Lu Jianshen’s hands were the most beautiful pair of male hands Hua Rui had ever seen.
From the moment he handed her the sugar figurine, she had noticed those hands.
As a woman who painted, she had her own unique judgment and understanding of beauty.
And Lu Jianshen’s slender, gentle, slightly cool-white hands were so perfect she could find no fault with them.
Lu Jianshen noticed the girl’s faint, lingering glances at his hands, so he simply raised one hand and gently stroked her waist-length hair:
“The little one has grown quite a bit taller!”
The touch of those hands sent a shiver through Hua Rui, and she instinctively pulled away, her words tinged with a shy annoyance:
“Uncle! Please behave yourself!”
Lu Jianshen smiled faintly: “My apologies!”
Hua Rui quietly moved to the other side, staying close only to Lu Xiaolu.
Originally, she had been walking in the middle, with Lu Jianshen and Lu Xiaolu flanking her protectively.
Lu Jianshen pursed his lips, feeling inexplicably cheerful.
The little one was quite vigilant—that was a good thing!
The esteemed guests from the Lu and Hua families had already begun arriving one after another.
Other prominent nobles and aristocrats from the country also arrived in a continuous stream.
After briefly greeting Hua Rui, Lu Jianshen went off to busy himself with receiving the guests.
This was an exceptionally important coming-of-age ceremony!
Once Hua Rui’s coming-of-age ceremony was over, it would mean that Lu Jianshen, the second son of the Lu family who had remained single for 25 years, could finally become engaged!
Neither the Lu family nor the Hua family had explicitly stated it, but it was an unspoken understanding—this coming-of-age ceremony was being treated as the engagement celebration for the two “childhood betrothal” protagonists!
“So, how about it? Isn’t my second brother handsome?” Lu Xiaolu teased the little princess with a cheerful grin.
The small, fair hand holding the cherry mousse paused: “Sister Xiaolu, water, please…”
She was choking!
“Is he so handsome that he’s making people choke?”
Lu Xiaolu handed Hua Rui some water while gently patting her back.
“It’s… the cherry mousse, it’s just too delicious!”
As she spoke, her small hand picked up another piece, her little mouth taking delicate, slow bites.
“Xiaolu, who is this?”
An elegant and poised woman walked over, her smile charming and graceful, exuding both allure and refinement.
“Sister Ruyan, this is Hua Rui.”
The woman addressed as Sister Ruyan narrowed her almond-shaped eyes, sizing up the young girl eating mousse from head to toe:
“So, you’re Hua Rui!”
The woman quickly blended into the crowd of guests, skillfully engaging with everyone around her.
Lu Xiaolu wiped the cream from the corner of Hua Rui’s mouth: “That woman just now is Liu Ruyan, a business elite. She’s been my second brother’s classmate all along—you could say they grew up together.”
Hua Rui blinked her eyes and softly uttered an “Oh.”
Lu Xiaolu immediately realized she had spoken carelessly:
“So what if they grew up together? My brother can’t marry her anyway—he still has to marry our little princess Hua Rui.”
Hua Rui gently set down the cherry mousse in her hand, pursed her lips lightly, and remained silent.
She was no longer a little girl—she understood some things!
From Lu Xiaolu’s words, she gathered:
Lu Jianshen and Liu Ruyan had grown up together, childhood companions, but because of that innate “childhood betrothal,” they had no choice but to accept reality?
And she herself had unwittingly become the “interloper” who broke up the happy couple?
Hua Rui didn’t want to be such an “interloper”!
The so-called “childhood betrothal” was merely an alliance of interests between two families—had anyone ever considered the feelings of those involved?
Lu Xiaolu saw her not speaking, her beautiful deer-like eyes misty with tears again, and grew very anxious in her heart:
“Little ancestor, please don’t cry! Otherwise, everyone will blame me!”
Hua Rui raised her eyes: “From now on, you are not allowed to call me little sister-in-law again!”
“Okay, okay!”
“And don’t mention anything about your second brother in front of me!”
Looking at Hua Rui’s serious expression, Lu Xiaolu thought: This is bad! Where did Second Brother offend this princess? This looks like the start of breaking off the engagement!
Lu Jianshen, who had unwittingly taken the blame, moved through the crowd like a fish in water.
Young and accomplished, he was not old in age but held a high status.
Even senior figures in the business world spoke to him with considerable respect.
Liu Ruyan stayed by his side the whole time, her gaze toward him filled with deep affection amidst admiration.
“Second Brother, water!” Liu Ruyan handed over a cup of warm water. After socializing for so long, his throat was inevitably dry.
Lu Jianshen politely accepted it: “Thank you!”
“No need for so much politeness!” Liu Ruyan chuckled softly, her eyes glancing toward the graceful figure in the distance.
“Second Brother, is today just a coming-of-age ceremony?”
Lu Jianshen pondered slightly: “Ruyan, you’re clever! Today is also my engagement ceremony with the Hua family’s youngest daughter.”
Liu Ruyan’s hand holding the cup trembled slightly: “Is this your intention?”
Lu Jianshen raised his eyes, his hawk-like gaze sharp and penetrating: “The Hua family’s youngest daughter has been my little wife since the day she was born!”
These words! Liu Ruyan let out a soft scoff:
“You sure know how to absolve yourself. If you weren’t willing, no one could force you, could they, Second Young Master Lu?”
Lu Jianshen smiled faintly: “That’s why I said you’re clever, Ruyan.”
What the hell? At this moment, Liu Ruyan suddenly felt that the “Second Brother” she had followed for years, to whom she had expressed her feelings in various ways both openly and subtly, might, in his eyes, have been nothing more than a silent fart—not even making a sound!
Coming back to her senses, that god-like man who seemed so unattainable had already taken steps toward that beautiful figure.
Because the auspicious time had arrived!
“Hua Rui, let me take you over!” Lu Jianshen bowed gentlemanly and extended his hand.
Hua Rui’s eyes dimmed slightly: “Uncle, I can manage on my own!”
Rejected! Lu Jianshen rose calmly without showing any emotion.
From childhood to adulthood, she was the first person to reject him!
“Xiaolu, bring Hua Rui and follow me!”
The man had already regained his full authoritative demeanor, and the commanding tone in his voice frightened Lu Xiaolu into quickly standing up and stammering in response:
“Okay!”
Lu Xiaolu forcibly squeezed Hua Rui between herself and Lu Jianshen.
She understood Lu Jianshen well. His earlier words had conveyed too much meaning.
If she didn’t push Hua Rui to his side, she would undoubtedly face severe punishment later.
Deep down, she was extremely afraid of this enigmatic Second Brother, Lu Jianshen.
In the banquet hall, the noisy chatter suddenly fell into complete silence.
Everyone turned their gazes, watching the three figures approaching slowly from afar.
Lu Jianshen, the second son of the Lu family, a 25-year-old business prodigy, exuded exceptional elegance and held a lofty status.
It was widely rumored that the number of women clamoring to marry this Second Young Master Lu could form a kingdom of women.
However, over the past 25 years, aside from frequent appearances in financial publications, he had zero scandals.
The Hua family’s youngest daughter, Hua Rui, whom women envied to the point of jealousy and claimed had gotten an incredible bargain, was like a bud in full bloom, her beauty overshadowing all others.
Though shy, she possessed the composure and gentleness of a young lady from a distinguished family.
With light, graceful steps, she followed the tall man beside her toward the sacred stage.
As they walked, Lu Xiaolu suddenly vanished from sight.
Hua Rui’s heart fluttered with panic, yet her face feigned calm indifference.
At the steps of the stage, the man beside her abruptly halted, turning his face to look down at her.
Those hands, like works of art, stretched toward her once more…