The Billionaire's Hidden Affection-Chapter 684 - 681: The Barefooted Brawny Man Appears 7_1

Originally, this was planned to be her last public appearance. Internally, she had mentally prepared for Huang Xiaojue’s warning from last night. However, with Yang Wei showing up today, she felt she absolutely must go.

"Xixi, if you’re really going, let me accompany you."

She shook her head blankly, "No need."

Xu Xiaoya was very insistent, "Let me accompany you. It’s always better to have an extra person for support."

"What’s there to fear? There will be many people at the cocktail party. Anyone who hates me wouldn’t dare to do anything rash in that kind of setting."

"But I can’t shake the feeling that Yang Wei rushing in with a knife isn’t as simple as it seems. He’s been quiet for so long. Why would he suddenly show up now?"

Yan Xixi could not give an answer.

In the secret study, Old Zhou was extremely tense.

On the computer, data points were fluctuating wildly.

Li Xuri’s forehead was covered in sweat, "We’re still twenty percent short... now only ten percent short... The opponent’s data has completely vanished from our surveillance..."

The opponent was clearly doing this intentionally, leaking information bit by bit—first an indirect show of force, then a direct warning.

Old Zhou was enraged, "Wan Donglin has been in the country the whole time! You bunch of idiots, why did you take such a huge detour to Hawaii?"

"This... We received faulty intelligence... We checked his immigration records, which showed him in Hawaii. Who would have thought he’s been in the country all along..."

"Fools! Couldn’t he have used someone else’s passport? Over two months have passed, and you’re only telling me now that he’s been in the country?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Li Xuri dared not respond.

It was this two-month time lag that completely changed the situation.

"No matter what, we must force him to show himself immediately..."

"Wan Donglin is particularly shrewd and has undergone special training. Locating him isn’t easy, and besides, we can’t make any overt moves..."

"This time, even if he’s a venomous snake, he *must* crawl out of his ten-meter-deep snake hole!"

「Night fell, and neon lights flickered.」

The vast private club was opulent with fine food and wine. Fragrant silks rustled, and the air was thick with the cloying scent of luxurious perfumes.

Zhou Ting wore a long white dress, a circlet of small white diamonds adorning her head. Tonight, she was the undisputed center of attention, because it was her birthday.

All the young men and women in the city considered it an honor to receive an invitation.

Yan Xixi, too, was here by virtue of an invitation.

Since Zhou Ting had sent it, she was obliged to attend. She felt very nervous on the way, a dreadful intuition telling her that tonight might be a turning point.

Originally, Li Zhen was supposed to accompany her, but she had refused.

At this critical moment, she didn’t want to drag Li Zhen into this. Some people, you can use, but some people, you cannot harm wantonly.

Xu Xiaoya was the one accompanying her. Yan Xixi couldn’t refuse her. No matter how much they argued, Xu Xiaoya had insisted on coming along.

Xu Xiaoya, with ten years of driving experience, drove her white Jaguar with a steady hand.

Xu Xiaoya had been very anxious on the way. However, as soon as she and Yan Xixi stepped through the entrance and saw the stringent security measures, she immediately relaxed. At such a major event, a reckless person like Yang Wei would have no way of getting in. Besides, she had also discreetly confirmed beforehand that Yang Wei was still at the police station, officially in custody.

The birthday girl was seated in the center of the room.

She was surrounded by countless female friends, each offering charming compliments.

Right next to her stood Huang Xiaojue, impeccably dressed in a suit, distinguished among the crowd. He greeted the guests with perfect propriety, neither overly friendly nor distant. Everything was just right.