The Billionaire's Hidden Affection-Chapter 394: Banquet at Hongmen 3_1

Yan Xixi offered a faint smile.

All eyes turned to her, including those of Zhou Ting, who was standing behind Zhou Xiaoxuan. This was the first time Zhou Ting had seen Yan Xixi in a public setting, and the shock was overwhelming.

Could this woman before her—with her mermaid-like figure and exquisitely flawless features—truly be the same haggard, scar-faced Yan Xixi from that day?

Zhou Ting’s first encounter with Yan Xixi had been at Wan Donglin’s home. At that time, Yan Xixi’s head was wrapped in bandages, her face was still stained with dried blood, and her eyelids drooped heavily. Even the two or three tenths of her original beauty that remained were entirely consumed by her despair and haggard state.

After that one encounter, Zhou Ting had always wondered: How could Wan Donglin possibly be attracted to such a woman? She’s truly nothing special. Beating and scolding her would be perfectly normal.

However, seeing Yan Xixi so splendidly dressed today, the shock Zhou Ting felt was indescribable. Even having seen countless debutantes and young ladies famed for beauty capable of toppling cities and nations, who among them could compare to such an incredibly beautiful face? Especially her skin, so translucent it seemed to glow, making her appear like a jade carving—so tender it felt as if a pinch would draw water.

Nearly every man in the room, consciously or unconsciously, found their gaze drawn to her.

So this was the woman who made Wan Donglin break off his engagement with me!

If, before, Zhou Ting had believed seventy to eighty percent of her own fabricated lies about Yan Xixi, at this very moment, she understood with absolute clarity that Wan Donglin had genuinely fallen in love with Yan Xixi.

Wan Donglin faking an illness to call off the wedding—it was absolutely because of *her*.

As a princess who had been pampered and had everything she ever wanted her entire life, how could she bear to lose so inexplicably to another woman?

A thousand thoughts churned in Zhou Ting’s mind. If Yan Xixi weren’t tightly holding another man’s arm, she would have marched over and slapped her face right then.

Yan Xixi was equally astounded to see Zhou Ting here.

What is she doing here?

Instinctively, Yan Xixi scanned her surroundings. If Wan Donglin is here too, what on earth am I going to do?

But Yan Xixi had no time to dwell on Wan Donglin. She could feel Zhou Ting’s gaze, sharp as knives, seemingly piercing right through her. I really wish I could rip off this dress right now and change into beggar’s rags; anything would be better. But in this situation, is there any way to retreat? All she could do was clutch Huang Xiaojue’s arm even more tightly.

This very gesture, however, was a particular eyesore to Zhou Xiaoxuan.

She had harbored a secret crush on Huang Xiaojue for ten years and, even now, couldn’t quite dispel those subtle emotions. Especially since Huang Xiaojue’s career had flourished in the past two years, giving him the polished aura of a mature, highly eligible ’diamond bachelor.’ Comparisons are odious; when compared, her own blockheaded husband seemed utterly like a feeble bean sprout.

She seethed with jealousy and hatred, her heart a mix of sourness and bitterness. She could only stare daggers at Yan Xixi, the smile on her face almost frozen.

Surrounded by countless stares, Yan Xixi knew this was a veritable lion’s den. The slightest misstep could trigger a catastrophe. With no time for anxiety or worry, her mind instantly raced, considering hundreds of potential outcomes. How can I navigate this to a peaceful conclusion?

All my adversaries are here. If Wan Donglin shows up too... forget about leaving here alive tonight.

Huang Xiaojue didn’t recognize Zhou Ting and had no idea who this person was. However, seeing Zhou Xiaoxuan and her husband here, he too felt a sense of unease. Why are *they* here? Logically, they have little connection to this social circle.

He suddenly grew vigilant, a deeply ominous intuition washing over him.

At this moment, Zhou Ting’s gaze had settled entirely on Huang Xiaojue. This was also her first time seeing him in person. As she got a clear look, her breath caught in her throat; this man was far more strikingly handsome and refined than he appeared in photographs.