Inside the car, Lu Jianshen’s sharp, hawk-like eyes remained fixed on the exit of the teaching building.
He had deliberately chosen a very low-key black sedan today to avoid drawing attention and causing unnecessary trouble.
However, the license plate number was simply too eye-catching, especially since it was parked near the teaching building closest to the administration building.
The shrewd school office director had already informed the principal: it seemed like a car from the Lu family, the wealthiest family in the city, had appeared near the teaching building!
What? Prepare for a grand welcome!
With plans to expand the library, many resources could be secured with just a word from the Lu family, couldn’t they?
As students began streaming out of the teaching building, Lu Jianshen immediately spotted the girl named Hua Rui.
Today, she wore a fitted goose-yellow dress paired with elegant, princess-style leather shoes.
Her chestnut-colored long curls cascaded down to her waist, adorned with delicate, shimmering floral strands woven into decorative little braids, making her look both stunning and playful.
Her milky-white skin was smooth and soft. Her moist, doe-like eyes were tender and endearing, while the peach blossom petal at the center of her forehead shimmered with a subtle glow.
With just a slight curve of her lips, she resembled a naturally graceful beauty painting—beautiful in bone structure, and even more so in person!
Without a second thought, Lu Jianshen stepped out of the back seat of the car to greet his princess, Hua Rui.
Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, he looked simple yet refined.
At 25, he was a mature man of noble bearing and an imposing presence.
Just as he was about to stride toward Hua Rui, a voice came from his right:
“Second Young Master Lu! It’s an honor to meet you! What wind has brought such a distinguished guest here!”
Principal Fang Ming approached with a small entourage, each wearing an enthusiastic smile!
A flicker of displeasure crossed Lu Jianshen’s hawk-like eyes, but his ingrained manners and upbringing prompted him to respond politely:
“Hello, Principal Fang. I’m here to pick someone up, and they’ve already arrived!”
Pick someone up? Fang Ming followed Lu Jianshen’s gaze…
The bright and sweet girl, Hua Rui, walked toward them under the sunlight, carrying an elegant Chanel bag in one hand and a scroll of paintings in the other.
The man’s steps remained composed, but he noticeably quickened his pace as he walked toward the girl.
Upon reaching her, his actions outpaced his words as he directly reached for her bag.
The girl instinctively tried to hold onto it, but the man exerted even more force to take it.
Then, the bag ended up being tugged between the two of them…
Hua Rui was stunned, and Lu Jianshen clearly was too.
Was this supposed to be helping a girl with her bag? It looked more like he was trying to snatch it!
Seeing Lu Jianshen’s determined expression as he insisted on taking the bag, Hua Rui finally couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.
“Uncle, what are you doing!”
Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a hint of coquettishness.
“Helping you with your bag!”
Lu Jianshen directly took the bag and slung it over his own shoulder.
Hua Rui watched as the nearly two-meter-tall man, who usually seemed like an unapproachable, icy deity, now carried an elegant and delicate ladies’ bag on his shoulder—adorned with cute cartoon decorations she had tied to it.
Covering her mouth, she tried to stifle her laughter, not daring to look directly at the somewhat mismatched man beside her.
In truth, he looked very handsome today!
His chiseled features, athletic and well-proportioned physique, and his clean, steady demeanor made him shine brilliantly wherever he went.
As Lu Jianshen took the bag, he noticed the pink diamond on her hand, and an inexplicable joy welled up in his heart!
“Uncle, why are there so many people over there? And President Fang from the university is there too!”
The young girl who had been walking side by side with him instinctively retreated behind him.
He also naturally took a step back, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, and whispered:
“Rui Rui, don’t be afraid. We just happened to run into them. Accompany me to say hello, exchange a few pleasantries, and then we’ll leave.”
There seemed to be a certain warmth and strength in the man’s words.
Hua Rui obediently nodded, though she felt nervous inside.
Yet, with that man by her side, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace.
Lu Jianshen and President Fang began their routine social pleasantries, while Hua Rui stood bored at his side, her mind wandering in all directions.
Until, suddenly, an arm was draped over her shoulder—a hand so perfect it was flawless, gently resting there:
“Hua Rui is my fiancée. She studies in the Chinese painting program at your esteemed university. Thank you for the school’s nurturing and your care, President Fang!”
It was Lu Jianshen’s voice.
President Fang and the group’s gazes instantly fell upon her, followed by a flurry of praise…
Hua Rui felt as if she was being praised to the heavens. Campus belle, talented girl, prodigy, goddess of Chinese painting…
Her mind went blank, and her cheeks slowly flushed.
Her first reaction, surprisingly, was the urge to laugh…
She quickly thanked them politely, almost blurting out: Thank you, President, thank you, school, thank you, my parents…
The dazed young girl only snapped back to reality when she found herself already seated in the back of the car.
The car sped along, and the man beside her watched her quietly, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
“Uncle, stop staring. It’s not polite to stare at someone like that.”
Hua Rui thought of the arm that had rested on her shoulder earlier, and her face suddenly flushed again.
The man smiled faintly: “So, little Rui Rui is this impressive!”
“Of course! Did Uncle think I was just a useless little slacker?”
The girl’s expression was utterly adorable, her eyes sparkling as she spoke.
Her cherry-like lips pouted slightly, showing a charming, girlish demeanor.
“Impossible!”
The three heavy words spoken by Lu Jianshen carried considerable weight as praise.
“Well, thank you for thinking so highly of me, Uncle!”
Hua Rui smiled happily, revealing a neat set of pearly white teeth, her lips red and teeth white—a delightful sight.
“Little one, what would you like to eat?”
Lu Jianshen tried his best to soften his voice.
However, his sharp, eagle-like eyes and his overall aloof demeanor still made Hua Rui feel his powerful presence, and she instinctively kept her distance.
“Hmm, there are lots of things I want to eat. But today, I’m craving meat a little.”
“Craving meat?”
Lu Jianshen’s eyes suddenly darkened for a moment, but they quickly returned to their usual coolness.
Hua Rui before him looked every bit the innocent young girl, yet his thoughts had wandered elsewhere just now. Really…
“There’s a newly opened barbecue restaurant in Xindian District. I’ll take you to try it!”
“Yay! Following Uncle means getting to eat meat.”
The young girl Hua Rui’s eyes sparkled, and when she smiled, a sweet little dimple appeared at the left corner of her mouth.
Lu Jianshen couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile several times.
Getting to eat meat!
How could this little one be so adorable? It made him want to keep looking at her, even… to hold her…
Of course, for now, that was unrealistic.
He noticed Hua Rui staring at his hand again.
He simply placed his hand right in front of her face: “This way you can see more clearly!”
“Ah!” Hua Rui quickly averted her gaze, looking guilty as if caught doing something she shouldn’t.
Fortunately, the phone rang. Hua Rui saw it was Lu Xiaolu calling and answered. A clear, crisp voice came through:
“Little sister-in-law, I heard you went on a date with my second brother?”