At 7:00 PM, Wen Ran got into a black private car.
When Ize, who was sitting in the back seat, saw the dress she was wearing, his sharp brows furrowed slightly.
“Do you think it’s ugly, Brother?
Should I go change?”
Ize’s gaze darkened.
“No need.
The banquet is about to start.”
By the time Wen Ran and Ize arrived, the Shengshi banquet was already underway, and many guests had gathered.
When Wen Ran stepped into the banquet hall on Ize’s arm, the stunning pair immediately drew the eyes of everyone present.
“That’s Ize Mite of the White Lion Family—the Imperial City’s youngest Junior General and the future head of the family.”
“Who’s that with him?
I’ve never seen her before.”
“Could she be his partner?
They look quite good together.”
The guests chattered amongst themselves, completely ignoring the young woman nearby whose expression had already darkened.
The woman tightened her grip on her champagne flute.
Her expression shifted several times before she forced a suitable smile back onto her face.
“Ize, you’re finally here!
I’ve been waiting for you for so long.”
“Since you’re so late, you’ll have to drink three glasses as a penalty.”
The woman, acting overly familiar, reached out to touch Ize’s chest, but he silently sidestepped her.
‘There’s definitely something going on between them,’ Wen Ran thought, dumbfounded.
‘No wonder Ize has rejected me time and again.
It turns out he already has someone he likes.’
Wen Ran’s heart soured with disappointment.
‘Looks like I won’t be able to latch onto this backer after all.’
Ize noticed the shift in Wen Ran’s mood.
He flicked her fair, smooth forehead with his finger.
“What are you thinking about?”
Seeing Ize flirting with the young woman as if no one else existed, the other woman could barely maintain her smile.
“I am Xia Wei·Kolas.
And this little sister is…?” The Kolas were the First-class White Tiger Family.
“Hello, Sister.
I’m Wen Ran Mite, his younger sister.”
Knowing that the woman before her might be her future sister-in-law, Wen Ran put on an exceptionally obedient act.
Ize gazed at the sweet smile on her face, an indescribable emotion stirring in his heart.
Dissatisfaction, displeasure, annoyance…
He even felt a twinge of regret for bringing her to the banquet at all.
“Ize, is this that sister of yours?
The one without a Spiritual Body?” Xia Wei·Kolas’s tone was laced with disdain.
“Your aunt took Wendy to Lexing.
How come she didn’t take you?”
Wen Ran didn’t know how to respond.
“Weren’t you hungry? You are reading on g.com, the official source.
I’ll take you to get some cake.” With that, Ize took Wen Ran’s hand and led her straight to the dessert table.
Seeing her biting her fork with tightly pursed lips and a serious expression, Ize couldn’t help but chuckle.
“What are you overthinking now?”
After much hesitation, Wen Ran finally asked, “That woman just now…
is she the one you like, Brother?”
A flicker of joy crossed Ize’s pale gold eyes, only to be quickly extinguished.
“No.”
“Mother wants me to form a marriage alliance with the White Tiger Family…” Ize watched her expression as he spoke.
Seeing her brow furrow, he quickly added, “But I’ve already refused.”
“Is it because you don’t like her?
In that case, is there someone you do like, Brother?”
Ize watched her silently for a few seconds before answering.
“No.”
Wen Ran breathed a sigh of relief, a smile returning to her lips.
‘Good, as long as there’s no one.
Now I don’t have to worry about finding a new backer to latch onto.’
“You…”
Ize was about to say something more, but someone called out to him.
“You should go, Brother.
I’ll be fine on my own.”
Ize sighed and ruffled her hair, his tone indulgent.
“Stay put, and don’t wander off.”
“Mhm.”
After eating two small cakes, the overwhelming mixture of male and female scents began to suffocate Wen Ran, so she decided to step outside for some fresh air.
As she walked, she found herself in the garden just outside the manor.
The scent of flowers drifting on the night breeze was refreshing, and she felt her spirits lift.
“Young Master Lu, you’re moving into your fiancée’s home tonight.
How’s the mood?”
‘Young Master Lu?
Could that be Lu Yanting?’
Wen Ran held her breath and listened in.
“How can a female with no Spiritual Body possibly be worthy of our Young Master Lu?”
“None of us have ever even seen her.
What if she’s hideous?”
The men went back and forth, their tones dripping with disdain.
Wen Ran grew angry as she listened, cursing them under her breath.
‘May your noses burn and your mouths break out in sores, you foul-mouthed pigs.’
The black-haired man sitting with them listened silently as his friends slandered his “fiancée.” He showed no sign of anger; in fact, a contemptuous smile played on his lips.
“This damned engagement.
I’ll find a way to break it, sooner or later!”
“That female had better know what’s good for her.
Otherwise, I’ll…
Hmph.”
Lu Yanting drained his glass, slammed it onto the small table, and stalked away, radiating a menacing aura.
“You’re the one who should drop dead!
You damned pig, thinking with your lower body!” Wen Ran muttered furiously, tugging at the vines on a trellis.
“A young lady shouldn’t speak so crudely.” Ize had appeared behind her at some point.
Startled by his sudden voice, Wen Ran’s foot slipped, and she stumbled toward a nearby pillar.
The next second, a large hand wrapped around her slender waist, and she felt his warm breath on her forehead.
“So clumsy.”
Wen Ran took a few steps back and stuck her tongue out playfully.
“That’s because I have you here, Brother.”
Time to head back.”
Wen Ran stood on her tiptoes, peering at the still-lively banquet hall.
“But the banquet isn’t over yet.”
“It doesn’t matter.
It’s not important anymore.”
He had only come tonight to make one thing clear.
Now that he had, there was no longer any need to stay.
“Okay.”
Wen Ran obediently followed Ize back to Rose Manor.
The moment she stepped into the living room, Wen Ran kicked off her shoes and collapsed barefoot onto the sofa.
Her long, fair legs were revealed through the slit in her gown, and her movement caused the openwork neckline to dip lower.
The snowy mounds beneath, barely contained, were on the verge of spilling out.
Ize’s fingers, which were unbuttoning his suit jacket, paused.
His pale gold pupils contracted slightly.
“Bring a pair of slippers for the young miss.”
A servant heard the order, bowed, and respectfully presented a pair of slippers.
“Brother, I don’t want to,” Wen Ran whined, pouting.
“I wore high heels all night, and my feet are killing me.”
Her small, perfectly shaped toes were strikingly pale against the brown carpet.
Ize’s tone was stiff.
“All of you, leave.”
Hunter bowed his head and led the servants out of the main house.
Seeing the now-empty living room, Wen Ran grew a little frightened.
She licked her lips, watching the man approach her one step at a time.
The man stopped beside the sofa and knelt on one knee.
He took out a pair of fluffy kitten slippers and slid them onto her feet.
“The floor is cold.
A young lady should be more mindful of staying warm.”
Wen Ran pouted.
“I know, you old stick-in-the-mud,” she said haughtily.
Hearing her call him that, Ize’s almond-shaped eyes narrowed.
“Am I that old?”
“Brother, I’m tired.
I’m going to bed now!” Wen Ran said, before fleeing up the stairs.
The back of the white gown was also an openwork design.
As she ran, her shoulder blades fluttered like nimble wings, a dazzling sight.
The Smart Brain suddenly chimed in.
“Young Master, Mr.
Lu of the Sea Shark family has arrived.”
“Understood.
Put him in a guest room on the second floor.
We’ll deal with the rest tomorrow.”
After a brief exchange, Ize lowered his gaze to his well-fitted suit trousers and sighed to himself.
It seemed he would need a cold shower to calm down.