Gu Nianzhi's pure eyes reflected Huo Shaoheng's reflection amidst the bustling atmosphere. He was the only one there.
Huo Shaoheng reached out and smoothed her waist-length hair that hung down her back.
Gu Nianzhi suddenly sensed something and looked across the hall. She happened to see He Zhichu standing tall in the crowd.
In that instant, the cold, murderous look in He Zhichu's eyes had turned to warmth.
He pursed his lips and smiled at her. He lowered his eyes and whispered something to the Prime Minister, who was standing next to him, before walking forward.
The eldest son of the Prime Minister, Dou Haoyan, began to greet the guests.
A melodious serenade echoed in the living room. The guests spread out in twos and threes, carrying wine glasses and plates. They chatted and laughed as they ate. The atmosphere was very lively.
Dou Qingyan saw Huo Shaoheng as soon as she entered.
Although it had been six years, and she thought she had let go of him and had calmed down, her eyes still welled up at the sight of him.
Wen Shouyi was afraid she would let her emotions get the better of her and quickly said, "Qingyan, can you take me to the bathroom? There's something wrong with the buttons on my shirt … "She winked at Dou Qingyan.
Dou Qingyan composed herself and took two deep breaths to calm her tumbling emotions. She said to the Prime Minister's wife, "Mommy, Shouyi and I will go upstairs to change before coming down."
"Go, go. I'll go with you. " She hadn't seen Dou Qingyan in six years. The Prime Minister's wife couldn't bear to be separated from her eldest daughter, whom she had almost never seen again.
"Mommy, aren't you going to entertain the guests?" Although Dou Qingyan was emotional, she still knew her manners. How could she not have her mommy, the hostess of the banquet, hosting it?
The Prime Minister's wife smiled and dismissed her concerns. "Qingyan, your older brother is hosting this banquet. It's all young people. Your father and I aren't the hosts. We're here to pick you and Lawyer He up. With us here, everyone's too restrained. They won't have a good time. "
Wen Shouyi looked around and saw that the Prime Minister had indeed greeted a few acquaintances. He left the hall under the escort of his bodyguards and attendants, and went to the office building in the back.
Dou Qingyan glanced at her brother, Dou Haoyan. Seeing that he was indeed chatting happily with his little sister in front of the guests, she nodded and followed the Prime Minister's wife and Wen Shouyi upstairs.
Her bedroom suite was on the third floor, accessible by either the stairs or the private elevator.
In order to get up faster, the three of them took the elevator.
…
He Zhichu's entourage cleared the way in front and helped him separate the crowd so that he could walk smoothly to Gu Nianzhi and Huo Shaoheng.
Gu Nianzhi looked at him in surprise and was about to greet him when He Zhichu spoke first. "Nianzhi, Happy New Year." Then he looked up at Huo Shaoheng, who had not said a word, and asked gently, "Nianzhi, is this also your guardian?"
He took the initiative to extend his hand to Huo Shaoheng. "It's an honor to meet you. My name is He, and I'm Nianzhi's postgraduate supervisor at B University. Last year, Nianzhi and I interned at the US Congress for half a year, and she often mentioned her guardian to me. Now that I've seen him today, he's indeed extraordinary. No wonder she admires you so much. "
Huo Shaoheng pursed his lips and slowly reached out to shake He Zhichu's hand. However, before he could touch He Zhichu's, Huo Shaoheng had already withdrawn his hand and placed it on Gu Nianzhi's back. He hugged her waist and nodded to He Zhichu. "Professor He, you are a highly respected teacher. With a mentor like you, Nianzhi will definitely be successful in her studies and be able to make a name for herself in the legal world."
Highly respected? Respected teacher? — — Was he going to draw a red line for him that he was not allowed to cross?
He Zhichu sneered inwardly. He looked up at Gu Nianzhi and said affectionately, "Nianzhi, aren't you going to introduce me to your guardian? What's his name?" As he spoke, he looked up at Zhao Liangze, who was standing diagonally behind Huo Shaoheng. "I remember that your guardian in the United States was that one? There's another one, I think I saw him too … "
Gu Nianzhi was stunned by He Zhichu's flawless words and actions. After a while, she finally said, "Happy New Year, Professor He." She looked at Huo Shaoheng and Zhao Liangze and introduced them together. "Professor He, yes, this is Brother Ze. He used to be one of my guardians. He took care of me when I was in the United States. This is Huo Shao. He used to be my guardian too. But I'm already 18, so I don't need a guardian anymore. "
He Zhichu chuckled and patted her head lovingly. "You only know how to put on a brave front, child. You don't need one legally, but how old are you? You've only just turned 18. You grew up with Huo Shao. Although he's your guardian, he's actually like a foster father. You'll need to rely on him for many things in the future. Don't be rude. You're yelling now that you don't need a guardian anymore. How sad will Huo Shao be to hear that? You don't want people to accuse you of burning bridges after crossing them, do you? "
Foster father?
How dare he say that.
Huo Shaoheng snorted inwardly. He said calmly, "Professor He probably just came back from abroad and doesn't know much about the Huaxia culture. Guardians and foster fathers have nothing to do with each other. If you don't know how to speak Mandarin, you can speak English, French, or even Latin. I'm happy to keep you company. "
"Oh? Really? " Although He Zhichu was talking to Huo Shaoheng, his eyes were still on Gu Nianzhi. "I didn't expect your guardian to be so talented. He can even speak French and Latin."
Gu Nianzhi was sweating profusely. She felt like the two of them were at odds with each other the moment they met, and there was a hidden meaning in their words. She really didn't like hearing He Zhichu say that Huo Shaoheng was like her foster father. She was already unhappy, but her expression didn't change at all. She smiled and hugged Huo Shaoheng's arm. "Professor He did grow up abroad, so he doesn't speak Mandarin well. Huo Shao was asked by someone to be my temporary guardian. When I turn 18, I naturally won't need a guardian anymore. What foster father? Professor He, you're exaggerating. You're a great professor of law and a great lawyer in the United States. How can you be so inappropriate with your words? Please don't disappoint me … "
He Zhichu was speechless. He hadn't expected Gu Nianzhi to be so sensitive about drawing a generational gap with Huo Shaoheng.
Although he was mentally prepared, he couldn't help feeling a pang in his heart. His eyes lingered on her face for a moment before he nodded. "That's true. I really don't know the difference between the two. Thank you both for enlightening me."
Gu Nianzhi smiled at him and took two cocktails from a passing waiter. She handed one to He Zhichu and the other to Huo Shaoheng. "A toast to both of you. Happy New Year!"
He Zhichu and Huo Shaoheng slowly raised their glasses to each other, then downed their drinks at the same time.
"Shaoheng? I'm very happy that you came to my family's New Year's dinner. "A seductive female voice came from behind He Zhichu.
He Zhichu didn't need to turn around to know that it was Dou Qingyan.
He put his glass back on the waiter's tray and took a glass of fruit wine. He placed it in Gu Nianzhi's hand. "This is fruit wine. It has a very low alcohol content. Have some too."
Gu Nianzhi's eyes were already drawn to Dou Qingyan, who had just walked over.
Dou Qingyan had changed into a tight, dark purple velvet qipao, which outlined her voluptuous figure. She was breathtakingly beautiful.
Her beauty was that of a woman who had reached the pinnacle of maturity, but had yet to wither.
"Take it and drink slowly." He Zhichu's voice was like mellow wine, infusing into Gu Nianzhi's heart. She took the glass in a daze and took a sip without even looking at it. Her eyes lingered on Dou Qingyan's face for a moment, then moved to Huo Shaoheng's.
Although Huo Shaoheng's expression remained stoic, Gu Nianzhi was very familiar with him. She could actually see a trace of emotion in his eyes …
Dou Qingyan, on the other hand, was graceful and poised.
Gu Nianzhi was secretly shocked.
Dou Qingyan stood in front of Huo Shaoheng, her snow-white cashmere shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She sighed. "I haven't seen you in six years. You've become more mature than before." She paused, then chuckled. "And more handsome."
Huo Shaoheng smiled. "Qingyan is still as humorous as ever."
He tucked one hand into his trouser pocket and gently swirled a new cocktail glass with the other.
Dou Qingyan finally greeted He Zhichu. She said to Huo Shaoheng, "I ran into some trouble overseas, but Lawyer He and Lawyer Wen helped me settle it." She hesitated for a moment, then gently caressed her left wrist. Her left wrist was adorned with an inch-wide gold bracelet. She said, "I didn't want to come back, but after all the trouble I'd been through overseas, I couldn't help but feel bored. My country is better, and I missed my family and friends, so I came back."
"It's good that you've thought it through." Huo Shaoheng raised his glass. "Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year." Dou Qingyan casually picked up a cocktail glass and clinked glasses with Huo Shaoheng. They both took a sip at the same time.
When He Zhichu saw Dou Qingyan and Huo Shaoheng chatting, he smiled and whispered to Gu Nianzhi, "Nianzhi, I sent you a text saying something happened at school. I asked you to report to school early. Did you get it?"
"Oh, about that …" Gu Nianzhi's attention was completely focused on Huo Shaoheng and Dou Qingyan. She barely had time to respond to He Zhichu, but He Zhichu wouldn't allow her to be distracted. He reached out and took her by the arm, pulling her towards the screen in the corner. He whispered, "They're reuniting as comrades. Don't be a third wheel."
"They're comrades?" Gu Nianzhi asked suspiciously. She wanted to ask Zhao Liangze about it, but found that he had already left.
"Of course they're comrades. Didn't your good guardian tell you? " He Zhichu also had one hand in his trouser pocket and the other holding a cocktail glass. His shimmering, sultry eyes danced with mirth. "Dou Qingyan and your guardian, Huo Shao, joined the army at almost the same time. But six years ago, Dou Qingyan suddenly retired and went abroad. She only returned this year."
Gu Nianzhi was speechless.
She watched Dou Qingyan smile brightly in front of Huo Shaoheng. Huo Shaoheng didn't keep her at arm's length like he did other women.
There was an indescribable tacit understanding between the two of them.
He Zhichu's smile grew. He lowered his head and whispered in Gu Nianzhi's ear, "… Aren't they a good match? Whether it's in appearance or family background? "
Gu Nianzhi was unmoved. She looked up at He Zhichu calmly and said, "Professor He, how do you know so much?"
※ ※ ※
This was the first update, 3,000 words long.
Today was double the monthly votes. Dear friends, please cast your monthly votes and recommendation votes!
The second update was moved to one in the afternoon. Yes, if you could cast a few more monthly votes, there would be a third update at seven in the evening!
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