The CEO's Substitute Ex-Wife-Chapter 173: A Cold Confrontation
Chapter 173: A Cold Confrontation
Dressed in a perfectly fitted light blue gown, Cheng Anya truly suited the color. From her youth to her graceful seniority, the blue gown accentuated the beauty and mystique honed by years. Though in her fifties, she appeared remarkably youthful, with exquisite makeup and an elegant demeanor. Her fair skin, slender arms, and graceful figure were exceptionally well-maintained, easily rivaling any female celebrity present.
Wen Nuan had seen her several times in more casual attire, so her sudden appearance in such grand fashion was truly stunning.
"I keep looking at them and thinking they’re sisters," Wen Nuan murmured. "If there were media here, they’d definitely be on tomorrow’s front page. They’d be the stars of the night."
Cai Xiaojing chuckled, "Chairman Ye and Mrs. Ye used to be a sight to behold wherever they went."
Han Bi was a mix of shock and delight. She had initially thought Ye Feimo would bring Wen Nuan, but seeing Wen Nuan with Zhou Chenggo, she then assumed Ye Feimo would bring someone else. Yet, he arrived with Cheng Anya.
Cheng Anya greeted Aunt Mei. Both were exceptionally elegant women of similar age, but standing side-by-side, Cheng Anya looked significantly younger. Wen Nuan glanced at Ye Feimo.
*He looks quite handsome tonight,* she thought, a cool feeling in her heart.
*Actually, Young Master Ye Er always looked handsome.*
Ye Feimo’s gaze scanned through the crowd, searching for the person he wanted to see. Their eyes met, and Wen Nuan’s face flushed as she quickly turned away. Everyone then approached Mrs. Ye and Young Master Ye Er to greet them.
Many of those present were from Anning International. Even those who weren’t, if they were in the entertainment industry, held a certain respect for Cheng Anya, making social obligations unavoidable.
Cai Xiaojing and Wen Nuan, however, didn’t join the commotion. Instead, they found seats on the side.
The small stir lasted for over half an hour before everyone settled into their assigned places. At the center of the first row was a large table occupied by Aunt Mei, Cheng Anya, Young Master Ye Er, Aunt Mei’s husband, the CEO of Huayun Entertainment, the CEO of Xingyang Record Company, and the CEO of ATV Television Station. These were all prominent figures, truly the titans of the entertainment industry.
On either side, there were five tables each. The first table on the left held Han Bi, Zhang Yongjie, and several producers and directors. The first table on the right seated Aunt Mei’s close friends and some influential figures from the music industry. Wen Nuan and Cai Xiaojing were seated at the fifth table on the left.
Among all the attendees tonight, Wen Nuan was probably the least experienced.
Cheng Anya leaned over and whispered something to Aunt Mei, who looked at her in surprise, then smiled, stood up, and walked over. "Xiaojing, Wen Nuan, come sit up front."
"Ah..." Wen Nuan gasped in surprise. Cai Xiaojing also looked astonished. Aunt Mei smiled, "It’s Mrs. Ye’s suggestion."
Having no choice, the two stood up and joined Aunt Mei at the main table. The four tables suddenly became a bit quiet. Even someone of Han Bi’s status couldn’t sit at the main table, yet Wen Nuan and Cai Xiaojing could?
Cheng Anya smiled and beckoned, inviting Wen Nuan to sit beside her. Ye Feimo moved one seat to the right, placing Wen Nuan between him and his mother. Cai Xiaojing sat next to the CEO of Huayun.
"Feimo, you’re so thoughtless. I didn’t even know you were coming," Cheng Anya said with a smile. She thought Ye Feimo and Wen Nuan hadn’t reconciled yet. Who knew her stubborn son would immediately seek out Wen Nuan upon arrival, clinging to her so sweetly? Being a perceptive person, she simply called Wen Nuan over.
Cai Xiaojing said, "I brought her to gain some experience."
"Some people who *should* be brought aren’t, and instead, I, an old woman, am brought out," Cheng Anya hinted pointedly.
Ye Feimo remained silent.
Wen Nuan also played dead.
Aunt Mei and the others were very curious about Wen Nuan’s identity. Ye Feimo remained quiet beside them. Cheng Anya and Wen Nuan seemed quite familiar. The CEO of Huayun couldn’t help but ask, "Mrs. Ye, who is this?"
Everyone around them perked up their ears to listen. Wen Nuan quickly, almost frantically, reached for Cheng Anya’s hand, fearing Cheng Anya might say something inappropriate. Ye Feimo glanced sideways at her. Everyone suddenly found the expressions of these few people very intriguing.
Cheng Anya chuckled, "She’s a new talent promoted by Anning. My eldest son’s family really enjoys the TV series she stars in."
Wen Nuan breathed a sigh of relief. Cai Xiaojing pursed her lips. *What eldest son? It’s clearly the second son who likes her! And her TV series hasn’t even aired yet! This lie isn’t very clever.*
However, no one really questioned Cheng Anya’s words; these people rarely paid attention to what TV series were currently airing anyway.
Ye Feimo tilted his head to look at her. "Coward."
Wen Nuan flashed a brilliant smile, ignoring him.
Han Bi watched their joyful scene, seething with anger, clenching her fists tightly. She never expected Wen Nuan to gain Cheng Anya’s favor so completely. Cheng Anya was protecting Wen Nuan at every turn.
This scene was particularly grating in Han Bi’s eyes.
And seeing Wen Nuan and Ye Feimo chatting and laughing only intensified Han Bi’s jealousy.
Just recently, she and Ye Feimo had been fine. For things to change so suddenly was truly infuriating.
In her eyes, Wen Nuan was merely an ugly duckling who had somehow donned a swan’s feathers.
And she, the true white swan, was being ostracized.
Throughout the evening, Wen Nuan was very happy because Cheng Anya was very witty and humorous, and they clicked well. Although many eyes were on them, Wen Nuan didn’t dwell on it.
All her stress was dispelled by Cheng Anya’s smile.
Ye Feimo, on the other hand, spoke little and didn’t interact much with Wen Nuan. Everyone watching them couldn’t discern anything unusual. When the banquet ended, Cheng Anya and Ye Feimo left early, while Wen Nuan and Cai Xiaojing left later.
Han Bi gave Wen Nuan a haughty glance. "How does it feel to be a white swan?"
"Miss Han, what answer do you wish to hear? I’m very happy and very content. Does that answer satisfy you?" Wen Nuan replied with a slight smile. Han Bi erupted in anger, scoffed, and walked away. Cai Xiaojing pursed her lips, shaking her head.
Outside the villa, Ye Feimo leaned against his car, waiting for Wen Nuan. Han Bi walked toward him. Ye Feimo frowned, looking at her expressionlessly. Han Bi approached, her smile somewhat desolate. "Feimo..."
"Wen Nuan, hurry up!" Ye Feimo called out, his gaze sweeping past Han Bi and landing on Wen Nuan, who was just exiting the door. Wen Nuan, seeing Han Bi beside him, smiled sweetly and clutched Cai Xiaojing’s arm, acting coyly.
"Sister Xiaojing, take me with you!"
Cai Xiaojing returned her sweet smile, but through gritted teeth, she said, "Do you want me to be fired by Young Master Ye Er? Scram!"
She gave Wen Nuan a push forward, decisively got into her car, and sped off like lightning. Young Master Ye Er’s lips curved in satisfaction. Cai Xiaojing was becoming more sensible. He’d definitely give her a raise tomorrow.
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