently swaying it, his expression reserved and slightly frosty, yet as impeccably detailed as a sculpture, making hearts flutter.
Next to him was Xue Jingchuan, a famous domestic idol with handsome looks and a hot topic of conversation.
Around them were a few young masters from G City's wealthy and noble families, all with an imposing presence, presently surrounding Zhenyang like stars around the moon.
The female staff were feasting their eyes and some of the bolder ones even thought about approaching to ingratiate themselves when from the entrance came exclamations of surprise from the male guests.
"Wow, isn't that Jian Meiyi?"
"The big star Jian Meiyi? How did she come here?"
"Really, really! It really is Jian Meiyi, I'm her super fan, it's definitely her, absolutely!"
…
The noise drew everyone's attention to the entrance.
Xue Jingchuan glanced at the man beside him.
Huo Zhenyang, as if he had expected it, showed no surprise at all.
The striking woman in a bright purple backless gown, holding a designer evening bag, gracefully walked along the red carpet spread out on the lawn. She didn't look at anyone as she stopped in front of Huo Zhenyang, and with a hook of her red lips, she smiled alluringly, "Zhenyang, why didn't you invite me to the banquet? Oh, is it because I was auditioning the other day and you didn't want to disturb me? It's okay, as long as you say the word, I would put aside even the biggest of engagements." Then, in front of everyone, she swayed her slender waist forward, latched onto the man's muscular arm, and cooed, "Why aren't you saying anything? Don't tell me you're not welcoming?"
What does this mean? Could it be that Jian Meiyi and the President are more than just acquaintances?
A group of female staff members were nearly popping their eyes out. So, the President's heart is taken?
Humf! What's so great about Jian Meiyi anyway? Over the years, she's always looked dignified and virtuous like a white lotus on screen, but the magazines are filled with stories about how she's clung to the arms of countless sugar daddies since her debut, and there's photographic and recording proof to boot!
It's just that Jian Meiyi is very good at putting on an act, and her PR team is very capable. Every time her sugar daddy scandals were exposed, they would use tricks to divert public attention and then she would sob pitifully during press conferences. Playing the sympathy card always seemed to calm the storms.
Huo Zhenyang looked at Jian Meiyi who came uninvited and wasn't angry; he subtly pushed away her embrace, "How can we not welcome a big star? But we have to wait a bit longer before the feast officially begins."
Jian Meiyi was somewhat surprised. Huo Zhenyang didn't seem displeased. She had guessed already; how could that country bumpkin be his woman? Even if she was, she was probably cast aside by now!
Elated, she pursed her red lips, "Why wait? Isn't the most important person here already?" The most important person she referred to, of course, was herself.
She deliberately spoke loudly, adding fuel to the envy in the hearts of the surrounding female staff.
Was she forcing him to acknowledge her status in front of everyone? Such tactics might work on those wealthy old men, but on him?
Huo Zhenyang's smile was imperceptible and cool, but his tone was even more amiable, "The most important person hasn't arrived yet."
Jian Meiyi was stunned, only to hear an elder's voice coming from the entrance:
"Young Master Huo, Miss Jiayi has arrived."
Miss Jiayi? Who is that? Everyone looked, only to see Huo Family's Huanglong Mountain Villa butler, Luo, causing everyone to be taken aback.
Following Butler Luo was a young and unfamiliar girl, her hair coiled behind her head, wearing an Audrey Hepburn-style custom black dress—elegant and sweet.
The girl wore light makeup, her complexion rosy and flawless, with slightly upturned cherry-red lips brushed with a touch of light pink gloss, making her skin seem even more porcelain and delicate. Her bright and expressive eyes seemed to gather lakes within them, shimmering like water, breathtaking to behold.
Jian Meiyi was dumbfounded—is this…the country bumpkin she saw at the villa a few days ago?
Such a simple dress, yet it shook people to the core… If she entered the entertainment industry and found the right support, she could very well take half of her own rice bowl.
If Jian Meiyi, who had just entered the banquet, was a proud and self-satisfied peacock, then the girl who just walked in was an angel who had suddenly descended to earth.
"Zhenyang, this isn't the girl we met at the hunting ground that day, is it?" Xue Jingchuan was astonished. Huo Zhenyang hadn't sent her away after all?
The other young masters also began to whisper among themselves.
Huo Zhenyang's gaze still fell on Jiayi. The moment he saw her just now, his expression flickered slightly, not expecting the scrapes and scars on her face to be gone already. Now, he walked a few steps forward, beside Butler Luo, and amid everyone's gasps, he took Jiayi's hand and with a forceful tug that spared no effort, pulled the girl into his arms, declaring:
"The important person has arrived."