Twenty minutes later, outside the Vienna Hotel.
As soon as Lin Xingwan stepped out of the car, she was stunned by the sight of blue.
The colorful blue transformed the entire Vienna Hotel into a dreamlike palace, with a giant wedding photo of Gu Shaoting and Lin Shirou prominently displayed.
Although the marriage of these two was the beginning of a karmic entanglement.
One had to admit, their wedding was incredibly luxurious.
The air was filled with the scent of money, and even Zhong Jingjing, who stood at the entrance of the Vienna Hotel as a greeter, had a face full of wrinkles from smiling, so much so that a mosquito flying in would be crushed.
"Congratulations, congratulations."
"Congratulations to Old Mrs. Lin on gaining a son-in-law."
"Shi Rou and Shaoting are truly a match made in heaven, a perfect couple. You are all so capable to be holding a wedding in such a grand hotel like the Vienna."
"This wedding must have cost a lot of money, right? The Lin family is truly wealthy."
Every guest entering the hotel flattered Zhong Jingjing. This time, Zhong Jingjing had learned her lesson. She explained, "It's my granddaughter Lin Xingwan who is capable. If she hadn't cooperated with the Oriental Consortium, and the Oriental Consortium had given her some face, how could we possibly hold a wedding in such a hotel? It's cold outside, hurry inside."
"Yes, my granddaughter Xingwan is truly amazing."
"Of course, she has always been so outstanding. Top Entertainment is not her destination, but her starting point."
Zhong Jingjing praised Lin Xingwan, shifting all the credit to her.
"This is the first time I've seen her keep her word," Lin Xingwan commented from where she stood. In the past, hearing praise from Zhong Jingjing was something Lin Xingwan couldn't even dare to imagine.
But now, hearing Zhong Jingjing praise her so highly, she felt nothing.
Belated affection was cheaper than grass, let alone this kind of false affection.
"People are creatures that seek advantage and avoid harm. The reason she's acting this way is simply because she thinks your career is booming and you bring her more benefits than Lin Shirou," Zhou Jinbai said with disdain. If it weren't for the more important matters he had to attend to, he wouldn't have spent hundreds of millions on this grand wedding for the Lin family for nothing.
Zhou Jinbai held Lin Xingwan's hand and walked inside. As soon as Zhong Jingjing saw them, she walked over with a smile.
"Wanwan, you're here? Why are you wearing so little? Don't catch a cold, hurry inside." Zhong Jingjing's kind gaze fell on Lin Xingwan, but her tone had a hint of forced intimacy, which made Lin Xingwan feel extremely uncomfortable.
Lin Xingwan ignored Zhong Jingjing and continued to walk forward.
Zhong Jingjing, however, followed them, chattering incessantly, "Wanwan, your relationship with the Oriental Consortium is truly excellent. I never expected them to sponsor such a luxurious wedding for us. Everyone attending the banquet today says that our Lin family's wedding is the most luxurious in the past twenty years, and perhaps no one will be able to surpass it in the next ten years."
"They also said you are too outstanding, praising you to the skies. They even asked me if you have a boyfriend and planned to introduce you to the wealthy and handsome men in Rongcheng."
As Zhong Jingjing said this, she secretly glanced at Zhou Jinbai, feeling a pang in her heart.
She really didn't know why Lin Xingwan looked so pathetic. Now that her career was on the rise, this man was not on the same level as her at all.
However, Lin Xingwan was no longer the same as before, and Zhong Jingjing dared not be as rude and bossy to her as she was in the past. In fact, from now on, the entire Lin family would have to depend on her for survival.
It wasn't that she didn't want to, but she didn't dare!
Soon, Lin Xingwan and the others entered the grand hall of the Vienna Hotel.
Countless crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, creating a romantic and hazy atmosphere with their varying lengths. Giant crystal butterflies were placed on the floor, and exquisite blue roses were placed beside each table.
The path leading to the stage was meticulously decorated with countless moon lights, and the crystal chandeliers above transformed into countless small stars. This wedding bestowed the brilliance of the universe and the galaxy upon Lin Shirou, who was surrounded by guests taking photos in the center of the stage.
She was wearing an extremely luxurious wedding dress, its layered skirt so light that it shimmered with her every movement.
Gu Shaoting, dressed in a sharp suit, stood beside Lin Shirou.
"So beautiful, this wedding dress must be worth at least a hundred million? Wasn't this the same wedding dress worn by the princess of country A when she got married last month?"
Lin Shirou gently replied to the speaker, "Yes, you have a great eye. This wedding dress was a wedding gift from my sister, and I love it very much."
Gu Shaoting also smiled and explained, "Shi Rou's sister is very capable and excellent. I also love this wedding dress she picked."
"Miss Lin, is your sister the boss lady of Top Entertainment?" a guest asked.
Lin Shirou nodded affirmatively, "Yes, it's her. My sister is incredibly capable, and she has a very good relationship with the Oriental Consortium. Originally, the Vienna Hotel was not for rent, and we couldn't possibly hold a wedding here, but because of my sister, they agreed."
Lin Xingwan listened to Lin Shirou's conversation with the guests, her brows furrowed tightly.
Based on her understanding of Lin Shirou, this woman would never praise her so much even if she lost, and would even curse her and try to smear her as much as possible.
But now, she was praising her so enthusiastically. The key was that she hadn't sent her a wedding dress, and... the wedding being held at the Vienna Hotel was just a matter of luck.
"Did Lin Shirou and Gu Shaoting take the wrong medicine? Or do they have some ulterior motive?" Lin Xingwan couldn't help but ask.
When something is out of the ordinary, there must be a reason, and Gu Shaoting and Lin Shirou seemed like they had a knife to their throats, saying words against their will.
"Can't it be because my wife has become successful, so they want to curry favor with her?" Zhou Jinbai retorted.
"I'd rather they hated me to the bone than this terrifying scene."
Just as Lin Xingwan finished speaking, Lin Shirou's gaze met hers.
Lin Shirou immediately lifted her skirt and, like a butterfly dancing among flowers, ran towards Lin Xingwan.
Gu Shaoting followed the direction Lin Shirou was running and quickly walked towards them.
"Sister, brother-in-law, you're finally here."
Lin Shirou's face was full of smiles, and Gu Shaoting also said, "Sister, brother-in-law."
Lin Xingwan: ???
Heavens!
Is this the end of the world?
"Lin Shirou, just tell me what tricks you want to play today, don't call me so disgustingly," Lin Xingwan's skin crawled, and she almost vomited her dinner from last night.
Lin Shirou was not angered by this, but instead apologized with a sincere attitude, "I'm sorry, sister. I was ignorant before and did so many wrong things. I will never do it again. If you need my help, just command me."
After speaking, Lin Shirou glanced at the man standing beside Lin Xingwan.
Even though he was only wearing ordinary men's clothing, this man was exceptionally handsome and distinguished.
Why hadn't she thought Zhou Jinbai was handsome before?
If she had known Zhou Jinbai's true identity earlier, she wouldn't have done so many foolish things to Lin Xingwan.
Lin Shirou had a fleeting thought of seducing Zhou Jinbai, but she didn't even have the courage to meet his gaze. Such a man would never be interested in her, a woman who could no longer bear children.
She was also afraid, afraid that Lin Xingwan would punish her in the future after becoming the mistress of the Oriental Consortium.
She had no other choice but to fawn over Lin Xingwan like a dog.
"Me too. If Top Entertainment has any problems in the future, I will help as soon as possible," Gu Shaoting said as if making a promise to Lin Xingwan, but his humble and fawning gaze fell on Zhou Jinbai.
The gap in status between him and this man was light-years apart. Even if he worked hard his entire life, he wouldn't be able to match a millionth of his wealth.
The most desperate thing in this world is when you don't even have the right to compare yourself to others.
The more Gu Shaoting and Lin Shirou said this, the more uneasy Lin Xingwan felt.
Zhou Jinbai's eyes were indifferent. He already knew the reason for Gu Shaoting and Lin Shirou's "abnormality."
However, he also knew that these two would never voluntarily reveal his secret.
After all, the top assassins who were tracking them were not to be trifled with.
Just then, a sharp and arrogant female voice rang out from behind.
"This wedding must cost at least four hundred million, right? Can the Lin family afford to spend four hundred million on a wedding right now? I heard you owe a lot of money. Isn't the money for this wedding also borrowed?"
The voice was so abrupt that everyone turned their attention to her.
Even as Lin Xingwan slowly turned her head, she recognized the owner of the voice in an instant.
It was none other than Cheng Yanze's mother, Hao Manqing!
"Mrs. Cheng, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. This wedding was organized by my granddaughter Wanwan, not borrowed money."
Zhong Jingjing stood beside Hao Manqing. Although the anger in her eyes was about to erupt, her face still wore a hypocritical smile.
"Why is Old Mrs. Lin being so serious? I was just joking. Who among the guests attending the banquet today doesn't know how capable your good granddaughter Lin Xingwan is? She's even established a relationship with such a large company as the Oriental Consortium. But then again, your granddaughter is so beautiful, if I were from the Oriental Consortium, I would also be smitten."
Hao Manqing didn't say a single vulgar word, yet she poured all the dirty water onto Lin Xingwan.
Zhong Jingjing gritted her teeth in anger, wishing she could tear Hao Manqing to shreds. Yet, she was a smiling tiger. Even though everyone knew that Hao Manqing was mocking Lin Xingwan for secretly selling herself to the Oriental Consortium for mutual benefit, no one pointed it out.
"Thank you for your compliment. My Wanwan is indeed beautiful, and the people from the Oriental Consortium also like her very much," Zhou Jinbai said with a cold tone, his gaze towards Hao Manqing devoid of any warmth.
The "protagonist" of this wedding banquet had finally appeared.
"Who are you?" Hao Manqing's scrutinizing gaze fell on the man beside Lin Xingwan.
"I am Lin Xingwan's husband, Zhou Jinbai."
Zhou Jinbai answered neither subserviently nor arrogantly. Hao Manqing quickly recalled all the wealthy families in Rongcheng and found no surname "Zhou."
Just then, someone whispered into Hao Manqing's ear, "This man is a poor boy with no job. He probably got together with Lin Xingwan because he coveted her money. I heard other guests say this at Old Mrs. Lin's birthday banquet last time."
Hao Manqing's smile deepened.
So, he was a gigolo.
Gu Shaoting and Lin Shirou, standing to the side, looked at Hao Manqing's arrogant demeanor and, at that moment, felt like they saw their past selves.
They didn't need to say anything, because this woman, Hao Manqing, would definitely be dealt with severely.
"Where do you work?" Hao Manqing asked.
"I don't have a job," Zhou Jinbai replied.
"In that case, Lin Xingwan has been supporting you?" Hao Manqing deliberately raised her voice. "This won't do. How can a man with all his limbs intact let a woman support him? Our Yanze's wife is very outstanding, an internationally renowned ballet dancer with an annual salary starting from tens of millions, but our Yanze doesn't dare to slack off at all. You should learn from our Yanze, don't disgrace men."
After speaking, Hao Manqing, thinking she was being helpful, reminded, "A man who is too useless is easily cuckolded. Of course, I'm not targeting you, I'm just sharing my experience as someone who has been through it."
"In that case, you should worry more about yourself. After all, your husband has been supporting you, maybe he's got a mistress on the side."
Zhou Jinbai's expression remained unchanged. Seeing Hao Manqing choked and wanting to retort, he spoke again, "I'm not targeting you either. I just think your experience as someone who has been through it was definitely gained from being cuckolded."
His words made everyone present chuckle. Hao Manqing, who was deliberately pretending to be dignified and arrogant, looked displeased.
Lin Xingwan's lips curved slightly, and she silently gave her husband a thumbs-up in her heart.
"Auntie Cheng, I saw on the news a few days ago that Uncle Cheng was arrested for soliciting prostitution, right?" Lin Xingwan asked innocently, "You can't always wear a green hat, it will only make Uncle Cheng more reckless. Instead of educating us here, you should spend more time communicating with Uncle Cheng."
"My husband is a successful person, and he is often reported falsely by unscrupulous journalists. The news you saw is fake. At that time, my husband and I were on our honeymoon abroad, inseparable every day. How could he have gone soliciting?"
Hao Manqing didn't want to continue this topic because she had come to humiliate the Lin family today, not herself.
"Oh, right. For your Lin family's wedding this time, my son has brought his fiancée," Hao Manqing mentioned Cheng Yanze and his girlfriend more than once, and then provocatively glanced at Lin Xingwan.
"Mrs. Cheng, I've seen your daughter-in-law's ballet on TV before. She dances beautifully, and she's also beautiful and dignified. Your Cheng family is truly blessed to have married such an exceptional daughter-in-law."
"Yes, I've seen it too. She was even on the Spring Festival Gala at the beginning of this year. She comes from a good family, is beautiful, and is also so outstanding. The Cheng family and the Ye family are simply a strong alliance, and becoming the number one wealthy family in Rongcheng is just around the corner."
Hao Manqing said arrogantly, "My Yanze is also very outstanding. Since childhood, many women who wanted to eat swan meat have liked him, but how can a shining moon fall because of an insignificant firefly? The one worthy of my son is not just in Rongcheng, but in the entire Huaguo, there are only a few such families."
"Hearing you say that, I'm already eager to see your daughter-in-law."
The guests chatted, their interest piqued by Hao Manqing's daughter-in-law.
"Isn't she right over there!" Hao Manqing pointed in a direction, and everyone present looked over.