Chapter 130 - 129: You Ate Her Grapes and Still Want to Run

Chapter 130: Chapter 129: You Ate Her Grapes and Still Want to Run

The designer took measurements and altered the clothes on the spot. By the time they were done, it was already noon.

Gu Qingyin invited him to stay for lunch, but this only made the designer more terrified. He quickly thanked her and took his leave.

—He had heard that the last designer was relegated to a second-tier position for failing to maintain a proper professional distance with Mrs. Huo. He had no desire to be the second.

The rest of the afternoon passed uneventfully. After a simple dinner in the evening, Gu Qingyin changed into her outfit. She didn’t do much with her hair, simply pulling it into a high ponytail and tying it with a red silk ribbon. She also put on some light makeup.

In complete contrast to the silver evening gown from before, Gu Qingyin now looked like a female general fresh off the battlefield—fierce, handsome, and exuding a commanding presence.

When Xue Ning came in, Gu Qingyin was just coming down the stairs. He looked up and froze, stunned. It was partly because she was breathtakingly beautiful, but also because he felt an intensely oppressive aura.

For a moment, he felt as if he were seeing the Family Head, but in the next second, he felt that perhaps even the Family Head didn’t possess such a powerful aura.

"Matriarch." Xue Ning bowed slightly and said with a smile, "The car is waiting outside."

Gu Qingyin nodded. "Then let’s go."

As she passed by Xue Ning, she paused briefly. Her gaze swept across his brow, and she asked, "Anything new in your life recently?"

Xue Ning was taken aback for a moment, and his cheeks suddenly flushed a little. He gave a light cough and said, somewhat embarrassed, "Well, yes. I’ve met a girl I have a good feeling about."

Gu Qingyin smiled and nodded. "You are indeed at the age to be settling down."

Xue Ning was five years older than Huo Xingye and would be twenty-six after the New Year—just the right age for romance.

"Remember to keep the talisman I gave you on you at all times," Gu Qingyin reminded him.

Xue Ning subconsciously patted his suit pocket. "I have it right here."

Gu Qingyin nodded and walked away.

’I saw a cloud of pink Evil Qi between Xue Ning’s brows—an unmistakable sign of Peach Blossom Evil. The girl Xue Ning likes is not only not his fated partner but will also bring him danger. Still, my talisman should be able to save him at least once when it matters most.’

In the car, Gu Qingyin couldn’t help but sigh. ’If only I could see my sons’ romantic fortunes as well...’

’Unfortunately, the blood ties are too strong, making it impossible to get an accurate reading. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have to go to the trouble of arranging matchmaking partners for my sons.’

They had left rather early, so it was only seven-thirty when they arrived at the banquet venue.

The venue was a resort villa owned by the Huo Family, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, which only enhanced its atmosphere of extravagant indulgence.

On the way up the mountain, they encountered numerous luxury cars, nearly all of which silently made way for them. It was most likely because they recognized Huo Xingye’s vehicle.

Some even followed behind their car, hoping to greet Huo Xingye when he got out. They were surprised when the car stopped and a woman emerged instead.

If Xue Ning hadn’t been there too, they would have suspected they’d mistaken the car.

"Matriarch, this way please." Xue Ning led the way respectfully from the front.

Gu Qingyin snapped open her folding fan, gave a reserved nod, and stepped into the estate.

The people who had been following the car had a sudden realization. So this was Huo Xingye’s mother, the Huo Family’s Matriarch who had been kept out of sight for decades and had only recently begun to appear in public.

No wonder her last appearance caused a misunderstanding. She really did look too young.

Gu Qingyin thought she had arrived plenty early, but upon entering the banquet hall, she found that many people were already there.

Everyone was dressed to the nines, holding glasses of wine and chatting cheerfully. The atmosphere was perfectly harmonious.

Gu Qingyin’s gaze swept the room and unexpectedly landed on Lin Xiaoyun. She immediately looked away as if something had assaulted her eyes. ’What bad luck,’ she thought.

Lin Xiaoyun saw Gu Qingyin as well, and her expression soured. Her husband, Huo Yunjian, had been stripped of his position, demoted from CEO to a regular manager. The silver lining was that the newly appointed CEO was Huo Zhao Hua.

Even if Lin Xiaoyun and Huo Yunjian were dissatisfied, they could only accept it. If they happened to anger Huo Xingye and he gave the CEO position to someone else, then they’d truly have nowhere to turn to cry.

Besides Lin Xiaoyun, the other branches of the Huo Family were also observing Gu Qingyin.

Of course, they all knew who Gu Qingyin was, but this was the first time they had seen her in person. It would be a lie to say they weren’t curious. Many were itching to go up and strike up a conversation.

But Gu Qingyin was accompanied by the "smiling tiger" Xue Ning, which instantly deterred them.

Xue Ning was in charge of supervising the Huo Family’s subsidiary companies. Every single member of the Huo family who held a position in the company had been chewed out by Xue Ning at least once, if not more.

It had reached the point where they had a conditioned reflex to turn and run at the very sight of him.

Xue Ning was used to it and didn’t find it the least bit strange.

Gu Qingyin, however, found it amusing. "They all seem to be very afraid of you," she asked curiously.

Xue Ning smiled and adjusted his glasses. "Perhaps they’re just feeling guilty about their own inadequate intelligence."

Gu Qingyin couldn’t help but suck in a breath. ’How did I never notice this kid had such a sharp tongue? My apologies for underestimating you.’

"Have you had dinner?" Xue Ning asked with concern.

Gu Qingyin nodded. "I had a little. I’m not hungry right now."

Hearing this, Xue Ning changed direction. "In that case, let me take you over there to try the fruit wine. It was just flown in from Japan this morning. I hear it’s delicious and very suitable for ladies."

Gu Qingyin raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Alright." She didn’t usually drink, but trying it once in a while wasn’t a bad idea.

As they walked, Xue Ning began explaining the history and production process of that particular plum wine to Gu Qingyin.

Gu Qingyin had no idea why she needed to know any of this, but out of politeness and respect, she pretended to listen patiently while her mind had actually long since wandered off to the ends of the earth.

Before they could reach their destination, Xue Ning ran into one of the Huo Family’s business partners. Seeing the enthusiastic smile on Xue Ning’s face, Gu Qingyin knew this partner must be worth a lot of money.

Being very perceptive, she gave Xue Ning a look, signaling that she would go on by herself.

The venue was huge. Without Xue Ning to guide her, Gu Qingyin walked for a long time without seeing any sign of plum wine. She suspected she had gone the wrong way.

Sighing, Gu Qingyin changed course and went to rest on a sofa in the corner. There was a bunch of grapes on the coffee table in front of it, which she casually picked up and started eating.

A short while later, the sound of high heels approached from a distance and stopped beside her.

Gu Qingyin turned her head and saw a little girl who was barely taller than the back of the sofa.

The little girl was wearing a white dress and a diamond tiara, looking like a little princess. But right now, this little princess was looking at her with eyes brimming with tears.

"Ahem." Gu Qingyin nearly choked on grape juice. She quickly ate a couple more to soothe the tickle in her throat.

Seeing this, the little princess’s eyes reddened, and tears began to pour down her cheeks.

’Holy shit!’ Gu Qingyin’s eyes widened in shock. "Why are you crying? Did you get separated from your parents?"

The little princess said nothing, her lips pressed together as she silently wept, her big, watery eyes accusingly fixed on Gu Qingyin.

Gu Qingyin was completely baffled. "What is it?" For a rare moment, she felt helpless. She stood up, wanting to see if anyone was looking for a child.

The little princess thought she was trying to run away and rushed forward in a panic, hugging her tightly around the waist.

’You ate my grapes and now you want to run? No way!!’