Urban Seduction: Housewives Club

The doors of the press room swung open as Zhu Ming Group's Shanghai regional manager, Zhu Mingzhi, strode out with several assistants in tow, following the conclusion of the press conference. The persistent reporters, unwilling to give up, followed closely behind, bombarding him with questions.

"Manager Zhu, what are your thoughts on the official establishment of Ling Yan Group today?"

"Do you really have no attachment to the sixteen enterprises that used to be under your management?"

Zhu Mingzhi, aged twenty-five and a cousin to Zhu Mingde, might not have shown outstanding martial arts talent, but his business acumen was undeniable. Since taking up the position of Shanghai regional manager three years ago, the enterprises under his management had steadily grown, with an annual profit increase of 15%. He was seen as a future economic leader.

Ignoring the deafening noise around him, Zhu Mingzhi continued forward with a stoic expression.

A brash rookie reporter suddenly shouted, "Don't you feel guilty for losing the family businesses your forefathers worked so hard to build?"

Zhu Mingzhi stopped and turned to look at the questioner. Removing his rigid black-framed glasses, his chiseled, sharp features were revealed, and the icy gaze from his obsidian-like eyes seemed to freeze the air around him. The previously noisy group of reporters fell silent, unable to believe the imposing aura of a young man not even thirty. The reporter who had asked the question shivered and retreated into the crowd.

With slow, deliberate words that carried clearly to everyone present, Zhu Mingzhi answered, "I only know one thing: 'The victor is king, the defeated are outlaws.' This is the only truth in the world. Losing to a stronger opponent doesn't warrant any feelings of guilt." After saying this, he put his glasses back on and entered the elevator.

Due to the assistants' intervention, the reporters couldn't follow him into the elevator and could only shout, "Manager Zhu, are you referring to the handsome chairman of Ling Yan Group or the two beautiful presidents as the 'stronger opponent'?"

As the elevator doors closed, Zhu Mingzhi's cold voice rang out, "You'll have to find that out for yourselves!"

Find out? How? The young man, touted as the "most handsome chairman in history," hadn't uttered a word during the press conference. When approached, he only offered cold stares, making him seem unapproachable. The ethereal president, though answering questions, did so with such brevity that none of her responses exceeded three words. As for the charming and lively vice president, although enthusiastic and responsive, her answers felt like shadowboxing, matching the deft evasiveness of seasoned business veterans.

While the reporters sighed in frustration, Zhu Mingzhi also felt a sense of resignation.

Why do I have to bear this shame? Zhu Mingde's mistakes were unfairly thrust upon me, an innocent bystander... It's so unfair! Now I have to live next to that "living Buddha," which won't be easy. If I accidentally offend him again... Should I apply for a transfer? On second thought, this could be an opportunity. If I can establish a connection with the living Buddha, I might become the next family head... Yes, that's a good plan. I'll order all subordinate units to do business with Ling Yan Group, no matter the cost...

"Feiyan, have you picked out your dress yet? Stop watching TV; we're running out of time!" Tan Ailing, fresh from her bath, saw Tang Feiyan still lazily watching cartoons on the sofa and couldn't help but remind her.

"What dress?"

"The one for tonight's banquet! Hurry up, or we'll be late!"

"Oh no, the banquet!"

"Did you forget about it?" Judging by Tang Feiyan's expression, Tan Ailing didn't need to guess what had happened.

"I've been so busy these days that I completely forgot about it." Tang Feiyan had no recollection of it.

Because the sixteen enterprises had just joined Ling Yan Group, Tang Feiyan had planned a banquet to welcome the senior management of these companies. But she had forgotten about it herself!

"So, you didn't buy a dress either?" Tan Ailing rolled her eyes at her forgetful friend.

"That's right! What should we do? Can we skip it?" This was a crucial event for their group's senior management, unlike the last banquet hosted by the municipal government. Tang Feiyan didn't want to attend in jeans.

"What do you think?" Tan Ailing rolled her eyes again. "There's less than two hours left; we have to buy one immediately!"

"And you?" Tang Feiyan knew that Tan Ailing didn't have an evening gown either. If she hadn't prepared, Tan Ailing probably hadn't either.

"Of course, I'm going with you to buy them!" Tan Ailing said with a slight blush. "I thought you would have everything ready in advance, so I didn't ask."

"You..." Tang Feiyan pouted. "If neither of us were prepared, why did you just question me so loudly?"

Ignoring her expression, Tan Ailing slapped her thigh and said, "Hurry up! We still need to choose shoes, do our hair, and pick out an outfit for Eric. I'm sure he hasn't prepared anything either."

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Tan Ailing gave Tang Feiyan another nudge and said, "You get ready; I'll answer the door. It might be Eric and little Feng Qian returning from their walk."

"Excuse me, does Miss Tan Ailing and Miss Tang Feiyan live here?" It wasn't Eric or Feng Qian at the door but a delivery man.

Tan Ailing nodded, slightly puzzled, and said, "Yes, I'm Tan Ailing. And you are...?"

"We're from 'Madame Elizabeth's Boutique,' delivering clothes for you and Miss Tang Feiyan."

"Who is it?" Tang Feiyan asked as she came downstairs.

"Clothes delivery."

"Where should we put these items?" the delivery man asked.

"Just over there in the corner of the living room," Tan Ailing replied, pointing.

The delivery man set down a few boxes and, along with two other delivery men, brought in many more boxes from a small truck outside. It looked like Christmas morning with the sheer number of boxes piling up like a mountain.

"This must be Miss Tang Feiyan?" one of the delivery men with a clipboard asked.

"That's me," Tang Feiyan said, her face reflecting the same confusion as Tan Ailing's.

"Please sign for these."

"Are you sure these are for us? You didn't make a mistake?" Tan Ailing and Tang Feiyan asked in unison, feeling that there must be some mix-up.

"No mistake, the address is correct," the delivery man said, checking the address.

"But I didn't order these," Tan Ailing said as she and Tang Feiyan signed their names.

"We're just responsible for delivery. If you have questions, you might want to check the card inside! Alright, we won't disturb you further. Goodbye."

After the delivery men left, Tan Ailing and Tang Feiyan were left staring at the pile of boxes, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Where to start looking for a small card in this mountain of gifts? And with time running out, any more delay meant attending the banquet in casual clothes!

However, driven by a sense of curiosity, they started searching through the boxes.

"A card? I found one! Let's see who this mysterious admirer is…" Tang Feiyan said, laughing as she opened a pink card. It read, "Tonight, you will wear the clouds and meet your white knight. I hope you like it. My eternal fairy—Tan Ailing."

"Here's another blue card!" Tan Ailing found another card and opened it. It read, "I hope you will wear this and dance with me. Tonight, you will be the brightest queen—Tang Feiyan."

"Who could it be?" Tang Feiyan still didn't recognize the sender. But Tan Ailing seemed to have a clue, her complex expression showing doubt, disbelief, and a hint of happiness.

"Can't you tell?" Tan Ailing's lips curved into a sweet smile. "The handwriting on the card…"

Following her hint, Tang Feiyan closely examined the handwriting and finally exclaimed, "It's Eric! How did he think to send us these?"

"Stop guessing and let's see what he sent us!" Tan Ailing couldn't wait any longer.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Tang Feiyan readily agreed.

They first opened the box for Tan Ailing.

"It's beautiful, a pearl-colored evening gown. Now let's see what's in mine."

Tang Feiyan excitedly opened the box from Eric, revealing a light purple evening gown.

Both dresses were stunning, clearly expensive, handmade, and one-of-a-kind. The other boxes contained shoes, matching coats, gloves, and jewelry, completing the ensemble from head to toe.

"Eric is so thoughtful… Alright, let's try them on and see if they fit, don't forget the shoes…"

As they finished getting ready, the doorbell rang again, and this time, it was Eric holding Feng Qian's hand!

Seeing Tan Ailing and Tang Feiyan, Eric's pupils dilated, and even Feng Qian couldn't help but exclaim, "So beautiful!"

Eric undeniably had an excellent eye for picking out clothes.