118: Chapter 219 Hospital Foundation Laying and the First Signs of Cracks

The largest ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel was brilliantly lit tonight, filled with elegantly dressed guests. The massive crystal chandeliers reflected a dazzling light, making the meticulously decorated venue look like a dreamlike palace. Soothing string music flowed through the air, mixed with the slightly intoxicating scent of champagne and the fragrance of expensive perfumes.

This was the celebration banquet for the success of the first batch of surgeries under the "Yin Angel" smile project, as well as the official launch ceremony for the "Yin Angel" specialized hospital project. Political and business elites, media reporters, medical experts, and partners were all gathered together to witness this feast where charity and business intertwined.

At the front of the ballroom, a massive LED screen rotated through photos comparing the children before and after surgery, documentary clips of the surgical process (which had been edited), and conceptual design drawings of the hospital filled with hope and childlike wonder. Every photo and every frame of film silently told a story about "rebirth" and "hope."

Yin Tianxue was undoubtedly the well-deserved focus of the night. She wore a pure white floor-length evening gown with a simple and elegant design that complemented her snow-white skin and ethereal temperament. Her long hair was pulled into an exquisite bun, revealing her graceful, slender neck, adorned only with two small pearls at her ears. She wore no excessive jewelry, yet she possessed a natural purity and nobility like a lotus rising from clear water. She held Yu Bo's arm as they moved through the guests, a proper and sincere smile always on her face as she exchanged pleasantries and thanks with every guest who came forward to congratulate her. Her beauty, kindness, and the radiant persistence of giving her all for her dream drew the gaze of the entire room.

Yu Bo, on the other hand, was dressed in a perfectly tailored deep black suit, standing tall with a steady demeanor. He stood by Yin Tianxue's side like a reliable mountain, shielding her from unnecessary small talk and scrutiny, while timely supplementing and guiding the conversation to skillfully direct more praise and focus toward Yin Tianxue and the "Yin Angel" project itself. He was the perfect guardian, the firmest support for his girlfriend's dream, and the quiet controller behind this feast. Standing together, they were a match of talent and beauty, a perfect pair in everyone's eyes—the most beautiful combination of charity and love.

Tang Guo also attended, as an "important staff member" of the Foundation and Yin Tianxue's "Best Friend." She chose a champagne-colored knee-length dress that was pretty yet dignified, with exquisite makeup and an impeccable social smile on her face as she wove through the crowd, assisting with receptions and dealing with the media, performing appropriately and capably. Only in the moments when no one was paying attention would her gaze uncontrollably drift toward the two dazzling figures in the center of the ballroom. Watching Yu Bo tenderly lower his head to whisper to Yin Tianxue, watching him considerately block drinks for her, and watching the undisguised admiration and love in his eyes when he looked at her... each time, it was like a tiny needle stabbing her heart. Her sweet expectations and secret possessiveness seemed so lowly and ridiculous when contrasted in such a public and grand setting. She could only drain the champagne in her glass, using the cold liquid to suppress the bitterness in her heart.

The banquet reached its climax. The host invited Yu Bo and Yin Tianxue onto the stage.

Under the spotlight, Yin Tianxue took the microphone, her gaze sweeping over the audience before finally landing on Yu Bo, her eyes tender and full of strength. "Standing here today, the person I want to thank the most is my fiancé, Yu Bo." Her voice was clear, carrying through the speakers across the entire venue. "Without his support, encouragement, and unreserved dedication, 'Yin Angel' would not have turned from a dream into reality so quickly. It is he who made me believe that kindness is worth protecting and dreams are worth achieving." Her eyes grew slightly red with a genuine display of emotion.

Enthusiastic applause broke out below the stage, mixed with good-natured cheering and envious whispers.

Yu Bo stepped forward, gently putting his arm around Yin Tianxue's shoulder as he took the microphone. His gaze met Yin Tianxue's, so tender it could drown someone. "Tianxue is the soul of 'Yin Angel.' What I've done is nothing more than protecting her dream so that more children can smile again." His tone was sincere as he turned to face the audience. "Today is not just to celebrate the success of the surgeries, but it's also the day the 'Yin Angel' specialized hospital project officially launches! We have selected the best plot of land in the West City New District and will put all our efforts into building a world-class Cleft Lip and Palate Repair and Rehabilitation Center! This hospital will carry the hopes of all children and our best wishes for the future!"

With a wave of his arm, he pointed to the large screen. On the screen, the previously displayed conceptual drawings of the hospital faded away, replaced by an aerial view of the chosen site, detailed planning maps, and a magnificent 3D architectural rendering animation. The modern, streamlined building, the color and space design full of childlike wonder, and the diagrams of advanced medical equipment... everything indicated that this would be a landmark project.

Thunderous applause followed, with flashes from cameras going off one after another.

"Now, I announce that the 'Yin Angel' specialized hospital is officially breaking ground!" Yu Bo's voice was impassioned.

The hostess presented a small golden shovel tied with a red silk ribbon. Yu Bo and Yin Tianxue joined hands and together shoveled the first mound of "sand" onto a transparent sand table in the center of the stage that symbolized the Foundation. The image was frozen in time, becoming the perfect photo for tomorrow's major media headlines.

The groundbreaking ceremony pushed the banquet's atmosphere to its peak. Guests raised their glasses in congratulation, and words of praise were heard incessantly. Yu Bo and Yin Tianxue were surrounded by layers of people, receiving blessings from all directions.

At this moment of bustling noise and smiling faces, a small accident occurred.

Yin Tianxue's phone slipped from her clutch and fell onto the thick carpet. She let out an "Oh!" and bent down to pick it up. At the moment she leaned over, the phone screen in the inner pocket of Yu Bo's suit—who was standing behind her to the side talking to a guest—lit up due to the change in his body's angle.

A new message popped up, and the sender's name was clearly "Nian." The content of the message was very short, but on the brightly lit stage and from Yin Tianxue's downward angle, those few lines of text burned into her sight like a red-hot branding iron, catching her completely off guard:

"Congratulations, my great philanthropist. Successful surgery and the hospital groundbreaking—it's a double celebration~ You're so dazzling tonight, it makes my heart itch... Same old place, waiting for you to come and 'deeply' celebrate? Miss you."

Time seemed to freeze at that moment. The sound of string music, the laughter, and the clinking of glasses all became blurred background noise. Yin Tianxue's movement to pick up the phone froze. She stared at the lit screen, at that glaring name "Nian" and that text which was so ambiguous it was explicit, her mind going completely blank.

Was... was she seeing things? Or was it some kind of cruel joke?

Yu Bo seemed to sense the abnormality of the person beside him. He finished his conversation with the guest and turned his head, just in time to see Yin Tianxue's pale face and her dazed eyes staring at his pocket. His heart tightened, and almost instinctively, his hand quickly reached into his inner suit pocket and turned off the phone screen, the movement so fast it was almost invisible.

"Tianxue? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" He leaned down, supporting Yin Tianxue's arm, his tone concerned, yet his eyes held a trace of an undetectable, sharp scrutiny.

Yin Tianxue snapped back to her senses when he touched her. She looked up and met Yu Bo's deep eyes, which held concern and worry, but lacked the panic or guilt she might have expected. Had she seen it wrong? Or... did that message really exist?

The immense shock and confusion left her momentarily unsure of how to react. She opened her mouth to say something, but her throat felt blocked. There were still so many people around watching.

"...N-nothing's wrong." She forced a smile, but it looked worse than crying. "Maybe... maybe I'm just a bit tired, and I drank the wine a bit too fast." She used Yu Bo's support to stand straight, her fingers icy cold.

"If you're tired, let's go rest for a bit." Yu Bo took the opportunity to put his arm around her waist and smiled apologetically to the surrounding guests. "Sorry, Tianxue is feeling a bit unwell, we'll excuse ourselves for a moment." His tone was natural and his manner composed as he led Yin Tianxue toward the lounge, leaving the probing gazes and whispers behind.

The distance from the stage to the lounge was only a few dozen meters, but Yin Tianxue felt as if she had walked for a century. She was in a daze, allowing Yu Bo to half-hold and half-carry her forward. The message she had just seen kept flashing in her mind. Who was "Nian"? Why use such a tone? "Same old place"? "Deeply celebrate"? Every word was like a poisoned needle, stabbing her until she was bloodied.

Was it a misunderstanding? Yu Bo's reaction just now had been too fast, too fast for her to confirm anything more. But the content of that message... was it really just a joke or sent to the wrong person?

They entered the empty VIP lounge and closed the door, cutting off the noise outside. Yu Bo helped Yin Tianxue sit down on the sofa, knelt in front of her, and held her cold hands, his brow furrowed with deep concern: "Tianxue, what is wrong with you? Your face looks terrible. Are you feeling unwell somewhere? I'll call a doctor."

His palm was warm, and his gaze was sincere. Yin Tianxue looked at his face so close to hers, filled with concern, and the stormy waves in her heart calmed slightly, but the seed of doubt had already been planted.

"I... I'm fine, just a bit dizzy." She avoided his gaze, her voice low. "Maybe I was just too excited earlier. I'll be fine after a little rest."

"Are you really okay?" Yu Bo touched her forehead worriedly. "Do you want to go home first?"

"No need, there are still so many guests outside." Yin Tianxue shook her head, trying to calm herself down. Today was an important day; she couldn't mess it up. Maybe... she really had seen it wrong, or it was some pointless prank. Yu Bo was so good to her, giving everything for her dream, how could he...

"Alright, then you rest well here. I'll go out and handle things for a bit and come back to accompany you soon." Yu Bo stood up and gently planted a kiss on her forehead, his movements as tender as ever.

Yin Tianxue nodded, watching him turn and leave. The moment the door closed, the color completely drained from her face, and her body began to tremble slightly. She took out her own phone; the wallpaper was a sweet photo of her and Yu Bo. She stared at the screen, yet she seemed to see that disgusting message from "Nian" again.

She had to find out.

Outside the lounge, Yu Bo leaned against the corridor wall, his face so dark it looked like it could drip water. He took out his phone, unlocked it, and looked at the message Shen Nian had sent, his eyes cold. He quickly replied: "Shut up if you don't want to die. Send another message like this, and you know the consequences." Then, he directly blacklisted Shen Nian's number.

He took a deep breath, adjusted his facial expression, and put back on that impeccable mask of composure as he walked back to the ballroom. It was as if the little interlude in the lounge had never happened.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the ballroom, Tang Guo, who had been keeping an eye on their movements, saw everything—from Yu Bo hurriedly taking Yin Tianxue away to him returning alone. She saw Yin Tianxue's pale face and noticed the extremely faint, fleeting gloom between Yu Bo's brows even though he was still talking and laughing as usual after his return.

What happened? Tang Guo's heart skipped a beat, a faint sense of unease rising within her.