Chapter 217: Jessica and Xiaoxuan

"Ah! Mr. Rivers really love to joke." Mr. Ma patted Long Yi's tense shoulders. Then he laughed. Surprisingly, Santa started laughing with him. Seeing this, Long Yi calmed down and chuckled. He then asked for a glass of champagne from the nearby attendant.

Slowly, the conversation continued with the men talking about the businesses. While Huang Xiaoxuan started talking to the other women in the group. That was until Mayor Dongfang, and surprisingly, his daughter also arrived. There had been rumors going on about Miss Jessica's health not being good. So, the fact that she was here, looking beautiful and perfect was truly unexpected.

What they don't know was the fact that Jessica had to use a lot of foundation to cover all the boils in her body. It had been more than a month since the last time she saw Shen Qui, and to her, this is akin to physical torture. She couldn't help it. Her body was aching not because of the red patches on her skin but because of her emotional sadness. She believed that seeing Shen Qui right now would make her feel better. 

Of course, the mayor disagreed at first. How could seeing someone heal his daughter? But when Jessica threatened her father with suicide, the mayor immediately relented and hired the best make up artist in the City to cover Jessica's body with a lot of foundation.

Jessica looked around and immediately felt a little sad when she didn't see Shen Qui. Still, she forced a smile out of her face.

"Are you looking for someone?"

Jessica eyed the woman who was wearing a cream flowy dress. She smiled at the woman that she recognized Mrs. Long.

"No— I just…" Jessica's face reddened. She quickly lowered her head. "Just some acquaintance."

"Here… I notice that you didn't get some champagne, so I asked the bartender to mix something for you. It's nonalcoholic." Huang Xiaoxuan smiled. "Just like mine."

"You are too kind. Thank you."Jessica immediately said. "Your dress looked really nice. I like that it's flowy, you look like an angel."

"Thank you. My husband picked the style for me. Your ball gown looked really nice too. Is it custom made?"

"Yes." She specifically has this white ball gown made for this charity. She wanted to have a dance with Shen Qui, and she wanted to look like his bride. So she asked her father to make the theme black, gold, and cream instead of just black and gold. She wanted to make this night, her and Shen Qui's night. "Thank you. I really love this gown too. It took them a few weeks to finish it." Jessica lied.

"That— You looked like a princess." Huang Xiaoxuan smiled. "May I know who made it. I would love to have them make another gown for me. For my maternity shoot."

As expected, Jessica widened her beautiful eyes. "You— Congratulations! I couldn't tell that you were actually— "

"Thank you. We were so excited to have him."

"Him?"

"I can feel it." Huang Xiaoxuan uttered. She had hoped that this child would be a boy. She wanted to make Long Yi happy, and she thought that having a male child would change his attitude towards her and the baby.

"I just— That is so nice. I am happy for you and Mr. Long. You know what? I will send you and Mr. Long some congratulatory gifts. May I have your calling card? I will call you once I send it." Jessica beamed. Long Yi and Huang Xiaoxuan were young and brilliant. She was certain that having connections with people like them would also help her out shortly once she would take over her father as the next mayor of this City. 

"Thank you!" Of course, the woman's words made Huang Xiaoxuan beamed. Being close to the daughter of the mayor is one of her goals tonight. The two started talking about some other stuff. Surprisingly, the two actually had many similar habits. 

Even their favorite colors and favorite bag brands were the same!

"This acquaintance that you were waiting for… This is, a he, right?" Huang Xiaoxuan teased. "Does he know that you like him?"

"I— Xiaoxuan— " Again, Jessica's blushed as she finished her non-alcoholic beverage. Of course, Shen Qui knew that she liked him. But he was married! The thought made her expression sour, but she quickly masked it with her gentle smile. She tried to ask her father to just kill Shen Qui's wife but would always tell her no and other nonsense stuff about not being able to do it because of Santa Rivers' protection.

"He does?" Huang Xiaoxuan's words brought her back from her stupor. "And he still …. Please don't tell me he wanted you to confess first?"

Jessica laughed. It would have been better if that was the only thing Shen Qui wanted. She could easily confess and even beg him to take her. Again, this is not possible as he was married. And being together with a married man would surely tarnish her good reputation.

Of course, this is not going to be applicable tonight as her father assured her Shen Qui would not bring his wife tonight. Mayor Dongfang seemed to sure that his wife wouldn't come. This made Jessica so happy, she jumped and hugged her father, thanking him so much for all the support that he gave her. "No. I think he doesn't know." She lied.

"Let me tell you…a secret." Huang Xiaoxuan uttered, she made her voice lower. "I was the one who confessed to my husband." She giggled like a little girl. "And look at us now?"

"You— " Surprised at Huang Xiaoxuan's words, Jessica stared at her as she gulped. "Really?"

"Really." Huang Xiaoxuan nodded. "My husband might look really charismatic but back then at the university, he is pretty elusive to women. So, I had to beg my father to ask him to make me his secretary. Our story started from there." She smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Now… I know you would think that I am quite bold. But what can I do? I really liked him, and I was certain that he wouldn't look at me as he was really busy with the university and his family business."