You, CEO’s Secret Wife

Out of the corner of her eyes, Jian Yun could see Bai Xue's clenched fists and Bai Lichuan's furrowed eyebrows. Although she wasn't that experienced with the finer things in life, she knew for a fact that since the old man was the host of today's banquet, they'd lose face if their most important guest wouldn't invite them to dance.     

    

All eyes were on her, waiting for her answer with bated breath. It had been six years since the last time she had been the center of everyone's attention. Back then, she had people at her beck and call, people who showered her with gifts and praises. Yet, reality had slammed her right on the face. Now, she blended with the crowd, a wallflower amongst her co-workers, and that was fine. Making her mother happy was the driving force behind her life, and that had kept her going.     

    

But ever since she met him, he had pulled her out of the shadows, making her the center of attention. Finally, all eyes were on her, and the silent wallflower was suddenly ripped from the walls and pushed under the spotlight. The uneasiness crept up to her neck, and her breath hitched.     

    

Jian Yun stepped back and forced a smile on her lips. "I'm a bit slow, President Huo. It won't be good if I step on you throughout the dance."     

    

Immediately after her words, Huo Liancheng's face darkened and the atmosphere around him turned as cold as ice. She suddenly took interest in the intricate floorings, no longer looking up at him. Despite this, her fingers twisted around the fabric of her dress, and she resisted the urge to sigh.     

    

When the surrounding people had heard of this, they all shared glances. It was hard to tell whether they were relieved or disappointed that there wasn't any dramafest for them to enjoy. Yet, as they spotted Bai Lichuan's loosening hold around his walking stick, it was probably the better option.     

    

For Bai Xue, this was undoubtedly good news. Since Jian Yun didn't know how to dance, then she'd be Huo Liancheng's partner for the opening dance.     

    

As the strums of the classical violin bounced across the halls, Liancheng didn't insist any further and walked away.     

    

In the end, he had invited Bai Xue to the dance. Soon enough, the drama had disappeared in all the guests' minds as they stood in awe of the twirling pair in the center of the ballroom. Jian Yun used this time to drift farther from the dancefloor and nearer to the dancefloor. She took a sip from her fruit wine, observing the dimming lights.     

    

"Sister Jian, do you know that you're the first one who has ever dared to refuse Mr. Huo?" Not joining in the dance, Cheng Muze stood beside her. There was awe revealed in his voice as he gazed at her.     

    

"It's not that I refused." She scoffed. "It's just that I didn't know how to dance!"     

    

"Sister Jian, I couldn't help but be a little curious." Glancing meaningfully at the Lover's Heart, he pursed his lips. "Watching Mr. Huo dancing with all these women, wouldn't you be jealous? Not even a little bit?"     

    

She burst into laughter, almost choking in her wine. Her bright eyes glittered under the artificial lights, yet there was a certain flash of emotion within its depths–one that she wasn't aware of. "Why would I? Are you really talking about me liking Mr. Huo–practically the richest man alive? I don't dream that high!"     

    

"Then what do you dream?"     

    

"To work hard and study harder of course!" Jian Yun winked playfully. At the sight of his furrowed eyebrows, she bumped shoulders with him and laughed. The stiffness she had from her earlier refusal had loosened, and as she observed the crowd around her, she noticed that many of the lights had grown blurry. She pursed her lips and took a sip.     

    

"Don't you dream high?" He teased. However, as he stared at the Lover's Heart wrapped around her neck, he knew for a fact that his friend was serious this time around.     

    

Yet even then, Cheng Muze couldn't help but be a little bit confused. Sister Jian, although nice and friendly, seemed to have a lot of things in her mind–a lot of secrets hidden within her pretty smile. To be able to keep rejecting Huo Liancheng, it didn't seem as if she was playing hard-to-get anymore, but because she really wasn't interested in him.     

    

Maybe he should talk to Wu Wenjing to find out more.     

    

He resisted the urge to sigh. As the special assistant of the CEO, it seemed that he didn't just have to help Huo Liancheng manage the corporate affairs, but also his love life. Cheng Muze stroke his chin as if deep in thought. Why didn't she like him?     

    

However, as he stared at Huo Liancheng, he grew even more intrigued. They had known each other for years, and even Cheng Muze had admitted that he understood the man on a certain level, but he couldn't understand why such a detached and aloof man would give away such an expensive necklace to a girl he just met! The progress was far too fast.     

    

Although Jian Yun was pretty, her beauty was subtle and sweet–one that wouldn't be able to topple empires even if she tried. So why was Huo Liancheng so insistent?     

    

At the same time, the two people dancing in the center of the ballroom also had a conversation of their own. To be more specific, it was Bai Xue who was doing most of the talking.     

    

"Brother Liancheng, why is Sister Jian insisting that she isn't your girlfriend?" Carefully wording herself, Bai Xue raised her head and gazed into his well-structured face. There was a glaze of infatuation in her eyes, one that didn't go unnoticed by anyone in the room.     

    

He remained expressionless as if he didn't hear her words.     

    

Gazing at his indifferent expression, she felt a sense of loss in her heart. Bai Xue looked at the way his large hands were squeezing her wrists, assisting her across the dancefloor.     

    

She had tried to hold his hand, to get close to him, yet she couldn't. Every time she stepped forward, he backed away. Every time she twirled, he'd pull her right back. Every time she tried to touch his fingertips, he'd retract his hand. It was as if the entire dance was orchestrated to keep his distance.     

    

Bai Xue couldn't help but be bitter. What was so wrong with her that he wouldn't even bother looking her way? In terms of her family, although the Bai Family couldn't hold a candle next to the Huo Family, it was still one of the largest all across of China. In terms of beauty, she was sure that she wasn't lacking with all her admirers lining up on her doorstep.     

    

Yet, why wasn't he interested in her?     

    

"Brother Liancheng, you like Sister Jian, right? The lover's heart–you gave it to her to represent your love for her?" Bai Xue originally wanted to ask what he had seen in Jian Yun that was worth his liking, but she knew that her directness would scare him off. This was why she had rephrased her question.     

    

"Yes," he replied plainly.     

    

She blinked, not expecting him to reply. She could count all the words that he had said to her for the past twelve years. Huo Liancheng, although direct, didn't like any small talk. In fact, no matter how much she had tried to make him talk to her, he'd always find a way to redirect the attention or stray away from her.     

    

Although Bai Xue had gotten her answer, she didn't feel so good about it.     

    

Unknowingly, the first dance had already ended. Huo Liancheng had finally released her and retreated into the crowd.     

    

As Bai Xue stared at his retreating back, her heart stirred in her chest. She knew for a fact that after tonight, she'd lose him forever. Her hands clenched tightly. Although she had never really captured his attention back then, at least she could dream, right?     

    

Yet, now, it seemed that reality was slowly catching up to her.     

    

Huo Liancheng originally wanted to go find Jian Yun, but just as he had left the dance floor, he was caught up by a few businessmen. It had been twenty minutes till he was allowed to leave.     

    

When he looked around, he saw that Jian Yun and Cheng Muze were sitting together at the far end of the room. As he neared them, he even heard them whispering and laughing into each other's ear like a pair of schoolchildren. He frowned.     

    

"Fourth Bro is here!" Cheng Muze raised his head with a smile. "Why isn't Bai Xue with you?"     

    

Huo Liancheng ignored him, and his gaze fell on the woman sitting beside him. Jian Yun must've noticed his gaze on her because she slowly raised her head. When she saw the person standing in front of her was none other than President Huo, a sweet and innocent smile bloomed on her lips.     

    

Her cheeks were flushed red as if she had bathed in peach blossoms. Her dark eyes were like a pair of obsidians glittering under the dim lights. Sweat beaded across her neck, highlighting the glossiness of her skin.     

    

Even he was stunned for a moment.     

    

"Why don't you have a seat, President Huo?" She patted the space right next to her.     

    

He couldn't help but sit down. Jian Yun passed a glass of wine to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Giggling, she leaned against him. "President Huo!" She slurred. "The wine tastes really good. If you really like me, then you should drink it in one gulp! Come, I'll join you!"     

    

It was then when he realized that something was off with her. Taking a sniff of the red wine, his eye twitched violently. It was spiked! At the sight of his friend's confused face, Cheng Muze burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. "How many glasses did you give her?" Huo Liancheng asked coldly, obviously not amused by his methods.     

    

"Not much, just four or five cups!" Cheng Muze grinned.