Chapter 132: Afraid of Being Coveted by Others
Dinner was arranged at the Saigon Pier, attended by friends who all had business dealings with Lin Shuo. Each brought along a beautiful companion. Xiao Xiao paused at the entrance, turning her head to whisper a complaint to Lin Shuo, “Why didn’t you say it was this kind of occasion? At least let me change my clothes before coming. This feels so rude.”
Lin Shuo gently wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. His lips hovered just above her forehead as he smiled warmly and said, “What does it matter? It’s not that kind of event anyway.”
“Oh, everyone knows Boss Lin is quite the expert in matters of romance. No need to show off so publicly—look how envious the guys are, tsk tsk tsk...”
Lin Shuo ignored the teasing and, with great courtesy, pulled out a chair for Xiao Xiao. She sat down confidently, drawing admiring glances from the women around.
“Has Boss Lin developed a new taste recently?” The man who had just spoken glanced at Xiao Xiao, assuming familiarity as he struck up a conversation with Lin Shuo.
“Let me properly introduce my girlfriend, Ni Xiao Xiao,” Lin Shuo said casually, resting his right hand on the back of her chair. Xiao Xiao froze for a moment, then suddenly looked up at him. As he introduced the people sitting at their table, her mind went blank. She had never imagined Lin Shuo would put her on display like this, and use the title “girlfriend” no less. Usually, when bosses brought companions, introductions were skipped—after all, the next time it would be someone else.
“This is Mr. Li Qinghai, CEO of Shundu. Xiao Xiao, you should have heard of him,” Lin Shuo indicated the man who had joked with him earlier. To her shock, this was the very person at the helm of Shundu.
“I’ve heard so much about you; it’s an honor to meet you today, Mr. Li,” Xiao Xiao greeted with a smile. But beneath it, she felt wary—Li Qinghai was no ordinary man, and forgetting that was impossible.
Li Qinghai, clearly an old hand at this, laughed and steered the conversation back to Lin Shuo. “No wonder we haven’t seen much of Boss Lin lately. So you’ve hidden a beauty in your golden chamber, huh?”
The whole table chuckled along, and Lin Shuo played along with a teasing tone. “Mr. Li, that phrase isn’t quite right. She’s someone I’m seriously dating—the one I intend to marry.”
The weight of the evening’s revelations overwhelmed Xiao Xiao. She’d never heard Lin Shuo mention marriage before, and the very thought was staggering.
Sensing the mood shift, no one pressed further. The talk turned to the horse racing club, golf club, and racing club—topics the men reveled in discussing. Throughout the gathering, Xiao Xiao could only smile politely. Their conversations felt like they belonged to another world, one she didn’t understand, and her mood sank deeply.
Of course, some less tactful guests tried to discuss recent lucrative projects with Lin Shuo, hoping to glean information. He dismissed them all with a smile: “No business talk at the dinner table.”
The women then lightened the mood by steering the conversation toward fashion and dressing, bringing a more relaxed atmosphere.
“Miss Ni, which brand of jewelry do you prefer?” Li Qinghai’s female companion warmly tried to make small talk with Xiao Xiao. But Xiao Xiao pursed her lips, unsure how to respond. She had never had a keen eye for jewelry. The clothes and accessories Lin Shuo had given her were untouched, even unopened, and her simple, natural appearance spoke for itself.
Lin Shuo waved his hand and looked tenderly at Xiao Xiao. “She doesn’t care for those things. Besides, I like her just the way she is. If she dresses too well, I’d be afraid others would take notice.” He deliberately emphasized the words “take notice,” a hint of possessiveness flashing across his gaze. Xiao Xiao’s hand holding her chopsticks trembled slightly.