The ballroom of He Corporation's Annual Anniversary Gala shimmered like a scene from a dream — a sea of tailored suits, designer gowns, and crystal chandeliers that painted gold reflections across marble floors. The air buzzed with the low murmur of conversation, laughter, and the faint click of champagne flutes meeting in polished rhythm.
This was the corporate event of the year — where deals were whispered, partnerships toasted, and every smile hid a layer of ambition.
At one corner of the hall, Lin Xinyi stood among the senior directors, an elegant smile fixed upon her lips. Her emerald silk gown clung gracefully to her figure, its soft folds artfully concealing the slight curve of her belly. The baby bump was still small, but to her, it already felt like the center of her world.
Across the ballroom, He Zhiyuan was surrounded by board members and investors, his tall figure commanding quiet respect. The President — his father — stood beside him, proud yet dignified, introducing him to foreign partners.
Yet, for all the noise and the flash, Zhiyuan's gaze kept drifting — finding her, holding her.
Every time their eyes met, the background blurred away, leaving only a shared heartbeat between them.
When the dinner service began, Assistant Zhou hovered nervously near the stage. His sharp eyes flicked between the couple, his mind racing. Months of "coincidences" — shared schedules, late-night office exits, subtle smiles — all confirmed what he already suspected.
And now, the Vice President looked too calm. Which, knowing He Zhiyuan, meant something was about to happen.
Xinyi excused herself for air, stepping onto the balcony overlooking the glittering skyline. The cold breeze touched her cheeks, bringing a rare moment of quiet.
Zhiyuan joined her moments later, silent at first. The city stretched beneath them, a thousand lights shimmering like constellations.
"You've been avoiding my eyes all night," he said softly.
"I'm trying not to make Assistant Zhou faint," she replied dryly.
He chuckled, stepping closer, his hand brushing hers briefly. "You're trembling."
"Because you're standing too close."
"Then maybe," he whispered, lips curving, "I should stand closer still."
She glared, but her heart skipped. "Zhiyuan, behave. This is your father's event."
"Exactly," he murmured, "and I want everyone to know his going to be a grandfather soon."
Her eyes widened. "You wouldn't—"
But the look in his eyes stopped her short. That calm, unwavering certainty she'd fallen in love with — the same look that said he had already decided something.
When the President finished his speech, the emcee called He Zhiyuan to the stage for the Vice President's address.
Applause filled the ballroom.
He walked up the stairs, black suit immaculate, expression unreadable. His gaze swept the audience once — polite, formal — before landing on her.
And then he smiled.
"Good evening, everyone." His voice was steady, rich with authority. "Tonight, we celebrate thirty years of He Corporation — of legacy, growth, and the people who make it thrive."
Polite clapping followed.
"But tonight," he continued, his tone softening, "I want to take a moment to acknowledge something… personal."
The murmurs began immediately — curious, cautious.
Xinyi's stomach knotted.
"Behind every success," he said slowly, "there are sacrifices. There's dedication, trust… and love."
The last word hit like a dropped pin in the silence.
He went on, calm as ever. "For years, I've had a partner who's stood by me through every challenge, every late night, every impossible task. She's been my compass, my confidant — and my heart."
The crowd gasped, ripples of whispers echoing through the golden hall.
Assistant Zhou's pen snapped clean in half.
Zhiyuan looked directly at Xinyi now — no more masks, no more hiding.
"Lin Xinyi," he said, his voice low but carrying through the hall, "is not just the company's finest director. She's my wife. And soon… the mother of our child."
The ballroom exploded.
Gasps. Cries. Camera flashes like lightning. Someone actually dropped a glass.
Xinyi stood frozen — tears stinging her eyes, heart pounding so hard she thought the whole world could hear it.
Zhiyuan stepped down from the stage, ignoring the chaos — the reporters whispering furiously, the board members' shocked faces, even his father's stunned expression.
He reached her in a few strides, took her hand, and with all the confidence of a man declaring war and love at once, pulled her close.
Her voice trembled. "Zhiyuan… the board—"
"They'll understand," he said softly, eyes steady on hers. "I've hidden my happiness long enough. They can question my methods, not my heart."
She bit her lip, overwhelmed. "You just told the entire city."
"Good," he murmured, brushing his thumb over her cheek. "Let them know I belong to you — and you to me."
Then he leaned in, kissed her forehead — gently, reverently — under the flash of cameras.
The room erupted again — questions, cheers, gossip in every direction. The media surged closer, snapping photos, shouting for comments.
"Vice President He! Director Lin! How long have you been married?"
"Is this the reason for her sudden leave last month?"
"When's the due date?"
Assistant Zhou tried, and failed, to manage the reporters. He groaned under his breath, "They're going to trend for days."
Later, after the guests had trickled out and the ballroom dimmed, Xinyi sat at the edge of the stage, her heels off, head leaning against Zhiyuan's shoulder.
"You really did it," she whispered, laughing softly. "You announced everything in front of the entire industry."
He smiled, fingers brushing through her hair. "I told you before, didn't I? I'll never hide what's mine."
"And your father?"
Zhiyuan looked out over the empty hall, expression soft. "He'll scold me in the morning. Then he'll hug you by afternoon. He's that kind of man."
She smiled, eyes shimmering. "You always make everything sound so easy."
He kissed her temple, his voice low and full of warmth. "Because with you, it is."
The next morning, every headline read:
"He Corporation Vice President's Secret Marriage Revealed!"
"Lin Xinyi Pregnant with He Heir — Corporate Fairy Tale Comes True?"
"Boardroom Romance: The Power Couple Everyone Envies."
Assistant Zhou groaned as he entered the office, newspapers tucked under his arm. "Sir, it's chaos. PR's phones haven't stopped ringing. But…" he paused, glancing at the smiling couple across the desk, "you both look annoyingly happy."
Zhiyuan only grinned. "That's because we are."