Chapter 783   - The Awarding Ceremony (1)

The day of the final selections and the awarding ceremony had finally come. Outside the venue, the organizers laid a magnificent long red carpet to welcome their guests and attendees.

The scene was surrounded by reporters, fashion enthusiasts, and fans that were looking forward to seeing popular actors and personalities expected to attend tonight. Some were holding signs with the name of their idols written on them while the others held onto their colorful light sticks, keeping an eye on those who just arrived at the venue.

This year's designer competition was rather star-studded compared to the previous years because two of the youngest popular designers were going to face off on the stage. Liu Ruoyan had a fair share of fans outside, but the Black Nightingale's name was also known, especially within the upper social elite circle due to the rarity of her dresses.

When the clock hit eight in the evening, the guests started to arrive one by one. Amid the loud cheering outside, Li Meili was helped by Zhang Jiren to step out of the car. Blinding camera flashes came their way, and Li Meili had a hard time seeing where she was going. Thankfully, her husband was there to help her keep her balance.

"T-thank you," she whispered and held onto his arm before looking around, seeing the excited crowd outside the venue.

"I didn't expect it to be as huge as this," she told her husband.

"It's because everyone heard about the Black Nightingale's participation in the competition this year. It seems everyone is eager to find out her real identity," Zhang Jiren replied, with a teasing tone in his voice.

The two took a moment and posed for the photographers to take photos of them together before entering the venue. Many people were astounded by how elegant and beautiful Li Meili was. Since Li Meili had somewhat cast herself out of her family, many assumed that she didn't have a good upbringing since she had chosen to leave the Li family.

"Is she really that Li Meili? President Li's younger sister?" One of the junior reporters asked his superior.

"It's also my first time seeing Miss Li myself, but we couldn't be mistaken. She's really Li Meili."

There was no doubt about it because the man that was standing next to her was none other than the current CEO of Zhang Corporation, Zhang Jiren. Who hadn't heard about his sudden marriage that took place more than a year ago with the Li heiress?

If Zhang Jiren didn't show up tonight, there was no doubt that they would also be confused by seeing Li Meili the first time. She'd been gone for too long and was rarely seen attending major events like this one.

However, tonight, as they looked at the Li heiress—wearing a champagne-colored mermaid dress she designed herself, they couldn't help but be awed by her beauty and elegance. Her shoulders and half of her back were b.a.r.e for everyone to see. The bodice was decorated with crystals and elegant pearls that shone brightly under lights.

Even though she had given birth over three months ago to her daughter, she was able to return from her pre-pregnancy figure with the help of her husband and Tang Moyu. The dress she was wearing gave her a slender and perfect look. Since she was still b.r.e.a.s.tfeeding her daughter, her c.h.e.s.t looked plumper than usual.

"You look so beautiful tonight. I'm tempted to hide you from the public," Zhang Jiren whispered next to her ear as the photographer continued to snap their pictures. The suit that he was wearing tonight was also made by Li Meili herself.

It was a double-b.r.e.a.s.ted champagne suit paired with a white dress shirt that gave him a proper look for any formal event. Li Meili completed the look by asking her husband to wear a pair of brown leather Oxford shoes tonight.

There was a misconception that lighter-colored suits were harder to style when compared to the darker ones like navy suits or charcoal gray suits, but in fact, it was just that people were just used to seeing men in darker suits for office and formal events. Since Li Meili's evening gown tonight was a champagne-colored one, she decided to make the same color motif for her husband's clothes.

With his tall stature and impressive built, the suit looked classy on Zhang Jiren. With a handsome face and a cold demeanor that gave him a mysterious vibe, it obviously attracted a lot of women's attention.

Li Meili smirked and turned to face her husband, resting one hand over his c.h.e.s.t as she gave a lazy look to the photographers while Zhang Jiren rested a hand on her h.i.p.s, keeping her close next to him.

"You aren't so bad yourself, dear. Some women can't take their eyes off of you. A little more, and I would be jealous." Since it was rare for Li Meili to hear her husband speak like this, she got along with his teasing. She'd never seen this flirty side of Zhang Jiren before.

Hearing his wife compliment him, Zhang Jiren's gaze softened as he looked at her. It had a hint of warmth and gentleness he only gave Li Meili and Leyan. However, he knew deep down that she was just teasing him, and he shouldn't take it seriously. He might be able to catch her eye, but he would never be able to have her heart.

Zhang Jiren understood that he could never replace Tang Beixuan in her heart. Li Meili still had a long way to go before she could move on from her beloved's sudden passing, and even if she did, Zhang Jiren was sure that he would be out of her life when that happened.

So these memories he shared with her—playing the role as her husband, Zhang Jiren would cherish it in his heart. As he slipped his hand on hers, leading her away from the photographers; Zhang Jiren couldn't wait to see her winning the award tonight.