Chapter 32: Chapter 32 - 32 He must be sick

The Xie family was a prominent and wealthy clan, whereas the Ji family could still compete with them twenty years ago.

However, after Lin Xu and her husband passed away, the Ji family’s fortunes declined considerably. Despite Ji Tingyang’s subsequent efforts to turn the tide and pull the Ji family back up, they still ranked lower than the Xie family.

So even if Ji Tingyang was unwilling, he had no choice but to save face for the Xie family by attending the birthday banquet.

This birthday banquet was attended by many people, all of whom were distinguished figures frequently mentioned in the financial newspapers.

Lin Xu wore a shoulder-baring champagne-colored evening dress, its form-fitting design highlighting her perfect figure. The flowing hem of the gown swished with her every step. The necklace embedded with gems and the exquisite bracelet accentuated her elegance and nobility to their fullest extent.

Having accompanied her husband to many such banquets before, Lin Xu’s demeanor was dignified and composed.

No sooner had she made her entrance with Ji Tingyang than she attracted the attention of many at the venue, a hint of amazement flickering at the bottom of their gaze.

When they saw who accompanied Lin Xu, surprise immediately registered on their faces.

Despite attending numerous banquets in the past, Ji Tingyang had never been seen with a female companion by his side. It was widely said to be because Young Master Ji was deeply devoted.

Apart from the canary at home, no other woman seemed able to come close to Ji Tingyang.

Today’s anomalous appearance sparked speculation—could this lady be the canary he had kept hidden at home?

This woman’s beauty was stunning; no wonder Ji Tingyang was reluctant to bring her out in public.

In an instant, various thoughts swirled through the minds of the onlookers.

Many came over to greet Ji Tingyang, their glances and conversations awkwardly shifting towards Lin Xu.

However, Ji Tingyang remained unmoved, showing no intention of introducing Lin Xu to them.

They could only leave after a while.

As the number of guests increased, Ji Tingyang had to socialize, exchanging a few polite words.

“You sit here for a while; I’ll go greet a few people and then come back,” Ji Tingyang told Lin Xu as he led her to a sofa in the rest area.

After taking a few steps, he turned back, as if concerned, and cautioned her, “If someone else comes to talk to you, don’t pay them any mind.”

Lin Xu couldn’t help but laugh and cry, “I’m not a three-year-old child, just go.”

Still worried, Ji Tingyang frequently glanced back at Lin Xu to ensure her safety even while conversing with others not far away.

As it turned out, Ji Tingyang’s concerns were justified.

He had only been away for a short while when a man approached Lin Xu to strike up a conversation.

“Miss, are you alone?”

Lin Xu: “No, I came with Ji Tingyang.”

Upon hearing Ji Tingyang’s name, the man’s mind conjured an image of his somber and intimidating demeanor, and, frightened, he turned and left.

He was mad; it was better not to provoke him.

However, the second man who came to chat up Lin Xu clearly wasn’t afraid of Ji Tingyang and was particularly nosy, inching closer to her.

“So you’re the woman Ji Tingyang treasures at home, huh?”

“I’m not,” Lin Xu frowned, shifting to the side to put some distance between them.

“If not, how about coming with me?” the man said, moving closer to Lin Xu and attempting to reach out to wrap his arm around her waist. “Ji Tingyang’s always so cold and intimidating. It must be scary, right? Leave him and come with me, I promise to treat you well—” His hand hadn’t yet touched her body when it was seized by a strong and firm grip.

“Sorry, Young Master Zhang, but this lady has already agreed to accompany me. You’ll have to get in line behind me,” said a voice.

Lin Xu turned to look.

She saw Ji Zeqiu wearing a smart black suit, a faint smile playing on his lips, a look of gentle amusement in his eyes.

“What’s this, Ji the superstar is interested too? How about we share?” The man’s gaze shifted between Lin Xu and Ji Zeqiu, his intentions clearly malicious.

That look was nauseating.

Ji Zeqiu’s smile remained unchanged as he leaned forward and whispered in the man’s ear, “It’s not important whether I’m interested or not. What’s important is I wonder if Mrs. Zhang would be interested in knowing about Young Master Zhang’s pampering of a beauty outside.”

“You!” the man gritted his teeth, “Are you threatening me?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t dare.”

“You just remember this!” the man glared at Ji Zeqiu with a dark look, snorted coldly, and turned to leave.

The smile on Ji Zeqiu’s face faded, and just as he was about to coldly mock Lin Xu, he saw her looking at him with a beaming smile.

“Thank you, it’s good you came. Otherwise, who knows how long that man would have pestered me.”

Hearing the relieved tone in her voice, Ji Zeqiu snorted, “How do you know I didn’t come to pester you?”

“Oh? So you’re going to pester me?” Lin Xu appeared surprised.

Ji Zeqiu choked.

This woman didn’t have even half the gentleness and consideration of Wen Li, so how could he possibly pester her!

Lin Xu smiled and dropped the joking, asking him, “What brings you here?”

“I work at Xie’s. Is it strange for me to appear here?” Ji Zeqiu said.

That’s right.

Only then did Lin Xu remember that Ji Zeqiu made his debut at a company competing with Ji’s, and as a big star cultivated by the Xie Family, it wasn’t strange for him to attend the Xie Family’s birthday banquet.

Not just Ji Zeqiu, but other top artists under Xie’s were also present; however, Lin Xu’s attention to the entertainment circle was limited to Ji Zeqiu only, and she couldn’t recognize anyone else.

“As for you,” Ji Zeqiu snorted, “Ji Tingyang is quite bold to leave you alone here. He must be really confident.”

With so many people at the party, it was a mix of good and bad; if she got schemed against by any man, it would be terrible.

“Oh, he’s concerned. Look, there he comes,” Lin Xu pointed to a spot not far away.

Ji Zeqiu looked over and indeed saw Ji Tingyang quickly walking towards them.

Ji Zeqiu’s eyes shifted, and suddenly, a malicious smile appeared on his lips. He reached out, wrapped his arm around Lin Xu’s waist, and pulled her into his embrace with an intimate gesture.

He whispered in Lin Xu’s ear, “Tell me, if Ji Tingyang sees the two of us this close, do you think he’ll go crazy on the spot?”

In the past, when Wen Li spoke to him, Ji Tingyang would go crazy and disturb the peace of the entire Ji Family.

And now, with Lin Xu in place of Wen Li, would he go crazy enough to ruin the entire Xie Family’s birthday party and become the laughingstock of everyone there?

Suddenly, he was somewhat looking forward to it.

Lin Xu: “…”

Could he be sick?

In the midst of speaking, Ji Tingyang had already approached them, his brows furrowing at the sight of Ji Zeqiu’s actions.

“Let go of her. Can’t you stand on your own? Holding her like that, how does it look?” Ji Tingyang said sternly.

“I won’t let go. What can you do about it?” Ji Zeqiu intensified his grip, pulling Lin Xu even tighter into his arms, taunting in a very childish manner.

“You…”

Just as Ji Tingyang was about to speak, he heard someone calling him over.

It was the president of another collaborating firm.

Unable to refuse and yet not feeling reassured to leave Lin Xu alone, he could only say to Ji Zeqiu, “I’ll go there for a moment. Take good care of her.”

Ji Zeqiu watched Ji Tingyang’s retreating figure, dumbstruck.

“Why isn’t he angry, why doesn’t he freak out? Can’t he see that I have ill intentions towards you, and he still dares to ask me to protect you?!”