"What method?" For some reason, Lin Xingwan always felt a strange sense of trust in this man.
"Tomorrow, I'll go with you as your boyfriend," Zhou Jinbai said very seriously. Lin Xingwan couldn't help but let out a snicker.
"Zhou Jinbai, I don't think this joke is funny at all. Do you know what kind of people usually hold wedding banquets at Banxia Hotel?" Lin Xingwan wasn't someone who looked down on the poor or fawned over the rich, nor did she disdain Zhou Jinbai's ordinary identity. She just felt that for this man to attend Liu Xinxin and Sheng Yuanbai's wedding as her boyfriend would be like being cannon fodder.
"I've never heard of 'Banxia' Hotel, nor do I know who the people holding wedding banquets there are. Are they very impressive?"
Lin Xingwan felt that it was preposterous for someone from Rongcheng not to have heard of Banxia Hotel.
In principle, she didn't want to explain, but it was hard to say no to Zhou Jinbai's sincere gaze.
"Banxia Hotel is a popular, trendy hotel that has developed rapidly in Rongcheng over the past five years. Many celebrities have stayed there. The minimum charge for a wedding banquet here is one million yuan."
"One million yuan per banquet?" Zhou Jinbai frowned. He recalled some of his business partners whose wedding banquets cost hundreds of millions.
So... was one million yuan a lot?
"Yes, one million yuan per banquet, and that doesn't include the food and drinks at the banquet, nor Liu Xinxin's wedding dress, diamond ring, and so on... I estimate that this wedding will cost around ten million yuan."
After Lin Xingwan finished speaking, she saw Zhou Jinbai looking thoughtful. She then said, "So, it's better if I go alone tomorrow."
This man had just confessed his feelings to her not long ago. Lin Xingwan understood his eagerness to prove himself, but she also understood even better that Zhou Jinbai lacked the capital to contend with the Sheng family.
Why should she let him be humiliated along with her?
"If that's the case, you should definitely bring me along." Zhou Jinbai's expression seemed even more resolute than before.
Lin Xingwan: ???
Was her way of expressing herself wrong? Why did it feel like this man was becoming more determined the more he faced resistance?
"You are the woman I intend to marry, and I cannot abandon you when I know you will be bullied. Moreover, Lin Xingwan, I, Zhou Jinbai, promise you this: if you suffer even the slightest bit of grievance at the banquet tomorrow, I will never appear before you again. Is that enough?" Seeing the doubt in her eyes, Zhou Jinbai suddenly felt a strong urge to impress her.
He seemed to understand why male animals in the wild would put on such a show during courtship.
Lin Xingwan's lips twitched. "Mr. Zhou, are you always this stubborn?"
"No, it's because it's you that I'm like this."
"Anyone can say pretty words."
"Then let's wait and see." Zhou Jinbai wasn't annoyed. "If I do as I say, you have to grant me one request."
"Alright."
...
The next day, Lin Xingwan woke up early.
Without work, time seemed to pass so slowly.
After breakfast, Lin Xingwan lay on the sofa playing with her phone, browsing trending news.
The scandal involving Gu Shaoting and Lin Shirou, due to Lin Xingwan's clarification, had taken a turn, portraying them as deeply in love and devoted to each other.
She didn't know how much money Gu Shaoting had spent to have the media write such articles. All the reports online were about how difficult their journey had been, how their love was stronger than gold, and how they were a perfect match.
Lin Xingwan sneered. She wanted to see how long this scumbag and slut could keep up their act!
Another piece of news caught Lin Xingwan's attention.
#Young Chairman of Dongfang Conglomerate to Succeed as Global CEO; Handover Ceremony to be Held at Vienna Hotel on the Fifteenth of this Month#
This news was followed by a 'Breaking' tag, and countless netizens commented below:
[Am I reading this right? The Young Chairman is 28? Becoming the Global CEO of Dongfang Conglomerate at such a young age? This incredible life, did he save the galaxy in his previous life?]
[I'm tired of saying the word 'envious.' This is true wealth.]
[There are so many rich people in the world, would it kill them to have one more?]
[Is this the kind of super-rich family from novels, with wealth enough to rival a nation? How am I so fortunate to be living on the same planet as the heir of an imperial group!]
...
Lin Xingwan scrolled through the netizens' comments, unable to help but sigh inwardly.
Dongfang Conglomerate, under the Dongfang family, with the Dongfang family as its powerful backing, currently had an estimated valuation of five hundred billion.
To collaborate with Dongfang Conglomerate was the dream of countless bosses.
When Lin Xingwan lived with the Lin family, she often heard Zhong Jingjing lamenting that collaborating with Dongfang Conglomerate was her lifelong dream.
However, Lin Xingwan found Zhong Jingjing's thoughts to be too unrealistic.
How could a company worth five hundred billion even notice their small company, worth tens of millions?
As for the Dongfang family, they were even more god-like.
The wealth of the Dongfang family was immeasurable. It was said that seven genius accountants had died trying to assess their assets. Rumor had it that the Dongfang family's servants used LV bags to shop for groceries and their dogs ate from antique bowls. Things that the wealthy considered extravagant, they simply stored in warehouses.
The Dongfang Conglomerate, considered a powerhouse by the world, was merely a small company within their family. They had countless such companies worldwide...
So powerful, so terrifying!
Lin Xingwan's gaze fell upon a picture accompanying the news report. A group of bodyguards followed a man in a suit, the scene solemn and grand, exuding an aura of immense wealth.
But why did the back view seem familiar?
It was like... Zhou Jinbai!
However, the moment this thought crossed Lin Xingwan's mind, she immediately dismissed it.
Whether it was Dongfang Conglomerate or the Dongfang family, their surname was 'Dongfang.' Zhou Jinbai's surname was Zhou, and he drove a Volkswagen. He was miles away from being an heir of a super-rich family!
Was she going crazy? Why did everyone resemble this man?
But why hadn't Zhou Jinbai arrived yet?
Had this man finally gotten cold feet?
Lin Xingwan felt her mood suddenly become a little empty.
Lin Xingwan patted her face and muttered to herself, "Lin Xingwan, how many days have you known him? How could you believe his nonsense? You deserve to be deceived by Gu Shaoting!"
All men in the world were unfeeling pigs!
Just as Lin Xingwan's mood was low, a knock sounded at the door.
As if to verify something, Lin Xingwan immediately ran to the door.