<h4>Chapter 688: Chapter 688: Those Subtle and Ambiguous Kisses</h4><h4></h4>


    Guests streamed in continuously.


    They took the external sightseeing elevators of the building straight to the top floor.


    The banquet hall was a thousand square meters, with a very high dome ceiling. The side door led to a sky garden where vines divided the space into several secluded sections, offering privacy under the night’s cover.


    The luxurious and intricate crystal chandeliers descended, reminiscent of the most flourishing periods of Central Europe.


    The hall was filled with fine wines and delicacies, as well as snacks perfectly sized for thedies’ delicate taste, ensuring no lipstick smudges.


    The senior executives of Tianyuan Group were also present. Most of the guests were there primarily for business and socializing, with the asional appearance of some celebrities who were highly popr in the entertainment industry. Despite their usual ostentation, here they were exceedingly humble and submissive.


    A band was ying in one corner of the hall.


    Guests grouped in twos and threes, engaging in conversation.


    Huo Sijiao dressed brightly, favoring the color red.


    Others might look vulgar in red, but on her, it was radiant. She used Tianyuan Group’s banquet to also develop her beauty salon clientele.


    Xie Xubai stood in the corner, conversing with others, his gaze asionally drifting towards her.


    Another young man was dressed fashionably, his hair dyed a shade close to ck tea. He was dressed youthfully, and his features were exquisite.


    His brows and eyes bore some resemnce to Xie Xubai, but his demeanor was entirely different.


    He patted Xie Xubai’s shoulder, speaking with a bit of a rogue air: "Feeling emotional? Is she the woman you’ve set your eyes on? The family says your Hongluan Star is stirring, and good things are near. But howe you don’t seem familiar with her? Need me to give you a hand?"


    "Xie Jingchu, don’t mess around."


    Xie Xubai moved his hand away, his ssical yet cool demeanor darkening, his tone carrying a warning.


    Xie Jingchu chuckled awkwardly: "I’m just afraid Pei Chun will be my sister-inw."


    "Don’t forget your identity. We agreed to keep your background hidden while you ventured into the entertainment industry, so stay away from me. I don’t want any scandals linking us," Xie Xubai said lightly, without any mercy.


    Xie Jingchu hesitated to speak.


    Is it necessary?


    Was he some disaster?


    They had simply been caught having dinner alonest time, and the family paid to suppress the news. Otherwise, if released, observantizens would surely notice the resemnce between him and Xie Xubai.


    His persona in the entertainment industry would crumble.


    He had just made a name for himself under the name Jingchu in the industry.


    He couldn’t let fans think he relied on his family.


    Xie Jingchu nced peripherally at a couple entering through the main door and said with some schadenfreude, "Another sucker has be Xia Sisi’s pawn. This woman is realistic and ruthless. Nearly every man who pursues her gets squeezed dry of value, then kicked aside but still grateful, fondly remembering her."


    Xie Xubai looked over, seeing Sun Weimeng speaking with Xia Sisi.


    His tone was slightly nuanced: "He’s not just any fool."


    "With that silly yet lecherous look, how is he not a sucker?"


    Xie Xubai strolled away with a ss of grapefruit water, his voice carried over: "That’s being foolhardy yet shrewd."


    This Young Master Sun, to earn Huo Xingzhou’s favor, must have exceptional qualities.


    Xie Xubai walked to Huo Sijiao’s side, handing her a ss of grapefruit water.


    Huo Sijiao epted the ss without turning, drinking as her mouth was dry from talking. As she lowered the ss, she saw Xie Xubai’s elegant and dignified face.


    She choked slightly on the water stuck in her mouth.


    "You... cough cough."


    Her face and neck turned crimson, and even her hand holding the ss felt tingly.


    Since the Guan Family wedding, she had deliberately kept her distance from Xie Xubai and avoided contacting him.


    But Huo Sijiao could never forget what she had done to him after being drugged, holding onto Xie Xubai inappropriately.


    In that flickering corridor, she had touched him all over.


    An intimate entanglement.


    In the middle of the night, she often felt annoyed, wishing she could hide in a hole.


    Facing him again, her eyes were wet with embarrassment.


    "Did you choke?"


    His demeanor was unaffected.


    As if nothing had happened between them that night, still treating her as a friend.


    "No." Huo Sijiao’s longshes trembled slightly, her eyes lively. Her flushed cheek resembled sweet honey, vibrant and alluring.


    She awkwardly licked her lips moistened by the grapefruit water, unsure what to say to Xie Xubai.


    What if he brings up that day?


    "My mother asked me to inquire whether appointments are still avable for the Jade Skin Ointment project at your beauty salon. A few of her friends want to try it."


    Unexpectedly, he only came to discuss business.


    "There are! I can reserve for them. After all... ah..."


    Huo Sijiao was pushed from behind, stumbling into Xie Xubai’s arms.


    The hint of fruity sandalwood scent filled her nose, rendering her vacant. The fragrance made her think of that day’s excessive rash actions.


    Those subtle, ambiguous kisses.


    The kind of intimacy shared by lovers.


    Xie Xubai nced coldly over as Xie Jingchu passed by, unapologetically saying, "Sorry, I identally bumped into you."


    Then, he left with a smug wink, shamelessly departing.


    "Are you alright?" Xie Xubai asked, looking down.


    Huo Sijiao shook her head, quickly escaping his embrace saying, "I’m fine."


    Her face turned an even deeper red.


    She could no longer maintainposure in front of Xie Xubai, yet she didn’t dislike this feeling, her heart slightly nervous and stirred.


    "I... I’ll go help my brother entertain the guests, feel free to stay."


    Huo Sijiao found an excuse to leave quickly.


    There was a faint smile in Xie Xubai’s eyes.


    But when he glimpsed the Zhong Family entering through the main door, that smile gradually faded.


    The Zhong Family arrived!


    Zhong Lingxiao came with the pregnant Lin Xifei!


    Lu Yingxue came alone, with no sign of Zhong Yi yet.


    ...


    At seven o’clock in the evening.


    Nearly all the guests had arrived.


    The entire banquet hall seemed vibrant and lively.


    On the wall, the retro clock chimed at the hour as the banquet hall’s lights dimmed.


    The spotlight focused on the main entrance of the banquet hall.


    The creamy white carved high doors opened, with a red carpet extending all the way inside.


    Bright light fell.


    A couple in grand attire walked down the red carpet. The man’s suit was sharp, and his face’s indifferent expression seemed to disregard everything, with eyes like calm water without any undercurrents.


    Beside him, Qiao Xi wore a white satin off-shoulder floor-length gown.


    A sapphire ne adorned her corbone.


    She rarely dressed with such elegance and coolness, often acting with spontaneity. Many times, she went out or consulted patients with a bare face.


    She smiled softly standing next to Huo Xingzhou, her beauty unparalleled!


    The crowd realized that this Young Madam Huo’s appearance was even more striking than Lu Yingxue’s!