100 Days with the Contract Lover - Chapter 123

Returning home, Yu Nuanxin didn’t seek out Nangong Yao but retreated to her own room. Surprisingly, he didn’t bother her that night.

The next day was Saturday, so Yu Nuanxin slept until four in the afternoon. Nanny He knocked on the door and entered, followed by a stylist, saying she was to accompany Nangong Yao to a banquet that evening and needed to be dressed up.

She took a shower, and like a doll, let the stylist do her hair and change her into a gown, then numbly got into the motorhome heading to the banquet venue.

She had no idea what the banquet’s theme was, only that it felt different from the ones she had attended before. There were many people, but few were the usual politicians or businessmen seen on TV. Most were young, and the event wasn’t particularly formal. Some faces seemed familiar, but she couldn’t recall where she had seen them.

Nangong Yao approached her, gesturing for her to take his arm. She had no choice but to follow him from table to table, toasting with guests. Suddenly, she spotted colleagues from the Law Department, freezing in place.

Nangong Yao turned to her with a mischievous smile, “Forgot to tell you, this is the company’s celebration banquet.”

“You…” Yu Nuanxin was furious, realizing he had set her up deliberately. She wanted to escape, but Nangong Yao held her shoulder firmly, rendering her immobile. To outsiders, he appeared gentle and caring, smiling warmly. Only she knew how tightly his arm gripped her, almost cutting off circulation.

“What? Afraid your old flame will see you?” He taunted her, his expression smug. “Relax, he’s not here.”

He forcefully led her to the Law Department’s table, “Let me introduce my wife!”

The staff stood up, all amazed by her beauty. Yu Nuanxin feared being recognized, keeping her head slightly lowered, avoiding their gaze.

“You’re the mayor’s daughter, our President’s wife! Just as beautiful as the rumors say, no, even more beautiful…” Chen Ran praised exaggeratedly, “Hello, I’m Chen Ran from the Law Department, honored to meet you.”

To avoid being impolite, Yu Nuanxin managed a smile, “Hello!”

“Oh, you look just like one of our colleagues…”

Yu Nuanxin flinched, quickly withdrawing her hand.

Chen Ran, thinking she misspoke, hurriedly corrected herself. “Oh, no, no, no, it’s our colleague who looks like you! Of course, she’s not as pretty as you. On closer inspection, not really alike, I made a mistake…”

Yu Nuanxin’s smile was strained, grateful for the makeup that made her look different from usual. She planned to escape before Liang Jingtang arrived.

But-

“Lawyer Liang, you’re here, over here!”

Yu Nuanxin’s heart stopped, quickly turning her back, her whole body tense.

Nangong Yao, however, smiled, his eyes filled with calculation, a cold glint flashing. Did she still want to escape? Did she think she could?

“Lawyer Liang, this is the renowned President’s wife!” Chen Ran said eagerly.

“Hello! I’m Liang Jingtang.” He extended his hand, but she remained with her back to him.

“Isn’t this a bit too rude?” Nangong Yao chuckled coolly, leaning close to Yu Nuanxin’s ear and intentionally speaking loudly. “Aren’t you going to greet our company’s star performer?”

Liang Jingtang was puzzled but maintained his smile, patiently waiting.

Yu Nuanxin was on the verge of tears, feeling trapped in a situation she couldn’t escape. She had considered confessing to him, but not like this!

As she was anxiously wondering what to do, a waiter accidentally bumped into her, spilling wine on her. Instinctively, she stepped back, turning around with the momentum.

Her face was fully exposed to Liang Jingtang.

It was too late to hide.

Their eyes met.

She was terrified, at a loss.

Liang Jingtang’s expression shifted from shock to anger, and finally to despair. He looked at her, wounded and disbelieving, his lips pale, his whole demeanor hollow and powerless, as if he had been emptied.

“Lawyer Liang, what’s wrong?” Chen Ran was startled by his expression; he had seemed fine just moments ago.

The President’s wife’s expression was equally unsettling!

“Nothing, I have to go!” Liang Jingtang, unsure of what else to do, just wanted to escape.

“Lawyer Liang…”

“Liang…” Yu Nuanxin immediately tried to follow, but Nangong Yao held her back.

He was clearly satisfied with the outcome, his smile smug yet as cold as ice and snow arrows. “Is it too late to chase after him now?”

“None of your business!” Yu Nuanxin hissed, breaking free from his grip and running after Liang Jingtang.

“Liang Jingtang, wait… wait… let me explain…”

“Stop following me!” The gentle man let out a heart-wrenching roar, his back turned to her, like a wounded beast rejecting her approach. “I’m begging you, don’t follow me anymore!”

He didn’t know how to face her, quickly leaving and getting into his car, speeding away.

“…” Yu Nuanxin’s hand withdrew, clenching tightly, her nails digging into her flesh, her eyes stinging with pain, but nothing compared to the ache in her heart. The last person she wanted to hurt was him, and despite her efforts to avoid it, she had hurt him in the most cruel way. It was her fault!

“Didn’t you care about him? Why aren’t you chasing him?” Nangong Yao’s mocking voice came from behind.

Yu Nuanxin was furious, rushing up to slap him, her teeth gritted. “Nangong Yao, you bastard!”

Her hand was caught in mid-air, and he disdainfully pushed it away, coldly questioning her. “Am I the bastard, or are you shameless? Don’t forget, from the start, it was you who hid your identity from him. Today’s situation is all your doing!”

His words pierced Yu Nuanxin’s heart, leaving her speechless. He was right; it was her deceit that had hurt Liang Jingtang. She was the one to blame!

“In a way, I helped you.” He didn’t care how cruel his words were, only focused on humiliating her. “You can wait and see if he truly cares for you once he knows you’re a married woman.” He laughed arrogantly, leaving her standing there alone, as he walked away with pride.