Thus, Xuan Yang and Huo Yuntang had no private relationship. At most, when they met at social events, they would nod and smile at each other as a greeting.
She was very surprised by Huo Yuntang's visit, but soon figured something out.
Xuan Yang: "Are you looking for Zhou Dang, Miss Huo?"
There had been rumors of an arranged marriage between the Zhou and Huo families, but she had confirmed with Zhou Dang that he had no intention of marrying Huo Yuntang.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten married to her.
Thinking of this, Xuan Yang felt more confident. She gave Huo Yuntang a polite smile and invited her: "Would you like to come in and sit for a while?"
After all, Huo Yuntang was now a well-known singer-dancer, and Xuan Yang was also worried about her being exposed and causing trouble.
But Huo Yuntang didn't move to enter. Her attitude was cold, and when she looked at Xuan Yang, there was a hint of resentment: "I came to see you, Miss Xuan."
Now Xuan Yang was even more surprised.
She didn't think that her distant relationship with Huo Yuntang would warrant her taking such a risk to come find her at night, dressed like that.
And how did she know she was staying at Shangtian Mansion?
Did Zhou Dang tell her?
Xuan Yang's thoughts wandered a bit as she debated whether to call Zhou Dang and ask.
But then she remembered that at this time, it should be afternoon in Switzerland. Three hours ago, Zhou Dang had sent her a message reporting that he would be busy that afternoon doing a field inspection at the factory.
Xuan Yang dismissed the idea of calling.
Bringing her thoughts back, she focused on Huo Yuntang and invited her a second time: "Let's talk inside."
Huo Yuntang finally agreed to come in.
From the moment she entered, she started looking around.
From the shoe cabinet design in the entryway to the decoration layout of the living room, the more Huo Yuntang saw, the worse her expression became.
She had just seen a pair of men's slippers under the shoe cabinet—those belonged to Zhou Dang.
That meant that this Xuan woman was indeed living with Zhou Dang.
"What would you like to drink, Miss Huo?" Xuan Yang followed behind her, being polite.
But in Huo Yuntang's eyes, she was putting on airs as the mistress of the house, showing off and flaunting her status.
So Huo Yuntang didn't respond. She went straight to the sofa, sat down, leaned back with a commanding posture, and crossed her legs: "I'm not here to freeload."
Even if Xuan Yang were slow to catch on, she should have sensed the other's hostility.
Since that was the case, Xuan Yang didn't stand on ceremony anymore. She stood in the quiet living room, arms crossed, and looked over calmly: "Miss Huo, feel free to speak frankly."
Huo Yuntang: "You know who I am, so of course you should know my relationship with Zhou Dang."
Her tone was provocative.
Xuan Yang raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled: "What relationship?"
She had actually heard rumors, but she didn't want to give Huo Yuntang the satisfaction.
The Huo and Zhou families were old friends, and Huo Yuntang and Zhou Dang were about the same age.
Since the families were close, it was inevitable that their peers would spend time together.
So Zhou Dang and Huo Yuntang could indeed be considered "childhood sweethearts" in the eyes of the world.
However, Xuan Yang had also heard that He Chen was also close friends with the two of them.
So "childhood sweethearts" didn't mean much.
Since Zhou Dang chose to marry her and was unwilling to accept an arranged marriage with Huo Yuntang, it was enough to show that he had no personal feelings for Huo Yuntang.
Xuan Yang trusted him.
How would Huo Yuntang know that she was so steadfast? She only resented Xuan Yang's feigned ignorance and frowned: "Xuan Yang, I thought you were a smart person."
Huo Yuntang was somewhat aware of the rumors about Xuan Yang in the social circle.
They said she was the number one socialite in Jingbei, but unfortunately, she was only the adopted daughter of the Xuan family.
Some also said she was exiled to New York for nine years and was brought back to marry into the Chen family.
Opinions about Xuan Yang in the circle were mixed.
Some hated her for being like the bright moon that shone down on no one; others loved her for her talent and beauty but were concerned about her status.
In short, everyone had a high opinion of Xuan Yang as an individual.
Her excellence always made people sigh over her background.
But Huo Yuntang didn't like her.
An outstanding presence like Xuan Yang always overshadowed others.
In her youth, Huo Yuntang was one of the socialites whose brilliance was dimmed by her.
Xuan Yang looked at her and curled the corner of her mouth again: "Are you complimenting me, Miss Huo?"
Huo Yuntang: "..."