She Lost Memory Before the Divorce

Chapter 50: Chapter 0050: Asura’s Battlefield, Love Quadrangle (2)
 

Sheng Xueqin was certain she didn’t know the man before her, but his gentlemanly action in saving her from an awkward situation a moment ago had involuntarily made her feel somewhat favorable towards him. So, she politely smiled at Lin Yize, and Lin Yize returned the smile.

“The main reason I asked earlier was to clear things up for Miss Sheng; otherwise, it truly would have been embarrassing for her,” he said.

Huo Tingxiao wasn’t in a hurry, meeting force with force, countering water with earth. Mu Lan just realized how crafty this man was; a few words could trap the other person in a mental dilemma, with no clear way forward or back.

“Since neither President Lin nor Miss Sheng brought their significant others today, it really is fate. Please feel free, I’ll be taking Mrs. Huo with me now.”

With that, he hooked Mu Lan’s hand around his arm and strode toward the banquet hall’s entrance.

Lin Yize lost this round and naturally wasn’t willing to accept it. He watched the two leave for a long while before he finally shifted his gaze away.

“Miss Sheng, hello, I am the president of Jiancheng, Lin Yize.”

Jiancheng? The company that was bought over by overseas investors? Although Sheng Xueqin had just returned to Sea City, she knew a bit about some of the changes in the circle.

“I appreciate you stepping in for me just now, President Lin.”

Sheng Xueqin’s words did carry some sincerity, and Lin Yize seized the opportunity to extend an invitation.

“Then, if Miss Sheng doesn’t mind, may I have the honor of being your escort?”

Having just been put down by Huo Tingxiao, now with the arrival of such an outstanding, young, and gentlemanly talent, even for the sake of saving face, she had to agree.

At the very least, she had to let Huo Tingxiao know that she, Sheng Xueqin, was not without suitors!

Of course, Sheng Xueqin had no idea that Lin Yize’s secret affection was for Mu Lan; otherwise, she would probably be outraged on the spot.

———-

“You rejected my invitation just to be someone else’s date?”

Huo Tingxiao’s voice was neither loud nor low, just so both could hear. The tone wasn’t too heavy, but Mu Lan hadn’t expected him to settle scores then and there.

“I didn’t even know you would be here,” she said without thinking.

Mu Lan’s response almost made Huo Tingxiao lose his temper on the spot.

“So what you mean is, you’d have been another man’s date if I hadn’t attended?”

“…”

This man was too good at catching others in their own words—her meaning was exactly that!

“I really didn’t mean to, and besides, you and Sheng Xueqin seemed to be having a laugh together.”

She inadvertently spoke what was on her mind, and even sounded quite jealous. Huo Tingxiao raised his eyebrows, not angry at all, but almost jubilant,

Jealous, huh?

“She did indeed want me to be her escort earlier, but I turned her down.”

“Oh, really? But I clearly saw the two of you whispering to each other, looking quite intimate,” Mu Lan retorted, only realizing after she finished that her tone was decidedly uncharacteristic of herself.

“It was nowhere near as intimate as I am with you,” Tingxiao spoke in a low voice, his deep tone spreading in Mu Lan’s ear, heating her face as if on fire. Was this man really flirting with her so brazenly in public?

A tall gentleman with a distinctive accent in his Chinese approached them.

“Chris, it’s been a long time.”

“It’s been a while, Mr. Vincent.”

“I’m truly grateful for your support in this design competition.

After the preliminaries, I’ve taken a liking to several designers from your country.”

Vincent? A hint of surprise flickered in Mu Lan’s eyes. Could this man before her be the esteemed designer, Mr. Vincent, her idol all along?

“Excuse me, may I ask if you are IT Fashion Group Director Mr. Vincent?”

“Oh, who are you?”

“This is my wife.”

Huo Tingxiao raised an eyebrow, not expecting that Mu Lan would know Vincent.

“Oh, hello, Mrs. Huo, I’m really sorry, my Chinese is too… terrible.”

Vincent’s Chinese was indeed awkward, and Mu Lan couldn’t help but switch to fluent French directly.

“If you don’t mind my French, we can communicate in French.”

Huo Tingxiao raised an eyebrow, not expecting Mu Lan’s French to be so authentic; he never knew that Mu Lan could speak French.

“Oh, your French is great, with hardly any accent.”

Flattered by her idol, Mu Lan couldn’t help but smile shyly looking down.

“Thank you for your compliment. I wanted to study in France before, so I learned some French. You are my idol, and I’m really, really excited to meet you.”

Vincent was stunned for a moment, then his face broke into a broad smile. He had come today to meet Huo Tingxiao but hadn’t expected the other’s wife to be his fan.

“So, are you an independent designer now, Mrs. Huo?”

An independent designer? Mu Lan’s face involuntarily stiffened; she had always been a full-time housewife, and even though she had studied at the best design school in the country before, but…

“No, I…”

Huo Tingxiao couldn’t bear to see her looking so uncomfortable, and he couldn’t help but intervene.

“My wife has just started her career in this field, and I will fully support her in the future.”

“My goodness, I really didn’t expect you would bring your wife along, it’s such a surprise. May I ask for your name, Mrs. Huo?”

After all, addressing her as “Mrs.” was somewhat disrespectful to an independent woman, and Vincent’s thoughtfulness made Mu Lan blossom with joy.

“You can call me Tracy.”

“Hmm? That’s the same name as one of the contestants this year, who is also Chinese. She is also one of my top picks for this year’s contest.

It seems that talented ladies all like this name, huh?”

Such a coincidence? Mu Lan was stunned for a moment.

There was a hint of envy forming deep in her heart.

Both named Tracy, yet the other could be favored by her idol in this year’s design contest. If she hadn’t wasted these past few years, would she also… Mu Lan’s emotions were complicated, filled with regret, envy, and the excitement of meeting her idol.

“Mr. Vincent, if you can stay in Sea City for a little longer this time, you might enjoy exchanging more with my wife.”

“Of course, I’d be delighted. To thank you for your longstanding support, I just wonder if Tracy would honor me with the opportunity?”

Such a great opportunity, she’d obviously be overjoyed.

Looking at Huo Tingxiao with gratitude, Mu Lan felt that coming to this masquerade ball was a very correct decision.

The three of them chatted enthusiastically in the corner, while Sheng Xueqin looked on as if they were thorns in her eyes, pricking at her heart.

Just now, no matter how hard she tried to start a conversation, or even deliberately make some physical contact, she had been blocked by Huo Tingxiao.

But facing Mu Lan, he was so warm; he was always such a cold man, what was going on now? Had he changed his ways?

Or did Mu Lan have something on him? Otherwise, why would he do this?

She didn’t understand where she had gone wrong! Was she somehow inferior to this woman? Her hand gripping the champagne glass tightened uncontrollably, and Lin Yize watched her every move, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

“I heard Miss Sheng and Mr. Huo are childhood sweethearts?”