"Xi Xi, are you alright?"
He Yun looked at Yan Xi, asking with concern.
"I'm fine, He Yun. Didn't you say you were going to help me with my styling? Let's go."
He Yun discussed with the makeup artist about giving Yan Xi a pure, light makeup. However, Yan Xi refused, opting for a more alluring look instead.
He Yun was greatly surprised. In his memory, Yan Xi had always gone bare-faced, rarely even applying skincare.
This was why he had told the makeup artist to give Yan Xi a pure, light makeup.
But He Yun hadn't expected Yan Xi to refuse.
Yan Xi had a great figure. With an alluring makeup and a sexy evening gown, she would surely stun everyone.
Just imagining the scene made He Yun's anticipation grow.
Fu Yan Ting shot a cold glance at He Yun, who knew he had overstepped.
He Yun then averted his gaze.
Before long, Yan Xi's makeup was done. Looking at her exquisite makeup in the mirror, Yan Xi gave a wry smile.
What was the point of her looking so charming if Fu Yan Ting still ignored her?
In Fu Yan Ting's heart, she was merely an insignificant presence.
After makeup, it was time to choose clothes.
He Yun picked out a relatively conservative and retro qipao for Yan Xi.
He had his own selfish motives; he didn't want too many people to see Yan Xi's beauty, nor did he want her to attract unwanted attention.
Yan Xi glanced at the qipao and shook her head, saying softly, "He Yun, I've always maintained a good girl image, and my attire has never been a breakthrough. But today, I want to break out of my shell. I want to choose this dress."
Yan Xi pointed to a low-cut, trailing evening gown next to it.
He Yun had also noticed this dress. Frankly, it was the best on display. However, he worried about Fu Yan Ting's anger and about Yan Xi's beauty being discovered by others, which was why he had chosen the conservative qipao.
Now that Yan Xi herself had her eyes on this dress, He Yun couldn't refuse her.
Yan Xi went to the fitting room to try on the dress. When she came out, she saw a girl intimately leaning on Fu Yan Ting's arm.
He Yun sighed helplessly and walked to Yan Xi's side, explaining softly, "Her name is Xia Shi Yu. She's my aunt's daughter. Although her surname isn't He, she grew up with the He family from childhood, and we're all quite close. She treats Yan Ting like a friend."
Yan Xi glanced at Xia Shi Yu. Their eyes met, and Xia Shi Yu gave a provocative smile. Then, she naturally wrapped her arms around Fu Yan Ting's arm and said intimately, "Brother Fu, we haven't picked out a gift yet."
Fu Yan Ting didn't reject Xia Shi Yu's familiarity. He raised his eyes, his gaze fixed on Yan Xi.
But Yan Xi didn't even look at him.
Fu Yan Ting felt even worse. Even now, Yan Xi wasn't bothered, wasn't jealous.
Indeed, indifference was indifference.
Yan Xi was something else.
Fu Yan Ting deliberately glanced at Xia Shi Yu, his tone filled with helplessness, yet also indulgence, and said softly, "Okay, you decide."
Xia Shi Yu left with Fu Yan Ting.
After they left, He Yun noticed Yan Xi's complexion was not good, and she almost stumbled.
He Yun quickly supported Yan Xi, asking with concern, "Xi Xi, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, He Yun. Let's go too."
Yan Xi forced a smile. Today was He Yun's grandfather's eightieth birthday. Yan Xi couldn't ruin the atmosphere because of her own issues.
Leaving the styling area, Yan Xi looked at He Yun and said softly, "I haven't prepared a gift either. I don't know what your grandfather likes. How about we go pick out a birthday present now?"
"No need. He'll be very happy just for you to attend his banquet."
He Yun spoke rather indirectly so as not to scare Yan Xi.
Yan Xi, her heart preoccupied with Fu Yan Ting, didn't grasp the underlying meaning of He Yun's words.
Upon arriving at the He family residence, many guests had already gathered.
Having learned from the previous experience, He Yun held Yan Xi's hand tightly, never letting her out of his sight, as if afraid she might have an accident if he wasn't careful.
Yan Xi also harbored reservations about the He family and dared not act alone, so she stayed close to He Yun.
Suddenly, there was a stir at the entrance. Yan Xi glanced towards the door and saw Fu Yan Ting's car. Didn't He Yun say Fu Yan Ting wouldn't be coming tonight due to other commitments?
Why was he here now?
Yan Xi's heart skipped a beat, and she dared not look towards the entrance.
He Yun also saw Fu Yan Ting's car. He withdrew his gaze and said to Yan Xi, "Let's go. I'll take you to say hello to my grandfather first."
This was the He family's residence, and it was also Mr. He's eightieth birthday. Yan Xi didn't think much of He Yun's words and simply nodded, following He Yun to Old Mr. He's room.
Upon arriving at Old Mr. He's room, Yan Xi politely greeted him.
Old Mr. He had a deep impression of Yan Xi because He Xue Feng had always mistaken her for that other woman.
Even his madness, which hadn't manifested in years, had flared up again.
It had to be said that this woman indeed possessed a certain charm.
He had people discreetly investigate Yan Xi but discovered that her information was heavily protected. He knew all that was relevant to him, but nothing beyond that.
Old Mr. He, being an experienced man, understood clearly that behind this woman was a powerful backer.
Old Mr. He didn't expose anything. He looked at Yan Xi and nodded faintly, acknowledging their greeting.
Every time Yan Xi saw Old Mr. He, she felt a strange sensation, though she couldn't explain why. Having greeted him, there was no reason for her to linger, so she left his room with He Yun.
As they reached the doorway, Old Mr. He called out to He Yun. Although his voice was soft, it was not without authority.
He said, "He Yun, there's something I'd like to discuss with you privately."
Yan Xi understood Old Mr. He's intention. She nodded at He Yun and said, "I'll wait for you at the door."
He Yun wanted to say something to Yan Xi, but she had already turned and left.
He Yun could only stay, helpless, waiting for Old Mr. He's conversation.
What Yan Xi didn't expect was that as soon as she stepped outside, she was pulled away.
Yan Xi cried out in fright. Fu Yan Ting covered her mouth with his hand, preventing her from speaking.
Yan Xi was a little panicked. When she widened her eyes and saw that it was Fu Yan Ting, her fear gradually subsided.
Fu Yan Ting narrowed his eyes, observing Yan Xi. After a moment, he said indifferently, "Have you forgotten your marital status?"
Yan Xi was confused as to why Fu Yan Ting would say that.
Fu Yan Ting's displeasure was evident as he asked, "Who are you dressed like this for?"