C16 Love

The next morning, Wei Ying pushed open the bedroom door to find a steaming breakfast already laid out on the table. Zhao Feng greeted her with a beaming smile at the doorway.

Despite her sour expression, hunger won out. Wei Ying took a seat at the table, her face still stormy, and grabbed a fried dough stick. She bit into it ferociously, as if she were taking a bite out of Zhao Feng himself, causing him to shiver at the sight.

"Honey, today's the day of President Ding's banquet for his guests. You didn't forget, did you?" Zhao Feng inquired, treading carefully.

"I remember! Why, you don't want me to go?" Wei Ying responded, not even looking up.

"Well... no, I was just worried you might have forgotten," Zhao Feng replied, trying to keep the mood light with a smile.

"I..." Wei Ying was about to mention that today was also their third wedding anniversary, but she stopped herself upon realizing Zhao Feng hadn't mentioned it at all. She swallowed her words and continued to aggressively munch on her fried dough stick.

"Understood, I'll head there after work."

"I'll take you!"

"Zhao Feng, why are you so eager about me attending the banquet?" Wei Ying couldn't help but ask.

"Uh... because..." Zhao Feng's mind raced for an excuse, "Because I think it's good for you to build a rapport with President Ding. It helps me out too!"

Wei Ying sighed. So that was his angle. Such a useless man.

Finally off work, Wei Ying rushed out of the company building.

At the company's entrance, she found Zhao Feng still waiting for her on his modest electric scooter, incongruously dressed in a suit and leather shoes. Amidst the curious stares of onlookers, Wei Ying climbed onto the scooter's back seat and gently patted Zhao Feng's back. "Let's go!"

"Hold on tight!" With a sudden burst of speed, Zhao Feng took off, startling Wei Ying into a scream. Instinctively, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. This rascal had to be doing this on purpose, Wei Ying fumed silently, yet her hands remained firmly in place.

Arriving at the grand entrance of Thousand Autumn House, Wei Ying stole a glance at Zhao Feng, her heart fluttering with unease.

"You're really not coming in with me?" she asked him.

"I wish I could go, but without an invitation, there's no way in," Zhao Feng admitted sheepishly.

Wei Ying wrestled with her feelings, "I'll just stop by to greet President Ding, then I'll head home."

Zhao Feng gave an encouraging nod, "Go on, enjoy yourself!"

With that, Wei Ying departed.

Zhao Feng watched her leave, whispering to himself, "See you in a bit, my love. Tonight, you're undoubtedly the belle of the ball!"

Upon entering the Thousand Autumn House, Wei Ying was promptly greeted by a waiter. After presenting her invitation, she was escorted to the rooftop banquet hall.

Inside, she noticed that the elite families of Donghai City had all but assembled. Wei Ying mused, "President Ding has really outdone himself. He must be quite devoted to his wife."

But what was it about her that caught his attention?

Finally arriving, Wei Ying was met with reproach. "There you are, Wei Ying! How dare you show up late to President Ding's banquet? You're really not giving him the respect he deserves," chided Chen Min, with Qiu Zhaoyang and a few younger members of the Wei Family in tow.

Wei Ying, spotting them, rolled her eyes and headed to a table to grab some pastries.

Chen Min, frustrated as if punching cotton, pressed on, "Why isn't your husband here? Oh, that's right, he doesn't have the privilege of attending, does he?"

Wei Ying stopped in her tracks and faced her squarely, "Chen Min, if you still consider yourself part of the Wei Family, then don't start trouble here. We don't need to give others a reason to laugh at us."

"You!"

"Let it go, dear," Wei Ying's husband interjected. "For all we know, her VIP status might be a deliberate move by Mrs. Ding, to show her who really holds power in the Ding Family. No matter what lowly tactics she uses to charm President Ding, or if she manages to get a moment in the spotlight, it's all at Mrs. Ding's behest!"

"What are you blabbering about!" Wei Ying retorted, her brow furrowed, "Qiu Zhaoyang, you're only this bold because Zhao Feng isn't here, aren't you?"

Unabashed, Qiu Zhaoyang sneered, "And what if I am? You're all alone tonight, what can you possibly do to me?"

Wei Ying, seething with anger and frustration, was about to seek out President Ding to make her exit when suddenly, all the lights on the rooftop went dark.

The crowd was abuzz with excitement.

But quickly, a rocket of fireworks soared into the sky, and with a resounding bang, burst into a spectacular display.

Wow...

The guests were unanimous in their admiration, exclaiming, "It's absolutely stunning!"

Shortly thereafter, four helicopters made their grand entrance, showering the air with countless rose petals that cascaded down over the Thousand Autumn Tower.

A drone, carrying an envelope, ascended into the air and began to hover.

Then, a spotlight illuminated one individual—Wei Ying.

Simultaneously, the drone descended before Wei Ying, seemingly prompting her to retrieve the envelope.

Suddenly the center of everyone's attention, Wei Ying felt an overwhelming sense of panic, yet at that moment, an attendant approached and said, "President Wei, this surprise has been prepared for you by the host of the banquet. We hope you will accept it."

The host of today's banquet, President Ding? But wasn't this supposed to be his and his wife's wedding anniversary? Why had he arranged a surprise for her?

After a brief hesitation, she took the envelope and opened it. Inside, it read: "Wei Ying, I love you."

The next instant, the sky erupted with fireworks, eagerly unfurling to spell out Wei Ying's name.

Chen Min and Qian Shaoyang were utterly perplexed. Why would President Ding orchestrate such a surprise for Wei Ying? Could Wei Ying actually be President Ding's mistress? Was Mrs. Ding aware of this?

Before they could piece it all together, the building of EDonghai Pharmaceutical Industry next door projected Wei Ying's photo and the declaration of love for all to see.

Chen Min was seething with envy, yet she couldn't make heads or tails of the situation. Today's events had completely blindsided her.

Wei Ying, what made her so special?

"Wei Ying, I had no idea you were so cunning, even managing to captivate President Ding!" Chen Min said loudly, trying to draw attention. But her voice was quickly lost in the cacophony of the fireworks, barely audible to anyone.

Wei Ying gazed at the sky, awash with fireworks. She couldn't deny the flutter of emotion within her, yet she couldn't help but wish that it was Zhao Feng who had orchestrated this surprise.

As the second wave of fireworks faded, the banquet hall fell silent. The waiter's announcement rang out, "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Miss Wei Ying on her wedding anniversary. Now, please welcome the host of this evening's banquet."

The spotlight shifted from Wei Ying to another figure.

Necks craned as everyone's gaze followed the beam to its new focus.

There, cradling a guitar, was a man poised to play. As the music began, he inhaled deeply, his fingers gliding over the strings, coaxing out a melody that filled the air, his voice familiar and captivating.

Wish I could see your smile, maybe in the next moment. Wish I could hear you sing, softly, best if it's right now. A pure white baseball cap, the corner of a dark green shirt, moments frozen in perfect beauty. Understanding shared in each glance, a shared love for the same flavored cake, humming the same melody, loving the sight of your silly smile. Oh, to stay this way, growing old together, best if it's in the next moment.

Wei Ying's hand flew to her mouth, her face alight with surprise and emotion, but not for the sweetness of the voice serenading her—it was the identity of the singer that moved her.

As he took each step closer, Wei Ying's heart raced, threatening to leap from her chest.

The crowd, too, recognized the man—it wasn't President Ding!

Disbelief painted their faces as they stared at the unexpected figure.

It was him! How could it possibly be him!