Zhou Dang looked up, his gaze meeting He Chen's from across the way. He curled his lip in distaste but said, "No problem."
Xuan Yang stared at him for a moment, not calling him out on his stubbornness, and smiled contentedly. "Good."
She walked Zhou Dang over, passing many familiar faces from their circle. They all stopped and stared, their expressions varied. After all, the combination of Xuan Yang and Zhou Dang was unprecedented. The two had almost no connection in their circle—they were like oil and water. If there was any relationship, it was from years ago when they were in school and had made many enemies. Yet tonight, the two were attending a banquet together! It was huge news in the upper circles of Jingbei.
After watching the perfect pair pass, the crowd couldn't help but murmur.
"Is that Xuan Yang? When did she return, and walking with that Zhou guy!"
"Truly a sight for sore eyes. The adopted daughter of the Xuan family and the crown prince of the Zhou family appear together—so weird."
"I heard the Xuan family is discussing marriage with the Chen family. Chairman Chen has taken a liking to Xuan Yang and wants his useless son to marry her. Shouldn't Xuan Yang be here with Chen Xingyue tonight?"
"No, am I the only one shocked that Third Young Master Zhou is attending Young Master He's birthday banquet?"
"Yeah, aren't they sworn enemies? In previous years, Young Master He's birthday, Young Master Zhou just sent a gift as a formality. What's up this year?!"
"..."
The conversation somehow shifted to Zhou Dang and He Chen. He Chen, one of the parties involved, raised a sharp eyebrow. Scanning Zhou Dang, he was also somewhat surprised. As Zhou Dang and Xuan Yang approached, he couldn't help but coldly mock, "President Zhou is here? I don't recall sending you an invitation."
Zhou Dang curled his lip, not one to be outdone. "I didn't want to come either, but your old man sent two invitations, so I had to lower myself to join the fun."
He Chen stepped forward half a step, his tall frame pressing with strong intimidation. "Since when do others decide what happens at my birthday banquet?"
Zhou Dang shrugged it off. "I'm already here. President He wouldn't be so petty as to kick me out, would he?"
He Chen: "..."
Xuan Yang, feeling the almost igniting tension between them, didn't want them to start a fight in public and drag her and Xie Xinglan into it. She quickly helped defuse the situation. "Happy birthday, Young Master He. Haven't seen you in years. You're more imposing than ever."
Xie Xinglan also cooperated, pulling He Chen and smiling. "Exactly. No wonder you were the only one who could compete with Young Master Zhou for the title of school heartthrob back then."
The strained atmosphere between the two dissipated with the help of Xuan Yang and Xie Xinglan. Xuan Yang quickly pulled Xie Xinglan off to the restroom, away from the "battlefield."
Once they were a short distance away, Xie Xinglan eagerly pressed her. "How did you end up coming with Zhou Dang?!"
Xuan Yang glanced back, relieved to see that Zhou Dang and He Chen weren't fighting. Turning back, she answered Xie Xinglan honestly, "He said Chen Xingyue asked him to."
Xie Xinglan frowned, skeptical. "Really? Has my third cousin become that reasonable?"
Xuan Yang: "..." Indeed, when did Zhou Dang become so easy to deal with?
Author's note:
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Yangyang: I can't make decisions for President Zhou. [helpless]
President Zhou: Why not try? [dog head holding rose]