Chapter 190: Chapter 187: Tonight, You’re the Most Beautiful Woman in the Room (Part 2)
Ruan Chen is coming too?
Jin Jumo was surprised, "Neither of you are going to the company?"
"Giving ourselves a vacation, take it easy." Ying Jingyao’s clear eyes were gentle, reflecting on Jin Jumo’s face.
Jin Jumo’s gaze flickered slightly, but she didn’t say anything.
The group went downstairs and saw Ruan Chen leaning against the car, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a cigarette to his mouth, looking a bit different from his usual calm and controlled image.
Seeing the group approaching, Ruan Chen took a puff of his cigarette, squinting, and as the smoke gently escaped from his nose and lips, it was directed at Jian Liangtong.
Jian Liangtong rolled her eyes at him.
Ruan Chen smirked and opened the door of the stretched Lincoln car.
Jin Jumo glanced at the car, her eyes twitching slightly.
She thought to herself, taking that car to the zoo, are they going to visit, or to be visited?
"So many people, one car can’t fit us all. Besides, if we take two cars, the kids definitely wouldn’t want to be separated." As if knowing what Jin Jumo was thinking, Ying Jingyao softly said while gazing at Jin Jumo.
Jin Jumo gave him a small smile.
"Beautiful lady, please get in."
Jin Jumo and Ying Jingyao carried Xixi and Hanhan into the car, and when it was Jian Liangtong and Hao Hao’s turn, Ruan Chen suddenly said this.
Jian Liangtong got goosebumps, frowned at him, her red lips moved slightly, and she muttered under her breath, "Forgot to take your medicine before going out?"
Having said that, Jian Liangtong didn’t look at Ruan Chen, she carried Hao Hao into the car.
Ruan Chen lowered his head, a deep smile appearing in his eyes, and he got in after her!
As Jin Jumo had expected, when the stretched Lincoln reached the zoo entrance, it attracted quite a bit of attention, and Jin Jumo, with a stiff smile, carried Xixi out of the car. Once Jian Liangtong got out, the two quickly headed into the zoo to hide.
Watching Jin Jumo and Jian Liangtong hurry into the zoo, Ying Jingyao and Ruan Chen exchanged glances before following them in.
Other than that initial awkward moment at the zoo entrance, everything else was no different, apart from some occasional curious looks from passersby.
The kids played happily, seemingly not tiring at all.
At lunchtime, the group just grabbed a simple meal at the zoo’s restaurant and continued their visit.
By almost four in the afternoon, Ruan Chen stepped aside to take a phone call. When he returned, he glanced at Ying Jingyao and bent down to pick up Hao Hao, "After a day of play, the kids are tired. How about we head back?"
"..." Jin Jumo and Jian Liangtong were both taken aback.
"I haven’t seen the big tiger yet."
Xixi tilted her little head up, speaking quietly to Jin Jumo.
Jin Jumo furrowed her brows and looked at Ying Jingyao, "Jingyao, if you and Ruan Chen are tired, why don’t you wait for us in the car? I’ll take Xixi to see the tiger and then we’ll meet you."
Ying Jingyao didn’t reply to Jin Jumo immediately. Instead, he picked up Xixi and gently said, "Brother Ying will take Xixi to see the big tiger another day, okay?"
Xixi clasped her hands together, "Why?"
Ying Jingyao pinched Xixi’s little hand, "Because Uncle Ying needs to take Xixi somewhere now. Uncle Ying promises to bring Xixi back to the zoo to see the big tiger another day."
Xixi thought for a moment, her little face showing reluctance, but she still nodded, "Okay."
Ying Jingyao slightly smiled and then turned to Jin Jumo, "Let’s go."
"..." Jin Jumo’s eyes tracked with hesitation, glancing at Jian Liangtong.
Jian Liangtong’s face also showed some confusion.
The group left the zoo and drove off.
Sitting in the car, Jin Jumo looked down quietly at Xixi in her arms, her slightly furrowed brows making her appear deep in thought.
Suddenly, the hand on Xixi’s little waist was clasped by a warm, large hand.
Jin Jumo’s long eyelashes fluttered and she lifted her gaze toward Ying Jingyao, who sat beside her.
Ying Jingyao looked back at her, his eyes were still clear and gentle, filled with a sticky tenderness.
Jin Jumo, unable to relax as before, slightly pulled her hand out of his grasp with some force.
With an empty palm, a moment of daze flashed across Ying Jingyao’s gentle face, his eyes still glued to her, only his fists clenched tightly.
Jian Liangtong glanced between Jin Jumo and Ying Jingyao, a silent sigh sweeping through her heart.
The Lincoln car stopped in front of a fashion design company.
As soon as they got out of the car, Vincen came out from inside, his eyes lingering on Jin Jumo for a second, then turning to Ying Jingyao, "Come in."
Ying Jingyao nodded slightly, his eyes slowly turning to Jin Jumo’s cool face, lips pressed tightly.
Jin Jumo held Xixi and Hanhan by the hand, standing still for quite a while.
Until Vincen’s urging voice came again, Jin Jumo lowered her eyes, leading Xixi and Hanhan inside without a word.
Upon entering the company, Vincen guided them into his private fashion styling room.
The styling for Xixi and Hanhan was handled by his assistant, while Jin Jumo’s styling was personally done by Vincen.
Ying Jingyao stood tall behind Jin Jumo, watching her through the mirror.
Jin Jumo’s expression was calm, not exchanging much eye contact with Ying Jingyao, and she cooperated with some of Vincen’s requests.
An hour later, Vincen and his assistant announced that they were finished.
Jin Jumo’s long, glossy black hair was tied at the back by Vincen, parted in the middle, with strands curling into large waves that hung beside her cheeks. Her makeup was subtle and pure, closely matching her natural skin tone.
A floor-length white evening gown with a cinched waist, the neckline was in a traditional cheongsam style, and above the shoulders was white sheer fabric showing off her delicate collarbone and slender neck. The white gown made her fair skin look even more translucent.
Jin Jumo looked at her reflection in the mirror without much emotion in her eyes.
Her shoulders were gently held from behind, and Jin Jumo’s eyes flickered as she looked in the mirror at the handsome man standing behind her.
"Xiao Xiao, tonight you will be the most beautiful woman in the room." Ying Jingyao did not hide the amazement in his eyes, lovingly gazing at Jin Jumo’s beautiful and pure face in the mirror, whispering in her ear.
Jin Jumo stared at Ying Jingyao, catching a glimpse of Xixi and Hanhan being watched over by Jian Liangtong from the corner of her eye, her shoulders slightly lowered to avoid Ying Jingyao’s hands, turning back to gaze lightly at him, "I have something to tell you."
After speaking, Jin Jumo walked straight out of the styling room.
Ying Jingyao watched Jin Jumo’s slender silhouette, lips pressing slightly, and followed her out.
At the stairway corner, Jin Jumo stood with her back to Ying Jingyao.
Ying Jingyao stood at the top of the stairs, looking at her for a while before stepping down, embracing Jin Jumo from behind, his voice gentle, "What’s wrong?"
Jin Jumo glanced at the arms around her waist, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, silent for a long time.
Ying Jingyao’s arms around her waist paused slightly, then he grasped her arms, turning her to face him.
His warm gaze softly locked onto her, "Xiao Xiao..."
"Jingyao, you..."
"What about me?" Ying Jingyao cut her off softly, his lips even carrying a hint of affectionate teasing, looking at her as he spoke.
Jin Jumo stared at his elegant face, her throat moving slightly, unable to keep her tone indifferent, she spoke softly, "Didn’t we agree?"
Ying Jingyao’s warm fingertips brushed over Jin Jumo’s smooth profile, his lips still gently curved, "What do you mean?"
Jin Jumo’s eyes flashed with a hint of irritation, the air in her chest clearly rushing to her throat, she closed her eyes slightly, took a breath, and maintained a calm tone as she looked at him, "A few days ago you proposed to hold a fourth birthday party for Xixi and Hanhan, and I remember I disagreed at the time..."
"Hmm." Before Jin Jumo could finish, Ying Jingyao nodded.
Jin Jumo’s jawline tensed slightly, "Then you..."
"Xiao Xiao, I’m sorry." Ying Jingyao suddenly said.
Jin Jumo’s eyes contracted as she stared at him.
Ying Jingyao’s clear eyes were filled with apology, gripping Jin Jumo’s soft hand tightly, "Actually, when I mentioned it to you, I had already been preparing secretly for a long time. I thought you would be happy, but after meeting with you that day, I notified my parents not to rush back to S City before Xixi and Hanhan’s birthday banquet..."
Pausing, "But it was already too late, my mother was already on a flight to S City. Moreover, my parents had already informed friends and family, invitations had been sent out, and everyone would come today to attend Xixi and Hanhan’s birthday party. Xiao Xiao, I didn’t mean to keep it from you, I just didn’t want you to be unhappy too early for today’s birthday party."
Looking at his sincere and apologetic face, the annoyance in Jin Jumo’s heart did not diminish because of his words, but instead was more stifling, "Jingyao, I hope you understand, I disagree with having a birthday party for Xixi and Hanhan now, not because I disagree with you. It’s just that we have just started dating, it’s too early to announce our relationship publicly."
Ying Jingyao looked deeply into Jin Jumo’s eyes, yet a soft smile appeared on his face, "I understand."
Jin Jumo took a breath and spoke softly, "Jingyao, if you truly understood, you wouldn’t be forcing me like this."
"Xiao Xiao, I’m not forcing you." Ying Jingyao hugged her again, every gaze at her was so gentle it could melt hearts, "If you really don’t like today’s arrangement, I can cancel it immediately. I will personally explain to my parents. The other guests at the banquet, I will entertain them well and personally send them off."
When it comes down to it, how could it really be canceled?
Jin Jumo closed her eyes, after a while, she opened them, pushed Ying Jingyao away, said nothing, and left the stairway corner.
As soon as Jin Jumo emerged from the stairs, she saw Jian Liangtong standing at the entrance of the styling room.
Jin Jumo pressed her lips together and walked towards her.
Jian Liangtong walked a couple of steps towards her, looked behind her, and lowered her voice to ask, "What’s going on?"
Jin Jumo quietly stared at her, with peach blossom eyes shimmering with a hint of melancholy.
Jian Liangtong’s eyebrows twitched slightly, "Didn’t you both agree before not to hold a birthday party?"