C9 Welcome Banquet

Ruan Hanyu made no mincing of his words and this caused Qian Anrou’s face to visibly pale. It was the first time she had seen Ruan Hanyu angry. And it was that woman’s fault. As if it were contagious, a flame of anger rose in her heart, and she slowly became consumed with that rage.

Ruan Hanyu was an honorable man and always kept his word. She understood that in front of him, she could no longer pursue that question. Otherwise, she knew if she triggered his anger, the marriage between them would be in hot waters.

She had watched that day’s events unfold around her. It looked like everything was in order and progressing in a good direction. Though the appearance of that woman in the Ruan Group’s offices thwarted her plans somewhat, she would not let her stand in her way. She could hardly bear the fact that the woman’s presence was needed to execute the designs needed to push the company into the global market but because her presence was needed and valued, there was nothing she could do about this. She vowed that she would not let this woman ruin her future. She would do everything in her power to make this a sure thing.

She was so close. Ruan Hanyu was inches away from agreeing to marrying her. She will not give up and never in a million years will she miss such a great opportunity.

She loved Ruan Hanyu, and Ruan Hanyu returned her affections. He could only belong to her.

Since he had already divorced the despised Mu Qingzhu, this freed Ruan Hanyu from the woman’s clenches and he had since agreed to marry her. This was enough. She shouldn’t force things too much.

Qian Anrou wiped the tears from her eyes and reapplied her makeup again. She fixed a bright smile on her face, but her eyes remained as cold as ice.

Mu Qingzhu, you wait and see. You better watch your step. I want you to leave Ruan Group and out of Ruan Hanyu’s life forever.

Inside the most luxurious KTV in A City, the lighting inside the room was dim and colorful lights spilled across the space. The atmosphere was amped with excitement.

Mu Qingzhu sat in the corner of the room, moodily. A helpless smile was plastered on her face.

That night the Ruan Group was welcoming her with a special celebration in order to honor her arrival into the company.

Mu Qingzhu was not in the mood to attend at all, but Special Assistant Liu had insisted. She couldn’t convince Special Assistant Liu to come, so Mu Qingzhu was put on the spot to go instead. She knew that Ruan Hanyu would find it beneath him to show up at such an event. She felt that as long as she did not have to see him, it would make things easier to bear.

The noisy sound of laughter muddled Mu Qingzhu’s head and made her feel dizzy. The disruption made her sick to her stomach. Deciding that a breath of fresh air would do her good, she stood up and went outside. Tonight Mu Qingzhu wore a light green dress that complemented perfectly her graceful and elegant body.

The KTV room was connected to the spacious outdoor stage and Mu Qingzhu did not have to walk far to reach it. As she walked outside, she caught a glimpse of the green trees swaying behind the stage. The breeze caressing her face was very fragrant. She looked up to see a bright moon hanging high in the sky! Everything about that night was beautiful and bewitching.

Her nose caught a waft of a faint fragrance coming from the French red wine. As Mu Qingzhu entered the outdoor space, a light breeze blew her black hair from her forehead, cooling her heated features right away. This instantly made her feel better. Her brows relaxed and she was finally able to breathe easier. Her mood had lifted greatly.

The venue was the most expensive and luxurious place in A City. Only the top of the crop or those considered the upper-class elites of A City could enter such a locale. Every year, the Ruan Group held their regular annual meeting at this venue. This also included all kinds of welcome banquets or celebrations of the like.

Everyone in A City wanted to work for the Ruan Group. Being an employee at this company was a great honor and it was a coveted position among many.

Mu Qingzhu was unfazed by the richness of the venue. As the daughter of the Mu family, she was used to such opulence.

Out of the din of voices, she heard clear and melodious laughter drifting towards her. The laughter was as clear as a bell and drew her in.

She stopped mid-step, trying to hear more clearly. Her eyes were veiled by shadows cast from the dim light.

Qian Anrou, who was decked out in heavy makeup, walked over with an arrogant air. Mu Qingzhu watched as her graceful figure made its way over to her.

She had a charming and complacent look on her face and the smile she wore was glowing. But Mu Qingzhu couldn’t help but be disarmed from the cold look in Qian Anrou’s eyes. The look she gave Mu Qingzhu was chilling to the bone.

Once the two had crossed paths, they stood face to face, meeting each other’s gaze head-on!

Feeling a sinking sensation in her heart, Mu Qingzhu avoided her eyes entirely.

The woman accompanying Qian Anrou shocked Mu Qingzhu even more. She looked up to see the beautiful figure by her side was none other than Mu Qingqian. Mu Qingzhu couldn’t believe her eyes.

In a sexy suspender dress, Mu Qingqian’s face was heavily made up and she looked very coquettish. With piercing cold and disdainful eyes, she gave Mu Qingzhu a once-over. Her face had the same look of arrogance that painted Qian Anrou’s.

“Mu Qingqian, how could it be you?” Mu Qingzhu’s expression showed her surprise.

Under the blurry lights, Mu Qingqian’s face looked hazy and dream-like.

“Why can’t I be here?” Mu Qingzhu’s brows lifted and she said in an arrogant voice, “Is it only you who is qualified to attend such a high-class event?”

“You…” Mu Qingqian’s response had instantly left her speechless. She did not expect Mu Qingqian to be so shallow. Her heart felt wrecked with sorrow. Even though her uncle’s entire family had betrayed her and snatched away her family’s wealth, Mu Qingqian was still her cousin. Her status as a member of the Mu family was eternally binding. Mu Qingzhu would make it her job to remind her.

But why would Mu Qingqian be by Qian Anrou’s side? If she was not wrong, the girl had just turned 18. Shouldn’t she still be in school? This wasn’t a place she should be at.

But Mu Qingzhu knew Qian Anrou. This woman was meticulous, arrogant, and mean. Mu Qingqian who only wanted to climb higher in social circles did not know the extent of her viciousness.

Mu Qingzhu watched as Mu Qingqian looked at Qian Anrou with a look filled with admiration. She stood beside Qian Anrou with worshipful eyes. It was no doubt that Mu Qingqian looked up to Qian Anrou!

With a bitter smile in her heart, Mu Qingzhu will do her best to remind Mu Qingqian of her background.

Tonight everyone at Ruan Group was here to celebrate. The men and women at the party were unrestrained and they partied heartily. The atmosphere inside the venue was energized and everyone at the celebration felt excited to be there.

Yet Qian Anrou’s arrival had put a stop to the revelries. The entire place became quiet the instant she made her appearance. Everyone’s eyes were drawn to their spot. No one had expected Qian Anrou to make an appearance. It had always been beneath her to attend a staff gathering.

“Good evening, Director Qian.” The entire room bowed down respectfully and greeted Qian Anrou in unison.

Feeling like a queen, Qian Anrou raised her head and smiled regally. Afterwards, she nodded at everyone’s greeting.

“Miss Alice, where are you off to? Are you enjoying yourself at tonight’s welcome banquet?” Qian Anrou’s face was full of fake smiles as she stood in front of Mu Qingzhu. Her demeanor was very much like a superior consoling a subordinate. Her inauthentic concern for Mu Qingzhu was grating on her nerves.

Mu Qingzhu’s face only showed that she was calm and indifferent. She smiled coldly at Qian Anrou. Then her eyes moved over to Mu Qingqian and she reached out for Mu Qingqian’s hand. “Qingqian, come with me. This place is not fit for someone like you. Don’t argue. You must come with me.”

Her grip on Mu Qingqian was tight and she used it to pull her cousin outside.

Mu Qingqian shook out of Mu Qingzhu’s hold and pushed her roughly away hard. She said in a scolding tone, “Mu Qingzhu, you think highly of yourself, don’t you? You dare chase me away. I am Director Qian’s assistant. And what are you? You only hold the title of Ruan Hanyu’s ex-wife. How could a resentful woman who was abandoned by a man compare?"

Mu Qingqian’s face was highlighted by her scorn as she shouted out so loud everyone around them could hear, “If you think Ruan Hanyu will fall in love with you if you stay in the Ruan Group, you’re only dreaming. You better make better use of your time.”

She stared boldly at her with proud eyes, her shiny and youthful face full of arrogance and disdain.

In the commotion to get away, Mu Qingqian pushed Mu Qingzhu heavily away and this motion threw Mu Qingzhu onto the floor. In the confusion, she bumped into the person behind her holding a red wine glass. The wine glass flew out of this person’s hands and fell, shattering to the ground.

The noise stunned the people around them. Soon after, everyone started whispering about the scene they had just witnessed seconds ago.

“Did you hear? Miss Alice is rumored to be the wife of Director Ruan.”

“Tsk tsk, I also heard that Director Ruan despises his wife very much and has never shown his face at home.”

“So it is she who is the unfavored original. It is no wonder she has never appeared by Director Ruan’s side.”

“Unlike how the rumors perceive her, this Miss Alice is not that ugly. Her looks are very good and she has an even temperament. I find it hard to believe that Director Ruan does not love her.”

“Sigh, it really is a pity, isn’t it? What matters is that in the end, she was still divorced by Director Ruan.”

...

All kinds of things were being said about her. All eyes were on the figure of Mu Qingzhu’s crumpled form on the ground. Their eyes could not contain the surprise, curiosity, contempt, and sympathy they all felt for this woman.

Though all eyes were on her, no one took the initiative to help her up.

She was a woman that Director Ruan had cast aside. They wouldn’t dare show sympathies for such a woman!