Chapter 330

Chapter 330

Despite facing so many of her peers and the possibility of a damaging public backlash, Pan Xiaorou had not denied her new relationship.

For gossip like this, denial would have been the wiser choice. People might still have talked afterward, but the matter would soon have died down.

Yet she had admitted it in public.

Given Pan Xiaorou’s intelligence, I did not think she should have done that.

Unless her feelings for Song Xiaotian had already deepened into love, and she wanted their relationship to be acknowledged openly by everyone.

Her love for Song Xiaotian exceeded even her concern for her own reputation. It surpassed everything.

Even a man might not have shown such courage and sincerity in this moment.

Song Xiaotian stood frozen as well. He stared blankly at Pan Xiaorou on the stage, his expression suddenly complicated.

But the reporters continued targeting her with their questions.

Why did reporters these days all act like paparazzi, asking one idiotic question after another?

“President Pan, Mr. Xiang Kai passed away only recently. Aren’t you concerned that the public may misunderstand?”

“How will you respond to the negative public opinion that may soon emerge?”

Pan Xiaorou could easily have ended the interview.

But she still answered, “I don’t believe there is anything to respond to. The freedom of modern women to love and marry should not be held hostage by public opinion or subjected to anyone’s unsolicited judgment. As long as a relationship violates neither morality nor public order and good customs, no one has the right to pass judgment on another person’s choice of partner.”

Her response drew another round of thunderous applause.

The reporters had appeared to be making things difficult for her, but in reality, they had helped her win even more support.

Many people in the audience began calling out.

“President Pan, won’t you introduce us to your partner?”

“What kind of peerless man could win President Pan’s heart?”

“He isn’t the president of some company, is he? Ha ha!”

Pan Xiaorou smiled faintly. “He is not a public figure or the president of any company, so I do not wish to expose him unnecessarily or place him under undue pressure.”

“If everyone is curious about my romantic life, then on the day I marry the man I love, you will all be welcome to offer us your blessings.”

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers once more.

To be honest, even I was moved.

Beside me, Xie Peng actually choked up. “That’s so moving! Truly moving! If a woman were willing to treat me like that, I’d die happy!”

Meng Yifan, on the other hand, ground his teeth. “It’s not fair. It’s completely unfair! I’m such a good man. Why can’t I meet a woman like that? Hmph!”

With that, he turned and went to network with others in the industry.

When I looked at Song Xiaotian again, he had lowered his head. I had no idea what he was thinking or whether Pan Xiaorou had moved him.

But matters of the heart were not so simple. Being moved did not necessarily produce genuine love, and love could never be forced by others.

We left him alone and went about enjoying ourselves.

Meng Yifan took his business cards and began moving through the venue, making connections and introducing people to our business.

In truth, what we did seemed out of place among all the business owners present.

They dealt in new homes and ordinary resale properties. We dealt in Stigmatized Properties where people had died, which was hardly a respectable business by comparison.

But to owners of resale-property agencies, a Stigmatized Property was a hot potato. It was difficult to sell, fetched a low price, and offered little profit.

If they authorized us to sell such properties, however, we would have an easier time finding buyers. Since this was our specialty, we could also push the price a little higher.

We would have to split the proceeds evenly with the other agency, so we might not make much. But at the very least, we would gain a useful connection.

Connections were the most important thing in business.

Anning and I were sitting in a corner eating when someone suddenly approached.

It was none other than Du Yunting.

I instinctively became wary as he drew near, while Anning remained completely absorbed in her food.

Only when Du Yunting reached us did she look up at him blankly. Her right hand tightened unconsciously around her knife and fork.

“Miss Anning, may I have a drink with you?”

He smiled faintly and poured her a glass of red wine.

Anning stared at him, then suddenly raised the hand gripping her cutlery.

My reflexes were fast. I immediately pinned her hand down and gave him an awkward smile. “President Du, she can’t hold her liquor. She doesn’t drink.”

Du Yunting also looked embarrassed. Like a lovesick fool, he spoke to Anning with utter sincerity. “Miss Anning, I mean you no harm. I… am called Du Yunting. I’m different from before. If you’re willing to get to know me, you’ll discover…”

Before he could finish, Anning suddenly picked up the wineglass.

At the sight, Du Yunting did not give it a second thought. Delighted, he raised his own glass to clink it against hers.

The next second, every drop of Anning’s red wine splashed across his face.

“Drink my ass!”

“Fucking idiot!”

I stared at her, dumbfounded.

I hurriedly snatched away the glass, afraid that she might smash it over his head next.

Du Yunting’s two Bodyguards immediately strode over with murderous expressions.

“Get lost!”

Du Yunting turned and glared at them.

The two Bodyguards hurriedly retreated.

“It’s fine. It doesn’t matter.”

As he pulled out tissues and wiped the wine from his face, he said earnestly to Anning, “Relationships between people must be built on mutual understanding. You have never truly understood my inner world. I hope you can give me a chan-”

Before he could finish, I immediately dragged him away from Anning.

I had already seen her reaching for her knife.

“President Du, I can tell you’re devoted. So devoted that it’s becoming pathological.”

“But she isn’t Du Yuwei. She’s Anning!”

My expression darkened as I threatened him. “Don’t force me to take you down with me. I have nothing left to lose, so don’t test my patience.”