The man did not stand beneath the lights.
Instead, he remained low-key in the shadows, backlit by the glow behind him.
His features were concealed in the darkness, leaving only the tall, commanding outline of his broad frame visible.
He snapped his fingers toward the orchestra conductor.
The music came to an abrupt stop.
Then he spread his arms and rested them casually on the railing. Though his posture seemed relaxed, he radiated an overwhelming presence that no one could ignore. Every eye was drawn to him, and everyone could only look up.
Lu Mingshu looked up in disbelief.
“You invited her? Brother, are you kidding me?!”
The moment those words left her mouth, the guests realized that the man standing on the second floor was none other than Lu Yanzhou, the eldest son of the Lu family.
For three generations, the Lu family had produced founding heroes of the nation.
Lu Yanzhou had surpassed even his predecessors. At such a young age, he already commanded an entire military region, wielding immense authority and influence.
Under the pressure of his commanding aura, none of the guests dared whisper among themselves as they had before.
Instead, they exchanged silent glances, their thoughts running wild.
Shen Shuhe was invited by Lu Yanzhou?
She actually knew Lu Yanzhou?
What exactly was their relationship?
No one spoke.
Only countless unspoken questions filled the silent ballroom.
“Yes.”
Lu Yanzhou’s deep voice carried through the room as he patiently repeated himself.
“I invited her.”
Those simple words not only rescued Shen Shuhe but also publicly slapped Lu Mingshu in the face after she had just tried to throw Shen Shuhe out.
Frowning, Lu Mingshu’s chest rose and fell with anger.
She found herself speechless.
Lu Yanzhou offered her no explanation and made no attempt to comfort her.
Instead, his gaze settled on Jiang Wanqing.
“Miss Jiang.”
His voice was calm but commanding.
To Jiang Wanqing, it felt as though an electric current had run through her body.
Even with an entire floor separating them, her heart tingled.
She immediately shook off Zhou Jiayan’s supporting hand.
At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to stay as far away from Zhou Jiayan as possible, afraid Lu Yanzhou might misunderstand their relationship.
Standing up straight, she looked toward him.
Although she couldn’t make out his face in the backlight, she could easily picture his handsome features from memory.
She nodded and answered softly, her voice filled with grievance.
“I’m here… Brother Yanzhou.”
The fact that he had stepped forward to defend Shen Shuhe genuinely hurt her.
For once, her sense of grievance wasn’t an act.
She didn’t care that her pristine white gown was stained with red wine.
If anything, she wished she looked even more miserable.
Only then, she thought, would he comfort her instead of helping Shen Shuhe.
Beside her, Zhou Jiayan’s expression had already darkened considerably.
Neither of their changing expressions escaped Shen Shuhe’s notice.
A knowing smile touched the corners of her lips.
She had thought Zhou Jiayan had been overjoyed that his beloved white moonlight had returned, willing to sacrifice everything for love and finally reunite with the woman he adored.
But it turned out…
He was nothing more than the goddess’s devoted simp and backup option.
Served him right.
Just moments ago, Shen Shuhe had been the only person in the room being bullied.
Now she was the happiest person in the entire ballroom.
She still didn’t know why Lu Yanzhou had stepped in to help her.
But she was certainly happy about it.
It meant there was now a chance she could secure the Lu family’s support for the Shen family.
Jiang Wanqing looked up expectantly, waiting for words of comfort.
Instead, Lu Yanzhou asked coldly,
“Do you expect Miss Shen to pay for your dress?”
Hearing that, Jiang Wanqing secretly rejoiced.
She assumed Lu Yanzhou regarded her as the victim and was trying to comfort her while resolving the matter.
“I waited two whole months for this dress. It’s probably ruined now…”
She sighed before adding gently,
“But I just learned that the Shen family is going through a crisis. I know Miss Shen isn’t in a position to compensate me, so I don’t want to make things difficult for her.”
On the surface, she sounded kind and considerate.
In reality, she was exposing the Shen family’s downfall while belittling Shen Shuhe.
Unfortunately, she received neither sympathy nor praise.
Instead, Lu Yanzhou asked in an icy tone,
“Miss Jiang… have I offended you?”
Completely bewildered, Jiang Wanqing hurriedly shook her head.
“Of course not! Brother Yanzhou, why would you ask that?”
Looking down at her from above, Lu Yanzhou raised his voice slightly.
“Then why are you trying to extort compensation from a guest I invited… in my family’s home?”
The accusation hit like a bombshell.
The entire ballroom collectively sucked in a breath.
Had Lu Yanzhou not been present, the room would already have erupted into gossip.
Now everyone had to force themselves to keep silent despite their curiosity.
Shen Shuhe is incredible.
She actually managed to win over Lu Yanzhou.
The Shen family’s ancestors must be blessing them from heaven.
Lu Yanzhou didn’t spare Jiang Wanqing, the Jiang family’s precious eldest daughter, even the slightest bit of face—for Shen Shuhe’s sake.
Jiang Wanqing’s lips trembled.
Her eyes quickly filled with tears.
“Brother Yanzhou… how can you slander me like this for Shen Shuhe’s sake?”
Her chest tightened painfully, making it difficult to breathe.
Lu Yanzhou replied evenly,
“There are seventeen dual-spectrum, multi-target high-definition surveillance cameras throughout this ballroom.”
“They ensure there isn’t a single blind spot.”
He leaned forward slightly.
His sharply defined jaw emerged from the shadows into the crystal chandelier’s glow.
His thin lips parted.
“So…”
“Would Miss Jiang like to apologize to Miss Shen right now…”
“…or shall I enlarge the surveillance footage frame by frame and make it public, so everyone can judge whether I’m slandering you…”
“…or whether you’re the one causing trouble and attempting to extort someone?”
His final words rose slightly at the end, carrying an unmistakable edge of danger.
His tone was as cold as an impartial judge.
Neither the Jiang family nor Jiang Wanqing would receive the slightest favoritism.
The crowd was once again stunned into silence.
Though no one dared speak, many cast meaningful glances toward Jiang Wanqing.
Well…
Who would’ve guessed?
Jiang Wanqing is such a green tea.
She’s causing a scene and trying to scam someone at her best friend’s birthday party?
Does she have some grudge against Shen Shuhe?
Could it really be because she’s fighting Shen Shuhe over Zhou Jiayan?
Now that’s explosive gossip.
Jiang Wanqing’s face turned deathly pale.
Her entire body stiffened.
In a panic, she looked toward Lu Mingshu for help.
In a situation like this, only Lu Mingshu could save her.
If Lu Yanzhou really released the surveillance footage frame by frame, she would completely disgrace the Jiang family.
She might not even be able to remain in Beijing afterward.
Lu Mingshu had always been fiercely protective of her friends.
Naturally, she couldn’t just stand by while Jiang Wanqing was cornered.
From across the room, she glared up at Lu Yanzhou on the second floor.
“Brother!”
She reminded him irritably,
“Today’s my birthday. Wanqing is my best friend!”
She felt she wasn’t merely hinting anymore.
She was stating it outright.
Surely her brother couldn’t keep embarrassing her by refusing to let Wanqing off the hook.
But Lu Yanzhou acted as though he hadn’t heard a word.
He completely ignored her.
Instead, from the second floor, his gaze settled on Shen Shuhe.
Dressed in a dark emerald qipao, she stood proudly like an elegant crane…
…or perhaps a graceful swan.
A faint smile curved his lips.
His cool, deep voice carried a gentleness that no one else noticed.
He asked,
“What do you think, Miss Shen?”
“Should Miss Jiang apologize to you now and compensate you for your emotional distress…”
“…or would you prefer that I release the surveillance footage first…”
“…and then have Miss Jiang apologize to you and compensate you for your emotional distress afterward?”