Bai Nuanxi's clear eyes brimmed with allure. "All you need to do is nod or shake your head."
Unconsciously, the man nodded, and when he realized what he'd done, Shan Fanxi was utterly flabbergasted.
Huo Muchen, aren't you going to do something?!
Your wife is seducing me!!!
This is outrageous!!!
If you won't step in... then don't blame me for making a move.
After showing his invitation, Shan Fanxi led Bai Nuanxi inside.
Just before entering, Bai Nuanxi provocatively hooked her arm around Shan Fanxi's and cast a taunting glance at the man who had earlier tried to provoke her.
The man was fuming with frustration, yet the guard still refused to let him in!
"Didn't I already show you my invitation?! Why am I still not allowed inside?"
The guard replied, "Your invitation does not bear Old Master Huo's personal seal."
Bai Nuanxi, overhearing this, understood immediately. Old Master Huo, valuing his 80th birthday celebration, had personally stamped each invitation with his seal.
Smiling, Bai Nuanxi waved her hand, "Well, I'm off, old man."
"Hmph! Flaunting yourself at Old Master Huo's birthday banquet—what a disgrace!" The man was seething with anger, realizing he must have bought a fake invitation. Seeing Bai Nuanxi's smug look only fanned the flames of his rage!
He, who had sincerely wished to visit Old Master Huo, couldn't get in, yet this scantily clad woman could? Just because she latched onto Shan Fanxi?! What kind of woman is she!
At that moment, a commotion stirred at the gate, and Huo Muchen slowly made his entrance.
Dressed in an all-black suit, impeccably pressed with not a wrinkle in sight, his sharp figure turned heads as he walked.
The instant Bai Nuanxi spotted Huo Muchen, she wanted to go to him, but she was jostled by someone beside her. Her high heel wobbled, and she let out a startled cry, "Ah!"
Fortunately, Shan Fanxi quickly caught her.
When Bai Nuanxi looked up to see who had bumped into her, her expression darkened completely!
It was the same man who had recklessly provoked her earlier!
"Young Master Huo! Letting such a woman into Old Master Huo's birthday banquet would surely taint the event!"
Huo Muchen's brows furrowed, his sharp eyes fixed on Shan Fanxi's hand, which was still supporting Bai Nuanxi.
His gaze was so piercing that Shan Fanxi immediately let go. Once Bai Nuanxi regained her footing, she took two steps forward, pursing her lips innocently.
"Young Master Huo! Look at what this woman is wearing, so scantily clad—it's clear she's no good!" The old man continued his relentless provocation, while Bai Nuanxi just stood by, watching him dig his own grave.
Huo Muchen slowly walked towards Bai Nuanxi. The old man thought Huo Muchen had been swayed by his words and was about to deal with this presumptuous woman!
Humph! Even if he couldn't attend Old Master Huo's banquet, he wasn't going to let this woman in either!
But what happened next left him utterly stunned!
Huo Muchen took off his suit jacket and draped it over Bai Nuanxi's shoulders, asking, "Why are you wearing so little?"
Bai Nuanxi tugged at the collar, covering herself more securely. "I was distracted when I chose my outfit, and by the time I realized it, this was what I'd picked." The dress featured a mesh design with cutouts at the front—not exactly revealing, but certainly not modest either.
Huo Muchen pulled Bai Nuanxi close to his chest. "It seems, Mr. Wang, that you have some complaints about my wife. Why not speak them out? If it's her fault, I'll have her apologize to you."
Mr. Wang was already stunned by Huo Muchen's words. Now, hearing Huo Muchen suggest Bai Nuanxi apologize, he trembled even more!
Even if it were truly Bai Nuanxi's fault, she couldn't possibly be made to apologize!
"No, no, I misspoke. It's my fault for upsetting Mrs. Huo," Mr. Wang stammered, nodding and bowing in apology, wiping the sweat from his brow to no avail.
"In that case," Huo Muchen said with a cold glance, "Security, see him out."
Amidst a sea of horrified looks from Mr. Wang, several guards lifted him and escorted him out!
This spectacle of throwing someone out so dramatically had plenty of witnesses. Some laughed at Mr. Wang's foolhardiness, while others were just there for the show.
"Young Master Huo, Mrs. Huo is truly stunning, elegant, and graceful—she certainly deserves the title of Mrs. Huo," President Zhao remarked, noticing how much Huo Muchen seemed to value Bai Nuanxi as his wife, and decided to compliment her.
"President Zhao, you're too kind," Huo Muchen replied, having seen many sycophants in his time. As a businessman, he wouldn't close the door on everything—when someone comes to flatter, a polite response is all that's needed.
"Let's go inside," Huo Muchen said to Bai Nuanxi.
Bai Nuanxi pouted, glancing at the guards. "I don't have an invitation, and the guards won't let me in."
In an instant, the guards felt as though they were caught in the Arctic's icy storm, freezing to the core.
Bai Nuanxi had spoken offhandedly, but seeing Huo Muchen about to lose his temper, she quickly grabbed his arm, speaking sweetly, "They're just doing their job; let's go inside, or we'll keep Grandpa waiting."
Huo Muchen turned to look at her, not saying a word for a long moment. Just when Bai Nuanxi was feeling uneasy, Huo Muchen spoke, "Call him Grandpa."
"…G-Grandpa." Once Bai Nuanxi uttered the word, Huo Muchen finally led her into the banquet hall. She patted her chest, relieved. That was terrifying.
All that over just a title—do people in the city always play around like this?
Old Master Huo was in the center of the banquet, accepting blessings from the guests. The visitors streamed in, but fortunately, the old man's health was robust enough to handle it all with ease.
"Grandpa," Huo Muchen said as he led Bai Nuanxi forward.
Bai Nuanxi, believing she hadn't done anything to offend the old man, took out the gift she had prepared in advance and handed it to Old Master Huo. "Grandpa, I bought a piece of wood and carved this chessboard myself. The pieces are made from the leftover wood. I hope you like it."
"Such thoughtfulness," Old Master Huo replied. What elder doesn't appreciate a gift from a younger generation? Especially something not bought with money but made with one's own hands—such things are certainly treasured.
"Sister, even though Brother-in-law has given you plenty of pocket money, how could you bring such a simple gift for Grandpa Huo's 80th birthday?" At that moment, an extremely grating voice sounded, drawing Bai Nuanxi's attention.
Bai Nuanxi raised an eyebrow, seeing Bai Jia'an dressed in luxurious attire at the banquet, and couldn't help but laugh. "Little sister, if I remember correctly, you don't seem to have an invitation."