The next day, Ji Yan chose a long-sleeved dress to cover the scars on her body. Although it wrapped tightly around her, her curves were still perfectly outlined.
As for her male companion, Ji Yan did not think about it. She only wanted to see the results of the competition, not to participate in some evening party.
When she met with Li Wenjing and Shao Kai, both of them were formally dressed too. Shao Kai wore a blue suit, making him look handsome and elegant. Li Wenjing picked out a fluffy dress suitable for her, making her look lively and adorable.
Shao Kai smiled and joked. He said that he was the luckiest man who had two beautiful women accompanying him.
After arriving at Oriental Hotel, there were already many beautiful ladies and handsome men at the gala. Ji Yan saw a lot of familiar faces.
Her eyes fell on her surroundings. She wanted to know if Rio, the man who helped her, did come. But in the next second, a figure blocked Ji Yan’s sight.
Gao Rui lifted her head slightly and looked at Ji Yan. She praised with a fake smile, “Ji Yan, you look so beautiful today.”
Ji Yan politely replied, “Thank you.” She was not arrogant and was only calm.
Dressed in a purple gown, Ji Yan was elegant and low-key. Opposite her, Gao Rui, who was dressed in a flamboyant red shoulder-length gown, was more eye-catching. Gao Rui noticed that people were looking at her and smiled with satisfaction.
“Ji Yan, I wish you a good result today.” Gao Rui handed her a glass of red wine.
Ji Yan frowned. The day before, she was admitted into the hospital because of alcohol. It was not a wise move to drink at this time, even if the alcohol content of red wine was low.
Gao Rui’s hand holding the glass was a little stiff and many people around stared at them. Gao Rui was a little ashamed and angry. “Ji Yan, what? Do you look down on me?”
She was only a small designer, but she dared to put on airs in front of her. Gao Rui raised her voice, being confident in her identity. She was not afraid of attracting attention from the people around her. If Ji Yan did not accept her goodwill, she couldn’t blame her for embarrassing her.
Before Ji Yan could say anything, Li Wenjing squeezed her way over. With a frown on her face, she said, “Miss Gao, Ji Yan can’t drink.”
“Is she the only one who can’t drink?”
“Do you want me to drink for her?” Li Wenjing glared at the aggressive Gao Rui.
“Who are you? I am toasting Miss Ji. Is Miss Ji looking down on me because Rio likes you?” Gao Rui provocatively looked at Ji Yan. She was confident that her words could make all the designers hostile to Ji Yan. Rio helped Ji Yan, thus many people were jealous.
“Miss Gao, it’s not that Ji Yan is unwilling. Ji Yan was in the hospital yesterday, and the doctor forbids her from drinking. Please don’t make a scene,” Shao Kai came over and said with a smile. He told her about Ji Yan’s hospitalization. If Gao Rui still forced Ji Yan to drink, it would seem inhumane.
Li Wenjing gratefully looked at Shao Kai, who came to the rescue. Ji Yan calmly looked at Gao Rui and slowly said, “Miss Gao, I’ll accept your kindness. We should toast again in the future.” There was a little pride in her tone, but she would not be too arrogant.
Gao Rui offered her identity as a toast. If she really drank it, others would think that she flattered Gao Rui. In fact, Gao Rui’s position as the art director was really related to the designers. Ji Yan was also avoiding that scene at the moment.
If they were too close to Gao Rui, no matter what results she obtained in the end, people would have doubts.
Gao Rui’s face fell. What does Ji Yan mean by in the future? Who did she think she is? Gao Rui didn’t want to brag, but she had some connections in Southlake City. Who knew that an unknown designer would dare to challenge her on this day?
Shao Kai could not help but feel excited. A fight between women was bloodless. He had not expected that Ji Yan, who was known for her gentleness, would have such a proud and agile side.
“Ji Yan, let’s go and dance,” Shao Kai walked to Ji Yan and completely ignored Gao Rui.
Ji Yan didn’t want others to watch her like a show, so she nodded. Li Wenjing also snorted and followed her to the stage.
Instead of choosing ambiguous double dances, Ji Yan just swayed her waist slightly in accordance with the melody. Shao Kai and Li Wenjing, however, soon enthusiastically jumped into the tango. Ji Yan watched on in appreciation.
“Ji Yan?” Suddenly, someone called out behind Ji Yan in a low-key and slightly hoarse voice.
Ji Yan turned around and looked at the man whose eyes and face couldn’t be seen clearly with the hair on his forehead. She was puzzled and asked, “Who are you?”
The man put his hand in his pocket and came up to her. He raised the corner of his mouth and said in a hoarse voice, “It’s me, Rio. Don’t you recognize me?”
Ji Yan looked at him in surprise. “Are you Rio? Why do you look so young?”
Rio was a little speechless. “Should I be old?”
Ji Yan waved her hands in embarrassment and said, “That’s not what I mean. Because you have high achievements, it’s natural for me to think that you are…” At least, he shouldn’t look like he was in his mid-twenties.
Rio laughed, and his hoarse voice sounded hearty, which showed that he was in a good mood. He reached out his hand and said gracefully, “Can I invite you to dance?”
Ji Yan nervously squeezed her palm. If she refused, she would seem too insensible. After all, Rio had helped her before. Slowly, she reached out her hand and waltzed elegantly along with Rio.
Rio’s scattered hair was always blocking his eyes and Ji Yan had never been able to see him clearly. She felt a little curious, but she was embarrassed to ask since she didn’t know him well.
Fortunately, Rio danced properly and Ji Yan also slowly relaxed. In the beautiful music, she danced as if she were Cinderella who came to the palace wearing a pair of crystal shoes.
Perhaps it was not an illusion. The bell rang at midnight, and the music stopped abruptly. Everyone looked at the middle of the stage in confusion.
The president of GN, He Tianlin, had finally made his appearance. The highlight had finally arrived.
“Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the award ceremony. First of all, welcome to our VIP tonight, Mr. Shang Jinshen, the president of Shang Corp.” He Tianlin introduced with a smile. Ji Yan, who was under the stage, suddenly tensed up.
Shang Jinshen? Why did he come? She looked at the figure not far away. He was sitting in a wheelchair, but his aura couldn’t be underestimated.
Everyone present knew about the Shang Corp. It was a well-known multinational company. The president, Shang Jinshen, could be said to be the wealthiest person in the country!
However, many people who had never seen Shang Jinshen before could not help but look at the man in the wheelchair in surprise. It turned out that the famous Mr. Shang in the corporate world was not only disabled but also disfigured.
Lan Si pushed his boss with a cold face and slowly walked to the center of the stage under the attention of everyone there. The corners of Shang Jinshen’s mouth outlined an elusive smile. Under the flashlight, his face did not give people fear but awe.
He Tianlin handed the microphone to Shang Jinshen. Shang Jinshen cleared his throat and said lightly, “Good evening.”
Then he threw the microphone to He Tianlin. Aggressive and wild. It was what everyone was thinking.
Shao Kai’s expression changed as he looked at the man. He then looked at Ji Yan, who was already in a daze. In an instant, he held Li Wenjing’s shoulders tightly and lost all interest in Ji Yan.
He didn’t know Shang Jinshen’s identity before, but now he knew. No matter what the relationship between Shang Jinshen and Ji Yan was, he couldn’t provoke the man whose words were absolute in the business world for the sake of his future.