Xie Yunyao's fondness for the birthday gift Wang Chen had given her did not escape the notice of many observant people.
This drew even more attention to Wang Chen. The looks directed at him held curiosity, confusion, vigilance, and even hostility. Several well-dressed young men, in particular, regarded him with undisguised ill will.
When a family had a daughter, a hundred families came calling—that was precisely the kind of girl Xie Yunyao was, not to mention her incomparably distinguished family background.
Everyone attending Xie Yunyao's birthday banquet tonight was someone of standing in Huhai, or the children of such people.
Among them were no shortage of Xie Yunyao's admirers.
Quite a few had racked their brains to prepare distinctive, costly birthday gifts, hoping to win Xie Yunyao's heart.
Yet they had all lost to Wang Chen. How could they possibly accept that?
Some were already discreetly inquiring into Wang Chen's background.
Xie Yunyao had realized that because of her, Wang Chen was practically about to become the target of public criticism. She said apologetically, "Wang Chen, have something to eat first. I need to go attend to the other guests."
Wang Chen smiled. "All right, we can talk later."
He nodded to Zhang Wen, then, beneath the watchful gaze of all manner of strange eyes, calmly asked a waiter for a plate, selected some food he liked, and found himself a seat.
Xie Yunyao's birthday banquet was buffet-style. The Western dishes and japanese cuisine spread across the tables were exquisite in color, aroma, and taste, made with carefully selected, expensive ingredients that looked utterly enticing.
Yet there were not many people who had truly come to eat, like Wang Chen. The vast living room of the villa had become a social arena for the elite, where everyone held champagne flutes