The gruff-voiced man also swept his gaze over Xia Wanzhi’s face, his expression darkening with suspicion and danger.
Just as Xia Wanzhi’s mind went blank, a voice cut in, carrying a lazy tone: “Second Uncle, you have such a common face—who wouldn’t recognize you?”
The refined man still looked doubtful, his eyes fixed on her, heavy and sinister as he chuckled: “Afraid of me? Isn’t my face quite amiable?”
The gruff-voiced man spoke word by word: “Zhuojin, do you know her?”
Lu Zhuojin replied casually and leisurely: “This is Ruiqian’s girlfriend. She’s timid—don’t bully her. If she complains to Ruiqian later, she might cost you hundreds of thousands in red envelopes. Right, little one?”
Lu Zhuojin glanced at her pale, delicate face and chuckled lightly: “You should call him Second Grandfather.”
Xia Wanzhi’s mind buzzed—were the people trying to kill Lu Zhuojin members of the Lu family? His second uncle?
Suppressing her racing heart, she smiled softly: “Second Grandfather.”
The refined man chuckled amiably, appearing kind: “I’m not that old.”
“So you’re Ruiqian’s girlfriend. Have Ruiqian bring you to visit me sometime.”
The gruff-voiced man also smiled: “What a pretty young lady. Ruiqian certainly has good taste.”
Suspicious glances lingered on Xia Wanzhi.
The atmosphere was harmonious and lively, with glasses clinking.
Lu Zhuojin smiled along, staring at Xia Wanzhi, his voice carrying a suggestive tone: “Indeed, Ruiqian has excellent taste.”
He added meaningfully: “Even the elders like her.”
Xia Wanzhi curled her fingers—even now, he was teasing her.
The piano music played in the banquet hall. Just moments ago, under the nearby shade of the trees, people had been laughing and conspiring to kill.
Someone had been searching with a knife.
And now, those two men held glasses of red wine, behaving elegantly, discussing finance and corporate mergers.
“But once this happens, many innocent people will be implicated…”
“I plan to donate ten million…”
A chill ran down Xia Wanzhi’s spine.
The refined man took a sip of wine, his suspicious eyes continually glancing sideways at Xia Wanzhi.
Xia Wanzhi didn’t dare run, afraid of arousing suspicion.
Lu Zhuojin gave her a slight glance: “Go find Ruiqian over there.”
Xia Wanzhi quickly replied: “Okay.” She breathed a sigh of relief and walked toward the other side.
The two men’s gazes followed her, dark and brooding.
Looking back, Lu Zhuojin was smiling and exchanging pleasantries with them.
No one could tell that these people wanted to kill each other.
Xia Wanzhi’s legs trembled slightly, but her steps remained steady and slow until she was out of their sight.
She quickly slipped outside the banquet hall to a dim corner by the large floor-to-ceiling window, her body cold, breathing heavily. The harmonious yet murderous atmosphere had suffocated her.
She curled up, hugging her legs, crouching down.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, shadows of trees swayed, and the moon hung on the treetops, casting a faint, gentle glow on her profile.
The sound of leather shoes approached, steady and slow—tap… tap…
Xia Wanzhi thought she was hidden in the shadows where no one could see her, but the footsteps came straight toward her.
She looked up and saw Lu Zhuojin’s handsome, stern, and imposing face, his figure tall and noble.
She pursed her lips. Beside her, the soft moonlight and swaying tree shadows made her look like a little kitten crouching in the corner.
Lu Zhuojin crouched down in front of her, lowering his head until their breaths intertwined.
He said to Xia Wanzhi: “Open your mouth.”
Xia Wanzhi was puzzled: “Huh?”
Lu Zhuojin held something in his hand, about to place it in Xia Wanzhi’s mouth.
Xia Wanzhi hurriedly shut her mouth. “What is it?”
Lu Zhuojin smiled ambiguously. “Medicine~~”
Xia Wanzhi shook her head vigorously. “I won’t take it…”
Last time he made her take medicine, it was that kind of medicine…
Lu Zhuojin gently pinched her chin with his fingers, his movements unhurried and elegant.
Xia Wanzhi was forced to open her mouth.
Something was stuffed inside.
Startled, Xia Wanzhi tried to spit it out.
Lu Zhuojin closed her mouth with both hands, his palms warm as they brushed against her fair face.
Xia Wanzhi froze. A milk candy?
The sweet taste of milk candy filled her mouth, dispersing that cold, bitter sensation.
Was Lu Zhuojin… comforting her?
She looked at Lu Zhuojin, her voice trembling. “Did they recognize me?”
“Will they kill me?”
Lu Zhuojin’s voice was very gentle as he softly stroked her hair. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll deal with them.”
Xia Wanzhi held the milk candy in her mouth, the milky sweetness spreading.
She took a slow breath. “Are they… from the Lu family?”
Lu Zhuojin tilted his head and smiled. “Hmm… yes and no.”
Xia Wanzhi was puzzled, her round eyes looking at him.
Lu Zhuojin explained with a smile. “They are the illegitimate sons of my second grandfather—the second and seventh.”
Xia Wanzhi was stunned. “Illegitimate sons… the seventh? So many?”
Lu Zhuojin narrowed his eyes and smiled at her. “You don’t think Lu Ruiqian’s father only has him as a son, do you?”
Xia Wanzhi paused. Wasn’t that the case?
She asked slowly, “Your family… plans to kill you?”
Lu Zhuojin laughed, his smile bewitchingly beautiful and exceptionally cheerful. “Have you heard this saying?”
His voice was slow, deep, magnetic, and pleasant. “Home is where we are born, and also where we die.”
Lu Zhuojin didn’t explain further. “Sweetheart, stay out of the Lu family’s affairs. Break up with Lu Ruiqian quickly—he’s no good~”
He whispered in Xia Wanzhi’s ear, his warm breath tingling and teasing. “Be with me~”
“I’m more capable~”
Xia Wanzhi turned her head away. “Elder, please behave yourself.”
Lu Zhuojin laughed, flicking her with his slender fingers. “This elder can protect your life.”
“Flatter me a little—it’ll be beneficial~”
Xia Wanzhi muttered softly, “And can also take my life.”
Lu Zhuojin’s handsome features relaxed, his laughter husky as he lowered his head, his lips brushing against her slightly red ear. “Off the bed, I couldn’t bear to~”
“You’re really so much fun it’s to die for~”
Xia Wanzhi’s face flushed instantly, turning even redder. She was about to open her mouth to stop his overly flirtatious words.
Lu Zhuojin stood up, turned around, took a cigarette from his pocket, lit it as he walked, leaving behind a faint blue glow. His voice was lazy. “Hurry back. It’s easy to arouse suspicion.”
Xia Wanzhi bit her lip, took a deep breath, and stood up. Lu Zhuojin was right—the more she hid, the more suspicious she would seem.
She stood up and walked toward the banquet hall.
Lu Zhuojin, dressed in a deep blue tailored suit, leaned lazily against the floor-to-ceiling window, smoking. The cigarette tip cast flickering light on his face, while tree shadows clawed menacingly behind him, half-hiding him in the darkness.
Xia Wanzhi passed by him, the scent of cedar smoke mixed with his masculine aura clinging to her briefly before dissipating as she moved on.
The milk candy slowly melted in her mouth, its milky sweetness overflowing.
As she reached the banquet hall and was about to push the door open, she heard several people whispering inside.
“Did you see her fake dress? She still has the nerve to walk around in it.”
“The Lu family wouldn’t make her wear a fake dress, would they?”
“Obviously fake. Do you know who designed that dress?”
“Who?”
“It’s the work of international top designer Josephine. Only three were handmade, each with slight adjustments and embroidered with her personal signature. The important thing is, they’re not for sale!”
“Oh my, so vain—wearing a fake and going for such a high-end imitation? Does Lu Ruiqian even know his girlfriend is wearing a fake?”
It was Su Duo and Fu Tao, the two she had just encountered in the restroom and the small garden. Unexpectedly, they were gossiping about her again.
Xia Wanzhi’s expression darkened. This dress…
A warm chest pressed against her from behind, carrying the familiar scent of cedarwood and tobacco. He leaned down by her ear, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Where did this dress come from?”