After a Flash Marriage with a Professor - Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Banquet Incident

Ming Shu felt even more uneasy after asking. She worried that Professor Shen would also think she was trying to capitalize on her name, just like Qiao Qian.

Every second of waiting for Professor Shen’s answer felt like a slow torture.

Shen Junlan pondered for a moment, then asked with a gentle smile, “Wife, are you asking me as my wife, or as an employee of GR?”

“As your wife,” Ming Shu said excitedly.

Shen Junlan’s lips curved upward. “Then I’d be happy to go.”

Hearing the affirmative answer, the tension and anxiety in Ming Shu’s heart slowly began to dissipate.

“However,” Shen Junlan looked down at her current casual attire, “to accompany my wife to a dinner banquet, I also need to change into a suitable outfit.”

“No need,” Ming Shu said happily. “I just wanted to see if Professor Shen was willing to accompany me, not that you absolutely have to.”

Shen Junlan smiled. “My spirit will be with Wife?”

“That’s what I mean.”

“Mhm.” Shen Junlan glanced at the time. “Wife, what time does your company’s banquet start?”

“7:30.”

“When does it end?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s alright. Just contact me directly when it ends, and I’ll come pick you up.”

“Okay, thank you, Professor Shen.”

“It’s not too late to thank me when we get home.”

The method of thanking at home was self-evident, and Ming Shu, blushing, changed the subject. “We’re running late. I told Ling Han we would go pick up the American representatives together.”

“No rush. There’s still an hour, Wife. Contact Ling Han to communicate with her.”

“Okay.”

Ming Shu frantically called Ling Han. Ling Han asked for the restaurant’s address, said she would come directly to pick her up, and then they would go together to pick up the American representatives.

“Professor Shen, what about you?” Ming Shu felt a bit apologetic about having to part with Professor Shen here.

“Don’t worry about me. I have somewhere to go. I’m going to check on Yu Le. I wonder how things are with her and Lin Yu lately, and if the Katherine issue has been resolved.”

“You really should find out. I’ll leave it to Professor Shen,” Ming Shu said.

“Don’t worry, Wife. Leave it to me.”

Ling Han arrived quickly. To complement her cropped short hair, Ling Han wore a well-tailored blue suit, tied with a silk scarf as a cravat, exhibiting both professional competence and casual friendliness.

After exchanging greetings, Ling Han took Ming Shu away from Professor Shen.

“Did buying the dress go smoothly?” Ling Han asked Ming Shu on the way to pick up the American representatives.

Ming Shu replied, “It was alright.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Ling Han said. She hadn’t seen Ming Shu dressed up formally before.

“Professor Shen originally planned to take me to get a hairstyle done after dinner, but we ran out of time, so we skipped it.”

“What kind of hairstyle did you want? I know a little about styling too,” Ling Han offered.

“No need for the trouble. I don’t want to be dressed too grandly. Just meeting the basic etiquette is fine.”

Ling Han tilted her head, quickly glanced at her, and then said, “You really don’t need to bother with any styling. Your hair quality is excellent, with natural waves that rival some people’s carefully styled looks.”

“You’re exaggerating, Ling Han.”

Ling Han smiled. She knew she wasn’t exaggerating at all. Ming Shu’s physical appearance was impeccable. In popular internet slang, the goddess of creation was very meticulous when sculpting Ming Shu, and just casual when sculpting everyone else.

But Ming Shu seemed burdened by such compliments, so Ling Han kept it brief and didn’t say more.

Sometimes, excessive praise could also be a form of offense.

After successfully picking up the American representatives, they hurried to the banquet venue. The venue was set in a Western-style resort area built by the company’s senior management, almost entirely designed to appeal to Western tastes. The center of the banquet was in a castle-like building.

Upon arriving, after getting out of the car, Ling Han told Ming Shu to go change into her gown and shoes first. Ming Shu greeted the American representatives and then left.

The company had anticipated that some attendees would need to change, and had prepared dedicated changing rooms. Ming Shu momentarily overlooked the awkward fact that she couldn’t put on the gown by herself. After pulling the gown over herself, she could only hold the front with her hands and open the stall door to find someone to help.

Coincidentally, there was specialized service available. A person dressed in a waiter’s uniform, standing some distance from Ming Shu, said, “Ladies, please call me if you need help with services like zipping up your dress.”

In the unfamiliar setting, Ming Shu was too nervous and constrained to recognize the voice, which was very familiar to her.

Thinking that Ling Han and the American representatives were waiting for her, Ming Shu gathered her courage, raised her hand, and called out, “Hello, I need help here.”

The waiter paused, then walked towards Ming Shu.

As the waiter approached, both saw each other’s faces clearly, and an eerie silence spread between them.

Qin Shu didn’t give Ming Shu a kind look. She walked past Ming Shu to her back, quickly helped Ming Shu zip up the zipper she couldn’t reach, and then headed back in the original direction.

“Mom,” Ming Shu called out softly.

Qin Shu turned back. “I’m not your mother anymore.” Qin Shu curled her lip in a sneer. “You are somewhat successful now. In a place like this, you’d better not call out casually. Calling a waiter ‘Mom’ will make people look down on you.”

“…Why are you here?”

“Can’t I be here?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I need to earn money. Remember what I just said. Don’t call out casually, and it’s best to pretend you don’t know me.” Qin Shu finished speaking and turned to leave.

Ming Shu didn’t linger in the changing room. After changing into the gown and shoes, she left. Before going out, she packed up the clothes and shoes she was originally wearing and checked them in. Qin Shu helped with the storage, but Qin Shu genuinely acted as if she didn’t know Ming Shu.

“All set, Madam. Just come back to retrieve them after the banquet.”

An unspeakable pain welled up in Ming Shu’s heart.

When she went outside, Ling Han asked her, “What’s wrong, Ming Shu? Did something happen inside?”

“Nothing,” Ming Shu forced a smile. Ling Han felt that Ming Shu’s expression in that instant was strikingly similar to Professor Shen’s smile. People say that couples who love each other long enough start to look more and more alike. It seemed to be true.

Ling Han sighed inwardly. She had a chance before Ming Shu and Professor Shen got together, but she didn’t seize it. Perhaps this was the legendary lack of fate.

“Ling Han?” Ming Shu called her name when she saw Ling Han lost in thought. “It’s time to enter. Where are the American representatives?”

Ling Han snapped back, concealing her disappointment. “They went to the restroom over there together, saying they didn’t want to be interrupted midway inside, which would spoil the fun.”

“Oh, okay, then we’ll wait.” Ming Shu, holding up her gown, looked around for the location of the restroom. She didn’t actually want to go, but knowing the location of the restroom made her feel safer.

Ling Han watched Ming Shu. Just as she had imagined, Ming Shu was unbelievably beautiful dressed up. She didn’t want to disturb her, wanting to quietly watch Ming Shu by her side like this forever.

Guests arriving for the banquet lit up when they saw Ming Shu. Ming Shu withdrew her gaze, stood beside Ling Han, and nervously tidied her hair.

“Are you very nervous?” Ling Han asked with a smile.

Ming Shu nodded. “It’s my first time attending a banquet. I don’t know anything. I am a little nervous.”

“It’s no big deal. It’s just slightly more upscale than a regular banquet.”

“But I haven’t even attended any regular banquets.”

Ling Han was amused by Ming Shu’s nervousness. “Then you’re quite impressive, skipping right ahead.”

Ming Shu was also amused by Ling Han’s lighthearted joke.

Ling Han slightly raised her arm, bending it to indicate that Ming Shu should link arms with her. Ming Shu didn’t understand her meaning.

Ling Han pointed to the guests passing by who had partners, and smiled. “It’s best to have a companion at this kind of banquet. You’re so beautiful, you won’t lack a companion. Someone will definitely come over to invite you, but I think you’ll feel uncomfortable being invited by a stranger.”

“Do we have to dance too?”

“There should be a dancing segment.”

“Ah…” Ming Shu felt even more anxious.

“Don’t worry. It starts with the dinner party, and there’s no need to fear the dancing. I can teach you if you don’t know how. It’s not difficult.”

“If all else fails, you can pretend to be drunk and ask Professor Shen to come pick you up early,” Ling Han’s hand dropped sadly, but she suggested with a smile.

“Is that okay?”

“It’s fine. The company leadership wants to connect with Professor Shen and would be thrilled to meet her. They won’t hold it against you, seeing as it’s for Professor Shen’s sake. They might even think you created an opportunity for them to meet Professor Shen.”

Ming Shu shook her head. She had already asked Professor Shen, and without her connection, Professor Shen was reluctant to participate in such events.

It’s better to just try hard and get through it myself.

While they were talking, the American representatives returned from the restroom. They all lit up when they saw Ming Shu, generously praising her with beautiful English words. One of them was almost about to improvise an English poem. It was Ling Han who mentioned again that Ming Shu was married, which made him stop.

Entering the banquet hall, Ming Shu was astonished by the scene inside. It was like accidentally stumbling into a setting for high society in a movie.

“Don’t be afraid, Ming Shu. Everyone inside is human, just like us.”

Ming Shu nodded, then saw Qin Shu, dressed as a waiter, carefully navigating through the lavishly dressed crowd, arranging the stacks of wine glasses and delicate pastries.

They were all human, but the difference between people was vast. Ming Shu felt a pang of heartache.

Ming Shu forced herself to look away and accompanied Ling Han to negotiate with the company’s senior management and the American representatives. It went more smoothly than expected. Both sides had pleasant talks and expressed their desire to enjoy the beautiful evening together.

Vice President Zhang, who had previously caused trouble with rumors about Ming Shu, was also there and leaned over to apologize to her. Ming Shu accepted in a state of nervousness.

There was another executive she hadn’t met. She thought the person resembled Shen Junlan’s father, Shen Muhua, in appearance—similar facial contours, but different eyes, eyebrows, and demeanor.

“This is CEO Yan,” Vice President Zhang introduced, seeing Yan Yang staring at Ming Shu with interest.

“Hello, CEO Yan,” Ming Shu bowed slightly.

“Old Yan, this is Ming Shu, our company’s excellent employee.”

“She is indeed excellent,” Yan Yang said in a suggestive tone, licking his lips. After a while, he found an opportunity to ask, “Is Ming Shu dating anyone?”

“CEO Yan, Ming Shu is already married,” Ling Han answered for Ming Shu.

“Oh…” Yan Yang showed a look of regret, but quickly changed his expression and said, “It’s fine if she’s married. She has experience.”

Ming Shu felt extremely uncomfortable listening to CEO Yan’s words and kept trying to move away. Ling Han helped create distance. The American representatives also showed a hint of impatience, steering the conversation back to work, which allowed Ming Shu to breathe a sigh of relief.

Ming Shu didn’t pay much attention to these important figures, focusing on her duties on the side. If they needed her, she would immediately assist. Ling Han was also present, often reacting faster and handling things, so Ming Shu rarely had to speak. She was distracted, searching for Qin Shu’s figure in the crowd.

In one corner, Ming Shu noticed Qin Shu looking at her, or perhaps looking at someone in her direction.

Ming Shu averted her gaze. After a moment, she looked back, and Qin Shu was gone.

Ming Shu felt a dull ache in her chest, a sense of loss.

When they were seated, Ming Shu followed, holding up her skirt. Ling Han, in her suit, was more agile, raising her hand to guide the American representatives. She seemed to neglect Ming Shu a little, and Ming Shu quietly followed behind.

Suddenly, she couldn’t move forward. Someone stepped on her dress from behind. If she took a larger step, she would lose her balance and fall backward.

Ming Shu turned her head in alarm and saw CEO Yan still stepping on her skirt. He innocently spread his hands and smiled, “Sorry.” Then, he slowly moved his foot away.

Ming Shu struggled to pull up her skirt, trying to avoid this embarrassment from happening again, but CEO Yan’s hand was faster. He bent down, picked up the hem of the skirt, gently patted it, and said, “Such a beautiful skirt shouldn’t get dirty. Ming Shu, I’ll hold it for you.”

Ming Shu retreated in fear. CEO Yan still smiled and pressed closer.

Someone accurately splashed a glass of champagne onto CEO Yan’s hand, causing him to finally let go.

Ming Shu snatched back her skirt and looked at the person who had helped her out of the predicament.

It was Qin Shu, the mother who had said she didn’t want her.

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