Xia Wanzhi was in turmoil, her whole body aching as if beaten with sticks, struggling to breathe. The person she had trusted and liked all along had actually been acting alongside his mother, putting on a show for her…
It was like a magnificent glass-curtained skyscraper losing a corner, revealing the brick and concrete beneath, crumbling plaster falling away to expose its true nature.
In her heart, Lu Ruiqian was outstanding, knowledgeable, hardworking, gentle, ambitious, and radiant.
Xia Wanzhi felt herself teetering on the edge, her eyes reddening, yet she forced herself to remain composed. Gathering a thread of clarity in her mind, she took a deep breath: “I… that’s still a matter between him and me. It’s normal for two people to have conflicts.”
“We’ll handle it ourselves.”
“No one is perfect. He… has his own difficulties too. I’m willing to understand him.”
“In a relationship, you can’t be too… nitpicky. You have to make allowances for each other.”
“I’m not perfect, so I don’t demand perfection from him.”
“Mr. Lu, it’s best if you and I keep our distance.”
“Please, from now on, don’t… harass me.”
She needed a safe, stable life and had to stay far away from someone as dangerous, unrestrained, and primally wild as Lu Zhuojin.
After speaking, she turned and descended the stairs, her steps unsteady as she made her way along the path leading to the banquet hall.
The deep pink of the evening slowly blended into the night.
Lu Zhuojin watched her pale apricot-pink figure recede, her black hair fluttering slightly in the deep green shadows of the trees, bathed in a soft glow under the moonlight.
Smoke curled from the cigarette in his hand, the ash forming and falling to the ground.
His gaze cold, Lu Zhuojin followed her at a leisurely pace.
Xia Wanzhi followed the path, the distant lights shining brilliantly, glasses clinking, and the faint, melodious sound of a piano drifting through the air.
Around her, only the rustling of trees filled the quiet, serene atmosphere.
Lu Zhuojin strolled slowly, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a cigarette, tracing faint white lines in the air as the subtle scent of tobacco mingled with the fragrance of flowers.
Xia Wanzhi walked ahead, Lu Zhuojin followed behind, traversing the long, quiet path.
Their footsteps crunched softly on the stone slabs and grass, a rhythmic rustling sound.
Leisurely and unhurried, the scent of grass lingered in the air.
It felt as if the world held only the two of them.
The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, shifting from shadows to illuminated patches and back again, alternating between light and darkness…
The moon hung overhead, its gentle glow soft and clear.
The stone path was damp with evening dew.
A cool breeze brushed Xia Wanzhi’s cheeks. Having just survived a life-and-death ordeal, the tranquility now felt almost like a luxury.
And so, without a word exchanged, they walked one after the other until they reached the banquet hall and ascended the steps.
From behind the heavy, ornate doors came the sound of elegant music and the clamor of voices.
As Xia Wanzhi pushed the door open, a wave of warmth and perfume washed over her.
Lu Ruiqian, wearing a white shirt with subtle gold-thread patterns, stood out like a ray of dry sunlight. Seeing her, his anxious expression immediately relaxed, and he walked over with a smile. “Zhi Zhi, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Don’t be angry anymore, okay~~”
He brought over a plate of peeled braised prawns, whispering coaxingly, “I peeled these myself. I had the kitchen make them specially for you. Try one~”
Leading her to sit on the sofa, he crouched in front of her, holding the plate and feeding a prawn to Xia Wanzhi with a fork, his smile gentle.
The savory, rich flavor of the braised prawns spread in her mouth, and Xia Wanzhi relaxed, murmuring softly, “It’s delicious~”
Lu Ruiqian kept watching Xia Wanzhi’s expression, only truly relieved when he saw her mood improve. He speared another prawn and brought it to her lips, his tone affectionate. “As long as you like it.”
“Zhi Zhi, you’re ignoring me, I’m worried sick.”
A few minutes later, Lu Zhuojin also pushed the door open and entered. His gaze swept coldly around the room. Xia Wanzhi was sitting in front of Lu Ruiqian, wearing a gentle smile as Lu Ruiqian fed her shrimp.
Lu Zhuojin gave a cold smile. Quite affectionate, aren’t they?
Xia Wanzhi saw Lu Zhuojin from afar. Their eyes briefly met, and her gaze burned with discomfort before she quickly looked away.
Lu Zhuojin’s expression remained indifferent. Several people noticed him and hurriedly gathered around, nodding and bowing with smiles, trying to probe for information about the Lu Group’s movements to see if they could get a share of the benefits.
A dignitary in a white suit came over to toast him. Lu Zhuojin picked up a glass of red wine, clinked it lightly, and drank it all. The wine stained his lips, making them appear exceptionally vivid, yet his demeanor grew even more aloof and detached. The man in the white suit was frightened, thinking he had said something wrong, his heart trembling with anxiety.
Xia Wanzhi ate the shrimp while Lu Ruiqian whispered in her ear about the earlier social interactions. Her gaze involuntarily drifted toward Lu Zhuojin, who was surrounded by a crowd. The crystal chandelier shone on his face, dazzling, radiant, yet cold. Wherever he went, he was the center of attention.
Lu Zhuojin had been slightly bowing his head, listening to the person beside him speak. When he looked up, his eyes lifted and directly met Xia Wanzhi’s gaze. Startled, Xia Wanzhi’s eyes trembled, and her face flushed with a sudden rush of heat. She bit her lip.
Lu Zhuojin narrowed his eyes slightly, watching as Xia Wanzhi nervously shifted her gaze away. He lowered his head and smiled faintly, while the man in the suit beside him also breathed a sigh of relief.
After feeding Xia Wanzhi a small plate of braised shrimp, Lu Ruiqian wiped her mouth with a napkin and said softly, “Zhi Zhi, let’s go see my mother again, okay?”
Xia Wanzhi stared intently at his face. Lu Zhuojin had been right—Lu Ruiqian meant for her to apologize to his mother.
She smiled and said, “Sure~”
Seeing Xia Wanzhi agree, Lu Ruiqian let out a sigh of relief. “Zhi Zhi, I knew you were the most understanding. For our marriage, I also hope to receive my parents’ blessings. I sincerely want to marry you as soon as possible… It’s my lifelong dream. Spending the rest of my life with you would be my greatest joy.”
Xia Wanzhi replied softly, “Mm~ Me too.”
Lu Ruiqian took Xia Wanzhi’s hand and led her through the crowd to where He Churou was chatting and smiling with a group of ladies.
He Churou had changed into a blue-gray gown, elegant and noble, and smiled as she looked at Xia Wanzhi.
Xia Wanzhi spoke gently and sincerely, “Aunt He, I’m really sorry for accidentally staining your gown earlier.”
He Churou paused for a second, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes before she quickly suppressed it and smiled. “Zhi Zhi, it wasn’t intentional. It’s fine, it’s just a small matter.”
She adapted quite quickly.
He Churou had thought Xia Wanzhi would argue with Ruiqian, cry, and complain about her grievances and He Churou’s scheming. Unexpectedly, Xia Wanzhi apologized calmly, as if she had truly accidentally spilled red wine on He Churou’s dress. As an elder, He Churou naturally couldn’t get angry, and the matter was now over.
He Churou had lost a gown worth hundreds of thousands for nothing—once stained with red wine, it couldn’t be worn again.
The trap she had set to provoke Xia Wanzhi had been deftly resolved by her.
Quite interesting.
But unfortunately, they were not a good match in terms of social status. No matter how clever she was, it couldn’t compare to the usefulness of a good family background. Zhong Xi was more suitable for Ruiqian.
Seeing the two of them getting along harmoniously, Lu Ruiqian breathed a sigh of relief.
Xia Wanzhi was led to the buffet area, where she was served a small scoop of Häagen-Dazs pistachio ice cream. “Zhi Zhi, I still have a business meeting to attend. Have something to eat or look around. If you need anything, just find me.”
Xia Wanzhi took the ice cream. “Mm~”
She sat on a high stool at the dining counter, eating her ice cream.
In the crowd, Lu Zhuojin moved with grace, a faint smile on her lips. She gently lifted her gaze, her eyes slowly lingering on Xia Wanzhi, who was focused on eating her ice cream with her head down. When Xia Wanzhi looked up, her lips still smeared with ice cream, her eyes met Lu Zhuojin’s gaze across the room. Their eyes connected softly through the crowd, through the drifting strains of the cello music floating in the banquet hall.
Xia Wanzhi bit her lip and slowly looked away.
Lu Zhuojin listened to the person beside her, nodding slightly, her gaze still fixed on Xia Wanzhi. Xia Wanzhi lowered her head, strands of dark hair falling against her fair cheeks, making one want to gently tuck them behind her ears.
After finishing her ice cream, Xia Wanzhi held the paper cup, looking for a place to throw it away. As she turned around, someone lightly bumped into her with a soft “thud,” and the cup fell to the ground.
The person spoke politely, “I’m sorry.”
Xia Wanzhi looked up and saw the person’s face. Her mind went blank, her face turned pale, and she froze.
It was the man with the refined voice who had been searching for her earlier with a knife.
The man with the gruff voice walked over and glanced at Xia Wanzhi. “What happened?”
Xia Wanzhi felt dizzy. These two men, who were planning a murder, were guests here—wealthy and influential.
The refined man stared at Xia Wanzhi’s face, his gaze cold and sinister, though his tone remained polite. “Do we know each other, miss?”
Xia Wanzhi’s heart pounded wildly. If they found out she was the one who had overheard their plot, she would be dead…