Seeing the tender affection in Young Master Huo’s eyes for Miss Chu Three, it seemed difficult to smoothly take her away this evening.

In fact, when Ambassador Qiu received Xuan Yu’s call today, he felt somewhat troubled.

Having been in China for so long, how could Ambassador Qiu not be aware of Young Master Huo’s capabilities and temperament?

However, Xuan Yu’s father was Ambassador Qiu’s immediate superior in S Country, and this favor, he had no choice but to help.

As soon as the banquet hall opened, a few people walked in.

Indeed, just as Jiayi expected, Xuan Yu had also come.

Chu Xinyu was covered in wounds and couldn’t bear to be seen. Fearing disfigurement, she followed the doctor’s advice and applied ointment without leaving her room after returning to the hotel, so she did not come this evening.

It was Nie Yixiao who accompanied Xuan Yu.

Nie Yixiao, after cleaning up his disheveled appearance from the past two days upon returning to the hotel, had once again restored his handsome demeanor. His suit was sharp, his manner composed, and his peach blossom eyes shone brilliantly, truly the epitome of a soaring dragon and phoenix, enough to make any woman’s heart flutter.

Seeing Jiayi nestled like a little bird by Huo Zhenyang’s side as they entered, Nie Yixiao’s eyes flickered, and his breathing even paused for a moment.

This was not the girl he remembered.

He had never seen Jiayi dressed like this before.

In his memory, she was always the pure girl who dressed conservatively, whether in cotton dresses or T-shirts with jeans, always shy to show off her figure.

But tonight, she was completely transformed.

Her once plain long hair was now elegantly swept up high, she wore a black handmade gown that accentuated her slender figure, and the V-neck drew attention to her swan-like neck. She held an evening bag that matched her dress.

At that moment, she seemed like a well-behaved little rabbit, quietly staying by the man’s side, as if with a raised hand or a pout, the man beside her could pluck the stars from the sky for her.

In just one short year since they last met, she had blossomed from a frail and tender foxtail into a juicy, fragrant little rose.

And the man who facilitated her bloom was not him, Nie Yixiao, but the proud and imposing man by her side.

Jealousy grew increasingly within Nie Yixiao.

The Chu Family’s intentions to marry her off to a cripple had not bothered him this much.

He knew that, no matter what, Jiayi would never fancy someone who needed assistance even with basic bodily functions.

But now, seeing her kept in the arms of such a supremely excellent man, Nie Yixiao’s discomfort surged.

He wished he could take her back to S Country immediately!

Jiayi caught Nie Yixiao’s gaze and also felt the burning astonishment in his eyes.

For a moment, she hesitated a second, not immediately averting her eyes.

This man had caused her heartache, but she was sure that she had once loved him.

The feelings of growing up together, innocent and carefree, were not so easily eradicated or forgotten.

Perhaps for this reason, the most vivid memories she still held were of Nie Yixiao.

Their gazes met in a fleeting moment, fully perceived by Huo Zhenyang.

He felt the small hand in his palm tremble slightly.

His eyebrows frosted over with a cold light, and without changing his expression, he suddenly tightened his grip, securing the little one’s hand firmly as they sat down.

Because they were in the embassy of S Country, with Ambassador Qiu present, Xuan Yu and Nie Yixiao had some confidence tonight, no longer acting as subservient towards Huo Zhenyang as they had been during the day,

Xuan Yu sat on a golden European-style high-backed chair, embodying the attitude of a lady of status, "Mr. Huo has arrived."

Huo Zhenyang spoke teasingly, "Mrs. Chu hasn’t returned to the country yet?"

In just a few words, he provoked Xuan Yu’s pride, "How could I return to China when our daughter from the Chu Family hasn’t been brought back yet?"

The atmosphere tensed up before the real discussion even began.

Ambassador Qiu coughed twice and got straight to the point, "I won’t beat around the bush. I invited Mr. Huo here today to act as a mediator and persuade a reconciliation. I hope Mr. Huo will allow Miss Chu to return first; after all, the Chu Family is her true home."

Huo Zhenyang casually lifted a wine glass from the table and gently swirled the dazzling, intoxicating ruby liquid inside.

Then, a gleam flashed in his eyes, "Since Mrs. Chu has come to Ambassador Qiu for help, she must have mentioned to him that Jiayi and I are engaged."

His implication was that he was also soon to be Jiayi’s husband.

Xuan Yu’s gaze turned frosty, "This engagement cannot be counted, an engagement? Our Chu Family wasn’t even aware. Mr. Huo is also aware now that the Chu Family is not some insignificant household; a daughter’s engagement can absolutely not be taken so lightly! We will never acknowledge it unilaterally!"

"It doesn’t matter. Even without the engagement, she would probably have to marry me."

"What does Mr. Huo mean by that?" Nie Yixiao’s eyebrows furrowed deeply.

Huo Zhenyang had long sensed that Nie Yixiao had a special feeling for Jiayi, and Nie Yixiao’s excessive reaction now further confirmed that he wasn’t just Jiayi’s sister’s boyfriend but was very concerned about Jiayi.

This made him assert his authority swiftly, pulling her into his embrace, his large hand slid down and, in front of everyone, he placed it on the girl’s flat belly. Ignoring the younger girl’s opposing gaze, his wicked words floated from his lips,

"Here, there might already be the Huo Family’s seed. Do you all think there’s another man who would dare to wear my green hat, taking over them, mother and child?"

Every word was enough to make faces turn red with embarrassment.

Xuan Yu and Ambassador Qiu were so shocked they couldn’t speak for a long time.

Nie Yixiao’s handsome face also turned slightly red, his fist tensing imperceptibly beneath the tablecloth. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Though he knew that Jiayi, having been by the side of this domineering man for a year, their relationship was definitely not that simple, yet hearing it firsthand still made him feel as if his blood was surging.

The girl in front of him had already been deeply marked by another man.

Jiayi was no longer the little flower who only had him in her heart and would cry out "Brother Yixiao, you have to love and take care of me for a lifetime."

"Mr. Huo, whether in China or overseas, is considered a public figure. Is it necessary to speak so rudely?"

Nie Yixiao spoke, his face cold.

Huo Zhenyang originally didn’t want to be so direct, but Nie Yixiao’s gaze on Jiayi all night really irked him.

His clear eyes glanced over, jeering, "Doesn’t Mr. Nie understand that sort of thing between men and women? What’s so rude about it? Stop playing the virgin. Mr. Nie, don’t tell me you’re still a virgin."

Not far away, officials from the embassy and the Huo Family’s bodyguards snickered together.

Nie Yixiao’s cheeks reddened, but in the end, he said no more.

Half the night passed, and Mr. Huo’s stance was very stubborn, utterly refusing to let her go.

Jiayi also didn’t show any strong desire to return.

The negotiation reached a deadlock.

Ambassador Qiu could only attempt to smooth things over temporarily, "Let’s serve the meal first; we can continue talking while we eat."

Huo Zhenyang couldn’t be bothered to say much, merely tilting his head, his tone filled with deep affection, "Baby, are you hungry yet?"