On March 7th, the Yinfan Group's charity gala was held at a local luxury hotel.
Traditional corporate charity galas, primarily aimed at efficient networking and promoting philanthropy, are usually limited to the invited guests.
Tonight's gala focused on children and included special family programs, so most of the attending business leaders brought their wives and children.
Lin Xi and Duan Yiheng's car entered the hotel's private entrance. Duan Yiheng, dressed in a black suit, exuded an imposing presence thanks to his handsome looks and height.
Lin Xi's arm was linked with his, her dress occasionally brushing against his suit trousers, the soft fabric against the crisp material—a seemingly unintentional flirtation. The wind was strong, and Lin Xi's ribbon flew high, brushing against Duan Yiheng's high nose as he signed his name.
Lin Xi shyly pulled the ribbon off and clutched it in her palm. Duan Yiheng chuckled softly, unnoticed by anyone. The receptionist's eyes lit up, and she greeted them with a good evening, presenting them with an event brochure and a small gift.
Entering the banquet hall, a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces filled the space. Duan Mingxuan and Duan Zheng were not far away, chatting and laughing with the company's senior executives. Upon seeing Lin Xi, Duan Mingxuan's eyes lit up. He said something to Duan Zheng and walked straight towards her.
Finally, he stopped in front of Lin Xi. "Xiao Xi, you're here." Lin Xi nodded. The three of them instantly became the focus of attention. Lin Xi suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had returned to the day of the meeting at the Silver Sail headquarters.
At that time, she was forced to distance herself from Duan Yiheng. Duan Mingxuan said he would take her over to meet people, but Lin Xi knew she couldn't go. Tonight, she couldn't even be seen in the same frame as Duan Mingxuan, otherwise it would confirm the news released by Duan Zheng. "Lin Xi."
Just then, a heavenly voice saved Lin Xi. She turned to look; it was Zhao Yuxin. "Miss Zhao." Lin Xi breathed a sigh of relief, greeting her past Duan Mingxuan. "We meet again."
"I was looking for you as soon as I came in. I didn't expect you to arrive so early. I have two friends over there; would you like me to introduce them?" Lin Xi was overjoyed. "Sure." Zhao Yuxin nodded to Duan Yiheng and Duan Mingxuan, then led Lin Xi away.
Duan Mingxuan frowned, clearly unwilling to give up. Duan Yiheng raised an eyebrow, glancing around and noticing the varied expressions on the faces of the shareholders and directors. Zhao Hongbo was a major shareholder of Yinfan; his influence was undeniable.
Zhao Yuxin's actions were clearly aimed at Lin Xi, and in their eyes, Lin Xi was Duan Mingxuan's fiancée. Many in the room speculated that Zhao Hongbo was on Duan Zheng's side.
Some had even started popping champagne halfway through the event. Duan Zheng's eyes flashed with a shrewd light as he accepted the offers with a smile. He knew Lin Xi well; she was always sensible, and even when she had reservations, she would always yield for the sake of the bigger picture. Duan Yiheng chuckled in Duan Zheng's direction.
Before the banquet began, Duan Zheng, as the general manager of Yin Fan, naturally had to give a speech. Duan Yiheng listened quietly and watched, noticing that Duan Zheng's gaze involuntarily drifted to the left side of the audience.
Meng Huaishan was also there. Duan Yiheng took out his phone and sent him a message. After receiving it, Meng Huaishan quietly got up and left.
The opening speech wasn't long, ending in twenty minutes. Afterward, the banquet officially began, with about an hour for dining, along with some related performances on stage.
A media area was set up in the banquet hall. As the banquet neared its end, people were invited over for interviews. These procedures were necessary, as the purpose of the banquet needed to be conveyed to the public.
Duan Yiheng went to the smoking area. Meng Huaishan was inside; the area was completely transparent, so anyone coming in would be easily spotted. Duan Yiheng raised his chin: "What did you find?" Meng Huaishan sent him the photo, saying, "Take a look yourself first."
Duan Yiheng opened the photo and glanced at it. There were quite a few women on the left side of the audience. Meng Huaishan waited a while, then asked, "Have you figured it out yet?" Duan Yiheng suddenly looked up at him: "Can you mark things with your phone?" Meng Huaishan was taken aback at first, then nodded:
"Sure." "I'll tell you, you write it down," Duan Yiheng said. Meng Huaishan replied, "Okay." Duan Yiheng said, "From left to right, the second one in the first row, the first and fourth ones in the second row, just check those three." "Are you so sure?"
Meng Huaishan was genuinely doubtful. "Not sure," Duan Yiheng thought for a moment, then changed his mind. "If you have the energy, do some screening." Meng Huaishan nodded:
"Okay, there are only seven or eight people in total. If they have nothing to do with Duan Zheng, checking their travel itineraries will make it clear." Duan Yiheng nodded: "You handle it." Meng Huaishan said: "Then I'll go first?" "I'll go with you."
Duan Yiheng got up and left the smoking area with him. Back in the main hall, Duan Yiheng didn't see Lin Xi, but he chatted briefly with Tan Qi, who was coming towards him.
Tan Qi had been making quite a splash in the industry lately. After dealing with her brother, she successfully rallied shareholders with her innovative drug development plan and future market layout, gaining control of Likang. "Congratulations," Duan Yiheng said generously. Tan Qi, however, gloated:
"President Duan is still mired in trouble. When will you climb out?" "Soon," Duan Yiheng smiled. As soon as he finished speaking, someone approached Duan Yiheng and invited him over for an interview, saying his secretary was already waiting. Duan Yiheng nodded slightly to Tan Qi and entered the interview area.
Lin Xi nodded to Duan Yiheng, who in turn nodded to the reporters. A senior reporter was the first to ask him about the biggest challenges he had encountered with the charity project for children's education in remote areas.
Duan Yiheng spoke clearly, his gaze gentle, and his answer was quite commendable. Immediately afterward, another reporter asked, "Mr. Duan, there have been rumors circulating that you and Ms. Tan of Likang are considering marriage. What does this have to do with Yinfan's charity work?"
"You yourself said it's just a rumor, so it's naturally unbelievable," Duan Yiheng smiled politely. "I must clarify, the marriage is nonsense. Ms. Tan is here today; you can ask her later."
"So, Mr. Duan and Ms. Tan are completely out of the question?" "Marriage is naturally impossible," Duan Yiheng said firmly. "Yinfan and Likang..." "Cooperation is still possible; everyone can look forward to it."
"Does Mr. Duan mean to convey to the outside world that Yin Fan and Li Kang are about to cooperate?" Duan Yiheng slightly smiled, keeping everyone in suspense: "We'll let you know when the time comes."
After the interview, Duan Yiheng's eyes met one of the reporters' gazes. He immediately rushed forward and asked Lin Xi, who was standing next to him, "Excuse me, are you Ms. Lin Xi?" Lin Xi nodded, puzzled: "Yes, I am."
"I heard that you and Mr. Duan are childhood sweethearts. Have you been looking forward to this engagement for a long time?"