Their dispute attracted the attention of many people, who curiously stared at them.
In the banquet hall, Gu Jinchen was conversing with another person with a glass of champagne in his hand when Secretary Zhang suddenly came forward and whispered a few words into his ear. He immediately smiled and said “excuse me” to the other party before passing his glass of champagne to Secretary Zhang and quickly leaving the banquet hall.
On the other hand, Shen Youran and Qiu Shaoze were still pestering He Zimin to persuade him into accepting their interview at the parterre located outside of the banquet hall.
He Zimin was very persistent in his attitude, which was making it very clear that there was no room for negotiation. Yet, faced with such a situation, his expression turned very sour and he was almost on the verge of losing it.
Shen Youran opened her mouth and was just about to speak when she felt something heavy on her arm. A delicate hand held her arm and she turned around to take a look, only to realize that it was Gu Jinchen.
Gu Jinchen had a smile plastered on his face while he gave an apologetic look to He Zimin. “Mayor He, I am very sorry. Youran has created much trouble for you today and I hope you will not take it to heart. I will definitely reprimand her later.”
He Zimin’s facial expression still remained very sour as he straightened the creases on his blouse. “That better be the case.” After he said his piece, he walked away in big strides.
Shen Youran wanted to chase after him, but she was grabbed by the hand by Gu Jinchen. She tried to struggle out of his grip. However, her efforts were futile and she could only watch He Zimin leave with her eyes wide open.
She turned around and angrily glared at Gu Jinchen. “Mr. Gu, mind your own business!”
In contrast to her angry expression, Gu Jinchen wore an indifferent and calm expression on his face. “There are many reporters here. If you don’t want to hit the headlines tomorrow, please be mindful of your words and actions.”
Her lips slightly curled upwards to form a smirk, which was clearly filled with sarcasm. “If that’s the case, why are you, a married man, holding my hand?”
Gu Jinchen let go of her wrist and clenched his fists. The warmth from her hand still lingered on his fingertips while he slightly rubbed his two fingers together before saying in a speed neither too fast nor too slow, “Regardless of what important matters you have today, it’s not suitable to carry it out now.”
At the backdoor of the banquet hall, Ji Jinchuan witnessed that scene with a glass of champagne in his hand. Beside him was Xue Ling, who stuck to him like a piece of bubble gum.
Xue Ling was not aware that Shen Youran was pestering He Zimin for an interview and, upon seeing that Ji Jinchuan had taken a few glances at her, she immediately defamed her. “Ms. Shen is a member of a noble family, and yet she still dared to pester Mayor He under the public’s eyes. She is really the disgrace of her family.”
Ji Jinchuan retracted his gaze and swayed the glass of champagne while his face remained devoid of expression. It was unknown as to whether he was really listening to her or not.
Xue Ling purposely came to hit on him, and yet, upon seeing that he had no reaction, she continued, “Mayor He is already so old and he could even be her father. Does she have no shame?”
Previously, at Old Master Shen’s birthday banquet, Ji Jinchuan accepted Shen Youran’s invitation and danced his first dance with her. She seemed to be very special to him, and hence, Xue Ling simply wanted to know Ji Jinchuan’s views on Shen Youran.
Ji Jinchuan shifted his gaze to look at her and said in a peaceful and calm tone of voice, “Ms. Xue, if saying a few words to another man is considered as shameless, ever since I entered the banquet hall, you have continuously talked to me under the name of your father. May I ask what this should be considered as?”
His casual and gentle words were just like a slap across Xue Ling’s face and her face turned paler.
Of course, Ji Jinchuan was not speaking up for Shen Youran. It was just that this woman kept talking to him and made him feel very annoyed as she was too noisy.
Xue Ling was a woman born with extraordinary looks, and she got along very well with the young masters of many noble families. However, she could not help but put her guard up and feel nervous whenever she talked to that cold and indifferent Ji Jinchuan.
The man before her had a presence that was too strong for her to handle. Moreover, it was very difficult to figure him out or understand his emotions. Thus, she needed to be careful around him.