sbdcsierra Chapter 508 Xu’s Annual Meeting
Chapter 508 Xu’s Annual Meeting
Wen Yang's tone was relaxed, and it was clear that she had truly let go of the matter concerning her parents.
Fang Li was happy for her.
After hanging up the phone, Fang Li felt much lighter.
She got up and drew back the curtains. The sky outside seemed even darker, and the wind was whipping up fine snowflakes that pattered against the glass. It really had started snowing.
The snowflakes were small, but they fell densely, as if to envelop the entire city in a white blanket.
In all her years, this was the winter with the most snow in Haicheng.
Just then, Fang Yun's voice came from downstairs again: "Guobao, the styling team has arrived. They said they'll start preparing at 3:30. Shall we come down?"
Fang Li responded, turned around, changed into some comfortable home clothes, and went downstairs.
Three people had already arrived in the living room: one was in charge of makeup, one was comparing several dresses on the sofa, and an assistant was placing cosmetics on the coffee table.
Seeing her come down, the group quickly stood up to greet her.
"Miss Xu looks quite well."
The makeup artist smiled and said, "Let's do a simple skin care treatment first, and then we'll start the makeup."
Fang Li nodded and sat down in front of the dressing table.
My face was still a little pale in the mirror, but my eyes were much clearer.
The makeup artist's technique was very gentle; the cool foundation was spread on the face, carrying a light, pleasant fragrance.
Fang Li looked at herself in the mirror as the makeup artist methodically applied makeup beside her. As time went by, her makeup gradually became more refined.
Her originally pale cheeks were lightly blushed, giving her a healthy glow.
The snow was still falling outside the window, and the wind was whipping up snowflakes that were hitting the windowpane, but not much of it actually fell to the ground. Apart from the white snow that was blown into the corners by the wind, most of the ground was just wet and there was no snow.
The entire makeup and styling process took more than four hours and was finally completed.
Around 7 p.m., Xu Qingrang, who had finished her makeup and hair in her own yard, also came to the small building. The grandfather and grandson got into the car together and set off for the banquet.
As dusk settled.
The driveway in front of the Haihuang International Hotel has been fragmented by various car lights.
Hundreds of security personnel dressed in black suits stood in formation along both sides of the hotel entrance, their shoulders and backs straight as pines. Low commands came through their earpieces from time to time, and their sharp eyes swept over every approaching figure. Even the surrounding air was filled with a tense and solemn atmosphere.
The hotel entrance was already packed with media reporters.
Dozens of video cameras and SLR cameras, like rows of cannons, were all aimed at the red carpet at the entrance, and the sound of shutters rose and fell, forming a dense "click" sound.
The reporters, their noses red from the cold, dared not relax for a moment, exchanging glances as they breathed out white puffs of air: "We heard that Mr. Xu, who hasn't been seen in a long time, will also be here tonight, and he has something important to announce. We wonder what it will be?"
"I don't know. But even if Chairman Xu doesn't come tonight, the scene will still be big. I just saw Mayor Zhou's car pass by. With the Xu family's influence, I'm afraid half of Haicheng's big shots will be here tonight."
As time went on, the first to enter were the employees of the Xu Group. One by one, elite white-collar workers, dressed in uniform custom-made suits, chatted and laughed as they entered.
The young faces, tinged with a rare mix of restraint and excitement, quickened their pace as they walked the red carpet, seemingly afraid of being caught off guard by the cameras.
The real highlight came after the employees arrived.
When the truly important figures appeared, the atmosphere at the scene clearly changed.
First came the real estate tycoon in his black Bentley, who nodded slightly as he was escorted onto the red carpet. Next came a veteran of the financial world, leaning on a cane, followed by several suited deputies.
Even the academic luminaries who usually live a secluded life came and were personally welcomed in by Xu's senior management. They exuded a calm and composed aura as they chatted and laughed.
Luxury cars merged into the lane one after another, and the moment the car doors opened, they always triggered an even more rapid burst of camera shutter clicks.
The banquet hall on the fourth floor at that time had already become a completely different place.
A crystal chandelier hangs from the dome, refracting countless points of light and making the room shine with golden splendor.
The long dining table was laden with exquisite dishes, the champagne tower bubbled with tiny bubbles, and waiters in sharp tailcoats moved through the crowd carrying trays.
The early-arriving guests, holding wine glasses, gathered in twos and threes, chatting quietly, occasionally letting out a few restrained laughs. Amidst the elegant attire and graceful manners of high society, they exuded sophistication and refinement.
Sheng Qianrui stood by the floor-to-ceiling window with a glass of champagne in her hand. The coolness of the wine seeped through the crystal glass, which just suppressed her impatience.
Tonight she wore a burgundy fishtail dress with tiny sequins adorning the hem, which, as she moved under the lights, resembled a flowing galaxy.
The makeup was done by a professional; the eyes were slightly upturned at the corners, adding a touch of brightness, while the lips were a low-key dusty rose color, which neutralized the aggressiveness.
"We've all heard about what Miss Sheng has been up to in the capital these past six months."
A man in a white suit next to him smiled and raised his glass, "So, they couldn't make it in Beijing and are planning to come to Haicheng to expand their territory?"
Sheng Qianrui took a sip of champagne, a perfectly timed smile playing on her lips: "Young Master Zhou is joking. It's just some unfounded rumors."
She was secretly sneering.
If it weren't for her father, Sheng Jinghui, calling her repeatedly, she wouldn't have bothered getting involved in this mess.
Sheng Jinghui felt that she had made too much of a scene in Beijing, and people in the circle were clearly keeping their distance from this young lady of the Sheng family.
But things are different in Haicheng.
The Xu family's dinner party was a good opportunity to meet more people and expand her resources, so that she would have more confidence in what she wanted to do in the future.
Sheng Qianrui understood her father's meaning, of course.
It's just that the board members of Shengshi Group don't want her to return to Beijing and interfere in Shengshi's affairs. In addition, the foundation of the Sheng family is now seriously shaken, so they want her to come to Haicheng to start anew.
I heard that her father had gone through three people to get the invitation to the Xu family's dinner party, and when it was handed to her, the edges of the envelope were worn rough.
"Confidence?"
Sheng Qianrui gently stroked the rim of the cup with her fingertips, a hint of ambition flashing in her eyes.
What she wanted was not just confidence, but the strength to shut up those who were laughing at her.
Whether it's Haicheng or Beijing, as long as she can seize the opportunity, Sheng Qianrui will eventually become the enviable heiress of a prestigious family!
While dealing with the group, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a tall figure standing in the shadows in the corner of the banquet hall.
The other person was facing away from the light, with most of their face hidden in the shadows where the crystal chandelier couldn't reach, leaving only a blurry outline. Yet, as if drawn by some kind of gravity, she couldn't help but look over.
The moment their eyes met, Sheng Qianrui's heart skipped a beat.
The other person's gaze was cold, like it had been tempered with ice, fixed directly on her face with a scrutinizing sharpness.
She frowned, and just as she was about to look away, her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket.
The words "Song Yuchen" were displayed on the screen.
Her heart skipped a beat. She pressed the answer button and deliberately lowered her voice: "What is it?"
"come out."
Song Yuchen's voice came through the receiver, carrying an undeniable coldness: "Fire escape, I'll be waiting for you here."
"..."
Before Sheng Qianrui could answer, the call was disconnected.
Sheng Qianrui tightened her grip on her phone, and when she looked at that corner again, it was empty.
That figure seemed to have never appeared at all.
She took a deep breath and smiled apologetically at the people around her: "Excuse me, I need to take this call."
After saying that, Sheng Qianrui lifted her skirt and quickly walked through the crowd towards the exit of the banquet hall.