You, CEO’s Secret Wife

As they walked towards the ballroom, Jian Yun couldn't help but admire the brightly lit villa. Everywhere she looked she saw chandeliers falling from the high ceilings, glittering bright gold as they shone across the embellished floorings. The engraved walls and expensive paintings were placed in distinctive places, enough to draw a certain aesthetic that guests young and old could admire. As she glanced at the side, she could see that everyone was extremely well-dressed, suited for the glamour of the event.     

    

It was a good thing she hadn't worn the dress she had back at home. No wonder Huo Liancheng was so cautious about the way she looked. With his identity, if his date had dressed poorly for the night, it would've been embarrassing for him.     

    

As soon as they appeared, everyone paused and turned. The loud chatter that filled the hallway had gone silent as every single one of the guests gaped at the pair. The man was tall and handsome, while the woman was soft and alluring. From afar, they were like a match made from heaven.     

    

"President Huo, we meet at last!" A chunky man in his fifties approached him with his date wrapped around his arms. "I've heard so much about you."     

    

"Director Mo, so this is the famous President Huo! He's even more handsome than he was on TV!" The woman beside him looked to be in her early twenties. Although she was beautiful, it was her glistening jewelry that stole the limelight. Embellished in emeralds and diamonds, she looked like she had all the jewelry in the world wrapped around her wrists and neck–overwhelming her subtle beauty.     

    

"President Huo, I've seen your exclusive interview in Finance and Economics, and it's really interesting. I admire your research on the subject." There was something about the woman's honey-sweet voice that didn't sit well with Jian Yun.     

    

However, no matter how much flattery they threw at him, Jian Yun realized that Huo Liancheng couldn't even be bothered to smile. Instead, he just nodded in greeting, like an emperor acknowledging his subjects.     

    

Yet, Director Mo didn't seem to care. He followed behind Huo Liancheng silently, not really knowing what else to say. Seeing as he didn't get a response from the man himself, he turned his gaze towards Jian Yun, only to blink in surprise. "Is this your date, President Huo? She's so beautiful!"     

    

While Liancheng was indifferent and detached, Jian Yun was the complete opposite. Being heavily praised in front of so many people, she couldn't help but blush and turn away, not knowing how to act.     

    

Hearing the man's praise, the woman turned her attention to Jian Yun before her gaze fell on the glittering necklace resting on her chest. Immediately, she gasped and cried out, "Isn't that the Lover's Heart?" Her eyes were filled with surprise and envy for the woman wearing them.     

    

Lover's Heart? When Jian Yun heard the name, she lowered her head to look at the vibrant necklace. The diamond glinted under the lights, glowing in bright pink. The name was rather fitting, yet as she turned away and gazed up at President Huo, an unfamiliar feeling settled in her stomach.     

    

In the next few seconds, there were so many people who came up to greet them. As the crowd around them grew larger and larger, Director Mo was soon pushed to the side. No one paid any heed to him, given that his position wasn't that high enough amongst the crowd.     

    

As Jian Yun glanced around, she had recognized their faces from all the financial magazines. The others were even old-time tycoons who had been on plenty of news programs. She stood agape as these influential men all bowed and greeted Liancheng as if he was their god.     

    

Was he really that famous?     

    

Not knowing much about finances, she found herself a little bit bored by their conversation. Removing her arm from his, she glanced around the room, wanting to look for a space with fewer people.     

    

However, just as she had pulled out her arm it was grabbed right back. This time, he held her hand tightly, refusing to let go. This was the first time he had ever held her before, and she could feel the warmth radiating from his palm. Her thumb grazed across his knuckles.     

    

"President Huo." Her face burned a little, trying to pull away a few times, but it seemed that her resistance had only encouraged him. He immediately intertwined his fingers with hers, turning away from the crowd.     

    

Jian Yun couldn't just fling her hand away and cause a scene. Not only would this embarrass her, but this could make him lose face–which would be even more drastic for her career. No matter how the outcome would go, it wouldn't look good for any of them. And even if she did use her full strength, her chances of escaping were still slim.     

    

With no other choice, she maintained the intimate gesture by interlocking her fingers with him. The pair stood side by side as they faced the incoming ground, making for a beautiful sight.    

    

In the eyes of outsiders, the handholding held a far deeper meaning. There was a certain way they held themselves that others couldn't help but swoon at the sight of the young couple. It was truly a sweet gesture!     

    

"The woman beside President Huo is gorgeous! Why haven't I seen her before?" Sooner or later, the crowd started asking about their relationship, trying to dig out any details that the other guests may have about them.     

    

"Isn't that pink diamond the Lover's Heart?" One of the women brought up, gasping in surprise. They all shared a look. "I remembered that the necklace had been sold to a mysterious buyer back at the Sotheby's auction a year ago! It seems that we know who the buyer is now."     

    

At this point, everyone had already assumed what type of relationship they had. After all, the Lover's Heart was already self-explanatory .    

    

"Cheers President Huo!" A few men came forward, one of them clasping him on the shoulder. They laughed, nodding appreciatively at the woman standing beside him. "Who knew that you have amazing taste in women? Your girlfriend's beautiful!"     

    

Jian Yun frowned upon hearing this. She thought that Huo Liancheng would deny her being his girlfriend, but he simply smiled in appreciation. The act left her baffled. Why wasn't he correcting them?     

    

Just as she was about to say something to interrupt them, the crowd around them had dispersed. "Mr. Bai is here!"     

    

Jian Yun followed all their awed stares and saw an old man holding a walking stick. Beside him was a young woman who assisted him down the steps. Even if she didn't care much about the business sector, she could tell with a glance that Mr. Bai was a world-renowned businessman. He was the wealthiest man across Eastern China and has been known to be a famous philanthropist. His company, Bai Lichuan, was one of the top companies in the country.    

    

Immediately, Huo Liancheng straightened his back and pulled her towards the center. "Let's go greet them."     

    

"Grandpa Bai!" Gone was his cold and aloof demeanor, and instead, it was replaced with warmth and respect. The way he had addressed him in comparison to the other men who had greeted him showed that the two were close friends.    

    

"Huo Liancheng, you've been at Qing Hu for a few days, and you still haven't come to greet me!" Bai Lichuan shook his head playfully, reaching out to pat him on the shoulder. "You don't even know how many times Xue asked me to call you every single day just to get you to visit."     

    

"Grandpa, stop talking nonsense!" The young girl assisting him earlier was none other than his granddaughter, Bai Xue. She waved her hand coquettishly, fluttering her eyelashes. However, when she saw their interlocked hands, a small crease appeared on her forehead.     

    

"How is your grandfather recently?"     

    

"He's doing quite fine." The two men exchanged a few pleasantries, but even then, Bai Xue couldn't be sated. She stared at the quiet young woman standing right beside him and raised her eyebrows. "Big Brother Liancheng, who's this?"     

    

It was only through her granddaughter's question did the old man also notice Jian Yun. His gaze fell on their entwined fingers, and his eyes lit up. The young girl was beautiful! How could he not have noticed her until now? Bai Lichuan pushed his lips, appearing disgruntled.     

    

It seemed that the girl knew how to blend in the crowd.     

    

"It's lovely to meet you, Mr. Bai," Jian Yun greeted respectfully. "I came with President Huo."     

    

"Are you his girlfriend then?" Bai Xue glanced at her questioningly. Trying to mask the bitterness in her heart, she giggled and winked. "He never holds hands with any girl I've seen before, so I'm guessing you're his girlfriend!"     

    

"Miss Bai, you guessed wrong!" Jian Yun smiled, but as soon as the words slipped past her lips, she could feel him tightening his hold.     

    

"Ow!" She jolted up in surprise, crying out in pain. "It hurts!"     

    

Although Huo Liancheng didn't say anything in reply, he loosened his grip. Even then, he still didn't let her go. The action wasn't left unnoticed by Bai Lichuan.     

    

"You should just admit it, Sister Jian. Otherwise, Brother Liancheng might throw a fit!" Bai Xue looked back and forth between the couple before her gaze fell on the Lover's Heart. Immediately, her eyes flashed in disbelief. Could it be?     

    

"Oh, I'm really not?" From the moment she had arrived, Jian Yun could already see the hostility wafting from the two of them. She stared at the old man, noticing the way he had tightened his hold around his walking stick. If she had guessed right, then Bai Xue must be interested in Liancheng, and Bai Lichuan was trying to set them up.    

    

Even if she was his girlfriend, she definitely wasn't admitting it to them or else they'd tear her alive!