Chapter 553: Annie, come here

In the brightly lit banquet hall.

After a brief silence, an explosive wave of discussion erupted.

Tian Chengye, who had been immersed in the shock brought by the name Ouyang Xianyue, suddenly turned his head and looked nervously at Shangguan Qiuya beside his daughter, his heart churning with turbulent waves.

..￠O

When did Jingjing get to know Ms. Ouyang?

And how did she become good friends with Director Jin’s assistant?

Yet, he had been completely oblivious to all of this.

One must know that Smile Holdings is not a traditional enterprise.

Jin Meixiao’s assistant is by no means just a minor character handling daily affairs.

She is deeply involved in the group’s highest-level strategic decisions and even represents Director Jin in conducting covert talent cultivation and building relationship networks.

Her status is in no way inferior to any of Smile Holdings’ visible executives.

He had always known that his daughter was a very clever person; she had been sharp since she was little and had basically never suffered any losses.

It was just that she had absolutely no interest in business management.

That was why he had felt at ease letting his daughter enter Jinxiu Trading and participate in Smile Holdings’ mid-level management training.

Even regarding the fact that his daughter could be favored by Smile Holdings, enter the headquarters, and be internally dispatched to Tang Yi Precision—

while he was pleasantly surprised, he didn't find it particularly strange.

But he never imagined that his daughter had already gone so far and so deep on this path!

Immediately, his gaze uncontrollably shifted to Tang Song.

The details of the scenes that had occurred earlier were instantly connected, forming a conjecture that made his heart jump.

Shangguan Qiuya and Fan Wen had come in with him, and they had been very low-key.

Luo Bin from Quan Jing also knew Tang Song and had been the one to greet him first.

His clever daughter, while knowing the backgrounds of Meng Chuan and Mellon, had consistently and strongly stated her position.

Tang Song was absolutely not as simple as he had imagined.

What else was he hiding?!

As his thoughts raced, Tian Chengye quickly suppressed all the shock on his face.

He walked up to Shangguan Qiuya and said warmly and appropriately, "So it is Assistant Shangguan, please forgive my lack of courtesy! This child Jingjing is also at fault; with such an important guest coming, she didn't even tell me in advance so I could welcome you personally!"

Shangguan Qiuya smiled and said, "Director Tian is too polite. Today is Xiao Jing’s big day; as a friend, I just came to send my blessings."

"Thank you! This is our honor!" Then, Tian Chengye turned to Luo Bin, "Director Luo, I have long admired your name! To be honest,

our Zhongcheng, as well as several of my personal businesses, are all entrusted to your firm. It’s just that I’ve never had the chance to meet you; I didn't expect to run into you here today."

He took the initiative to extend his hand to show respect.

"Hello, Director Tian." Luo Bin politely shook his hand.

Immediately after, Qin Dechang and the others also gathered around, their attitudes extremely enthusiastic.

Unlike foreign capital like Meng Chuan and Conrad, Smile Holdings is deeply embedded in every domestic sector.

Some of their industries all had intersections with the other party.

No matter what, they dared not offend Shangguan Qiuya.

Qin Hua and the others who had followed Meng Chuan over stood there in a daze, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Meng Chuan took a deep breath, lowered his voice,

and quickly explained to Conrad Mellon beside him about Shangguan Qiuya’s identity and the energy she represented, as well as Ouyang Xianyue’s gift from just moments ago.

Conrad’s eyes flickered; the anger and coldness in his eyes quickly receded, replaced by a solemn expression.

Smile Holdings is a massive commercial empire spanning finance, technology, consumer goods, entertainment, and many other fields,

and that Director Jin is a true super-tycoon.

Her assistant appearing here, no matter what, no matter what, should be given sufficient respect.

Immediately, his gaze looked toward that Tang Song who had remained calm throughout.

No wonder he had been so fearless just now.

However, with the pride he and Meng Chuan possessed, after having just had a conflict with Tang Song, it was impossible for them to quickly change their stance and go up to initiate a conversation.

At most, they would acknowledge that the other party indeed had the grounds for such confidence.

Xiao Jing, standing at the center of the storm, looked at her parents, friends, and the reactions of Meng Chuan and the other, her heart filled with incomparable excitement and thrill!

This grand play she had meticulously planned had finally been staged as scheduled!

And it had even gone more smoothly than she had imagined!

Ms. Ouyang’s gift, plus the endorsement of Shangguan Qiuya’s identity.

It was enough to stun the entire room.

And for her father, it should be even more effective.

After all, Huineng Electronics’ most core crisis right now is a technical problem; if they could get help from Tang Yi Precision, that would definitely be more direct and effective than any capital injection from Lin Jingming or Meng Chuan!

Although she was also curious why Ms. Ouyang would send her a gift.

But now was clearly not the time to delve into that.

Next was to wait until after her birthday wish, then find a way to facilitate the Huineng Electronics matter; she hoped the elder sister Shangguan could be helpful.

Then, she couldn't help but look at her boyfriend.

Darling, this is the stage I meticulously built for you! Is it a surprise?

Immediately after, she saw the playfulness and depth in her boyfriend’s gaze.

A sense of shame at being seen through and understood surged into her heart again.

Xiao Jing bit her lip, her cheeks flushing red.

She shouted in her heart: Tang Song, if you are angry because Xiao Jing "calculated against you," then punish me severely!

The time neared 8:00 PM.

As a piece of elegant string music slowly rose in the banquet hall, the lights shifted, and the lively atmosphere at the scene gradually turned warm.

On the giant LED screen on the main stage, pre-recorded VCRs of blessings and teasing from friends and family began to play.

The video finished playing.

A female host wearing an elegant evening gown walked onto the stage with a smile.

"Dear guests, good evening everyone. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend the birthday party of our beautiful little princess—Ms. Tian Jing."

"Next, let us use our warmest applause to invite our most dazzling birthday star tonight, Ms. Tian Jing, to the stage to share her 23rd birthday reflections!"

Amidst the tidal wave of applause.

Xiao Jing lifted her skirt and walked elegantly onto the main stage.

"Really, I am truly very grateful to everyone for being able to spare your precious time in your busy schedules—"

Xiao Jing smiled and delivered a thank-you speech, as well as her feelings about her birthday party.

Her face was full of sweet and happy smiles.

The speech ended.

The lights changed again.

The host walked up again, saying in a tone that was slightly mysterious and ritualistic:

"Thank you very much to Ms. Tian Jing for her wonderful sharing. Then next, it will be our most sacred and purest segment of the night—birthday wishing and blessings. Here, we have a small, special request: in order to allow all of us to temporarily put aside the disturbances of the outside world and wholeheartedly send our most sincere blessings to Jingjing, we hope everyone can temporarily hand over your mobile phones, cameras, and other electronic equipment for us to keep."

"Let us all truly live in the moment together and witness this beautiful moment, shall we?"

Hearing these words, Xiao Jing was slightly stunned.

It was very obvious that this was not within the scope of her design.

In her original script, she had intended to use this segment to officially detonate the identity of this "big shot" by thanking her close friend Shangguan Qiuya.

[Identity]

Although this segment was now missing, the next step should have been to invite Tang Song and Shangguan Qiuya to the stage.

To cut the cake and make a wish with her.

But now the script had clearly been completely disrupted.

Immediately after, she saw the smiles in her parents’ eyes.

Nani?! (OwO)!

Xiao Jing instantly realized.

I say, Old Tian, Ms. Chen, you two really know how to cause trouble!

Soon, several well-trained waiters wearing silver masks, carrying trays covered with velvet cushions, walked quietly among the guests.

Although everyone was a bit surprised, under the atmosphere of this setting, they all cooperatively handed over their phones and cameras.

"Da—da—da—"

All the main lights in the banquet hall were extinguished at the same time.

The scene fell into a romantic darkness, with only the starry ambient lights in the corners.

A wave of excited cheers erupted from the crowd.

Amidst the melodious piano variations of "Happy Birthday," a giant 5-layer birthday cake decorated with white roses and crystal sugar frosting was slowly pushed up by the waiters.

Everyone consciously gathered toward that warm light source.

Some of Xiao Jing’s friends began clapping their hands and singing the Happy Birthday song.

On the main stage, a layer of white curtain fell silently from the ceiling.

In the staff passage behind the stage, several staff members carrying various equipment quickly walked onto the stage and began to debug the equipment efficiently and precisely.

At a moment when no one was paying attention.

Five figures who had been mixing in the waiter team, wearing silver masks, also walked silently behind the curtain under the cover of darkness.

They began to "change costumes."

At the same time.

The side door leading from the Star Language Hall to the main banquet hall was gently opened.

A group of four, two men and two women, wearing exquisite half-face masks, walked quietly into the crowd that had become dim due to the wishing ceremony.

Their gazes fell on Tang Song, who was standing next to Tian Jing, almost at the same time, through the swaying candlelight and moving figures.

Immediately after, Tang Song looked over here as if inadvertently.

He made precise eye contact with each of them.

In an instant, different ripples arose in the hearts of the four.

Wu Kezhi’s expression was tense; he subconsciously straightened his body and nodded solemnly to signal.

Zheng Qiudong pushed the mask on his face and revealed a brilliant smile.

Mo Xiangwan’s eyes flickered; as a woman, especially a woman who had had more contact with Tang Song.

She could clearly feel Tang Song’s difference at this moment and seemed to understand why Annie Kate had changed her mind at the last minute.

Actually, she had also come this time with a special purpose.

Besides the Echo flash mob, it was also to represent Su Yu and officially get to know Tian Jing, and chat by the way.

Defining Annie Kate as the "villain" to prepare for the "alliance" between Su Yu and Tian Jing later; after all, Annie was 100% Director Jin’s person.

Just as their respective emotions were surging, the birthday wishing and candle-blowing segment at the scene had already reached its end.

"Happy birthday to you..."

Amidst the warm singing of the crowd, Xiao Jing clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, made a long wish, and then took a deep breath and blew out the candles.

The whole room erupted in warm applause, cheers, and blessings.

Just at this moment, Xiao Jing suddenly kissed Tang Song on the lips in front of everyone.

Tang Song seemed to have sensed it long ago and had no surprise, just responding gently.

In the crowd, Annie’s eyes flashed with dangerous light; although she had already been warned, her heart was still extremely unbalanced.

In fact, she had sent invitations many times, wanting Tang Song to attend her birthday party, but had received no response.

In her view, she was better than this Oriental girl in every aspect.

But she had never enjoyed this kind of treatment.

This was also the main reason she had volunteered to come; now she could only watch the other party "baring fangs and brandishing claws" quietly.

The blessings gradually faded.

According to the normal process, the main lights of the banquet hall should have been turned back on at this time.

However, they did not.

The entire banquet hall remained immersed in a romantic and mysterious darkness.

One well-trained "waiter" after another walked quietly among the crowd and around the stage.

Just at this moment—in the direction of the main stage, bright spotlights suddenly lit up; behind the white curtain, one could vaguely see 5 sexy figures, as well as the outlines of some blurred musical instruments.

"What’s the situation? Is there a performance?"

"I don’t know, I didn't expect Xiao Jing to hire a band?"

Discussion arose in the crowd.

A look of realization also appeared on Xiao Jing’s face.

She really didn't know about this; she had originally thought that after showing affection, while the atmosphere was right, the next step would be to chat with Shangguan Qiuya about her wish.

Who would have thought there would be twists and turns.

The script had completely spiraled out of control.

Conrad Mellon raised an eyebrow, turned his head, and asked Meng Chuan beside him in English: "So, this is the 'party surprise' you mentioned?"

A confident and expectant smile appeared on Meng Chuan’s face, "Believe me, Conrad, it will definitely be a trip worth taking."

The reason he had specifically invited Conrad over was not to stand on stage or support the scene; in his view, that was completely unnecessary.

The real reason was that Tian Chengye had been worried he would break his promise.

He had specifically revealed the news that "Asia’s current top girl group Echo would perform a program."

Meng Chuan was also a young man, and he had broad interests; he had played music and published books.

He had watched Echo’s concert live in Singapore last year and had been extremely impressed by their top-tier stage presence.

Therefore, he had invited Conrad from his busy work to bring their relationship closer.

After all, their family office had deep cooperation with New York Mellon Bank; if he wanted to successfully inherit the family business in the future, he had to maintain a good relationship with the Mellon family.

Besides the dull business negotiations, a top-tier audiovisual feast was undoubtedly the best social lubricant.

It was just that he hadn't expected accidents like Tang Song and Shangguan Qiuya to occur.

"Ding ding dong dong~~"

The ethereal synthesizer timbre of the electronic keyboard, like a flowing galaxy, slowly spread out.

The wall of sound of the electric guitar with delay effects followed closely, cutting into the prelude of only a few seconds; a high-level musical atmosphere full of vitality and energy enveloped the entire banquet hall through the top-tier audio equipment!

"Swish—"

The white curtain fell with a bang without warning!

On the stage, five figures bathed in bright spotlights were clearly reflected in everyone’s eyes.

They were wearing white-gold performance outfits with extremely fashionable cuts, with a large number of accessories and sequins embellished on them, refracting dazzling, colorful light under the stage lights.

High-waisted shorts and form-fitting corsets outlined their healthy, powerful body curves, which had undergone rigorous training, to the fullest.

Everyone’s face carried the confidence and [?] belonging to top idols.

Because they were close, plus the coverage of the spotlights.

Their beautiful faces, each with its own characteristics, appeared clearly in everyone’s sight.

"Pei Yanke!"

"Xiao Meiqi! It’s KIKI Xiao Meiqi!"

"Ah ah ah ah ah—!! It’s Echo!! It’s really Echo!!"

The young people who recognized them were like gunpowder barrels being ignited, erupting in huge cheers and unbelievable screams.

As a popular girl group in Asia, their popularity was beyond doubt.

Besides singing, every member was active in various variety shows, movies, and TV dramas.

Pei Yanke, Xiao Meiqi, Xia Zhiyao, Ding Li, Lin Shuran.

Appearance, figure, personality, each had its own characteristics.

Every single one of them taken out alone was a popular first-line star.

And seeing the complete Echo at a birthday party was simply inconceivable.

Only then did they realize in hindsight why they had to "hand over" their photography equipment just now.

Xiao Jing widened her eyes, subconsciously covering her mouth, her face flushed red as she followed with unbelievable screams.

She could be considered a genuine Echo fan, having started following their songs and stages since her college days.

And their sudden appearance at her birthday party, their sudden arrival without any warning, brought a huge impact and surprise.

A strong beat sounded.

"BGM: The midnight bell, breaking the fairy tale; the pumpkin carriage, should have been thrown away long ago." Lead singer Pei Yanke’s highly penetrating voice instantly ignited the entire banquet hall!

The five people on stage coordinated with the drum beats; every wave, every hip twist, was full of sexiness and charm.

Paired with their eyes and expressions, it was very infectious.

Immediately after, Xiao Meiqi, who was in charge of Rap, made a neat and handsome move and swapped positions with Pei Yanke.

A rap voice full of granularity sounded: "Ay, check it, one two!..."

The excited Xiao Jing cheered and rushed to the bottom of the stage, pulling Xu Qing who had come over at some point.

Cheering and waving her arms along with the strong and pleasant rhythm.

Soon, more and more people gathered over.

The atmosphere at the scene burned to the peak.

In this atmosphere where adrenaline was rising, Meng Chuan and Conrad Mellon, who had originally been sitting in their seats, also stood up.

Their gazes scanned the figures on the stage.

Meng Chuan turned his head and asked: "How is it? Not disappointed, right?"

Conrad Mellon did not hide the heat in his eyes, "Indeed, very professional, full of vitality and sexiness, I like it very much."

Meng Chuan chuckled, clinked glasses with him, and introduced the influence of this girl group in Asia in a low voice.

A few minutes later.

As the last drum beat fell, the music stopped abruptly in the tail end of the climax.

The five girls on stage, in the instant silence, struck a sexy ending pose.

Sweat slid down their exquisite jawlines, their chests heaving violently, and in everyone’s eyes, a hot and bright light radiated.

"Wow—" Warm applause and cheers erupted.

The five members of Echo bowed to the audience to express their gratitude.

Captain Pei Yanke’s face bloomed with a brilliant and friendly smile, waving to Xiao Jing off stage.

A pleasant voice sounded: "Thank you all very much for being able to complete this special flash mob performance with us. I wonder if everyone noticed that we were just among the waiters at the scene."

One unbelievable exclamation after another sounded.

As young people who grew up soaked in the Internet wave, "Flash Mob" was a very familiar concept to them.

They had watched countless similar videos on Douyin and Bilibili.

But for stars of the Echo girl group level to descend on a private birthday scene in the way of a "new song premiere" was absolutely rare.

After Pei Yanke interacted with everyone for a few sentences, she continued: "At the same time, today is also a very special day, Jingjing—"

Immediately after, the other four members also said in unison, with the sweetest voices:

"Happy birthday! We love you!"

As soon as the words fell, the masked Sheng Tang security personnel who had been ready for a long time quickly stepped forward.

Between the stage and the audience, they formed a vague human wall.

The five members of Echo walked off the stage one after another.

Laughing and joking, they gave Xiao Jing warm hugs one by one.

Xiao Jing’s face was flushed with excitement, calling out everyone’s nickname.

Amidst a lively atmosphere.

Three masked figures, holding wine glasses, walked through the crowd and finally stopped beside Tang Song.

"Director Tang, Lawyer Luo, Assistant Shangguan." "Director Tang." —

Luo Bin and Shangguan Qiuya stood up to respond.

Tang Song still leaned calmly on the back of the chair, his gaze scanning these characters in the game one by one, nodding to each of them.

His posture was elegant and relaxed.

Several people sat down one after another, instantly forming a dense and solemn independent space.

It was out of place with the noisy atmosphere around.

It instantly attracted the attention of some interested people.

Tang Song’s gaze scanned the bar area not far away without a trace.

Annie was leaning in the corner, her blue eyes carrying a hint of "anger."

It was obvious that this proud foreign beauty saw Xiao Jing’s unique treatment, as well as his deliberate warning earlier, and was jealous.

She was using this way to silently express her "protest," hoping he would take the initiative to go over and invite her.

Tang Song smiled indifferently, withdrew his gaze, and let it fall back on the five people sitting in a circle in front of him.

This was the first time.

All the core figures in his commercial empire, the controllers of every branch of his interests, were gathered around him in this informal manner, complete and whole.

Even Secretary Jin, Su Yu, and Ouyang Xianyue, who hadn't come, were equivalent to having sent people over.

Constantly paying attention to this place, listening to his voice and will.

They represented:

Tang Jin Family Office, Smile Holdings, Tang Yi Precision, Jingwu Capital, Kate Trust, Deju Renhe, Tang Zong Entertainment, Quan Jing Law Firm—

They all sat quietly around him, with him as the center, watching him, waiting for him to speak.

He could clearly feel the inner fluctuations of each person: Zheng Qiudong’s urgency and ambition hidden under his smile, Mo Xiangwan’s caution and probing, Wu Kezhi’s calm observation.

His words and actions today would all be like stones thrown into a lake, spreading outward through this massive interest group in front of him.

Stirring up ripples strong enough to change the landscape.

This was the first time he had truly touched the core of real power.

Under the absolute rational perspective of [Reflection], Tang Song could still remain calm and indifferent, even performing the most optimized strategic deduction.

But the soul that truly belonged to him was trembling slightly.

He felt unprecedented excitement and also had a deeper understanding of the term "power."

With Tang Song’s silence and observation, the others gathered their minds one after another.

Tang Song picked up his wine glass, "It’s rare for so many people to reunite, let’s clink glasses first."

"Clink—"

Several crystal glasses collided gently in the air, making a crisp sound.

Everyone took a sip one after another.

After putting down the wine glass, Tang Song’s gaze fell on Zheng Qiudong.

He said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile: "Old Zheng, you’re in such a hurry to rush over today, it shouldn't just be to report your work results to me, right?"

Zheng Qiudong’s fingers holding the wine glass tightened, and a signature smile appeared on his face, "SCG has just completed its merger, in order to better serve our ecosystem enterprises. I hope to invite Tian Jing to join Deju Renhe; she herself is deeply involved in the human resources field, and her personality is clever and sharp. I believe that Deju Renhe’s platform can perfectly bring out her talent."

He paused and added: "Of course, the most important thing is to hope to share the burden for Director Tang."

After eye contact for a moment, a smile of realization rose in Tang Song’s eyes.

As an "SSR character" certified by the system, Zheng Qiudong’s ability and character were impeccable.

The reason he was stuck at this time node.

Was because within the Tang Jin Family Office, the struggle between Secretary Jin and Ouyang Xianyue was intensifying.

Factions had already formed.

And Xiao Jing was a special individual.

She was an employee of Smile Holdings, yet she had been internally dispatched to the core business department of Tang Yi Precision.

Secretary Jin’s original intention should have been to see the precedent of "cultivating" Wen Ruan, hoping to use Xiao Jing to check and balance the increasingly powerful Ouyang Xianyue in the future.

And Ouyang Xianyue would not sit still and wait for death.

Xiao Jing, who was in the middle of it, would inevitably face various frictions and tortures from both of them in the future.

Zheng Qiudong’s move was to propose a solution to help himself, and take the opportunity to pull an important bargaining chip for Deju Renhe.

Because if one really counted it, the first ambiguous object he contacted after returning to Yancheng was actually Xiao Jing, the company’s goddess colleague.

And his first dating task after getting the system was also with Xiao Jing.

As his thoughts raced, Tang Song had already sorted out all the pros and cons.

But he didn't immediately answer Zheng Qiudong, just looked calmly at Xiao Jing who was playing with her friends.

After a moment of silence, he smiled faintly: "The idea is very good, but—aren't you afraid that she will grab your position as chairman in the future?"

Zheng Qiudong’s smile instantly froze on his face.

The other few people looked at Zheng Qiudong one after another, their expressions different.

Everyone knew that Tang Song had always been rational and correct.

When he made a decision, or even just proposed a possibility, everyone would take it seriously.

Zheng Qiudong crossed his hands and held them virtually, speaking with difficulty: "If Director Tang thinks it’s appropriate, I will support Ms. Tian."

Tang Song said noncommittally: "I know about this matter."

This ambiguous attitude made Zheng Qiudong feel even more uncertain and uneasy.

Immediately, Tang Song cast his gaze toward Wu Kezhi.

Wu Kezhi sat up straight, "Director Tang."

Tang Song’s tone was indifferent, but he went straight to the point, "Kezhi, you came all the way from Singapore this time because of Rongliu Capital, right?"

A trace of unnaturalness flashed across Wu Kezhi’s calm face.

After a moment of silence, he nodded slowly and answered with cautious wording: "I just hope to understand your thoughts and intentions more accurately, Director Tang."

The private equity fund Rongliu Capital essentially had many overlaps with Jingwu Capital.

Tang Song started a new stove, let the two major financial groups inject 10 billion US dollars, and wanted to participate in the financing of Xuanji Light World with Rongliu Capital; what was the strategic intention behind it?

Was it to support a new "Jingwu" and form internal competition?

Or was it to prepare for future power division and checks and balances?!

He couldn't figure it out.

But he knew that this matter was crucial to him and to the entire Jingwu Capital.

After much deliberation, he decided to come in person to seek an answer.

Others, including Shangguan Qiuya and Luo Bin, held their breath and focused, appearing to be listening quietly.

The Echo girl group did not stay for too long.

After chatting with Xiao Jing for a while and brushing up on their favorability.

They left the banquet hall quickly and orderly along a special passage, accompanied by Sheng Tang security.

Soothing jazz music played again.

The lights at the scene were switched back to the soft and bright banquet mode.

The female host returned to the stage at the right time and said loudly: "Thank you Echo for bringing us this one-of-a-kind starlight feast!"

"Of course, I believe that those who sent blessings to Ms. Tian Jing are definitely not just the ladies of Echo. At our sign-in desk, it is piled up with love from all your close friends and family. Then next, let us enter the most interesting and suspenseful segment of the night—'Love’s Blind Box'!"

"Please enjoy the wine and food to your heart’s content first; in a while, our etiquette ladies will push all the gifts received during sign-in to the front. At that time, our birthday star Ms. Tian Jing will randomly draw three gifts from them to share her joy and gratitude with everyone!"

Waiters carrying champagne and cut cake walked among the crowd who were still excitedly discussing.

As the absolute heroine of the day, Xiao Jing was surrounded by a group of friends, chatting and talking.

Their words were full of undisguised envy and shock.

On the other side.

In a circle that also gathered quite a few people.

Qin Hua stood elegantly beside Conrad Mellon, still dutifully playing the role of "translator" and "social guide."

"An interesting game." Conrad shrugged casually and took a sip of his wine, "But it’s a pity that I didn't prepare a gift."

Immediately, his movements were slightly stunned.

The corner of his eye was inadvertently attracted by a figure in the direction of the bar.

That was a tall woman wearing a mask.

She was not socializing around the crowd like others, just leaning casually in a dim corner by the bar, holding a scarlet wine glass.

She was wearing a phoenix mask that covered most of her face, her head slightly lowered, revealing only her exquisite lips and jawline.

Her waist was slender, but her hip and thigh lines were as full and rounded as an ancient Greek sculpture.

Blonde hair and blue eyes, tall and plump, full of power and explosive tension.

She shook her wine glass from time to time; under her form-fitting evening gown, it seemed as if surging waves were heaving.

Exuding the deadly hormonal aura of a mature woman.

Conrad’s throat rolled, and his entire attention was instantly and firmly sucked in by that figure.

This was simply precisely and brutally stepping on his most primitive aesthetic point.

He could be sure that this woman had definitely only appeared in the banquet hall just now.

His eyes ignited with undisguised, hormonal appreciation and heat.

Noticing Conrad’s almost unseemly reaction, Qin Hua and Meng Chuan and others also subconsciously looked over along his gaze.

The first thing they saw was a sexy, hot, and powerful blonde beauty.

Immediately after, they noticed the corner not far away.

There, six people were sitting, appearing somewhat out of place with the noisy atmosphere of the banquet hall.

Tang Song was leaning calmly on the sofa, his posture casual and natural.

And around him sat 5 men and women, including Shangguan Qiuya and Luo Bin.

They all appeared very serious and earnest, forming a sharp contrast with Tang Song at this time.

Seeing Conrad’s somewhat unseemly performance, Qin Hua asked in a low voice: "Mr. Mellon, Director Meng, do you know them?"

Meng Chuan shook his head and turned to look at Conrad.

Conrad licked the corner of his mouth, a light of eagerness flashing in his eyes, "I don’t know them now, but I will soon."

After speaking, he drank the champagne in his glass in one gulp and placed it on the tray of a passing waiter.

He tidied his collar in a leisurely manner.

Qin Hua couldn't help but look at Tang Song’s direction again, somewhat worried.

Judging from the situation just now, this blonde beauty was clearly a friend of Tang Song’s side.

If Conrad went over so directly, it might cause conflict.

It wasn't just them.

Including Tian Chengye and others who were exchanging greetings with people, they also noticed the special atmosphere on Tang Song’s side.

As well as those "uninvited guests" who had quietly taken their seats wearing masks.

Xiao Jing in the crowd blinked her big, watery eyes, and when she saw the outline of one of the familiar figures, an excited look instantly appeared on her face.

Well! Zheng Qiudong! You guy finally came!

In her original script, this chairman of Deju Renhe was the strongest trump card she had prepared to save for last to use against Meng Chuan.

Who would have thought that this guy would come so late.

Of course, the most critical thing was that he had gone straight to find Brother Tang Song, and looking at that familiar and steady appearance.

It was obvious that the relationship between the two was extraordinary!

This was really great!

She could already anticipate that when Zheng Qiudong appeared, her parents and friends would probably be shocked again.

Hehe (*^*)

Immediately after, Xiao Jing’s gaze uncontrollably fell on Annie, who was only a few meters away from Tang Song.

Wow!

Blonde hair, giant breasts, foreign beauty, arrogant—aren't these classic characters in many sub-culture anime?

Brother Tang Song is indeed the "protagonist," with so many interesting people around him.

An excited flush surged on Xiao Jing’s face; she said something to her friends and walked quickly toward that side.

As she approached.

The few people who were talking stopped in unison.

Complex gazes looked at this "heroine" of the night.

Although they all had their own purposes for coming here, the reason was all because of Tian Jing.

Among them, there was no lack of thoughts to contact her in advance.

"Song, Sister Shangguan, Director Luo." Xiao Jing greeted sweetly, sat down intimately beside Tang Song, and looked at Zheng Qiudong with a smiling gaze, "Director Zheng, you finally came, welcome to my birthday party!"

Zheng Qiudong, who had just been warned by Tang Song, couldn't help but twitch his eyelids and took off the mask on his face, "Happy birthday, Xiao Jing."

Just at this moment.

Mo Xiangwan gently took off the mask on her face and took the initiative to reach out, "Happy birthday, Xiao Jing. I am Mo Xiangwan, very happy to meet you."

"Thank you, Sister Xiangwan, I am also very happy to meet you." Xiao Jing looked at the other party’s bright, beautiful face and mature, elegant temperament, lost in thought.

Why are there so many big beauties around Brother Tang Song?

And this one looks a bit familiar, as if I’ve seen her somewhere.

Immediately after, Wu Kezhi also took off his mask, and a warm smile appeared on his solemn face, "Hello, Ms. Tian, I wish you a happy birthday."

"Hello, Brother Wu! Thank you all for coming to my birthday party!" Xiao Jing bowed to express her gratitude, unable to help but secretly look at these 3 people again.

For some reason, she felt that the way they looked at her was very complex.

And being close, she could feel the powerful aura they naturally possessed even more.

In front of them, Sister Shangguan felt a head shorter.

On the contrary, it was Tang Song who remained as light and breezy as ever.

Xiao Jing approached quickly, only then feeling much more at ease.

Immediately, her eyes looked at the foreign beauty not far away, slightly stunned.

Then she saw that Conrad Mellon had already walked over.

Not far behind him, Meng Chuan, Qin Hua, and others were also following.

With their arrival, all the gazes in the entire banquet hall gathered.

Seeing this scene, Tian Chengye’s heart tightened, and he walked over quickly.

Conrad Mellon stood still beside the figure wearing the golden phoenix mask.

A charming smile appeared on his face, "Good evening, beautiful lady. Please forgive my presumption, but a lady like you shouldn't be drinking alone."

He casually picked up a glass of red wine on the bar that no one had claimed, raised it toward that figure, and waited for the other party’s response.

Either surprise, or shyness, or playing hard to get.

However, Annie, wearing a mask, didn't even raise her head.

She just shook the wine in her glass to herself, looking toward Tang Song and Xiao Jing’s direction vaguely.

As if Conrad were just a puff of air.

Conrad Mellon raised his eyebrows; this small sense of frustration instead greatly strengthened the desire for conquest in his bones.

He took a step forward and stood directly in front of Annie, blocking her view.

"Perhaps my invitation wasn't sincere enough; let me introduce myself, I am Conrad Mellon, currently working at New York Mellon Bank, perhaps we can get to know each other."

This time, Annie finally reacted.

She slowly raised her head.

Those ice-blue eyes revealed through the slits of the mask had only a heart-stopping coldness.

"Step aside. Now."

The emotionless English words were spat out from her bright red lips, carrying an unquestionable tone of command.

Her mood was already terrible, and now there was an idiot who didn't know his own strength, daring to jump out to harass her, and even delusional about having something happen with her.

As for his so-called, ridiculous self-introduction, it was even less worth mentioning in her eyes.

The fact that she didn't remember the other party already explained everything.

Let alone him, even Maurice Mellon, one of the direct heirs of the Mellon family who had been crazily pursuing her.

If he dared to disturb her at a time like this, he would definitely be humiliated by her in public without mercy.

In fact, in her eyes, the Mellon family had long fallen from the altar.

The Mellon of the past once dominated with steel, oil, and financial empires, but now it continues its influence more in the low-key posture of charitable foundations and family offices.

Even that golden signboard, New York Mellon Bank.

The family’s direct control has also been diluted by time and the market.

In this respect, it is far inferior to the Kate family, let alone the fact that she herself occupies a core position in Jingwu Capital and the Tang Jin Family Office.

The smile on Conrad Mellon’s face completely froze.

This "reply" carrying a sense of humiliation made him angry from embarrassment.

Just as he was about to say something, when he met those beautiful eyes again, he was suddenly stunned.

For some reason, he smelled some familiar aura from the other party.

He felt that he seemed to have seen this woman.

And it was a similar scene, just much grander.

Where exactly was it?

New York. Banquet hall. Party.

Words jumped in his mind, Conrad’s face changed, thinking crazily.

With the change in the tense atmosphere here, it immediately attracted the attention of more guests.

However, they just watched from afar; no one dared to really go up and say anything.

Meng Chuan saw this scene, raised his eyebrows, walked up, and smiled lightly: "Conrad, it seems your charm today has encountered a small challenge in front of this beautiful lady. Don’t worry, things are always—"

Before he finished speaking, Annie’s cold gaze fell on him again.

"And you,"

She pointed at Conrad with her chin, "Take your puppy and leave."

This sentence was no longer a simple offense, but a driving away with a strong insulting nature.

The gentle and elegant smile on Meng Chuan’s face disappeared without a trace in an instant, and his whole face darkened.

The expressions of all the guests who were watching the excitement around also froze!

One inexplicable gaze after another focused on the woman wearing the phoenix mask.

Is this woman crazy?!

She actually used this way to humiliate Meng Chuan and Conrad Mellon at the same time?!

"Haha, Meng Chuan, Mr. Mellon, why did you run here, making me look for you! I arranged for someone to go to the wine cellar to get a bottle of Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, let’s taste it together!"

Tian Chengye, who arrived in a hurry, forcibly squeezed into this frozen air, trying to smooth things over.

However, Meng Chuan did not respond to him, just subconsciously looked at Conrad beside him,

waiting for the expected, violent reaction from the other party—he knew that Conrad had never been a person with a good temper, let alone coming from a top-tier famous family, how could he endure this level of humiliation?

But strangely, Conrad just stood there in a daze.

His face turned blue and white, his expression changing constantly.

The arc of Annie’s mouth became increasingly dangerous; she seemed to think this play wasn't lively enough.

Suddenly, she turned those cold eyes toward Tian Chengye, who had come to smooth things over.

As far as she knew, this was Tian Jing’s father.

According to her original "script," she had intended to "scare" the other party properly.

Just at the moment when the atmosphere was completely frozen.

A voice without any emotional fluctuation came from a seat not far away.

"Annie, come here."

The simple 4 words carried an unquestionable tone of command.

Annie raised her head and looked toward the position where Tang Song was.

Facing the other party’s calm and indifferent eyes, she couldn't help but have a slight shiver in her heart.

Her plump cup heaved for a while.

"Step aside!"

Annie spat out this word again impatiently toward Conrad in front of her.

However, this time Conrad Mellon’s reaction was completely different.

He shivered all over, almost as if startled, and took a big step back toward the side and rear.

He bent down, his face full of expressions mixed with shock and fear.

His voice trembled: "Ca—Cat—Ms. Kate!"

Seeing this dramatic reversal, the expressions of everyone who had been in extreme tension were instantly replaced by astonishment.

Annie casually took off the gorgeous mask on her face and threw it on the clean bar counter nonchalantly.

An exquisite, three-dimensional, beautiful face broke into everyone’s sight.

Seeing this familiar face, Meng Chuan’s face turned pale, and he blurted out: "Ms. Kate! You—you how—"

Because they were both in Singapore, their family and Jingwu Capital had cooperation on several projects.

Although he didn't have much contact with this business, he had seen the other party from afar in several high-end meetings.

Naturally, he knew this famous heir of the American Kate family.

The atmosphere of the entire banquet hall became increasingly weird and quiet. "Da, da, da—"

The crisp and rhythmic sound of high heels hitting the floor sounded.

Annie didn't look at them, walking straight toward Tang Song’s direction.

"Swish swish swish—"

One inexplicable gaze after another focused on the blonde, blue-eyed woman.

Her pace was elegant and calm, and the whole person was sexy and enchanting to the extreme,

but it also revealed a kind of aggressive beauty.

From the almost unseemly performance of Conrad Mellon and Meng Chuan just now, everyone present had already realized that the other party was extraordinary.

The expressions of some people who vaguely guessed the truth had become extremely wonderful.

Tian Chengye’s throat rolled, and the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

The meaning represented by the two words "Kate" was in no way inferior to "Mellon," and even exceeded it.

Also one of the top ten financial groups in America, Kate is still active in American industrial, military, and financial fields, and its style of conduct is more aggressive.

Kate Bank, Kate Fund, Kate Trust—Xiao Jing sat upright beside Tang Song, and those big, watery eyes were filled with dullness and confusion at this moment.

As if she had become a large-sized Xu Qing.

0_0

This—what is going on?!

The development of things not only completely exceeded her script, but was also galloping toward a more bizarre and unbelievable direction!

This blonde foreign beauty who didn't know where she popped out from, with an aura so powerful it was terrifying, could actually make Meng Chuan and Conrad Mellon scared like this.

This was no longer a simple "shock," this damn thing was simply a "miracle," okay?!

A strong sense of being out of control surged into her heart.

For the first time, Xiao Jing felt panicked and at a loss.

She had always been determined to be Tang Song’s "main palace," and for this, she had even meticulously laid out this birthday party.

But the power displayed by this blonde, giant-breasted foreign beauty in front of her was even more terrifying than Wen Ruan and Shangguan Qiuya.

If she had any thoughts about Tang Song, then it would really be over!

The "Big BOSS" she had fabricated to scare Xu Qing earlier seemed to really exist!

As Annie arrived at the booth area.

Everyone’s sight couldn't help but shift bit by bit to Tang Song, who was standing there.

He was just standing there.

Looking at Annie who was walking toward him, his gaze was calm and carried a hint of scrutiny.

His handsome face, impeccable physique, and unique temperament radiated an almost ascetic beauty under this special atmosphere.

It was also at this moment that the crowd, who had been shocked to the point of numbness, realized in hindsight.

The few "uninvited guests" beside Tang Song had already taken off their masks.

The next second, several more exclamations sounded:

"Zheng Qiudong!"

"It’s that chairman of Deju Renhe!"

As a business "Internet celebrity" who had been frequently active in major financial summits and news programs in recent years and actively building a personal IP.

Plus his extremely handsome appearance and outstanding temperament.

Zheng Qiudong’s popularity was extremely high.

Many people at the scene recognized him.

However, Meng Chuan’s gaze was as if nailed down.

He looked at the steady and introverted middle-aged man beside Zheng Qiudong in disbelief.

The expression on his face became even more horrified.

He actually saw the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Jingwu Capital, Wu Kezhi?