Chapter 33: What Happens During the Annual Banquet?

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Huo Zheng was extremely busy at the end of the year. He was supposed to go for an annual inspection this month, but due to Lin Xiaowan’s current condition, he was reluctant to leave and arranged for someone to go in his place. However, his workload did not decrease at all.

In the past, when Huo Zheng was very busy, he would not contact Lin Xiaowan at all. When she wanted to text or call him, she would hold back, worried that she would disturb him. He naturally was unaware of this.

However, things were different now.

Lin Xiaowan was usually still asleep when Huo Zheng left in the morning. He would call her when he arrived at the company to wake her up for breakfast. He would remind her to drink a glass of hot milk and not to dawdle until breakfast grew cold. He noticed that she had a habit of waiting until the meal was cold before she ate.

When Lin Xiaowan woke up, she would take a photo, send him a message, and tell him about what she had eaten. She would also share bits and pieces of her daily life with him.

Huo Zheng would only reply to her occasionally when he was busy. They would chat intermittently throughout the day.

…

Today, Huo Zheng returned early. When he walked into the living room, he could smell the fragrance of all kinds of food. A round plate with many spicy sticks sat on the table.

At this moment, Lin Xiaowan, Huang Dabao, and Huang Erbao were sitting on the carpeted floor and eating spicy sticks while they watched an old cartoon.

Huo Zheng’s vein throbbed on his forehead. ‘Who gave her these?’

At this moment, Huo Cheng walked over with a plate of fried snacks. When he saw Huo Zheng, he asked, “Why did you return so early today?”

When Huo Cheng set the plate down on the table, Huo Zheng saw French fries and fried chicken wings. He could not identify the other fried snacks.

Lin Xiaowan picked up a piece of soft fried pork and stuffed it into her mouth. When she looked up and saw Huo Zheng standing nearby, she felt guilty even though his expression did not change. She quickly looked away as she thought to herself, ‘Out of sight, out of mind.’

At this moment, Huo Dabao stood up, wiped his hands, and ran to the kitchen to get some dipping sauce.

“Why are you eating these things? Have you drunk water?”

Huo Zheng felt a headache coming on.

Lin Xiaowan wiped her hands and raised a water bottle for him to see as she said, “I already drank four times today.”

The water bottle displayed the measurement of the water inside. It could hold up to 550 milliliters of water. Lin Xiaowan felt that she had drunk a lot of water considering it was winter.

“Too little.”

At this time, Qiao You’an walked out with Huang Dabao, helping him bring a few different dipping sauces over. When she saw Huo Zheng standing while looking at Lin Xiaowan, who clearly looked aggrieved, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

“He won’t let me eat any more of the snacks.”

Qiao You’an spoke up for Lin Xiaowan immediately. “It’s fine to eat a little. The spicy sticks and snacks were homemade, and we only made a small portion. There’s not much after sharing it with the children.”

Huo Zheng frowned. He was about to speak again when his sister-in-law interjected, “I called the doctor and asked. He said it’s okay.”

With this, Huo Zheng could not say anything more and only asked Lin Xiaowan to drink more water.

…

During dinner, Huo Zheng asked if Lin Xiaowan wanted to accompany him to the Huo Corporation’s annual banquet, which would take place the day after tomorrow. He had thought about this matter a lot. Previously, Huo Cheng pointed out that he had never brought Lin Xiaowan to any events. As a result, many rumors were swirling outside. This time, he planned to bring Lin Xiaowan with him to put the rumors to a stop.

In the past, Lin Xiaowan did not want to attend these events. Huo Zheng respected her wishes and did not force her. It was fine if she did not want to go. Moreover, he usually did not stay for long and would leave after a while.

Currently, Lin Xiaowan had also changed. She wanted to try and enter Huo Zheng’s world as well. She asked, “Where is it? Do I have to dress formally?”

“No,” Huo Zheng replied, “I have a year-end staff meeting in the afternoon. The banquet starts at six. I’ll pick you up before six?”

“It’s fine. I’ll come to you. It’s too troublesome for you to go back and forth,” Lin Xiaowan said.

The old residence was very far from the company, and it would take Huo Zheng almost two hours to come and go.

“I’ll get the driver to pick you up!”

“Okay,” Lin Xiaowan replied with a nod.

Lin Xiaowan had never attended a company’s annual banquet before. She had never even attended a gathering with friends, let alone a company gathering. She could not help but ask curiously, “What happens during the banquet?”

“Nothing much. There are performances and a lucky draw.”

…

On the day of the banquet.

When Lin Xiaowan woke up from her afternoon nap, Huo Zheng’s driver was already waiting for her.

Qiao You’an helped Lin Xiaowan pick out her outfit and put her hair up in a very pretty style. She said with a smile, “You look beautiful. Have fun tonight.”

Lin Xiaowan wore a pink down jacket over her dress and wore black over-the-knee boots that made her legs look slender and long. She wore a pair of golden tassel earrings that hung down. She also wore light makeup, making her look exquisite.

Lin Xiaowan asked nervously before she left, “Am I dressed too casually?”

“It’s fine. Most people are dressed casually as well. The event is for people to relax and socialize. You don’t have to worry about anything later. Just eat, drink, and watch the performances,” Qiao You’an said patiently, “If you don’t want to stay with Huo Zheng, you can walk around. I’m sure there’ll be a buffet table in Marles’ banquet hall. You can try to make friends or do whatever you want.”

…

The Marles Hotel was the venue of the company’s annual banquet, and it was located in the heart of the city.

When the driver pulled to a stop in front of the entrance, Lin Xiaowan saw Huo Zheng waiting for her with a smile on his face. She got off the car and rushed to him.

“Huo Zheng!”

Huo Zheng caught her in his arms and caressed her head. The heater was turned on in the car so she was warm.

Ever since Lin Xiaowan was injured, her hands and feet were cold. At night, he would sit in the living room with her while she soak her feet in hot water. He planned to look for a traditional Chinese doctor to examine her after she stopped taking her medications.

“Good evening, Young Madam.”

At this moment, Huo Zheng’s assistant stood at the side. He was the one whom Huo Zheng often instructed to buy gifts like clothes, jewelry, bags, and shoes for Lin Xiaowan. As such, he was naturally familiar with Lin Xiaowan.

The way the assistant addressed Lin Xiaowan was a little different. After marrying into the Huo family, Qiao You’an had always been addressed as Madam. Later on, Huo Zheng brought Lin Xiaowan back, and there were two Madams in the Huo family. To differentiate the two, the assistant addressed Lin Xiaowan as ‘Young Madam’ since she was a little younger.

Although it was said that Huo Zheng was in the stage of pursuing Lin Xiaowan, she did not shy away from this title at all. She politely greeted, “Good evening, Assistant Song.”

…

The banquet hall was located on the sixth floor. As Huo Zheng led his subordinates to the elevator, he asked, “Didn’t you say you want to address me as ‘Brother’?”

Huo Zheng’s voice was not low, and there were many people coming and going at this time.

Lin Xiaowan looked around before she said with a burning face, “Why did you say it so loudly?”

It was fine when no one was around, but she felt embarrassed now that there were others around even though there was nothing strange about the word ‘Brother’.

“What’s there to be embarrassed about?” Huo Zheng asked teasingly.

The banquet had yet to start. Many employees had just arrived after the year-end meeting.

When the elevator door slid open, many people’s attention were instantly drawn to Huo Zheng and Lin Xiaowan as soon as they stepped out.