Xue Hui and the driver had long been waiting at the entrance. As Xue Hui watched Ji Hanxing emerge from the house, he could not help looking impressed. President Ji was even more dazzling today, radiating confidence.
After Ji Hanxing got into the car, he noticed that Xue Hui kept turning to look at him. "Why do you keep looking at me?"
Xue Hui hesitated for a moment. "I just feel that you've changed a lot lately, President Ji."
At that, Ji Hanxing's heart suddenly tightened. Had I broken character? His expression remained unchanged. "How so?"
As a top-notch special assistant, how could Xue Hui possibly answer such a deadly question? He smiled. "I feel that your presence has become more composed."
The Ji Hanxing of the past had been an unattainable flower, his presence too imposing. He also kept everyone at arm's length. Ordinary people dared not approach him; getting too close would leave them pricked.
Now, Ji Hanxing's presence was just as imposing, but he was more composed and more appealing. Although he still wore that stern expression, it no longer made people want to stay away.
Before, however, he had been like ice, rejecting anyone who approached him. In Xue Hui's eyes, Ji Hanxing had grown.
Ji Hanxing could not make much sense of that. Seeing that the system had not sounded any alarms either, he thought nothing more of it and continued sorting through the web of relationships in City A's business world.
Barring any surprises, he should run into all of them shortly. And the original owner of his body had not been close to any of these people.
When the Ji Family had fallen into decline, City A's most elite wealthy circles would not include him. When Ji Hanxing led the Ji Group in its comeback, he himself had looked down on those people as well.
As expected of a domineering CEO male lead-aloof, noble, and distinctive.
Ji Hanxing secretly rejoiced. Not being close is good. It means it won't be easy to break character.
Yan Jinyue had already arrived at the charity auction banquet. The Yan Group was the host tonight.
In his private lounge, Fu Fangxi briefed him on the arrangements for tonight's banquet.
Once he finished his report, Fu Fangxi looked troubled. Several times, he opened his mouth, only to swallow his words. Yan Jinyue noticed his hesitation.
"It's rare to see you like this. If you have something to say, just say it."
Fu Fangxi first studied Yan Jinyue's expression before finally speaking. "President Yan, there's been progress in the drugging incident you asked me to investigate."
Yan Jinyue's pen hand paused. Last time, Fu Fangxi had already uncovered why he had been drugged. The grandson of one of the Yan Group's directors had bribed a waiter at the Grand Prosperity Hotel to put a drug in Yan Jinyue's wineglass.
Afterward, he had intended to send a minor celebrity to him and record them, gaining leverage over Yan Jinyue.
The minor celebrity had not even made it past the elevator doors to the presidential suite on the top floor of the Grand Prosperity Hotel.
But Yan Jinyue had still inadvertently drunk the drugged wine. The matter had already been dealt with. That director's grandson had been sent abroad, and Jiang Yuzhuo had fired the waiter.
Then the progress Fu Fangxi mentioned today could only concern Ji Hanxing. Previously, Fu Fangxi had found nothing, while Yan Jinyue had learned from Ji Hanxing's inner thoughts that Ji Hanxing had not orchestrated the incident.
"President Yan, according to the information I found, the drug President Ji took... was administered by President Ji himself."
Yan Jinyue's gaze abruptly sharpened. He stared intently at Fu Fangxi and asked in a low voice, "Are you certain?"
Under Yan Jinyue's gaze, Fu Fangxi's voice trembled slightly, but he still nodded firmly. "Yes. That's what the evidence I found indicates."
"I've already sent the evidence to your email."
Yan Jinyue asked, "Does he have any connection to Ma Jian?"
Ma Jian was the grandson of that Yan Group director, the mastermind behind drugging Yan Jinyue. He had now been sent abroad.
Fu Fangxi also knew who Yan Jinyue meant by "he." He shook his head. "The current evidence indicates that, as of now, President Ji has no connection to Ma Jian."
He had chosen his wording cautiously. Yan Jinyue rubbed the watch on his wrist and merely nodded, then turned to Fu Fangxi again. "Understood. Go attend to other matters. Keep an eye on the venue first, and report any developments to me promptly."
As Fu Fangxi left, he quietly glanced back at Yan Jinyue. Yan Jinyue sat upright in his seat, his eyes fixed darkly on one spot. There was no telling what he was thinking.
He knew what had happened between that President Ji and Yan Jinyue. He also knew that Yan Jinyue had always kept himself above such entanglements, that Ji Hanxing had been his first, and that Yan Jinyue was quite fond of him. Yet the evidence he had uncovered really did indicate that. Even he had not expected Ji Hanxing to have drugged himself.
Ji Hanxing also got out of the car. Looking at the magnificent building before him, he could not help marveling inwardly. The Yan Family certainly lived up to its name. The venue for the charity auction banquet was a hotel the Yan Family had built specifically for the Tomorrow Charitable Foundation, dedicated to all the Yan Group's charitable events.
As a long-established family in City A, the Yan Family had devoted itself to charity for many years. Its Tomorrow Charitable Foundation was particularly renowned for its openness and transparency, giving the Yan Family an excellent reputation in City A. Both the Tomorrow Charitable Foundation and the Yan Group were also famous for their trustworthiness.
Luxury cars crowded the hotel entrance. Besides City A's major wealthy families, many well-known celebrities were present. Most of these celebrities worked with brands under the Yan Group, while others had been brought by young heirs and heiresses from other wealthy families.
Many of the celebrities gathered in front of the banquet's display backdrop to take photos, perhaps hoping to use the occasion to gain some publicity. After all, being able to attend the Yan Group's charity auction banquet was already a mark of status.
Rows of professional security guards maintained order, also urging the reporters to follow the rules and only take photos at the entrance.
Apart from a few young heirs who were usually active on social media and joined the celebrities in making a fuss, everyone else discreetly took a few photos after getting out of their cars, then followed the ushers into the venue.
Ji Hanxing had no desire to join the bustle of cameras and lenses either. He headed straight for the venue after getting out of the car. Only when he reached the entrance did he realize that everyone ahead of him had an invitation!
Ji Hanxing was rather stunned. I need one of those too?
Yan Jinyue screwed me over again!
Just as he was about to contact Yan Jinyue, Ji Hanxing remembered that he did not have Yan Jinyue's contact information at all.
This is killing me.
Xue Hui followed behind Ji Hanxing. Seeing him stop, he immediately stepped forward and asked quietly, "President Ji, have you forgotten something?"
Ji Hanxing was just about to tell Xue Hui to contact Fu Fangxi, but before he could speak, an usher approached from the side and smiled at him.
"You're Mr. Ji, Ji Hanxing, correct? President Yan has already informed us. This way, please."
Ji Hanxing gave a slight nod. That's more like it.
Ji Hanxing followed the usher along, outwardly appearing aloof and calm, while inwardly he had already begun screaming. The sight was practically blinding him. It really opened his eyes.
When had he ever attended such a high-end charity auction banquet before? Even if he had worked as a waiter in his previous life, he could not have attended a banquet of this caliber.