Chapter 60: Chapter 60 The Princess and the Dream
Professor Xu Yun’s arrival took the atmosphere at the venue to its zenith.
With the protagonist here, the celebration banquet could naturally begin.
Zhao Yingjun had originally planned to have Professor Xu Yun say a few words, but he declined.
So Zhao Yingjun went straight to the stage and delivered the opening speech, recounting the impressive sales and achievements of the new Rhein brand and thanking every employee of the company for their hard work.
“Today’s success of MX Company, the successful launch of the new Rhein brand, would not have been possible without the effort of every employee. But if we have to name the most deserving of thanks… I believe everyone has the same answer in mind.”
After Zhao Yingjun finished this sentence,
the hall erupted once again in warm applause.
All eyes instinctively turned towards Lin Xian, filled with recognition and admiration.
Everyone was clear in their minds.
Without Lin Xian, how could there be a celebration banquet like today’s?
Whether it was the design of the Rhein Cat or securing the authorization from Professor Xu Yun, Lin Xian’s contributions to MX Company were there for all to see.
The whole company now regarded Lin Xian as a “Vice President”; in fact, during the recent personnel adjustments, many expressed indignation on Lin Xian’s behalf, feeling that Zhao Yingjun’s promotion of Lin Xian had been too conservative, and that he should have been promoted directly to the position of Vice President.
As the applause faded…
Zhao Yingjun stretched out an arm towards Lin Xian:
“Now, please welcome Group Leader Lin Xian to the stage to deliver the New Year’s greetings to everyone.”
Amid the applause and cheers, Lin Xian walked onstage with a smile and took the microphone:
“Thank you, leaders and colleagues, for your recognition. First, I must say that the success of the Rhein brand belongs to each and every one of us, and there is no distinction between the size of contributions made. Like everyone here, I have simply done my own duty.”
“It is precisely because each of us has done our job well that our new Rhein brand has been able to have such a successful launch and achieve such success. Therefore… each of us is a hero of today’s celebration!”
“2022 is coming to an end, and in this year…”
Thanks to his experience as a host at the university for many years, Lin Xian’s stage presence was very steady. Coupled with his specially practiced hosting voice, everyone listened intensively and was deeply moved.
When Lin Xian finished the final New Year’s speech,
the entire hall burst into unprecedented enthusiastic applause.
It was a manifestation of everyone’s admiration and respect for the youngest group leader, the most promising young man in the company.
Next, it was time for the dinner banquet.
Countless delicacies, fine wines, and desserts were served by the waiting staff and arranged in an orderly fashion on the long tables on both sides.
Abalone and lobster, at Victoria Hall’s dinner, could only be considered entry-level appetizers. The names of the top-tier ingredients prepared by world-renowned chefs were unfamiliar to many, but they emitted an enticing aroma that greatly stimulated the appetite.
Although Professor Xu Yun wasn’t accustomed to such gatherings, happiness is indeed contagious.
Especially after a few glasses of wine.
And with Xu Yun also feeling a sense of relief having completed his research,
he quickly assimilated into the joyous atmosphere and shared many stories from his youth with Lin Xian.
The meal had not long started when Gao Yang finally arrived, fashionably late.
After hurriedly greeting Lin Xian, Gao Yang immediately rushed to start devouring the lobster.
He had long planned the optimal route for eating at a buffet, ensuring to use every inch of space in his stomach efficiently to savor the ultimate taste experience:
“Can I sneak away with two bottles of red wine?”
While holding a lobster claw, Gao Yang leaned in to ask Lin Xian in a low voice.
“…You can if you pretend you don’t know me,”
Lin Xian answered truthfully:
“Just don’t rat me out if you get caught.”
“But I’ve just told your company’s receptionist that we’re good buddies!” Gao Yang, nibbling on lobster meat:
“We even added each other on WeChat. But she seemed more interested in you, even asking if you have a girlfriend.”
“Then just keep it discreet and don’t embarrass me.”
Group Leader Wang from the marketing department came running up and said to Zhao Yingjun next to him:
“President Zhao! Chairman Chu Shanhe’s car has arrived! It just entered the gate!”
The men and women nearby quieted down instantly upon hearing Chu Shanhe’s name…
Within Donghai City, Chu Shanhe’s name was known to all, a frequent presence in the news.
But the number of people who had a chance to see him in person was extremely small.
Especially for ordinary people, perhaps they would never even have the chance to brush past him in their entire lives.
Thus, everyone conscientiously cleared the middle path, eagerly anticipating Chu Shanhe’s arrival, wanting to catch a glimpse of the real person.
The doors of the venue were pushed open halfway by the waiters.
A hearty and deep laugh came in first—
“Hahahahaha… Congratulations! Congratulations to everyone! Happy New Year!”
Dressed in a white suit, Chu Shanhe’s tall and broad figure was even more upright and powerful.
He clasped his fists and blessed the crowds on both sides with a smile bright as the sun, joy spreading across his face, taking steps toward the center of the hall.
A delicate figure also waved her hand, politely smiling and nodding to the people on both sides.
She was dressed in a beige tulle gown, her fluffy chestnut-brown hair tightly coiled behind her head, leaving the girl’s tender neck and jawline exposed, with exquisite craftsmanship.
Beyond her pearly teeth and rosy lips, there was no other makeup. This natural beauty required only a smile like a spring breeze to surpass all the heavy makeup and artificial adornment.
She followed behind her father, alternately waving and smiling at the crowd. Her beautiful eyes curved into charming crescents, and the dimples by her mouth appeared like fleeting glimpses, delighting all who saw her.
And the beauty mark by her left eye added the perfect touch, enhancing her already radiant appearance with another hint of allure.
Lin Xian held his breath, disbelieving his own eyes!
That was unmistakably CC!
The same hair color and style, the same curved eyes, the same expression and posture, the same glance and smile, the same slender cuteness, even the same dimples and beauty mark!
He finally understood…
Why Zhao Yingjun, after only one glance at the sketch of CC, blurted out that the drawing was of Chu Anqing…
Because the two girls looked so alike!
Not alike, not similar in spirit,
But truly “identical”!
The Chu Anqing walking toward him and the CC who smiled back in the dream were indistinguishably alike!
What on earth was going on?
How could there be two people as similar as if they were copied and pasted in the world, especially separated by 600 years of time and space?
For a moment, a mix of noises tangled confusingly in Lin Xian’s mind—
“Mr. Lin, are you certain that you can distinguish between reality and dreams?”
“CC, just call me CC.”
“The person in your painting is not Chu Shanhe’s daughter… Chu Anqing?”
“Do you know… what’s the biggest side effect of hibernation?”
“By then, you won’t be able to tell dreams from reality at all.”
The bright lights in the hall shone down.
Lin Xian’s vision was a bit dazed.
Gazing at the approaching smile, his eyes met hers, and Chu Anqing waved to him…
Revealing a sweet smile.