Chapter 699: Chapter 699

He Jinxia’s eyes flickered, and she said with a smile, "I’ll wait here for a bit. My face feels itchy; I’m afraid I may be having an allergic reaction. I’ll check in the mirror first. You go ahead."

Ola looked at her with some concern. "Do you want me to stay with you?"

He Jinxia shook her head, urging her to go inside quickly.

Once she had gone in, He Jinxia scanned the surroundings, thinking about finding something to cover her cheek with.

She had already checked in the mirror and had seen there was no allergy; the itch was because a pimple had appeared on her chin.

Just then, a server pushed over a cart of items. On the top tier of the cart were various fruit platters, the second tier held bottles of wine, and on the third tier were—masks!

He Jinxia’s eyes brightened. There was a masquerade party happening at the hotel!

Ten minutes later, a woman wearing a gold sequined mask, adorned with a single erect white feather at the corner of her eyes, emerged from another place.

The mask covered half of her face, revealing only her startlingly bright eyes and perfect lips, which were painted with a commanding imperial red!

She wore a long golden gown and entered the banquet hall with grace. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveI[F]ire.net

In the hall, Sheng Yan was quickly located, surrounded by just two women, but many stars covertly fixed their gazes on him, making him the center of everyone’s attention, especially the female celebrities who looked at him with a mix of love and hate.

By following the gazes of others, he was easy to spot.

The female stars’ love was natural as they wanted to connect and talk with him. The hate wasn’t because of him but because of the women by his side.

They didn’t know Xie Jiahui, but they did know Bai Bing.

Bai Bing had quite the reputation, and none present were worthy to be compared with her. For Xie Jiahui to approach her so brazenly, she must also have a significant background.

Such a person who hadn’t entered the entertainment circle clearly had been groomed as a high-society lady, even more challenging to offend. Therefore, even though other female stars eyed Sheng Yan greedily, none dared to approach him.

Suddenly at that moment, a masked woman walked in, arousing the curiosity of several stars.

The masked woman stayed in one spot for a while before heading decisively toward a particular area, astonishingly toward where Sheng Yan was!

Sheng Yan was getting impatient being accosted by Bai Bing and Xie Jiahui. Those two women had thick skins; even though Sheng Yan had not been responding to their questions, they were able to keep talking as if they were having a delightful conversation.

This left Sheng Yan somewhat speechless.

He felt that if these women could apply their talent for fawning over others to their acting, the title of Movie Queen would probably be theirs on a rotating basis.

He sipped the red wine in his hand, planning to leave, when a woman strode straight toward him and then started running, grabbing his arm in full view of everyone!

Sheng Yan furrowed his brow, his expression turning terrifyingly dark, ready to throw her over his shoulder in the next second when suddenly, the woman’s voice came out, deliberately affected:

"Brother Yan, why didn’t you come to see me when you arrived in M country? Xiaxia has missed you for so long~"

Sheng Yan’s expression changed slightly, his dark eyes staring at He Jinxia for several seconds before he suddenly smiled. The coldness in his demeanor transformed into lively brilliance as his entire presence seemed to rejuvenate.

He lightly lifted his hand and then wrapped it around her waist, saying indifferently, "I was planning to come see you tonight; didn’t expect you to come to me first."

He Jinxia’s smile stiffened; by now, she clearly understood that Sheng Yan had recognized her!

She had wanted to play a scene where the faithless man discards his old love. The more Sheng Yan denied their relationship, the more pitiful she would act, imposing an unwarranted reputation on him and showing these two women that Sheng Yan wasn’t as great as they thought.

It seems the act wasn’t going to happen today. So, He Jinxia couldn’t help but reach out and pinch his waist stealthily.

But soon, her small hand was enveloped by his broad palm.

She tried to pull away several times, but to no avail.

The man even leisurely stroked the back of her hand, sending a tingling sensation between them, causing both to be momentarily distracted.

He Jinxia couldn’t help but glare at him, and describing that glare as coquettish wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Their flirtatious banter could not be hidden from the watchful eyes of Bai Bing and Xie Jiahui. Before Bai Bing could speak up, Xie Jiahui couldn’t hold back any longer and angrily asked, "Who are you?"

He Jinxia’s eyes spun cunningly, and her acting skills kicked in perfectly, as she asked with a coy laugh, "I’d like to know the answer to that question too. Brother Sheng Yan, who do you say I am to you?"

Sheng Yan glanced at her, his tone remained cool and indifferent, but the words he uttered were surprising.

The others couldn’t help but be stunned.

Sheng Yan repeated calmly, "You are my love."

Xie Jiahui’s face went from pale to flush with anger, fists clenched tightly, her cheeks tensed, her whole body taut like a tightly drawn bow.

She swept her gaze over Sheng Yan and the masked woman several times, gritted her teeth and said, "Sheng Yan, I misjudged you! You actually, actually!"

Disappointment was written all over Xie Jiahui’s face. She turned and walked away without looking back.

Her silhouette was still poised and straight, like a noble princess. Even in defeat and dejection, her grace seemed to emanate from her very bones.

Bai Bing stared at the masked woman with a subtly cold look. She had more patience and cunning than Xie Jiahui, and smiled, "Brother Yan, who is this sister?"

He Jinxia had long wanted to retort Bai Bing, and she took the lead with a soft voice, "Sister seems to have poor eyesight, I obviously look much younger than you.

It’s not just your eyesight that’s bad, your hearing might be impaired too. Did you forget? Just a few seconds ago, Brother Sheng Yan told you that I’m his love!"

Bai Bing’s eyes flashed with disdain, her tone indifferent, "An insignificant trinket, and you believe what men say?"

He Jinxia hooked her red lips as if she was genuinely hurt by that comment, bowed her head without saying a word, and vigorously shook Sheng Yan’s arm with an expression that said "I’m so aggrieved, you must stand up for me."

Sheng Yan pulled her in closer, his voice even colder, "You’re not yet qualified to judge my matters."

Bai Bing furrowed her brows, "Sheng Yan, the Sheng Family would never allow such a vixen who can’t be shown in public to be your wife!"

The masked beauty murmured, "Even if I can’t ascend to that position, it’s certainly not your place, Bai Bing. Have you ever looked in the mirror to see what you look like, how could you match up with my Brother Yan?"

Sheng Yan pinched her gently, frowning slightly. Who said she couldn’t claim that position?

They were about to get engaged. If it weren’t for the inappropriateness of the place, he would definitely make her change her statement!

He Jinxia stuck out her tongue at him, her eyes impish and spirited, as if saying—I didn’t do it on purpose!

Seeing them exchanging meaningful looks, the suppressed anger in Bai Bing’s heart surged again. She couldn’t help but question, "Sheng Yan, surely you know what I mean? Our families intended to form an alliance a long time ago. Marrying me would be beneficial for you and for the Sheng Family, you—"

"Are you actually in a position to decide matters for the Bai Family?" Sheng Yan cut in coolly, interrupting her.

Bai Bing was at a loss for words.

"Everyone must be responsible for their own words. Today, I can pretend I didn’t hear anything, but not in the future. What the Bai Family wants to do has nothing to do with the Sheng Family and will not in the future either. I already have a fiancée, so stop bothering me."

Bai Bing stepped back incredulously, "You have a fiancée already?"

She pointed at He Jinxia, "Then who is she?"

The masked woman quickly said, "I am his love, of course!"

Sheng Yan squeezed her hand.

Bai Bing’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she looked very sad and upset, with tears glimmering in her eyes.

"Sheng Yan, I never thought you would be such a person. You already have a fiancée, and you’re still keeping a..."