NWWNL – Chapter 53

–“What do you mean by that? You couldn’t refuse the invitation from the organizers? But you refused my invitation? You didn’t like it if it came from me?”

–“Whatever. What are you even trying to do here? If you have an invitation then you should go with your invitation, and I should go with mine. So why are you standing here trying to tie us together?”

–“I shouldn’t have gotten in this car. What am I doing, going with him? It’s not like I don’t have my own invitation.”

“Yi Yang, when did you arrive? Why didn’t you let me know that you were coming?”

Xu Xinyi could feel her acting skill reaching its peak now, in front of Yi Yang.

Just listen to the shock and surprise in her tone, the subtle sound, like she was choked with joy, was just right. Her performance was simply moving!

Yi Yang absently rubbed his ring and decided not to mention that he had knocked on Xu Xinyi’s door for five minutes last night. He said, “I just arrived today. Are you doing anything else in Paris after the Fashion Week?”

“Well… I probably have something to do?”

“Is it something important?”

“It’s just a little thing. It will probably take another day or two.”

Yi Yang looked over and said, “If it’s nothing important then come back home with me after the show. Don’t just run around.”

–“I knew this son of a bitch showing up was bad news!”

–“It’s not easy for me to come to Paris. How could I leave without shopping like crazy?”

The light in the car was dim. Taking full advantage of the current visual blind spot, Xu Xinyi bared her teeth and looked at Yi Yang. “Husband, actually, I may not be able to return home with you. I suddenly remembered that I have something very important to do. You’ll have to go back by yourself.”

“Something important?” Yi Yang thought for a moment, “Then I’ll accompany you.”

“…”

The distance from the hotel to the red carpet was not too far, about ten minutes away, but because of the ponderous process that was walking the red carpet, it was inevitable for it to take a lot of time.

The car parked close to where the red carpet started and a staff member quickly appeared. He seemed extremely apologetic as he said, “Excuse us, Mr. Yi, please wait a moment.”

While waiting, Xu Xinyi looked out of the window with boredom.

The venue was a bustling and chaotic mass of lights and stars. The staff was very busy trying to organize things and have people enter in an orderly manner.

“Mr. Yi, it’s your turn.”

The car slowly rolled forward to the red carpet.

A staff member opened the door.

Yi Yang stepped down from the car.

There were some people on the domestic internet who were broadcasting the scene at Paris Fashion Week in real-time so the moment Yi Yang stepped out of the car, he made a big splash.

“Who is this? I thought it was some big star after seeing his face but I don’t know him.”

“Let’s enlighten this poor sister who doesn’t know that is. That is Yi Yang, the boss of Lanting, that is to say, the same Lanting where a single unit costs the same as a whole building.”

“How unexpected. Yi Yang is actually participating in Paris Fashion Week? Why was there no news about this at all?”

“My husband is so handsome! Ah~ Ah~ the man of my dreams has been found!”

“There really is an irresistible attraction surrounding men who wear suits! He’s so handsome!”

“Look, Yi Yang isn’t moving! Could there be someone else in the car? Let’s look forward to seeing whether it is Xu Weiyin!”

“It must be Xu Weiyin. I saw Xu Weiyin post on Weibo that she was going to Paris Fashion Week. It’s so hard to keep a secret marriage secret!”

Meanwhile, on the red carpet, Yi Yang was still standing outside the car door and holding out his hand like a gentleman.

Xu Xinyi looked at the hand stretched out in front of her and took a deep breath.

After steeling herself, she raised her hand and gently set it in Yi Yang’s palm.

“She’s coming out!!!”

“It’s Xu Weiyin! It must be Xu Weiyin! What kind of immortal love is this? I really admire them QAQ*”

“Are they making it public? I didn’t hear anything about Yi Yang participating in Paris Fashion Week before now, and he wasn’t on the seating chart. He must have squeezed in late. Oh, my God, I also want to have such an amazing love!”

However, the next second, what appeared in the video was Xu Xinyi’s smiling face. She held Yi Yang’s arm and walked the red carpet.

There was not much impact on the people in Paris. After all, for foreigners, Asian faces all looked the same.

But for fans watching the live broadcast at home, it was explosive.

“Xu Xinyi? I remember that it shouldn’t be Xu Xinyi’s turn to appear on the red carpet yet. Why did she come out now? And with Yi Yang?”

“What’s going on? Yi Yang and Xu Xinyi are walking the red carpet together? Am I dreaming?”

“Who can tell me what this is all about? Weren’t people saying that Yi Yang was already married? And married to Xu Weiyin? Isn’t Xu Weiyin also at Paris Fashion Week right now? So why didn’t Yi Yang walk with Xu Weiyin?”

“Before it was rumored that there was a Gold Master behind Xu Xinyi. A big boss. So the big boss is Yi Yang? “

“Could it be that Xu Xinyi was so shameless that she hooked up with Yi Yang while waiting in the lobby?”

“To the sister who commented that Xu Xinyi shamelessly hooked up with Yi Yang, please use your brain. Is Yi Yang the kind of man who could fall for such low level tricks? After seeing this, I’m sure that Yi Yang is not married to Xu Weiyin. And as for why Xu Xinyi can walk the red carpet with him, well, their relationship must be special. But as for the specific relationship, we can only imagine… “

“Fuck, this development is a little bit over the top.”

“I didn’t notice at first but Xu Xinyi is really beautiful. That dress makes her look like an immortal. -a howl from a good-looking dog!”

“Xu Xinyi let go of my husband!”

While holding Yi Yang’s hand Xu Xinyi walked down the red carpet surrounded by flashing lights. Her ‘show-biz’ smile was affixed permanently on her face and she allowed the photographers to take many pictures.

It was not her first time walking the red carpet, but it was the first time walking with Yi Yang. Her palm was lightly sheened with sweat.

–“Oh well. What  can I do if I’m a little nervous?”

She would take two steps and then stop for a while. Only moving on after the photographer had taken a picture.

After walking about halfway down the red carpet, Xu Xinyi suddenly stopped moving.

With her smile still firmly affixed, she surreptitiously tugged on Yi Yang’s arm and whispered, “Yi Yang, I’m stuck.”

Yi Yang asked back in a low voice, “What do you mean?”

Xu Xinyi wanted to cry but had no tears, “My right heel got stuck in a seam of the carpet.”

Why were the stitches on the red carpet so wide???

–“Don’t worry, this is just just a trifle. Xu Xinyi, you haven’t encountered a real emergency yet. So don’t worry about it. Don’t panic!”

–“Just try again. Tug!”

–“Ah! Why do I have to experience such a big mistake first thing at Paris Fashion Week?”

Xu Xinyi desperately tried to pull out her high heel that was stuck in the seam. It loosened a bit, but they had been standing for so long that the heel had sunk in very deep and could not be pulled out so easily.

She glanced around and saw that the staff around her were all busy either maintaining order at the scene or blocking the photographers, and the host on the stage was too far away to even see. It was impossible to find help.

Under the dazzling lights, Yi Yang could see a touch of urgency appear on Xu Xinyi’s face.

Without thinking too deeply, he loosened his grip on Xu Xinyi’s hand, stepped in front of her, and then slowly knelt down on one knee under Xu Xinyi’s puzzled eyes.

“…shit! Is this a marriage proposal?”

“Is it so easy for someone to propose on an occasion like this? Are you out of your mind?”

“Oh, my God, a proposal on an occasion like this will attract a lot of attention! It’s so romantic! Is this vinegar I’m tasting?!”

Xu Xinyi was shocked. “What are you doing?”

Yi Yang lifted her skirt and held her ankle in one hand. He whispered, “Be quiet.”

“…” Xu Xinyi looked around and only saw the flashes of cameras all around.

She had experienced a lot of wind and waves in her life but right now the many lines of sight converging on her really made her heart pound thunderously. It was banging incessantly in her chest.

“Don’t bother. Just stand up and let the staff come and take care of it.”

Yi Yang was grasping her ankle with one hand. The warm touch of his palm was very clear and his grip was so tight that she could not break free.

“Don’t worry, it’s fine for me to waste a little time.”

It occurred to Xu Xinyi that it was strange that, despite the loud and bustling red carpet, she could clearly hear Yi Yang’s low voice.

She didn’t want to admit it but in her heart Yi Yang really gave her a huge sense of security.

Yi Yang casually pulled out the heel that was stuck and then put it back on for her.

“Alright.” Yi Yang got up as if nothing had happened.

Xu Xinyi’s heart finally settled. She smiled, took Yi Yang’s hand, and moved on.

“…she was just leaning on him? What’s going on?”

“It seems that it was not a proposal. Like I said, how could Yi Yang do such a thing?”

“Ah, Mr. Yi’s boyfriend level is at the max! So gentle, so sweet! It’s the boyfriend I’ve always wanted!”

“I’m sure that Yi Yang’s secret wife must be Xu Xinyi! If it’s not, I will eat shit live!”

“You don’t have to broadcast it live. You can eat it by yourself.”

“For a man to do that for a woman, if they really aren’t husband and wife, it really proves that Yi Yang’s character is amazing.”

“You guys keep talking about a husband-and-wife relationship but has Yi Yang admitted it? Is it right for you guys to create a wife for him out of nothing? Have you forgotten who Xu Xinyi is? Is she worthy of Yi Yang?”

But no matter how bloody the comments were in the live broadcast, Xu Xinyi and Yi Yang reached the end of the red carpet together regardless.

The host was a sexy foreign beauty. She had been informed of Xu Xinyi and Yi Yang’s arrival half an hour before they walked the red carpet.

She was told in advance that Yi Yang did not like to be asked questions.

“This is Mr. Yi’s first time coming to our Paris Fashion Week. I hope you and the beautiful Miss Xu Weiyin enjoy your time here tonight.”

Just when the host said that sentence, the commenters watching the live broadcast erupted again.

“The host said Xu Weiyin! Did she say the wrong name, or was Xu Weiyin originally supposed to walk the carpet with Yi Yang? “

“She absolutely did not say the wrong name. It should be that Xu Weiyin was going to walk the red carpet with Yi Yang in the first place but Xu Xinyi must have used some means to squeeze herself in!”

“Isn’t Xu Xinyi too insidious? In order to be popular, she will really do anything!”

However, these comments had barely been typed and the whole sentences could not even be read on the screen yet when Yi Yang lifted his eyes and interrupted, “I think you are mistaken. This is Miss Xu Xinyi.”

The host smiled awkwardly. “I’m so sorry, this… Miss Xu Xinyi, please accept my apologies. I hope you two have a wonderful evening.”

The commenters on the live broadcast were suddenly awkward.

Xu Xinyi slowly stepped backstage and breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Then a woman with exquisite makeup appeared in front of the couple. She smiled and shook hands with Yi Yang. “Mr. Yi, it’s my honor for you to be here.”

Yi Yang nodded slightly, seemingly neither humble nor arrogant.

“It’s been a while.”

“And who is this?” Amanda smiled at Yi Yang’s female companion. “You didn’t tell me you had a lady coming with you.”

“This is my wife, Xu Xinyi.”

Amanda was stunned.

Yi Yang introduced her for Xu Xinyi, “This is Amanda. She is the person in charge of Paris Fashion Week.”

“Madam, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Amanda felt a pang of regret for not offering to shake hands with Xu Xinyi but she still managed to speak with a smile. “Mr. Yi is really a lucky man to have such a beautiful wife.”

Xu Xinyi glanced at Yi Yang and smiled.

“Alright you two, I have reserved seats for you both in tonight’s show. Make sure to enjoy the visual feast. I’ll go first, I’m very busy.”

Amanda left immediately.

There were a lot of people backstage and many of them were either chatting or taking pictures together.

Yi Yang had always kept a low profile so not many people knew him. And before today, he didn’t even have his name on the list of invited guests. So the people watching only knew that Amanda had talked with him intimately just now. They didn’t know any other details so they didn’t dare to rush forward and chat him up.

Not far away, Han Xiao was talking to a Hollywood actor who had worked with him before when he accidentally noticed Xu Xinyi out of the corner of his eye and was stunned. His eyes focused on Yi Yang, who was beside Xu Xinyi.

“Han Xiao? What’s the matter?”

Han Xiao smiled apologetically at the actor in front of him and said, “Sorry. Please excuse me.”

With that apology he quickly left.

Although unsure, he walked in the direction of Xu Xinyi.

“Xinyi,” Han Xiao looked at Yi Yang, “And Mr. Yi is here too?”

“It was hard to resist the kindness of the organizers.” With that, Yi Yang looked at Xu Xinyi and said, “Could you bring me a glass of wine? I’d like to have a drink with this Mr. Han.”

Xu Xinyi nodded and quietly disappeared to find wine.

Han Xiao smiled politely. “It turns out Mr. Yi walked the red carpet with Xinyi? But I heard something happened on the way?”

“It was no big deal. Xinyi’s heel got stuck in a seam,” Yi Yang followed Xu Xinyi with his eyes and smiled faintly. “That’s just how she is though. She’s reckless all the time. She really makes me worry whenever I’m not around.”

“…” Han Xiao hesitated. “There’s something that I don’t know if I should say or not…”

“Mr. Han, please speak.”

“In fact, I’ve been wanting to ask about this for a long time, but I don’t know if it’s offensive,” While he spoke he looked at the ring on Yi Yang’s ring finger. “It is rumored online that Mr. Yi is married, and looking at the ring on your finger I can see you are indeed married. But don’t you think you might be helping Xinyi too much today?”

Yi Yang’s face was expressionless. “Too much? But I think Xinyi is worth it.”

“But has Mr. Yi ever thought about his wife’s feelings when helping another woman?”

Xu Xinyi brought two flutes of champagne and handed one to Yi Yang and one to Han Xiao.

Both men were silent.

There seemed to be something wrong with the atmosphere.

Xu Xinyi smiled and broke the silence. “What were you two talking about?”

Yi Yang took the champagne and then grabbed Xu Xinyi’s arm, seeming to declare ownership in general. “Mr. Han seems to have some misunderstanding about the relationship between us, so I was explaining to him.”

“Misunderstanding?”

“It’s like this,” Yi Yang looked at Han Xiao, and his face was cold but his eyes were burning. There was something bitter in his words, “I would like to formally introduce you to Mr. Han today. This is my wife, Miss Xu Xinyi. Here’s a toast to you Mr. Han.”

Han Xiao’s gentle look gradually disappeared as he looked at the champagne offered in front of his eyes. He stepped back and took a long moment to recover.

Xu Xinyi was also stunned. She didn’t expect that Yi Yang would announce their relationship to Han Xiao.

Yi Yang took a sip from the champagne flute and looked at Han Xiao quietly. “Won’t Mr. Han drink?”

Han Xiao looked at Xu Xinyi in silence.

“Brother Han, are you all right?”

When he heard Xu Xinyi’s voice that was filled with concern, he knew that Xu Xinyi had no idea about his thoughts, and she really only regarded him as a friend. From the beginning all the way until now, he had been the one imagining things on his own.

“Pardon me.” Han Xiao looked at Yi Yang and returned the toast. “I offended you.”

With that, he smiled apologetically and then turned and walked away mechanically.

Xu Xinyi watched Han Xiao’s back and finally understood why there was something wrong with the atmosphere.

–“It seems Yi Yang thinks there is something between me and Han Xiao? That’s why things were so awkward…”

–“But Han Xiao is gay! What could there be between him and I?”

–“Why does this Yi Yang always think too much?”

Gay? Yi Yang sneered.

Men knew men best. When he saw the look in Han Xiao’s eyes when he saw Xu Xinyi, he knew exactly what Han Xiao was thinking.

It was desire. A desire to hold and possess.

“Do you blame me for talking to Han Xiao about our marriage?”

“No.” But after Xu Xinyi had some time to react, she was a little upset.

–“It’s weird though. Why did Han Xiao react like that?”

–“Isn’t he gay? Shouldn’t he be giving me his blessing if he really treated me as a friend? It’s almost like…”

“He likes you.”

“?”

Yi Yang took another sip from the champagne flute and spoke with a calm face: “Men know other men best. I can tell that he likes you.”

“But he…” Xu Xinyi suddenly stopped talking.

She forgot that her speculation that Han Xiao was gay was only the result of her and Anya gossiping. She had seen Han Xiao and Luo Jie hug each other one time but other than that, there was no other proof.

— “So… does Han Xiao really like me?”

–“…what have I been doing all this time? Because I concealed my marriage I accidentally led a single man on.”

“Xu Xinyi, remember, you are a woman with a husband. I don’t want to see you having scandals with another man in the news in the future.”

“…” Xu Xinyi wanted to argue back with a few words, but she felt that what Yi Yang said was right. She really had no way to refute it.

Time passed and more and more people walked the red carpet.

Xu Xinyi and Yi Yang were guided to their seats by the staff.

Yi Yang’s seat was quite good. They were in the first row and there were only three seats between her and Han Xiao.

Xu Xinyi sighed.

–“It seems that I will have to explain things to Han Xiao later.”

–“After all, Han Xiao helped me a lot before and we are friends.”

Yi Yang seemed to be quietly focusing on watching the show, but he was actually quite dissatisfied at the bottom of his heart.

Helped you a lot?

That Han Xiao, could he take you down the red carpet?

Could he get you a seat in the front row?

Aren’t I the only one who can do that for you?

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*QAQ is supposed to be a crying face. If it helps you see it, the ‘A’ is the mouth