Fu Qili was somewhat of an insider.
His gaze swept across the crowd, and he curled his lips. "Why are you all so surprised? Didn't you see Huo Linsheng's post on Moments?"
"Brother Linsheng, you're really married?" Wen Li was still curious.
Seeing the post on Moments was one thing, but after that post, the Huo family had shown no sign of holding a wedding or introducing Ling Nuan to everyone. So, everyone was a bit skeptical.
However, Huo Linsheng was very calm at the moment.
"Forging certificates is illegal," Huo Linsheng replied to Wen Li.
Hearing this, Wen Li's gaze subtly glanced at Meng Shuluo and then he immediately burst into laughter. He was beaming, as if it were he who had gotten married.
"This is a great thing, a really great thing. Come on, Brother Linsheng, Sister - in - law, let me toast you. I wish you a harmonious union for a hundred years and may you have a precious child soon."
Wen Li's words seemed to be the starting point. Everyone present toasted Huo Linsheng and said a few words of festive congratulations.
Originally, this gathering was organized for Meng Shuluo, but in the end, the protagonists seemed to have become Ling Nuan and Huo Linsheng.
Ling Nuan had quietly observed Meng Shuluo.
Although Huo Linsheng always said that he had no relationship with Meng Shuluo, it was obvious that Meng Shuluo was treated specially by Huo Linsheng. Ling Nuan couldn't help but pay more attention.
Meng Shuluo seemed to have a good temper.
Even when she was overshadowed, she didn't seem angry. When everyone congratulated Huo Linsheng and Ling Nuan, she didn't show the slightest sign of unhappiness or discomfort.
It seemed that there was really no relationship between her and Huo Linsheng beyond that of family friends from well - known families.
When Ling Nuan realized this, she couldn't help but laugh at herself in her heart. What was she doing? After falling in love, why was she so suspicious? She had never been like this with Shen Shaoqing before. Was it because she had been betrayed by Shen Shaoqing once and now she was like a frightened bird?
Meng Shuluo was in poor health, so everyone didn't stay up too late.
A little after ten o'clock, everyone dispersed.
Huo Linsheng took Ling Nuan and walked towards the door with Fu Qili, Meng Shuluo, and Wen Li.
"Are you here in Beijing for a trip this time?" Huo Linsheng asked Meng Shuluo, as if making small talk.
Meng Shuluo smiled and said, "Sort of. The doctor told me to get out and about more. Coincidentally, our family's branch company here in Beijing has some work, so I came to take a look. And perhaps," she joked, glancing at Ling Nuan, "I'll even get to attend your wedding."
Ling Nuan had been smiling originally, but Meng Shuluo's words made her smile fade a bit.
It seemed that she and Huo Linsheng had reconciled, but so far, Huo Linsheng hadn't mentioned anything about holding a wedding.
The contradictions between them still existed.
Meng Shuluo's innocent words had punctured the false appearance of their peaceful relationship.
Huo Linsheng was very calm. Listening to Meng Shuluo's words, he smiled and asked in return, "Are you here for a relaxation or a long - term stay?"
Meng Shuluo replied, "Considering the relationship between our two families, it's not impossible." Then, she looked at Ling Nuan and asked, "Miss Ling, how do you manage to put up with his sharp tongue on a daily basis?"
Ling Nuan just smiled.
Meng Shuluo wasn't very familiar with Ling Nuan, so she didn't say much.
She quickly withdrew her gaze and continued looking at Huo Linsheng. "It's late. You should accompany Miss Ling back quickly."
Huo Linsheng nodded and asked, "What about you?"
Wen Li, standing beside them, immediately replied eagerly, "I'll take Shuluo back."
"I'm staying in Xu Shichen's hotel. The family's house in Beijing needs to be cleaned, and I find it troublesome, so I might as well stay in a downtown hotel. It's more convenient." Meng Shuluo added, "I may have to visit your company in a couple of days. There are some work - related matters."
"Okay," Huo Linsheng agreed.
The group said goodbye at the entrance of Chuyan Restaurant.
When only Huo Linsheng and Ling Nuan were left, Huo Linsheng took an extra look at Ling Nuan and asked, "Are you okay?"
Ling Nuan was a bit confused at first, and then she realized that Huo Linsheng was asking about the private detective.
She shook her head. "There have been some changes, but it's okay."
Hearing this, Huo Linsheng didn't ask any more questions, and the two of them went home together.
...
The private detective couldn't reveal anything.
But Huo Xiao was convinced that it was Ling Nuan.
Huo Zhen might still have some doubts, but after ruling out some suspicious candidates, the last person they locked onto seemed to be Ling Nuan.
Meanwhile, some scandals about Huo Xiao suddenly broke out on the Internet.
This was Ling Nuan's Plan B.
The best plan, of course, was to expose Huo Xiao's attempt to collude with powerful people. This would arouse the public's anger, making the other party afraid to take action and only intensifying the review of Qingnuan.
Since one plan failed, she switched to another.
She would keep Huo Xiao so busy with various matters that she wouldn't have the energy to deal with Shen Shaoqing.
Ling Nuan wasn't a very patient person. When Huo Xiao was overwhelmed by a bunch of troublesome things, if Shen Shaoqing came to her, it would be a miracle if they didn't quarrel, let alone her helping Shen Shaoqing.
In fact, that's exactly what happened.
One moment, Huo Xiao was pestering Huo Zhen to help Shen Shaoqing, but the next moment, someone called her. "Xiaoxiao, something's wrong. Hurry up and check the Internet."
Huo Xiao didn't realize the seriousness of the situation yet. Muttering to herself, she opened her phone and then was stunned.
The things that happened at Huo Xiao's wedding were dug out again. At the same time, there were also photos of Huo Xiao targeting Ling Nuan and being embarrassedly dragged away.
These alone weren't enough to make Huo Xiao be scolded by everyone. Ling Nuan had been privately collecting materials these days. Among them, Yang Qin and Wang Qin, who had already gone abroad, had provided her with a lot of first - hand information.
From Yang Qin, there was evidence of Huo Xiao going to Qingnuan Company and being arrogant towards the employees, not treating them as equals. From Wang Qin, there were various pieces of evidence of Huo Xiao asking her to deal with Ling Nuan, including chat screenshots with Ling Nuan's name blurred and the things she had received from Huo Xiao.
Coupled with Huo Xiao's usual behavior of bullying many people, Ling Nuan only needed to collect a little and put them together, which was enough to soil Huo Xiao's reputation.
First, they used Huo Xiao's messy love life as a gimmick, writing about her relationships with many men. Then, they exposed her actions, such as leaving the child in the hospital without caring.
If these only damaged Huo Xiao's personal reputation, since she wasn't a big star and didn't rely on public opinion for a living, the impact on her seemed to be just making her in a bad mood, not much more.
Until—
The news "Huo Xiao is suspected of transferring the Huoshi Charity Fund" jumped onto the hot search.
Huo Xiao had once held shares in the Huoshi Group and had served as the person - in - charge of the Huoshi Charity Fund. She had also helped the Huoshi Group organize several charity activities.
Privately embezzling the charity fund meant that the Huoshi Group's charity activities might not have been implemented properly.
Soon, the public on the Internet became dissatisfied with the Huoshi Group.
Was it Huo Xiao's individual behavior, or was the Huoshi Group's charity just a show?
Did the Huoshi Group really do a good job in charity every year, or was it just using charity to pay less tax?
Netizens resisted the Huoshi Group and demanded a thorough investigation of the Huoshi Group's tax affairs.
The stock price of the Huoshi Group... plummeted.