Chapter 37: Lingyun Grand Hotel (5)

Seeing there was nowhere to escape, Mingxin Yu had no choice but to follow her father’s steps. She gave a look to Yi Meng, signaling her to accompany her. “Yi—” she called softly.

Yi Meng, resigned, could hardly abandon her best friend and could only brace herself and tag along.

Siming Yu led Mingxin directly into the banquet hall. At that moment, Yichen Yan was standing leisurely with two men, engaged in relaxed conversation. Siming Yu stopped before them.

The two men beside Yichen Yan were his manager, Bei Mo, and the second young master of the Hua Group—Zhaoxiang Hua.

“Young Master Hua, President Yan, it’s been a long time—” Siming Yu greeted with a wide smile, raising his glass to the two men.

Seeing the two stop before Yichen Yan, Yi Meng’s heart jumped. She quickly halted, turned away, and covered her face with her hand, praying that she would be invisible to them.

Heavens, how unlucky could she be! It was bad enough that her lie was about to be exposed, but now she had to walk right into the lion’s den.

At that moment, Yi Meng truly wished she could find a hole to crawl into.

“Uncle Yu, it’s been a while—” Zhaoxiang Hua recognized the newcomers and greeted them politely.

Siming Yu beamed, toasting the two, “Young Master Hua, how has your father been lately? Is he in good health?”

“Thank you for your concern, Uncle Yu. My father is doing very well.”

“That’s good, that’s good—”

Siming Yu tugged at Mingxin Yu and smiled, “By the way, Young Master Hua, this is my daughter, Mingxin Yu. Mingxin, come and greet Young Master Hua.”

Zhaoxiang Hua glanced at Mingxin Yu, extending his hand politely. “Miss Yu, nice to meet you—”

Mingxin Yu’s gaze lingered on Yichen Yan’s chiseled, handsome face. He was her idol, and it was her first time being so close to him; of course she wanted to steal a few more glances.

She marveled inwardly—his looks were truly out of this world.

It wasn’t until her name was mentioned that Mingxin drew her gaze away from Yichen Yan and noticed Zhaoxiang Hua’s offered hand. Her eyes shifted to him. She’d seen Zhaoxiang Hua in the news before, but this was her first time meeting him in person. She realized he was even more attractive in real life: impeccably dressed, tall and upright, exuding a refined elegance that was nothing like the playboy image the rumors painted.

Mingxin smiled graciously and shook his hand. “Hello, Young Master Hua, I’ve heard your name often. Meeting you today, you are indeed—”

Zhaohui Hua, seeing her pause mid-sentence and noticing the hint of disdain in her expression, looked at her, puzzled. “Indeed what?”

Mingxin Yu covered her mouth and chuckled. “Quite different from the rumors.”

According to gossip, he was a notorious playboy; the actresses rumored to be involved with him could line a street.

Yichen Yan looked at Zhaohui Hua with a faint, teasing smile. “Miss Yu, you’re quite witty—one sentence and you’ve unmasked the façade of our Hua Group’s second young master.”

Mingxin Yu stared at Yichen Yan in disbelief. She couldn’t believe that the man who was always so cold and restrained could make a joke, even teasing the Hua Group’s second young master. Clearly, their relationship was not ordinary.

Zhaohui Hua, slightly embarrassed, glanced at the smirking Yichen Yan and cleared his throat. “Miss Yu, Uncle Yu, please don’t mind him. President Yan has always enjoyed joking around.”

“President Yan, Young Master Hua, you flatter me…” Siming Yu began, but Yichen Yan’s cool voice cut him off.

“President Yu, who is this young lady?”

Siming Yu paused, following Yichen Yan’s gaze. Everyone else looked too, and all eyes fell on Yi Meng, who had her back to them behind Mingxin Yu.

Yi Meng heard Yichen Yan’s voice again and knew she was the one in question. Her fingertips trembled violently as she stood there, at a loss for what to do.

After two silent seconds with no response, Mingxin Yu tugged her hand. “Yi—”

Knowing there was no escape, Yi Meng could only force herself to turn around. She swept a glance at the group, finding that everyone was looking at her with curiosity.

Yichen Yan was watching her with a half-smile, his eyes full of satisfaction, swirling a glass of red wine in his right hand, every inch the spectator.

Mingxin Yu interjected with a smile, “This is my university classmate and dearest friend, Miss Yi Meng. She grew up in America and only recently returned to the country.”