My Ares Son-in-Law

As Xiao Chen watched Zhou Keying's departing figure, a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips. But the next second, he noticed a gaze fixed on him.

He looked up and his gaze met Zhou Keying's...

She stopped walking at some point and stood not far away, her eyes sparkling, with a hint of barely perceptible bewilderment, staring intently at him.

"What are you looking at?" Xiao Chen asked with a slight smile, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.

Startled by his sudden question, Zhou Keying blushed instantly, her cheeks turning a faint red like a ripe apple. Her eyes darted around nervously, and she stammered an explanation:

"N-nothing...it's just...it just feels like you're acting a bit different today."

As soon as she said it, she became even more shy. She quickly let go of Xiao Chen's arm and took two hurried steps back, her voice barely audible: "I...I'll go check on the old lady first, so she won't have to wait."

After saying that, she turned around and walked quickly to the other side of the banquet hall, her skirt swaying gently, her back view showing a hint of hurried panic.

As Xiao Chen watched her retreating figure, the smile in his eyes deepened, spreading across his eyes and landing on his lips, gentle and genuine, completely different from his usual aloof aura.

On the other side of the banquet hall, Old Mrs. Zhou sat in the main seat.

She wore a deep purple silk cheongsam with delicate embroidered patterns on the collar. Her hair was neatly combed, with silver strands pulled back to reveal her smooth forehead.

She held an ebony cane in her hand, the head of which was inlaid with a piece of warm jade. She tapped the ground gently, making a "tap, tap" sound.

She exuded an undeniable air of authority, and was surrounded by a group of Zhou family relatives, all of whom were respectful and whispering among themselves.

"Grandma." Zhou Keying walked over quickly, bowed slightly, and greeted her respectfully, her tone filled with the respect of a junior for an elder.

Grandma Zhou slowly raised her eyelids, her gaze sweeping lightly across her face without any extra expression, only letting out a soft "hmm" through her nose.

Then she immediately turned her head back to Zhou Hao beside her, her tone softening slightly:
"Ah Hao, when you go on stage to speak later, you need to be calm and not panic. President Shen from Dansheng Group will also be here, so don't leave a bad impression on him and delay our Zhou family's important event."

Zhou Hao immediately straightened his back, a fawning and smug smile plastered on his face, and nodded repeatedly in response: "Don't worry, Grandma, I'm all prepared! I've memorized the speech several times, there will be absolutely no mistakes, and I'll definitely make the Zhou family proud!"

Zhou Keying stood to the side, her smile gradually freezing, feeling a strange unease rising in her heart as if something had gently pricked her.

What should we prepare?
She repeatedly asked herself this question. The most crucial part of today's banquet was announcing the selection of the project manager for Dansheng Group's 10 billion yuan project.

She worked through the night to write a 70-page report, compiled hundreds of documents, and traveled to various departments to coordinate with them. It was only after a tremendous amount of effort that she finally secured this project.

It was her hard work and dedication that made her the perfect candidate for project manager, according to almost everyone present.

Moreover, Old Mrs. Zhou had clearly promised her that as long as she could win the project, the project manager position would definitely be hers.

But now, the old lady's attitude and Zhou Hao's confidence are making her feel increasingly uneasy.

“Grandma,” Zhou Keying took a deep breath, suppressing her unease, and tentatively spoke, her voice trembling slightly. “Regarding the selection of the project manager for that 10 billion yuan project at Dansheng Group… you previously said that as long as I could secure the project, you would put me in charge…”

Grandma Zhou slowly turned her head, her gaze still calm, even carrying a hint of imperceptible aloofness, as she slowly swept her gaze across her face, her tone completely unwavering: "The candidate has been decided. You'll find out when they're announced on stage later."

It was that look in her eyes—devoid of warmth, guilt, and even the slightest hesitation—that made Zhou Keying's heart sink, as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, instantly chilled to the bone.

She instinctively turned around, anxiously searching for Xiao Chen's figure in the bustling crowd. At that moment, she desperately needed support, someone who could give her peace of mind.

Soon, she saw that familiar figure... Xiao Chen was still standing by the pillar, holding a glass of champagne in his hand, his posture upright, and he seemed to be shrouded in a faint sense of aloofness, out of place with the surrounding noise.

Through the layers of shadows, their eyes met in mid-air.

Xiao Chen didn't speak, but simply nodded gently at her, his eyes deep and firm, as if to tell her: Don't panic, I'm here.

Looking into his eyes, Zhou Keying felt a little calmer. She took a deep breath, trying to composed herself, and repeatedly reassured herself:

It's okay. I won the project, the credit is mine, and the person chosen will definitely be mine.

Even if the old lady is biased, she can't lie through her teeth and give away my hard work to someone else for no reason.

Just then, the lights in the banquet hall dimmed slightly, and the melodious violin music gradually stopped.

All eyes turned to the main stage at the front of the banquet hall. The murmurs gradually subsided, and the scene became quiet as everyone waited for the next important moment.

With Zhou Hao's help, Grandma Zhou slowly stood up, leaning on her cane. Her steps were slow, yet each one exuded authority as she walked step by step onto the main stage and to the microphone.

Good evening, distinguished guests, friends and family.

She cleared her throat, her voice loud and clear, carrying throughout the banquet hall through the microphone.

"Today, our Zhou family is holding this banquet for two reasons: first, to celebrate our successful strategic cooperation with Dansheng Group worth 10 billion yuan; and second, to thank everyone for your continued support and care for the Zhou family."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room, her tone tinged with pride: "This multi-billion dollar project is the most important project our Zhou family has undertaken in recent years, and a crucial step in our family's leap forward. It was hard-won!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole room erupted in enthusiastic applause, and the guests raised their glasses in celebration, their faces full of congratulations.

Grandma Zhou nodded in satisfaction, raised her hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and continued:

"Now that we've secured the project, the most crucial step is to select a capable leader who can shoulder this responsibility and guide the project forward smoothly, living up to everyone's expectations."

Zhou Keying stood below the stage, her palms slightly sweaty, her heart pounding, her fists clenched so tightly her nails almost dug into her flesh. (End of Chapter)