The arrival of Professor Xu Yun brought the atmosphere to its peak.

With the protagonist here, the celebration banquet could naturally begin.

Zhao Yingjun had originally intended to have Professor Xu Yun say a few words, but Xu Yun declined.

So Zhao Yingjun went directly to the stage to deliver the opening speech, talking about the impressive sales and achievements of the Rhine brand, and thanking every employee of the company for their hard work.

"Today's success of MX Company and the successful launch of the Rhine brand are inseparable from the efforts of every employee. But if we are to talk about the most deserving contributor... I believe everyone has the same answer in mind."

After Zhao Yingjun finished speaking.

Warm applause erupted throughout the venue once again.

Everyone's eyes turned to Lin Xian in unison, filled with recognition and admiration.

Everyone knew in their hearts.

Without Lin Xian, how could there be today's celebration banquet?

Whether it was the design of the Rhine Cat or obtaining the authorization from Professor Xu Yun, Lin Xian's contribution to MX Company was obvious to all.

Now, everyone in the company regarded Lin Xian as the "deputy general manager." During the recent personnel adjustments, many people even felt indignant for Lin Xian, believing that Zhao Yingjun's promotion of Lin Xian was too conservative and that he should have been directly promoted to the position of deputy general manager.

The applause subsided…

Zhao Yingjun extended her arm and pointed in Lin Xian's direction:

"So next, let's invite Team Leader Lin Xian to the stage to give everyone New Year's greetings."

…

Amidst applause and cheers, Lin Xian walked onto the stage with a smile and took the microphone:

"Thank you to all the leaders and colleagues for your recognition. First of all, I must state that… the success of the Rhine brand belongs to everyone, and there is no distinction between the size of the contribution. Like everyone here, I have only done my job well."

"It is precisely because each of us has done our job well that our Rhine brand can achieve a successful launch and such success. Therefore… each of us is a contributor to today's celebration banquet!"

"2022 is coming to an end, and in this year…"

Because of his years of experience as a host in college, Lin Xian's stage presence was very stable. Coupled with the specially trained host's voice, everyone listened attentively and was deeply moved.

When Lin Xian finished his final New Year's speech.

The entire hall resounded with unprecedentedly warm applause once again.

Expressing everyone's admiration and respect for this youngest team leader and the company's most promising young man.

Next was the dinner banquet.

Countless delicacies, fine wines, and desserts were brought up by the waiters and placed neatly on the long tables on both sides.

The luxury and exquisiteness… caused waves of amazement in the venue.

Abalone and lobster were just entry-level appetizers at the Victoria Hall banquet. All kinds of top-quality ingredients, whose names they couldn't even pronounce, emitted an enticing aroma under the cooking of world-renowned chefs, whetting their appetites.

…

Although Professor Xu Yun was not used to this kind of occasion, happiness was indeed contagious.

Especially after a few glasses of wine.

In addition, Xu Yun also felt relieved that he had achieved results in his research.

So he quickly integrated into this joyful atmosphere and chatted with Lin Xian about many things from his youth.

Not long after the meal started, Gao Yang finally arrived late.

"Respect!"

After greeting Lin Xian in a hurry, Gao Yang immediately rushed to the lobster and started gnawing.

He had already planned the optimal route for eating at the buffet, ensuring that every inch of his stomach was used reasonably to enjoy the most exquisite delicacies:

"Can I secretly take two bottles of red wine?"

Gao Yang held a lobster claw and leaned over to ask Lin Xian in a low voice.

“… You can if you pretend you don't know me."

Lin Xian answered truthfully:

"Don't betray me if you get caught."

"But I already told your company's front desk lady that we're good buddies!" Gao Yang said, sucking on the lobster meat:

"We even added each other on WeChat. But she's obviously more interested in you and asked me if you have a girlfriend."

"Then be careful and don't embarrass me."

Just then.

Team Leader Wang from the marketing team ran over and said to Zhao Yingjun next to him:

"President Zhao! Chairman Chu Shanhe's car is here! It just entered the gate!"

His voice was very loud.

The men and women around him instantly quieted down when they heard the name Chu Shanhe…

Chu Shanhe's name was known to everyone in Donghai City and was a frequent guest on the news.

But very few people could catch a glimpse of him in reality.

Especially for ordinary people, they might not even have the chance to brush shoulders with him in their entire lives.

So everyone consciously cleared the middle path, looking forward to Chu Shanhe's arrival and wanting to see his true face.

Finally…

The doors of the venue were pushed open halfway by the waiters.

A hearty and loud laugh was the first thing to be heard—

"Hahahaha… Congratulations! Congratulations everyone! Happy New Year!"

Chu Shanhe wore a white tuxedo, which made his burly figure appear even more upright and powerful.

He clasped his fists in greeting to the crowd on both sides, his smile amiable, and his face overflowing with joy as he walked step by step towards the middle of the hall.

And behind him…

A petite figure also waved her hand, politely smiling and gesturing to the people on the left and right.

She wore a beige long gauze dress, and her fluffy brown hair was tightly tied together behind her head, revealing the girl's fair neck and jawline, which were exquisitely sculpted.

Apart from her pearly teeth and vermilion lips, there was no extra makeup to embellish her features. This naturally endowed beauty, with just a spring breeze-like smile, surpassed all heavy makeup, contrived decoration, and cosmetic enhancement.

While following behind her father, she waved and smiled at the people on both sides. Her beautiful eyes curved into a pair of adorable crescent moons, and two small dimples on the corners of her mouth appeared and disappeared, pleasing to the eye.

And the tear mole at the corner of her left eye was the finishing touch, adding a touch of stunning beauty to her already gorgeous face.

In an instant.

Lin Xian held his breath, unable to believe his eyes!

CC.

That was clearly CC!

The same hair color and hairstyle, the same curved eyes, the same expression and posture, the same smile, the same slender cuteness, and even the same dimples and the same tear mole!

He finally understood…

Why Zhao Yingjun had only glanced at CC's sketch and directly blurted out that he was drawing Chu Anqing…

Because the two girls looked so alike!

No.

Not alike, not similar in spirit,

But truly [identical]!

The Chu Anqing walking towards him, and the CC smiling back in his dream, were simply indistinguishable!

What was going on?

How could there be two people in the world who were as similar as if they had been copied and pasted? What's more, they were separated by 600 years of time!

For a moment, various mixed voices were chaotically intertwined in Lin Xian's mind—

"Mr. Lin, are you sure you can distinguish between reality and dreams?"

"CC, just call me CC."

"Isn't the one you drew Chu Shanhe's daughter… Chu Anqing?"

"Liar."

"Do you know… what is the biggest side effect of hibernation?"

"By then, you will be completely unable to distinguish between reality and dreams."

…

The bright lights in the hall shone down.

Lin Xian's vision was a little blurred.

He stared at the smiling beauty walking slowly towards him, their eyes met, and Chu Anqing waved at him…

Revealing a sweet smile.