The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 339 - 341. Annual Meeting Gathering (Update 11)

Chapter 339: 341. Annual Meeting Gathering (Update 11)

Shen Qinglan’s eyes flashed with amusement, "Apologize to me, for what?"

Shen Junze’s lips pressed together slightly as he glanced at Shen Junyu. Seeing that Shen Junyu had no intention of stepping aside to let him in, he knew that he wasn’t welcomed, "Sister Qinglan, I was wrong in the past. I was blind and failed to recognize the true characters of people, treating a family member as an enemy. My dad was right, I now realize that everything he did was for my sake. The way I treated you back then, and now that the company has been taken from me, it’s my own fault."

He spoke with utmost sincerity as Shen Qinglan stared at him without a word.

Shen Junze continued, "I really just came to apologize, not to ask for your help. Sister Qinglan, it was my fault that you almost lost your child. I only ask for your forgiveness on account that I was young and ignorant."

Saying this, he bowed deeply to Shen Qinglan, "Sister Qinglan, I’m sorry." He rose, then left without looking back, leaving Shen Junyu and Shen Qinglan exchanging puzzled glances, unsure what Shen Junze’s abrupt visit was about.

"Forget it, let’s not think about this anymore. If he is truly sorry, then accept his apology," Shen Junyu said indifferently, his eyes reflecting contemplation as he watched Shen Junze’s retreating figure.

Back in the living room, Fu Hengyi gazed at her with questioning eyes. Shen Qinglan shook her head, indicating that it was nothing.

"By the way, Lanlan, Hengyi, this weekend is my company’s annual gala. Are you interested in attending?" Shen Junyu asked.

Shen Qinglan was about to decline when Fu Hengyi spoke up first, "Where is the gala being held?"

"At a private club owned by a friend of mine."

"Alright, pick us up then."

Shen Qinglan’s refusal remained on the tip of her tongue, swallowed before she could utter it.

At night, just before sleep, Shen Qinglan asked Fu Hengyi, "You don’t like such gatherings, why did you agree?"

Fu Hengyi cracked a slight smile, "It’s good to get out of the house once in a while." Shen Qinglan had been revolving around him all this time, not even going out for meals with Yu Xiaoxuan and Fang Tong when they invited her. Fu Hengyi felt a pang of heartache.

"But I don’t really want to go," Shen Qinglan said.

Knowing what she was worried about, Fu Hengyi took her hand, "Just think of it as accompanying me. It’s been a while since I caught up with Han Yi and the others."

With that said, Shen Qinglan found it hard to voice her objections and simply said, "Your leg..."

"Qinglan, I’m just injured, not disabled. My leg will gradually heal, so you don’t have to be so cautious. Your husband isn’t that fragile."

During this period, Fu Hengyi had also noticed how Shen Qinglan was very careful around him, afraid of hurting his pride.

Shen Qinglan looked earnestly into Fu Hengyi’s eyes. Seeing no strain or reluctance, she realized she might have overthought it, "Okay, then you can spend more time with them. But there’s one thing, you’re not allowed to drink alcohol."

Fu Hengyi smiled affectionately, "Got it, I won’t touch a drop."

**

On Saturday, early in the morning, the Fu Family’s doorbell rang. Aunt Zhao went to open the door and discovered that the gown ordered by Shen Qinglan had arrived. Just out of bed, Shen Qinglan received the clothes, "Give it to me."

Because she was pregnant, she couldn’t fit into her previous gowns, so she had to have a new one custom-made. Fortunately, the service at the store was excellent, and the dress was delivered on time. Not only did it contain Shen Qinglan’s gown, but there was also a suit prepared for Fu Hengyi.

Old Sir Fu knew the two were attending Shen Junyu’s company’s annual gala and didn’t object, only reminding, "Call me on your way back so I can have the driver pick you up."

"Understood, Grandpa. We’ll try to return early," Fu Hengyi said.

As a pregnant woman, Shen Qinglan wore very light makeup and comfortable flat shoes.

When Shen Junyu arrived, both were ready to go.

"Are many people attending this year’s gala?" Shen Qinglan asked.

"It should be about the same as last year, though the headquarters staff is a bit smaller this year."

Upon arriving at the destination, Gu Yang was already waiting at the entrance to receive Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi.

"Little sister-in-law, let me push. You shouldn’t strain yourself," Gu Yang kindly offered.

Shen Qinglan released her hold and walked beside Fu Hengyi.

After entering, they found Fang Tong had already arrived and was chatting with Yu Xiaoxuan. Seeing Shen Qinglan, they both came over immediately, "Mr. Fu, hello."

Fu Hengyi nodded with a smile, then spoke to Shen Qinglan, "You chat first; I’ll go find Jiang Chenxi and the others with Gu Yang."

"Okay."

After Fu Hengyi left, Yu Xiaoxuan curiously sized up Shen Qinglan’s belly. "Qinglan, how come your belly is as big as a blown-up balloon? It’s not going to burst, is it?"

Fang Tong slapped her on the head upon hearing this, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Ow." Yu Xiaoxuan exclaimed, holding her head. "Fang Tong, if you beat me silly, I’m going to fight you for it."

Fang Tong rolled her eyes, "You’re silly enough as it is."

Yu Xiaoxuan gritted her teeth, "Fang Tong, are you looking for a fight?"

"Alright, you two, one of you is a big star, the other a corporate executive; if someone sees you like this, they’ll laugh at you." Shen Qinglan said indifferently. So much had happened this year, and seeing these two still as close as ever warmed her heart.

Yu Xiaoxuan had a very fruitful half year; besides commercials, she had filmed a movie and a TV series, both on hot topics. She played the lead in the movie, and upon release, it was met with rave reviews.

The box office was a great success, and with Han Yi’s support, her acting career was going smoothly. Linda was now focusing most of her attention on her, and as long as Yu Xiaoxuan didn’t sabotage herself, she was on the path to stardom.

"Big star, remember to take more photos with me later and give me your autograph. If I ever find myself unable to afford a meal, I’ll have something to sell for pocket money." Fang Tong joked.

Yu Xiaoxuan glared with wide eyes, "You too are making jokes at my expense? If you don’t believe me, I’ll tickle you. You’re about to marry into a wealthy family; you won’t starve."

Fang Tong and Li Bo Ming’s wedding date was set for the sixth day of the New Year, which was only a few days away.

"Why haven’t I seen your fiancé?" Shen Qinglan inquired.

Fang Tong smiled slightly and gestured in a certain direction. Shen Qinglan followed her gaze and saw Li Bo Ming chatting with someone, seemingly engaged in a good conversation.

"He ran into some business friends and went over to them," Fang Tong explained. "His father was hospitalized again a month ago, his health deteriorating, so he left Mr. Han’s company to take over his own."

"So are you going to be taking care of your father-in-law once you’re married?" Yu Xiaoxuan asked.

"That won’t be necessary. His stepmother will take care of him. Plus, his father is not at the point of needing constant care; he just can’t withstand constant work at his age. As long as he rests, he’s fine."

Yu Xiaoxuan was not familiar with Li Bo Ming’s family. The word "stepmother" made her uneasy, as she remembered the incident with Xia Fei, who had done a lot to force her away from Han Yi.

Fang Tong smiled softly, "His stepmother is quite nice and easy-going. Besides, Li Bo Ming is planning to shift the company’s focus to Beijing, so we won’t live together after the marriage. It’ll only be visits during holidays, nothing more."

Hearing this, Yu Xiaoxuan was relieved. "Well, you’re luckier than me. The stepmother in Han Yi’s family is really..." Yu Xiaoxuan did not wish to continue. Now that she had left the Han Family, there was no point in discussing it.

The three of them were chatting when Ding Minghui approached.

"Tongtong," he called out affectionately. Yu Xiaoxuan shuddered, rubbing her arms as goosebumps formed.

Seeing it was him, Fang Tong’s expression turned cold. "Is there something you want?"

Ding Minghui stared intently at Fang Tong. "I heard you’re getting married."

"Yes. On the sixth, but I won’t be sending you an invitation."

"Tongtong, can we talk?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaoxuan interjected, "Ding Minghui, how shameless can you be? Weren’t you the one who dumped Fang Tong? Weren’t you tangled up with another woman first? Now that Fang Tong has finally found her happiness, what are you up to?"

"This is between Fang Tong and me, and it has nothing to do with the rest of you," Ding Minghui said coldly, a flash of coldness crossing Shen Qinglan’s eyes.

Fang Tong’s face darkened. "Ding Minghui, Yu Xiaoxuan is my friend, please show her some respect. And she’s right; you were the one who betrayed her. What gives you the right to say these things to me now? I don’t want to talk to you, there’s nothing to discuss. Please stay away from me. I don’t want my fiancé to see us and get the wrong idea."

Ding Minghui saw the icy tone in Fang Tong’s voice and a pang of pain flashed in his eyes. "Tongtong, does it have to be like this?"

Before Fang Tong could reply, Liu Hui walked over, linking arms with Ding Minghui and eyeing Fang Tong with a mix of defensiveness and scrutiny. "Miss Fang, what were you and our Minghui talking about so happily?"

Ding Minghui stiffened and glanced awkwardly at Fang Tong.

Yu Xiaoxuan chuckled, "Dear auntie, which eye of yours saw our Fang Tong talking to Ding Minghui happily? It’s clear Ding Minghui shamelessly approached Fang Tong; she didn’t even bother to respond."

Liu Hui’s eyes flashed with anger. No one had dared speak to her like that before, but seeing Shen Qinglan, she restrained her fury, as the woman before her was the chairman’s sister and not to be trifled with.

Forcing a smile, she said, "So you are Miss Yu, I understand you’re friends with Miss Fang and might naturally take her side. However, I want to say something to Miss Fang: Minghui is now married, a man with a family. It doesn’t look good for Miss Fang to be so close to Minghui."