179: Chapter 179 Lin Wanrou's Favoritism Towards Her Future Daughter-in-Law

As the music started, Choi Sulli, Victoria Song, Amber Liu, Luna, and Krystal Jung appeared one by one, performing the title track of their new album, 'Rum Pum Pum Pum'.

Choi Sulli stood in the center position, dancing to the rhythm. Her sweet smile and lively eyes instantly captured many people's attention.

However, just as she turned around, her gaze inadvertently swept across the front row of the audience, and her entire body suddenly froze.

Below the stage, Lin Wanrou was sitting next to high-ranking officials of The Peninsula, who were enthusiastically introducing her to The Peninsula's cultural situation.

She had a gentle smile on her face as she chatted and laughed with the surrounding officials, but her eyes were mainly focused on the stage.

Choi Sulli never expected that Lin Wanrou would appear here, and sitting in such a prominent position at that.

The massive surprise and shock caused her mind to go blank for a moment. She subconsciously missed a dance step, and her body swayed slightly.

Although she quickly adjusted and continued the performance, this brief mistake was still caught by Lee Soo-man and Jiang Hongshao in the back.

Lee Soo-man's face instantly darkened, and his heart skipped a beat.

In such an important official setting, even the slightest mistake could affect the selection of an ambassador or even the nation's image.

Choi Sulli's slip-up made f(x)'s hopes seem even more bleak.

Jiang Hongshao's brow furrowed tightly, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes, but she could only silently pray in her heart that no more mistakes would occur.

However, seeing Choi Sulli's mistake from below the stage, Lin Wanrou not only showed no dissatisfaction but actually burst out laughing.

She even shouted loudly toward the stage, "Sulli! Fighting!"

Her voice was clear and bright, standing out distinctly in the noisy banquet hall, leaving the big shots in the front row, who hadn't shown any reaction, momentarily stunned!

The high-ranking official from The Peninsula beside her, Minister Li, keenly captured this scene.

He was taken aback for a moment, then looked thoughtfully at Choi Sulli on stage and then at Lin Wanrou beside him, secretly pondering the relationship between the two.

To have the head of the China Delegation care so much, even cheering for her in public, this Choi Sulli's status was likely not ordinary.

"Vice Minister Lin seems very familiar with Ms. Choi Sulli?"

Lin Wanrou chuckled and didn't explain, only saying, "I like her very much!"

Minister Li understood instantly and nodded to the staff member beside him, who immediately took note.

Hearing Lin Wanrou's cheer, the tension in Choi Sulli's heart instantly dissipated, replaced by a surge of motivation.

She took a deep breath, a brilliant smile appearing on her face, and refocused her attention. There were no more mistakes in the rest of the performance, and she completed the entire song perfectly.

After the performance, the five members of f(x) bowed and exited the stage to thunderous applause and cheers that lasted a long time.

Backstage, Choi Sulli could no longer suppress her excitement. She ran straight toward Liu Zijun and threw herself into his arms, her cheek pressed tightly against his chest.

Her voice carried a hint of a sob and disbelief: "Oppa! Mom... why is she here? She seems to be a high-ranking official from China. This is too amazing!"

Liu Zijun gently patted her back, his eyes full of doting laughter.

"Silly girl, she is the head of the China Delegation this time, responsible for this cooperation project. Naturally, she would attend tonight's banquet."

"But... but she even shouted 'fighting' at me! It was such a surprise!"

"You knew all along, didn't you? You actually kept it from me!"

Choi Sulli looked up, her eyes shimmering with bright tears, but her face was filled with a radiant smile.

Liu Zijun wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and said with a smile, "She should be calling you all to eat together in a while."

"Mom said she wanted to give you a surprise!"

To the side, Krystal and the others froze upon hearing this. Especially Krystal, whose face flushed with a faint blush as her hands subconsciously gripped her skirt.

At the thought that she was Liu Zijun's mother, she felt nervous and a bit shy, completely unsure of how to react.

Just then, the music on stage started again, and the host announced that Girls Generation was about to appear.

Im Yoona straightened her stage outfit and took a deep breath.

Kim Taeyeon said to the members beside her, "Let's go, fighting!"

Girls Generation's appearance instantly set the whole venue ablaze.

The nine members were dressed in matching pink, their beauty defying the heavens. As soon as they appeared, they won a full house of applause.

Im Yoona stood in the center. When her gaze swept across the front row and saw Lin Wanrou, she also clearly froze for a moment.

She never expected that Choi Sulli's mother would actually be the deputy head of the China Delegation and show up at tonight's banquet.

Moreover, Lin Wanrou even gave her a smile.

She returned the smile.

But her years of stage experience allowed her to calm down quickly. She didn't make a mistake like Choi Sulli did, maintaining her perfect smile as she danced to the rhythm.

Her performance was poised and generous, excelling in both singing and dancing. Every look and movement was just right, showcasing the charm of Girls Generation to the fullest.

Lin Wanrou looked at the radiant Im Yoona on stage and nodded with satisfaction, praising her to Minister Li beside her from time to time.

Seeing this, Minister Li felt even more confident about this cooperation project.

After Girls Generation finished their performance, several more K-POP groups appeared one after another.

In particular, the ambassadors from China also took the stage to perform, pushing the atmosphere of the banquet to one climax after another.

The audience watched with great interest, and officials from both countries were full of praise for the charm of K-POP.

Choi Sulli and the others had finished their performance but couldn't leave yet; they instead went to the artists' tables.

The Peninsula was quite generous this time, reserving tables for these artists as well.

Lin Wanrou wasn't very interested in the subsequent performances. She suddenly said to Minister Li, "Minister Li, may I go over to the artists' area to ask for an autograph?"

When Minister Li heard Lin Wanrou's words translated, he was momentarily stunned.

"Vice Minister Lin, whose autograph do you want? I'll arrange for someone to get it for you!"

Lin Wanrou smiled and said, "Now is not the time to talk about work. We can all relax a bit. I plan to go ask for the autograph myself; that's the only way it's meaningful!"

Minister Li also laughed: "Alright then! Vice Minister Lin, I'll go with you!"

Lin Wanrou nodded with a smile.

Then, under the watchful eyes of all those with intentions, Lin Wanrou and Minister Li walked straight toward the artists' area.

Everyone along the way stood up to bow and greet them.

Lee Soo-man was planning to reprimand Choi Sulli for a couple of things. He was in charge of business, and an artist making a mistake in such a setting naturally made him a bit unhappy!

Just then, all the artists stood up. Watching Lin Wanrou and Minister Li walking straight over, they all bowed in greeting and then sized up this Lin Wanrou.

Is this the dignity of a great nation?

Lin Wanrou also smiled and nodded to these artists.

Jiang Hongshao pulled Lee Soo-man and then stood up, watching the approaching Lin Wanrou.

Choi Sulli stood beside Victoria Song, feeling even more nervous and apprehensive.

Seeing Lin Wanrou and Minister Li, Lee Soo-man also bowed enthusiastically in greeting.

Lin Wanrou looked at Choi Sulli, who was watching her somewhat nervously, and suddenly revealed a brilliant smile.

"Jin-ri! Why are you so nervous?"

Choi Sulli looked a bit dazed and cute.

Lee Soo-man immediately gritted his teeth and said, "Sulli! Quickly greet Vice Minister Lin!"

Choi Sulli, Victoria Song, and the completely frozen Krystal and others immediately bowed and said, "Hello, Vice Minister Lin!"

Lin Wanrou's secretary, Tian Xiaoqian, said to the cameras, "There's no need to film this; it's just some private business!"

Lin Wanrou smiled slightly, stepped forward to take Choi Sulli's hand, and said in Chinese, "Why is the little girl so nervous today?"

Choi Sulli immediately smiled: "Seeing you was a bit sudden, I'm a little nervous!"

Lin Wanrou said, "It's okay! Today's performance was great!"

Then she hugged her and whispered in her ear, "Do you like Mom's surprise or not?"

"Accompany Mom for a late-night snack in a while!"

Choi Sulli immediately nodded her little head.

Tian Xiaoqian immediately took out an exquisite album and said, "Sulli! Please help us sign this!"

Choi Sulli, flattered, immediately took it to sign.

Lin Wanrou then said to Victoria Song in Chinese, "I know you too, girl. It must be hard being in The Peninsula alone! Come home and visit often!"

Victoria Song immediately bowed in thanks, her eyes welling up with tears!

Lin Wanrou then looked at the newly arrived Im Yoona, took her hand, and said, "Yoona's performance today was also very good!"

Tian Xiaoqian didn't have a Girls Generation album, so a staff member immediately handed one over.

Im Yoona also signed it with pleasant surprise, her eyes shining!

Minister Li said at the right time, "I didn't expect Vice Minister Lin to actually like f(x) and Girls Generation! It seems there is even more room for cooperation between our two sides!"

Lin Wanrou laughed: "Yes! We who do cultural work must also keep up with the times!"

The two of them talked as they walked back toward the main seats.

The scene of her interaction with Choi Sulli and Im Yoona was deeply etched into the eyes of everyone present.

Choi Sulli and Im Yoona cannot be touched! Cannot be provoked!