Chapter 457: Panda

Chapter 457: Chapter 457: Panda

Liu Yanxi's arrival seemed to spark the first major excitement of the evening. The frenzy of camera flashes made it feel as if the entire Biyun Tower was trembling.

Stepping out of a white BMW 747, Liu Yanxi looked like a European princess from the Middle Ages, wearing an elaborate light rose gown adorned with intricate lace decorations, all meticulously hand-sewn.

It would be no exaggeration to say that the intricate designs were as valuable as being adorned with crystal diamonds.

Yang Chen watched as she walked into the building with a faint, charming smile, greeting the wave-like crowd of fans outside. He chuckled inwardly, thinking that being a celebrity wasn't easy, especially for a natural-born actress like her. To everyone, she seemed like a courteous and graceful socialite, unlike the diva throwing a tantrum in his office yesterday.

As Liu Yanxi entered the hall, her face still carried a light smile, a mix of modesty and nobility. Many musicians and artists who had worked with her came forward to greet her.

When she approached Yang Chen, her expression remained calm except for a slight flicker in her eyes. She even extended her fair hand to him with a smile, saying, "Director Yang, we meet again. I wasn't in a good mood yesterday; please forgive me."

This time, Liu Yanxi spoke in Korean, momentarily catching Yang Chen off guard. But he quickly smirked inwardly, realizing she intended to embarrass him, assuming he had no translator. UppTodated from nô/v/e/lb(i)n.c(o)/m

Several guests around them sensed something was amiss and curiously watched to see how Yang Chen would respond.

"Miss Liu, your Chinese is very good. I admire Koreans who can speak Chinese, but your Korean seems a bit off. It looks like you didn't study very hard," Yang Chen casually replied in fluent Korean.

Liu Yanxi's eyes widened in surprise. Yang Chen's Korean was indeed much better than hers, almost as if he had grown up in Korea.

Without giving Liu Yanxi a chance to respond, Yang Chen switched to another foreign language, babbling something at her, and then smiled slightly.

Liu Yanxi was stunned. She had no idea what Yang Chen was saying. It seemed like French, German, or perhaps Italian or Hungarian. But having become a star in her teens, Liu Yanxi knew nothing beyond Korean, Chinese, and English. Feeling both annoyed and embarrassed, she guessed from Yang Chen's expression that he was saying something polite and replied in Chinese, "Thank you."

A Taiwanese musician nearby couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Liu Yanxi realized she might have misunderstood and looked at Yang Chen, who was smirking at her mockingly before turning away and walking off.

"What did Director Yang say?" another musician asked the Taiwanese one who had laughed.

Liu Yanxi gripped the cocktail glass handed to her by a waiter so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She had often consoled herself that she lost to Christine at the Grammys because she was Korean, an Asian. But tonight, seeing Christine in person, she felt a deep sense of helplessness. She couldn't beat her. This was Liu Yanxi's bitter but inescapable conclusion.

Christine's grand entrance captured everyone's attention, but she paid little mind to the socialites and music celebrities trying to shake hands or converse with her. Amid the disappointment and curiosity of the crowd, Christine walked towards a corner.

Yang Chen helplessly rubbed his forehead. This woman never made things easy. Wouldn't it be simpler to pretend not to know him? Did she really enjoy putting him in the spotlight?

Christine approached Yang Chen, snatched the cocktail from his hand, took a sip, and, with her usual friendly smile, said, "What's wrong? There are no reporters here. I won't cause any scandal. I just know you well and wanted to greet you first."

"If there's a scandal, I'll crush it. But did you have to make everyone stare at us?" Yang Chen rolled his eyes. "Sometimes I think you're just a female rascal."

"If I weren't a rascal, how could I keep a young heart?" Christine replied nonchalantly. "Would it be better if I were like those other old fogeys, lifeless and dull?"

"What do you mean by 'other old fogeys'? You're not young either," Yang Chen retorted with a smirk.

Christine gave him a sidelong glance and ignored him, moving on to chat with a few acquaintances.

Even so, Yang Chen's interaction with Christine sparked numerous speculations among the guests. They doubted that Christine's primary interest was merely a director of an entertainment company. Yang Chen's nonchalant demeanor suggested a long-standing familiarity with Christine, something unusual for any man in front of such a goddess. Most men would be nervous and tense, fearful of making a poor impression.

Just as the banquet was about to begin, a serene and delicate figure entered through a side door of the hall. Her presence caused a subtle stir among the guests.

This was a woman dressed in a simple office outfit, with no makeup or jewelry. Her face showed slight fatigue, as if she had come straight from work, hastily joining this high-society gathering.

Yet, this very woman drew the gaze of every guest in the hall, like a quiet plum blossom blooming on a winter night. Even if it stood silently in a corner, its refreshing fragrance would captivate and calm the heart.

Unfazed by the curious and astonished glances, the woman seemed to be searching for something, looking around before heading towards a corner.

This woman, of course, was Lin Ruoxi, who had rushed over after handling a mountain of official business. And the direction she was heading? Naturally, it was where Yang Chen was standing.

Yang Chen didn't know what his wife wanted to discuss with him, but he knew that after tonight, he would undoubtedly be famous. Christine had just spoken to him, and now Lin Ruoxi was the first to come looking for him. Everyone in the hall was watching him like he was a "panda," the center of attention.