Inevitably Trapped With The Amorous Husband

It has been two days since that bizarre incident. Although nothing happened to her, she felt that she needs to dwell on this matter. An ex-lover of her husband declared that she will steal her husband from her. Shouldn't she be worried about it?

Xiulan doesn't have any update regarding Zhao Lingyu. All she knows that Hongqi is nonchalant about the woman's arrest.

"Don't think about her."

"Don't worry, she will leave the country soon."

"I already warned her father."

That's what her husband keeps telling her. How can she not think about that woman? Not get worried? Warned the father? That crazy bitch obviously won't leave this country without fulfilling her mission.

Since she's a professional hacker, she tried looking for some info regarding that woman's whereabouts. To her dismay, she didn't get any useful information. She can only speculate that she's in a house-arrest inside the Zhao mansion.

Secretary Dandan woke her up from her reverie and announced, "Boss, your husband sent four dresses and few pieces of jewelry. He said to pick one for tonight's after-party of SHADOW's success." 

Xiulan looks at the four garment bags in Dandan's hand and the jewelry boxes in the assistant's hands.

"Ugh. I forgot about that party." Xiulan grunted and massages her temples. She really looks like she's annoyed to death.

She honestly doesn't want to attend the party. She's not even a fan of that new boy group. She understands her husband's intentions that she should meet a few business friends of his but she's too lazy to mingle. But due to her husband's goodwill, she forced herself to agree.

The woman, a few days ago who agreed to attend the ball, is different from the woman who has a lot of thinking and conspiracy theories right now. She just wants to stay inside this office and gather information.

"Pick it for me. I want a dress wherein I won't get cold." Xiulan said as she waits for the garment bags to be opened.

"Boss, just bring a coat." Dandan casually advised. 

"Pick a good coat for me. My mind is not in the mood to think about fashion right now." Xiulan ordered.

"Do you need a make-up artist? I heard there are high-profile celebrities who will attend the party tonight. You need to be the prettiest tonight, boss!"

"Celebrities? I thought this party is for SHADOW's investors, few lucky fans, and business partners?" Xiulan curiously asked. Shadow is a new boy group, why would a high-profile celebrity need to attend it?

"I heard it's for media play [1]." Secretary Dandan gossiped.

"Why would Shadow needs media play? They already gathered a lot of loving fans and attention." Xiulan did not understand why the group needs a lot of spotlight. She will never get the world of the show business.

"No, it's a media play for the high profile celebrities. Tsk tsk tsk. You really don't know the trends, boss. Here let me explain it to you. Lately, to get attention from younger audiences, some old celebrities do this kind of trick. They say or reveal that they are a fan of this group, they bought their daughter or son a merchandise or an album of this group. They watch a concert or music video. They like this or like that relates to the group. In short, they are users. Taking advantage of the young and gullible fans." Secretary Dandan panted a little after explaining it to her boss. The assistant handed her a water bottle to drink.

"Ahhh. I didn't know such things." Xiulan gained new knowledge from her busybody secretary. 

"They paid a hefty amount just to attend this after-party." Secretary Dandan added more of the juicy gossip.

"You know, Dandan. You can be a showbiz reporter." Xiulan teased.

"I only got the news from the other employees. It seems to be the current buzz in social media. The after-party tickets were easily sold out like hotcakes [2]. Your husband is getting richer and richer, boss." Dandan teased back.

"Hehe, it's getting out of hand that it's making me anxious." Xiulan joked but she's really worried. "He will open his security company next week too. Definitely, he'll look like a walking ATM to people with evil thoughts."

Secretary Dandan and the assistant heartily laughed at their lady boss's comments regarding her own husband. 

After picking the dress, the remaining office hours left her to finish meetings and get her makeup done. 

Xiulan was picked up by Hongqi's bodyguards as usual. When she arrived at the venue, she could hear the loud screams of the fans. The group is just three days old and the number of fans waiting outside was already incredible. 

"They are really popular, eh?" Xiulan aimlessly asked. She's really surprised by the number of screaming teenagers.

"The team that young master hired was good. Everyone is talented from the group itself and the staff that put everything together." the bodyguard complimented.

The other bodyguard snorted at his partner's comments, "Madame, his girlfriend works as the stylist. Of course, he will compliment it to the heavens."

"Oooh! Congratulations!" Xiulan laughed and patted the back of the bodyguard. 

The bodyguard suddenly got shy from the sudden teasing. He blushed and can only softly say, "Thank you, madame."

Hongqi was still not in the venue. According to some of his employees, he will be a little late and told them that they can start the party without him.

Xiulan was too shy to talk to the business partners and investors so she can only wait inside the private room that Hongqi booked for her.

It's only been ten minutes since the party started when the bodyguards suddenly rushes her to go to the hospital.

"What happened? Why are we going to the hospital?" Xiulan vehemently asked. She's supposed to wait for her husband and now she needs to go to the hospital. Is this some kind of a prank?

"Young master Hongqi, your husband got into a car accident, madame."

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[1] Media play is basically a technique to gain attention from the public. Some media plays are articles paid for by companies of "controversial" material about an entertainer, or company to get their name out there. The controversies are often phony or exaggerated. Can also be news that makes the entertainer or company look better.

[2] The phrase "selling like hotcakes" is used to describe an item very popular with consumers, that's flying off the shelves and in large amounts