She reached out and gave her head a heavy knock.
Lin Banxia, what on earth are you thinking? The eldest heir of the Huo Family, do you actually dare to fantasize about him?
You're not even worthy of Huo Qinglin, let alone the man who holds the reins of the Huo Family—he's as noble as an Emperor, while you're nothing more than mud beneath his feet.
Mocking herself inwardly, Lin Banxia stepped toward the grand estate of the Huo Family.
She hadn't even entered the door when Huo Qinglin's voice called out her name: "Banxia, what took you so long? All the guests are already here."
Lin Banxia let out a cold laugh inside. She had deliberately arrived late, waiting until every last guest had made it.
"Qinglin, I got stuck in traffic. Can you believe my luck is just this terrible? The moment I step out, there's a jam," Lin Banxia said, knowing full well Huo Qinglin hated women who complained incessantly. And she was determined to be precisely such a woman.
Drive you mad!
Sure enough, a look of irritation flashed across Huo Qinglin's face: "Alright, stop whining about this and that. Can't you leave earlier next time? Do you know what day it is today? It's my grandmother's birthday! As my girlfriend, you show up late—people will gossip. Hurry up!"
Lin Banxia felt a large hand, rough and impatient, grab her wrist and lead her straight to the center of the hall.
Her delicate figure couldn't keep up, and as a result, Lin Banxia stumbled in an ungainly fashion.
The hall was packed with distinguished guests. Lin Banxia's gaze swept across the room—most of them she recognized. Socialites, wealthy matrons, and high-ranking politicians and businessmen. Any one of them could crush her with ease.
A trace of defiance flickered in Lin Banxia's eyes. Embarrassing Huo Qinglin in front of all these people felt absolutely exhilarating.
"Grandmother, Banxia is here!" Huo Qinglin dragged Lin Banxia like a ragdoll, presenting her in front of Mrs. Huo.
Mrs. Huo had grown old, with most of her hair turned silver. Yet her commanding presence as the matriarch of the household remained firmly intact—sitting there with an expression of benevolent warmth, yet exuding a quiet authority that left no room for insolence.
"Banxia, greet Grandmother!" In front of so many people, Huo Qinglin's tone was remarkably gentle for once.
Lin Banxia instantly smiled shyly and respectfully said, "Hello, Grandmother."
"Hmm, Banxia, you're quite late," Mrs. Huo said with a tone of mild reproach, adhering strictly to tradition and protocol. Her displeasure with Lin Banxia's tardiness was plain.
"Grandmother, I'm truly sorry," Lin Banxia replied, still maintaining her bashful expression.
Huo Qinglin quickly interjected, "Grandmother, Banxia has prepared a special gift for you. Would you like to see it?"
"Oh? Banxia, how thoughtful of you!" Mrs. Huo's face softened slightly, her smile becoming more indulgent.
Lin Banxia's outward composure remained serene as ever, her expression shy and timid. Yet inside, she was reveling in a cold sneer—the real show was about to begin.
"Grandmother, I did prepare a gift for you, but…" Lin Banxia's delicate, pretty face turned toward the mountain of presents stacked nearby. Undoubtedly, her gift would be the cheapest and most humiliating among them.
"Banxia, stop dragging your feet. Didn't you already prepare something? Hurry up and present it to Grandmother so she can be happy," Huo Qinglin nudged her lightly, signaling her to quickly hand over the present.
Lin Banxia's hesitant expression finally faded away. Resigned to her fate, she said, "Alright then, Grandmother. This is the gift I want to give you. Please don't find it disappointing—I don't have much pocket money, and I wasn't sure what to buy to show my respect. This hot water bottle is something I carefully selected after much consideration before deciding to give it to you."
The expressions of everyone present froze into stone.
Huo Qinglin's handsome face turned as stiff as a sculpture, his eyes locked on the hot water bottle Lin Banxia was holding in her hands.
"Ha!" In the silent hall, a deep, resonant male laugh was the first to break the quiet tension.
Lin Banxia had already anticipated everyone's reactions long beforehand. And so, she was faster than anyone else. Her bright eyes immediately scanned for the source of the laughter.
On a single-seater sofa to the side, Huo Yanting sat with long legs elegantly crossed, lounging in a posture of utter laziness. At this moment, his sharply handsome face wore an uncharacteristic and uncontrollable smile.
Lin Banxia had always been thick-skinned, but when his dark, enigmatic gaze turned to her, her fair complexion tinged with soft blushes of red.
This man…