My whirlwind marriage partner is a wealthy CEO

Chapter 187 You Need to Make Everyone Know You

At this moment, Mr. Tan came out of the study. Hearing his wife's complaint, he couldn't help but shake his head: "You're just too worried. Zhi Dong has his own plans, so don't always pressure him."

"Isn't this all for his own good?" Mrs. Tan glared at her husband, her tone tinged with grievance.

Mr. Tan smiled helplessly, walked to her side, and gently comforted her: "Alright, it's a cocktail party today, don't let the guests see what's on your mind."

Mrs. Tan nodded, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down.

Just then, light footsteps came from the stairs.

Zhu Ziqing walked down slowly, wearing a knitted long dress, a red coat, and tall boots. She looked radiant and beautiful, like a warm ray of sunshine in winter.

"Ziqing, you look beautiful today." Tan Haoyu's gaze fell on her, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes.

Zhu Ziqing smiled slightly, walked to his side, and said softly, "Thank you, you look very handsome today too."

Tan Haoyu smiled and put his arm around her waist, his voice low and gentle: "Let's go, the guests will be here soon."

The two walked side by side toward the door to greet the arriving guests.

Every time Tan Haoyu greeted a guest, he would carefully introduce Zhu Ziqing: "This is Zhu Ziqing, my fiancée."

Zhu Ziqing greeted each guest with a smile, but felt a little nervous inside. She could feel Tan Haoyu's hand holding her tightly the whole time, as if silently telling her: Don't be afraid, I'm here.

"I'm very happy today," Zhu Ziqing said softly, looking up at Tan Haoyu.

"Are your feet tired?" Tan Haoyu looked down at her, his gaze gentle.

"I'm not tired." Zhu Ziqing shook her head, her eyes full of smiles. "I'm willing to stay by your side."

Tan Haoyu curled the corners of his lips into a smile, his tone firm and resolute: "Then stay with me forever."

Zhu Ziqing felt a warmth in her heart and nodded gently. She knew that although the man before her appeared cold on the outside, he possessed a hidden tenderness within. And she was willing to be the one to accompany him for life.

The atmosphere at the reception gradually warmed up, with guests raising their glasses and chatting, their laughter filling the air.

Tan Haoyu and Zhu Ziqing stood in the crowd, looking like a perfect couple, attracting countless envious glances.

Tan Xiaoxuan woke up very early in the morning, her heart pounding like a rabbit's.

She stood in front of the mirror, carefully examining herself—a light pink dress with a delicate bow tied at the waist, long, slightly curled hair falling over her shoulders, making her look sweet and lively.

"I must make him see the most beautiful me today." Tan Xiaoxuan smiled at herself in the mirror, her eyes full of anticipation.

She kept running to the front gate to look around, silently thinking, "Why isn't he here yet? Didn't he say he'd come today?"

For her, the Spring Festival was not only a holiday for family reunion, but also an opportunity to see Liu Zhidong. She had been looking forward to it for a whole year, just to spend a few more days with him.

But with the banquet about to begin, Liu Zhidong was nowhere to be seen.

"Mom, is Uncle coming or not?" Tan Xiaoxuan finally couldn't help but run to her mother's side and hug her arm, asking coquettishly.

Mrs. Tan was directing the maids to set the table when she heard her daughter's words and couldn't help but frown: "Xiaoxuan, why are you calling your uncle by his name again? You have no respect for your elders."

Tan Xiaoxuan pouted, persisting, "Mom, don't worry about that, just tell me, is he coming or not!"

Mrs. Tan sighed, her tone gentle yet tinged with helplessness: "Zhidong is busy with military affairs and can't come today."

"What? He's not coming?" Tan Xiaoxuan was stunned, her smile instantly freezing.

Her face fell instantly, and she walked forward silently with her head down, feeling as if something had clenched her heart.

“How could this happen… I’ve been waiting for so long, but he’s not coming…” Tan Xiaoxuan bit her lip, her eyes slightly red.

She pursued Liu Zhidong for thirteen years, growing from a little girl into a graceful young woman. She thought that once she grew up, he would notice her. But to her surprise, he always avoided her.

“I went to the military region to look for him, but the security there was too tight, and I couldn’t get in at all,” Tan Xiaoxuan murmured, recalling her repeated setbacks.

“I’ve made countless calls, but each time it was his subordinates who answered, saying he was busy with military affairs and didn’t have time to answer the phone.” Her voice grew softer and softer, her heart filled with grievance.

"Could it be... that he really hates me that much?" Tan Xiaoxuan clenched her hands, her nails digging deep into her palms, but she felt no pain.

She had been eagerly anticipating the Spring Festival, thinking she would finally see him. But he didn't even show his face, shattering her year-long hopes.

"Xiaoxuan, what's wrong? You look terrible." Noticing her daughter's unusual expression, Tan's mother came over and touched her forehead. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Tan Xiaoxuan forced a smile and shook her head: "Mom, I'm fine. I probably just didn't sleep well last night."

"Are you really alright?" Mrs. Tan asked, still a little worried.

"It's really nothing." Tan Xiaoxuan took her mother's arm and forced herself to cheer up. "Let's go to the party. We shouldn't keep the guests waiting."

Mrs. Tan nodded and patted her hand: "Okay, if you feel uncomfortable, you must tell Mom."

"Yes, I know," Tan Xiaoxuan replied with a smile, but her heart felt heavy, as if a large stone was pressing down on it.

She tried hard to hide her disappointment, not wanting her mother to worry.

As night fell, the lawn in front of the Tan family villa was brightly lit, and the atmosphere of the reception gradually heated up.

Soft music flowed through the air, twinkling lights adorned the flower stand, and the long table was laden with exquisite food and wine. The fruit carvings were so lifelike that they resembled works of art.

"Ziqing, do you like it?" Tan Haoyu stood beside Zhu Ziqing and asked in a low voice. He was wearing a well-tailored black suit, which made him look even more handsome and dashing, with a touch of gentleness in his eyes.

"I love it, the place is so beautifully decorated." Zhu Ziqing replied with a smile, her eyes full of surprise. She wore a light purple dress, elegant yet graceful, like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting.

"Today you're the star, and I want everyone to know you." Tan Haoyu held her hand, his tone firm yet gentle.

Zhu Ziqing felt a warmth in her heart and nodded gently. She knew that this party was not only a gathering of the Tan family, but also an opportunity for Tan Haoyu to formally introduce her to his relatives and friends.

Guests arrived one after another; the men were dressed in suits and looked very elegant, while the women were dressed in various colors, making it a fashion extravaganza.

Grandpa Tan, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, exuded both dignity and kindness as he handed out red envelopes and offered his blessings to the younger generation.