Shen Yilin immediately answered and obediently followed Qin He out.
Gu Qichen's face was grim as he stared at the retreating figures of the two.
He knew that this young male model was Qin He's assistant, but the way he looked at Qin He just now was burning and focused.
That demeanor made him inexplicably annoyed.
The sales assistant stood by Gu Qichen's side, cautiously asking, "Mr. Gu?"
...
Exiting the men's store, Qin He's face was flushed with anger.
Shen Yilin noticed she was in a bad mood and stayed by her side, "Sister, I can buy the tie myself. Perhaps we should head back first."
The mall was so large, it was inevitable they might encounter that scumbag again, which would spoil Sister's mood.
Qin He nodded and drove Shen Yilin home.
In the following days, Qin He would finish her work at Qin Corporation in the morning and then go home in the afternoon.
She was busy making arrangements for the Qin family's security.
Qin He had vetted the new security personnel from the security company and confirmed they were not suspicious before hiring them.
In the evenings, she would visit her brother. If she had free time, she would reply to messages urging her to post videos.
Amidst such a busy schedule, rumors gradually began to circulate within Qin Corporation.
"The eldest daughter is indeed the eldest daughter, she can't stand the hard work and leaves early every day."
"That's right, when Mr. Qin was around, he would always work until late at night."
"Hey, she's just filling a vacant spot, do you really expect her to manage the company?"
Amidst various rumors, the twentieth quickly arrived.
Lu Mingxi's succession as president of Lu Group was a significant event in Qingcheng.
Representatives from companies that had business dealings with the Lu family, both within Qingcheng and nationwide, would be present.
Qin He, busy at the company until noon, went home to get ready. For this formal banquet, she put on a full face of makeup and changed into a sapphire blue evening gown.
The dress was a mermaid style, with layers of delicate tulle at the hem, interspersed with various shades of blue. It flowed like rolling waves when she walked, dazzlingly beautiful.
Qin He drove to pick up Shen Yilin first, and then they headed to the Lu residence.
This banquet was held at the Lu family's manor. As it was a major event, the Lu family had also invited some media.
When Qin He's car stopped at the end of the red carpet, she saw that the carpet extended from the manor all the way outside.
Media were taking photos nearby. On the red carpet, a woman wearing a voluminous dress embroidered with a hundred flowers was smiling and answering questions.
Qin He's face turned cold, "Why is she everywhere?"
Shen Yilin glanced over, a hint of coldness flashing across his handsome face, "Sister, let's not get out of the car for a while."
The woman on the red carpet was Song Nuan.
Perhaps due to her time in the entertainment industry and attending many press conferences, Song Nuan was in full fashion show mode. She wore a demure smile and answered reporters' questions in a gentle voice.
"Miss Song, we saw on the guest list that you are accompanying Mr. Gu as his date. Why didn't you arrive with him?"
Song Nuan's face flushed slightly when Gu Qichen was mentioned, and she appeared shyly, "He had something urgent to attend to."
Song Nuan's demeanor was ambiguous, her blush a little too obvious. Reporters immediately became interested, "Miss Song, when do you and Mr. Gu plan to hold your wedding?"
"This—" she feigned difficulty.
Before she could finish her act, the reporters' gazes shifted elsewhere.
"Who is that?"
"The eldest daughter of the Qin family! You don't even know her!"
"She's so beautiful! Such presence!"
"Of course, she's the apple of the Qin family's eye. Half of Qingcheng is connected to the Qin family. This eldest daughter is not your average wealthy heiress!"
Song Nuan's perfect smile cracked. She turned her head towards the end of the red carpet.
Qin He, in her sapphire blue mermaid gown, carried herself with grace, her starlike eyes gleaming, stealing everyone's attention.
The sapphire blue mermaid skirt billowed and swayed, exuding unparalleled beauty. Her fair skin, illuminated by the camera flashes, was flawless. The dreamlike scene was perfect, like a sea siren who had suddenly descended!
Song Nuan silently gritted her teeth, hatred and apprehension washing over her like waves, making it difficult to breathe.
She had known Qin He was beautiful before and had considered herself inferior.
But, no one in the world is perfect.
After God opened the window of beauty for Qin He, He had also closed a door.
Qin He was like a doll, lacking any temper or personality.
But today.
This arch-rival was dazzlingly stealing everyone's attention!
Song Nuan clenched her fists. In her momentary distraction, Qin He, arm in arm with Shen Yilin, had already approached her.
Recalling the "battle" between Song Nuan and Qin He online earlier, reporters immediately wanted to gossip.
But unfortunately, Qin He had no intention of "showcasing" herself like Song Nuan. She moved with an imposing aura, like a gust of wind, passing by powerfully.
Song Nuan gnashed her teeth, forcing a gentle and submissive smile.
She took a small step forward, "Sister Qin—"
Qin He had already walked past her. She always treated people she found disgusting as if they didn't exist.
However, since the person had approached her, she couldn't ignore them. "Miss Song, who are you calling?"
"Sister Qin, are you still angry about what happened before?" Song Nuan stepped forward, nervously trying to explain, "Sister Qin, I also previously—"
Qin He cut her off coldly, "Miss Song, can you stop shamelessly trying to climb connections?"
The scene fell silent, only the cameras continued to record.
"Calling me sister out of unrequited affection, what is your relationship with me and our Qin family?" Qin He frowned, glancing disdainfully.
Song Nuan gritted her teeth, putting on a weak and startled appearance. She said timidly, "Qi Chen and I are dating now. Since Sister Qin is Qi Chen's ex-wife, I thought it appropriate to call you sister."
Qin He raised an eyebrow, about to retort further, when a loud female voice came from behind her.
Xu Wanwan, dressed in a fiery red gown with exquisite makeup and styled hair, raised her eyebrows, "Oh, Song Nuan, after being a mistress, you're now calling Qin He sister. Who are you trying to disgust with your pretense? Look at you putting on a wronged face, if people didn't know, they'd think you were Gu Qichen's concubine greeting the main wife."
Among the reporters, someone couldn't help but chuckle.
"Isn't that the eldest daughter of the Xu family? Her name suits her, her words are sharp!"
Song Nuan's face turned pale, looking as if she was about to collapse as she said to Xu Wanwan, "Miss Xu, I don't think I've offended you, have I?!"
Xu Wanwan tilted her chin and glanced at Song Nuan, "I've insulted you to your face, and you can still pretend? I suppose, after all, you're someone who can't make it to the big stage. You have no other virtues, except for your tolerance."
Qin He chuckled, "Wanwan, why are you here?"
"My parents are attending a conference in Haicheng, and they insisted I represent the Xu family," Xu Wanwan approached Qin He and complained softly.
"You're the only daughter of the Xu family. You'll inherit the Xu Corporation in the future. Your aunt and uncle want to give you more experience," Qin He consoled.
They spoke in low voices, chatting casually as they walked inside.
Song Nuan was left behind, wanting to vomit blood with anger. But seeing the reporters' gazes, she could only walk in with red eyes.
"It's true that she's a genuine young lady, with backing, it's different," the reporters whispered amongst themselves. "Miss Qin and Miss Xu are discussing company inheritance matters. As for Miss Song—"
"She can only talk about men," one female reporter sneered.
Song Nuan's expression darkened, and she immediately turned her head to find the speaker.
But under the camera flashes, the darkness obscured her vision.