Without waiting for the reporters to react, Kong Chengyi continued striding forward with Hua Lianxi in his arms, acting as if he'd just announced something completely ordinary. But in the reporters' ears, it was like a powerful bomb had just gone off.
Wife? Out of nowhere, Kong Chengyi, the highly watched CEO of the city's prominent Chengzai Group, was married?
The already swarming reporters went even crazier, shoving against the bodyguards. Long microphones stretched desperately towards Kong Chengyi and Hua Lianxi, and a denser, more urgent barrage of questions buzzed around them.
"Young Master Kong, when did you get married? Is the young madam from a wealthy family?"
"Young Master Kong, was it a secret marriage? Is the young madam pregnant?"
"Young Master Kong..."
Stepping into the lavishly decorated banquet hall, the noise behind them gradually faded away. Hua Lianxi remained closely pressed against Kong Chengyi's chest, looking up only to see his tight jawline, unable to catch his eye.
As if sensing her gaze, Kong Chengyi suddenly stopped. His long arm tightened around her waist, his dark eyes fixed on her.
A faint scent of smoke mixed with his intense presence instantly enveloped her senses. Hua Lianxi nervously lowered her head, a shy blush creeping onto her cheeks. Her fingers unconsciously gripped his firm forearm, even wrinkling his suit jacket.
His fingertip gently brushed her delicate skin, his eyes on her blushing earlobe. Kong Chengyi chuckled softly.
"Ahem, ahem..."
Suddenly, a few deliberate coughs broke the intimate moment.
"You're here, why didn't you go see Grandma first?" Lin Xiao, in an elegant black evening gown, glanced at Hua Lianxi and continued with a straight face, "Tonight is Grandma's birthday, you two should behave yourselves. Besides, there's still a whole crowd of reporters waiting outside!"
Raising an eyebrow, Kong Chengyi kept one arm around Hua Lianxi's waist and used the other to stop a passing waiter, taking a glass of champagne from his tray. He took a leisurely sip before saying, "Mom, you scared Lianxi."
Her face flushed red, Hua Lianxi finally pulled away from his chest, stood up straight, and softly called out to Lin Xiao, "Mom!"
"What are you doing? It's rare they get along so well, what are you fussing about?" A clear voice rang out, followed by hearty laughter. "Hehe, so what if my grandson and granddaughter-in-law are affectionate? That's exactly what I want those reporters to see, let them write about it! Tonight, this old woman is happy!" Fang Xiufang, wearing a festive red cheongsam, her newly dyed black hair neatly styled, looked at the handsome couple with a beaming smile.
The more she looked, the happier she became. She couldn't wait to announce to the world that her grandson had a wife, and a very well-behaved and beautiful one at that.
Walking beside Fang Xiufang was Kong Chengyi's father, Kong Zhendong, who was dressed in a formal black suit with a blue striped tie.
"Grandma! Dad!" Kong Chengyi and Hua Lianxi said at the same time, then instinctively stood on either side of Fang Xiufang, Hua Lianxi even affectionately taking her arm.