CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: BANQUET I

"Mr. Huo, I have no idea why you are telling me this. But if I were in his position, I’d do the same as well. What’s so wrong in taking care of one’s enemies?"

Yue Ning said faintly, subconsciously standing up for Huo Feng.

Huo Feng’s heart warmed at her words. He didn’t expect that someone he knew in just a few weeks would stand up for him the way she did.

Huo Mingjie, on the other hand, was stunned by her words. Needless to say, he couldn’t fathom why she stood up for him.

He was unwilling to give up. "Sister-in-law, were you threatened by my cousin? If you were, you don’t need to worry. I’ll personally take care of this matter."

Yue Ning was speechless. It seems she had underestimated this man’s shamelessness and thick skin. This fella didn’t know when to stop.

"Mr. Huo, do I look like someone that can be threatened? You are not the one staying with my husband, so I think I should have a clear understanding of his character."

Yue Ning shed her earlier softness as she spoke coldly. She would never allow anyone to slander Huo Feng.

"If you have nothing else to say, I’ll be hanging up. Have a good day, Cousin."

She decisively disconnected the call. Her eyes flickered over to Huo Feng who had his gaze locked on her throughout the entire call .

Touching her nose, she asked. "Don’t you have anything to ask me?"

Huo Feng shook his head. "As long as you trust me, I have no issues."

Yue Ning stared at him hardly. "Are you sure about it?" She probed, and he nodded in return.

"Actually, Huo Mingjie asked me to team up with him. I didn’t give him an immediate reply, and I forgot about this matter since it wasn’t important. This was the reason for today’s call."

Yue Ning took the initiative to explain things to him. She didn’t want him to have any iota of doubt against her.

Huo Feng’s heart warmed at her words. Although he wasn’t bothered by the call, he was glad that she took the initiative to explain to him.

"Let’s forget about him. There is a banquet holding at the Lu’s, and I was invited. Would you like to accompany me?"

He asked her while fiddling with his fingers in fear that she would reject him.

Yue Ning thought for a while. It would be good if she wnet with him. It would also mean that Huo Feng accepted her.

No matter how she thought about it, she would still stand to gain. After deliberating for a few seconds, she agreed.

Huo Feng was overjoyed. Due to this reason, they knocked off work earlier while he brought her to a salon for a makeover.

When they arrived, the workers were speechless by her appearance.

"Young Master Huo, who’s this?" The manager carefully asked, afraid that he might accidentally offend the duo.

Huo Feng replied indifferently, "My wife, give her the proper treatment."

"Oh! So it is Young Madam. This way please." The manager respectfully led her away while Huo Feng took his seat.

Yue Ning walked absent-mindedly as she followed the manager with two other ladies.

She thought about the way Huo Feng introduced her. This was not the first time he was doing so. She didn’t know what to think about it.

’The Host shouldn’t dwell on such matters for long.’ The system suddenly spoke up, jolting Yue Ning out of her thoughts.

"What do you mean by that?" Yue Ning questioned.

By this time, they had already reached the fitting room.

’You don’t have to think too much about the meaning of my words.’ The system was unwilling to give her an answer, and shut down without hesitation.

Yue Ning sneered, but she couldn’t be bothered with it. She just recalled that the system still had its sassy attitude.

The clicking of the tongue brought her back to reality, and she realized that the manager was observing her figure.

Thankfully, it was a female manager. Otherwise, she would feel uncomfortable under a male’s scrutiny.

"Not bad." Manager Wu whispered while she circled Yue Ning. "You Madam Huo’s shape is perfect. I have the perfect dress for her."

Yue Ning watched as she walked out. It didn’t take long for her to return, and she didn’t return empty-handed.

She was holding a black gown. The gown was black silk, its sheen quiet under the light. A single jade clasp at the high collar and the faintest hint of gold along the hem gave it an elegance both restrained and unforgettable.

Yue Ning looked at the gown with interest as Manager Wu introduced it.

"This was designed by the famous, yet elusive designer, Cora. Not many can wear her work."

Blinking her eyes, Yue Ning asked. "Then why did you decide to give me this gown?" She was genuinely curious.

Manager Wu said without blinking. "Because I feel the aura of Young Madam Huo matches that of the gown. Many have tried this gown, but couldn’t successfully pull off the elegant, yet mysterious look."

She paused for a while and stared at Yue Ning whose attention was solely on her. "But I believe that you will be able to bring out this dress’s mystery and elegance." She had a confident smile on her face.

Yue Ning pursed her lips. Since she was sure, she might as well wear the gown. If it looked tacky on her, she would just change clothes.

"Okay. Where do I change?"

Manager Wu pointed to a door. Of course, Yue Ning couldn’t do it alone, so the two ladies who were present helped her put on the dress.

After a few minutes, Yue Ning stepped out of the room with the faintest smile. She liked the dress. The material wasn’t bad, and it made her feel comfortable.

Meanwhile, Manager Wu’s eyes shone when she saw Yue Ning.

"I just knew it! I knew this dress would fit you. It was as if it was tailor-made just for you."

She exclaimed, not forgetting to praise Yue Ning. Even if Yue Ning didn’t put on makeup, she would still be the star of the show. At least, that was what Manager Wu thought.

"Is it good?" Yue Ning asked, glancing at the dress.

"It isn’t just good...it is perfect! Just for you. I’m so glad we could find someone who could pull this dress off."

There was a relieved sigh at the end of her words.

Yue Ning’s lips curved faintly. She, too, liked the way the gown settled against her frame. But just as she was about to leave the fitting room, a familiar voice echoed in her mind—cold, mechanical, and utterly jarring.

’Host, be careful tonight. This gown will bring you more attention than you can handle.’

Her smile faltered.

"What do you mean by that?" Yue Ning whispered back in her mind, but the system had already shut down, vanishing as abruptly as it appeared.

Yue Ning’s fingers brushed against the smooth silk at her waist. For the first time, the gown didn’t feel like a blessing—it felt like a warning.