The orchestra seamlessly transitioned into a brighter melody as elegantly dressed servers entered the ballroom, carrying silver trays filled with champagne flutes and exquisite hors d'oeuvres.
The banquet had officially begun. As guests mingled beneath the glittering crystal chandeliers, congratulations poured in from every direction. "President Guo, congratulations."
"A remarkable project."
"We look forward to future cooperation."
Guo Min accepted every compliment with grace, thanking each guest with a warm smile while Zhu Zihan remained quietly by her side, his calm presence attracting almost as much attention as the celebration itself.
Before long, a middle aged man with a refined smile approached them. "President Guo." He extended his hand. "I look forward to a prosperous partnership."
Guo Min smiled politely and shook his hand. "So do I, Mr. Li."
The handshake ended, yet Mr. Li made no move to leave. Instead, his gaze shifted to the man standing beside her.
Guo Min blinked in confusion then she looked at Zihan. He was looking right back at Mr. Li with the same unreadable expression.
The silence stretched and unable to understand what was happening, Guo Min awkwardly cleared her throat. "...Should I excuse myself?" She looked between the two men. "I feel like I'm interrupting something."
Before either of them could answer... Smack!. Mr. Li lightly slapped Zihan's upper arm. "You spoiled brat."
Guo Min's eyes widened. "...Huh?"
"You've grown up and now you're pretending you don't know your own uncle?"
"...Uncle?". She turned sharply toward Zihan, disbelief written all over her face.
Zihan merely rubbed the spot where he'd been hit before shooting Mr. Li an irritated look. "Tch." He looked at Guo Min. "Don't mind him. He's not worth your attention."
Without another word, he took Guo Min's hand and calmly led her away.
Behind them, Mr. Li burst into hearty laughter. "You little rascal!" he called after him. "Won't even introduce your wife to your own uncle?". Clicking his tongue dramatically, he added, "Yanyan really did give birth to an ungrateful brat."
Without even bothering to turn around, Zihan casually waved a hand. "Grandfather isn't here today, and now you want to take his place causing trouble."
Mr. Li laughed even louder. "So you do remember I'm your uncle!"
By then, Guo Min had completely stopped walking. She slowly turned toward her husband. "...He's really your uncle?".
"Mm."
"And you didn't think that was worth mentioning?". She folded her arms, her brows knitted together. "We literally signed a partnership agreement together and not once did you think to say, 'By the way, that's my uncle'?"
Zihan looked surprisingly calm. "...He isn't important."
Guo Min stared at him. "...Excuse me?"
Seeing the look on her face, he let out a quiet sigh. "If I'd told you beforehand... you would've assumed I was using family connections to pressure him into accepting Serene Hotels proposal." He looked directly into her eyes. "I didn't want your success to carry that misunderstanding, so I stayed out of it."
Guo Min remained silent. She understood him. "Even so you should've told me." With a quiet hmph, she turned on her heel and walked away with exaggerated dignity.
"Guo Min." Zihan called her name again as he made his way through the crowd. It had to be at least the fifth time today.
She either didn't hear him or she was simply too busy. Every time he managed to get close, another guest appeared to congratulate her.
Just as she finished speaking with a representative from the Tourism Bureau and was about to greet another business partner...
Just then Ruoxi's voice rang through the ballroom. "Jiejie!"
Zihan's brows twitched. There she is... If he had to describe Ruoxi at that moment, she was like an overly energetic little sparrow that refused to leave Guo Min's side.
She practically flew across the hall. "Congratulations, Sissy!. I love you so much!". Without giving Guo Min any chance to react, she wrapped both arms tightly around her.
Guo Min laughed helplessly and returned the hug. "Thank you."
"You've worked so hard," Ruoxi mumbled dramatically. "I'm so proud of you."
Before Zihan could walk over and rescue his wife from her overly affectionate younger sister more people arrived.
"Congratulations, MinMin." Yun Ai her warmly. "You've made us so proud."
Wang Mingze rested a hand on Guo Min's shoulder, unable to hide the smile in his eyes. "Well done. You've surpassed all expectations."
One after another, the families gathered around.
The Wangs.
The Wus.
The Yang family.
Even the Zhu family joined the growing circle.
His mother, Li Yan, immediately pulled Guo Min into another hug. "My daughter in law looks absolutely beautiful tonight."
His father simply nodded approvingly. "Excellent work dear."
Then came his uncle. "Congratulations, niece."
Before long, Guo Min had completely disappeared into the middle of a crowd of relatives. Everyone wanted to congratulate her.
Standing several meters away, Zihan silently watched the lively scene.
He took one step forward... then stopped. There was no point, with her surrounded by both families and half the banquet guests, she probably wouldn't even hear him if he called again.
Secretary Lin, who had been watching from nearby, cautiously glanced at his president. "...Sir?"
Zihan folded his arms. "...Hmm."
"It appears madam has become more popular than you tonight."
Zihan looked at the sea of people surrounding his wife before letting out a quiet sigh. "...I noticed."
Lin tried very hard not to smile. The terrifying president was jealous, of his own family.
Yun Ai eventually succeeded in dragging Ruoxi away under the excuse that she and Xiang needed to "spend quality time together."
Ruoxi complained the entire way. "I can spend quality time by myself!"
Xiang merely sighed and followed behind her.
Not far away, Yang Yufan noticed Lixi rubbing her temples from exhaustion. "You should sit down."
"I'm fine."
"You've been standing for almost an hour." Without waiting for another protest, he gently guided her toward one of the quieter lounge sofas overlooking the gardens. Lixi smiled and didn't argue anymore.
The elders also began returning to their seats, chatting among themselves over tea and wine. Within moments, the crowd surrounding Guo Min gradually dispersed.
Only one person remained. Li Yan exchanged a few final words with Guo Min before politely excusing himself.
Now, there was finally an opening. Zihan wasted no time. He walked straight over. "Mom."
Li Yan turned around, her face immediately brightening. "My dear. It's been a while." She affectionately patted his arm before shifting her attention back to Guo Min. "My dear daughter in law...".
She reached over and held Guo Min's hands warmly. "You've been working too hard. Come home for dinner tomorrow. I'll prepare all your favorite dishes." Then, with a playful smile, she put on an exaggerated pair of pleading puppy eyes. "You won't reject your mother, will you?"
Guo Min couldn't help laughing. "Of course not, Mother. I'll come."
"There." Li Yan beamed triumphantly and she left after.
Several minutes later, a man dressed entirely in black approached Zihan. A discreet communicator rested on his ear. He leaned in and whispered something only Zihan could hear, which made him frown immediately. "...Understood."
The bodyguard gave a respectful nod before disappearing back into the crowd.
Zihan turned toward Guo Min."...Min. I need to head home immediately, I'll have Mr. He bring you back after the banquet."
She studied him carefully. "Is something wrong?"
His gaze shifted away. "...Nothing serious. Just something that requires my approval."
Guo Min looked at him for several long seconds. Then she sighed. "...You're such a liar."
Without another word, she walked toward Xiao Mei. "Handle the rest of the evening. I'm leaving."
"Yes, President Guo. Have a good night."
Guo Min returned just as Zihan was waiting where she left him.
She held out her clutch. "You haven't left yet?"
"...You didn't tell me to."
She walked ahead and he quietly followed. "Oh...". She let out a small laugh. "Now you want to play the obedient husband?".
She stopped walking and looked back at him. "Do you really think I'm that easy to fool?".
Her voice remained calm, but every word landed with weight. "You hide things from me. You tell little lies. And then you expect a simple apology to fix everything."
"Guo Min...". He stepped closer. "I truly didn't mean it that way...".
She didn't even let him finish. She opened the car door and got inside.
Zihan followed into the back seat. "Guo Min, I'm sorry...".
"Don't." She didn't raise her voice. "I've heard enough words without actions." The moment those words fell, silence engulfed the entire car.
Even Mr. He and Secretary Lin instinctively held their breath, neither daring to make a sound as the Maybach slowly pulled away from the brightly lit banquet hall.