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CHAPTER 90

"Just that?" From her tone of voice, Duan Tian knew she was not pleased and wanted more praising.

A knowing smile spread out on his lips and he left his seat and made his way to where she stood by the door.

"Darling, you look like the evening jewel. No doubt you would be the pinnacle of all eyes."

"Better. Thank you. Mother," she averted her gaze to her mother. "How do I look?"

"You know already baby. No one can surpass you in beauty. You look like a demigoddess." Ding Jiaying was one heck of a flatterer. She knew how to get on her daughter's good side and bad side as well.

"No, I do not look like a demigoddess, I am a goddess, Even the goddesses cannot compare to m looks." Li Xiu's self-praise was beginning to get out of hand but Ding Jiaying brushed it off.

"Yes, exactly. Go and show them who rules." Her mother cheered her on with a warm smile, further making her daughter prouder.

"Now shall we be on our way?" Li Xiu asked Duan Tian.

"Yes, my dear. Goodnight ma. I would take care of her."

"See you tomorrow evening, mother. I would be at his house."

"Okay. Just do not stay too late tomorrow and leave me here alone."

"I won't." Li Xiu waved her mother goodbye and tucked her arm in Duan Tian's as they made their way out of the house.

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A little while later, Li Jing and Ye Cheng arrived at the party. As soon as Li Jing stepped out of the car, onlookers had their hearts in their mouths.

Following Ye Cheng's lead and with her arms tucked in his, both of them entered the beautiful hotel used to house the occasion.

"Wow, look at how gorgeous she looks," one of the guests remarked from where he stood talking with another guest.

"That is Ye Cheng, I wonder who the girl is."

"Is that the matter now? Whoever she is, she is not a minus one to his charm. Both of them look good together," the third man quickly corrected.

"For Ye Cheng to honour this invitation, then this night sure would be sweet and packed full with the ladies."

Of course, Ye Cheng who had sharp hearing heard all of their comments and felt proud that his choice was lovely.

Immediately they set foot into the hall, all heads turned in their direction. A lot of jaws dropped and mouths hung agape at the perfect couple that entered.

Li Jing who was mesmerized by the sight in front of her, the beautiful designs and the intricate decorations of the lavished furnished hotel, failed to notice the millions of glares she was getting, particularly from the single ladies who all had their heart set on Ye Cheng.

"Just who is she?"

"How dare her to stand close to Ye Cheng?"

"Which family is she from?"

"How come we have never seen her in one of our parties before?"

Many rude comments started circulating among the ladies and in as much as Ye Cheng heard it all, he simply walked on like he didn't and held her closely.

Together they walked over to the table where some men were standing with glasses of different coloured wines and conversing.

As soon as they sighted Ye Cheng, they all turned towards him to welcome him.

"Ye Cheng! How nice of you to come today," the first man warmly greeted him.

Li Jing took the time to access each of them and recognized them as a prominent business tycoon in the country. It was no doubt that whoever it was that was hosting the birthday party was equally a very important person for Ye Cheng to also grace the occasion with his presence.

As the men exchanged pleasantries, another man in his late forties walked over to meet them and called out Ye Cheng's name.

"Ye Cheng! You came!" The man's face was filled with glee as he looked at his business associates.

Closing the gap between them, he stretched out his hand to Ye Cheng for a shake and said, "Welcome to my birthday party."

At one look, Li Jing recognized him. His company was the third most famous company in the city. 

'Oh my God, that is…'

"Happy birthday, Yu Xiaowen." Ye Cheng returned the man's warm regards with his.

Li Jing whose hand had since been untangled from Ye Cheng stood there with wide eyes as she could not believe the presence of people she was standing in the midst of.

'Why didn't Ye Cheng tell me this was the kind of person's birthday party we were attending?' Li Jing thought to herself but did not say anything.

Before Ye Cheng had the chance to introduce her, Mr Yu Xiaowen placed a hand on Ye Cheng's shoulders and led him away.

"But, wait." Ye Cheng protested but Yu Xiaowen wouldn't have it.

"I have someone I want to introduce you to. Come, I have been waiting."

Ye Cheng managed to mouth the words 'I would be right back' to Li Jing as he left her alone by herself.

The men with whom he was with previously also greeted her and complimented her on her beauty.

"You look particularly stunning this evening."

"Truly a damsel."

"Thank you," Li Jing politely replied as her eyes still remained fixed on Ye Cheng.

He was the only one she knew and she did not want to lose sight of him just in case she needed something or wanted to go home.

After some minutes, she lost sight of him when one of the men turned her attention away from him.

"So what are you to him? His new assistant?"

"Pardon?"

"His girlfriend?" Another man asked.

 There was an unwritten rule in the city. When a man came for such a function, the lady with him could either be one of the three, his fiancé or wife, his sister or his assistant.

And Li Jing who had never been to such functions before was oblivious of this fact. Not to speak of, she was neither of them, so when Li Jing was asked, she was shocked by the question.

"I am sorry, I do not get you."

Judging from her confused looks, the men felt she was his secret lover and was trying to play dumb.

"Oh, we know!"

"Know what?" 

At that moment, she caught sight of Ye Cheng again."If you would excuse me, I need to be somewhere."

"Sure, go on ahead and have fun," the fourth man added and bade her goodbye.

Li Jing gave them her charming pleasant smile and walked away.