After leaving his father behind, the son of a prominent figure in Beijing's elite circles has g

After dinner, Rong Zheng left the main building with Lu Yunshan and the others.

Upon returning to the small building, Lu Yunshan's suppressed anger erupted instantly. He coldly warned Lu Xingyao, "Stop with your petty schemes. If you do something stupid again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Lu Xingyao was indignant, but only dared to whisper, "What did I do wrong? Why is Grandpa scolding me?"

Bai Yuxiu felt sorry for her daughter and spoke up for her, "Dad, I think Yaoyao is no worse than Wei Shuyan, we can't..."

"Mom, don't make things worse here." Lu Peichuan interrupted Bai Yuxiu coldly. "The Wei family is a century-old prestigious family with strength comparable to the Song family. Although their net worth is not as high as the Song family, their foundation is profound and their strength should not be underestimated."

She then turned to look at Lu Xingyao, "Wei Shuyan is the little princess whom the Wei family has doted on. The Wei family couple are notorious for spoiling their daughter. How dare you embarrass her in public? Do you have a death wish?"

Lu Xingyao was shocked to find that Wei Shuyan had such a powerful background. Her face turned pale with fright, but when she thought of Song Shiyan, her eyes instantly reddened. She lowered her head and twisted her fingers vigorously, tears streaming down her face.

Seeing his sister's distress, Lu Peichuan's heart softened instantly, and his voice became gentler, "You can't force matters of the heart. Don't do anything foolish like that next time."

"If Shi Yan had feelings for you, I would naturally try to matchmake you. But it's obvious he doesn't. Are you trying to ruin any remaining affection he has for the Lu family by being so unreasonable?" After reprimanding Lu Xingyao, Lu Yunshan turned to Bai Yuxiu, "You've completely disgraced the Lu family!"

Then he snorted coldly, turned his face, and went upstairs.

Lu Xingyao sat on the sofa, covered her face, and started crying.

Bai Yuxiu immediately went over to comfort her.

Rong Zheng didn't want to get involved, so she went upstairs to her room to read. After reading two pages, Lu Peichuan came in.

"Zhengzheng, do you know Wei Shuyan before?" During the meal, Lu Peichuan saw Wei Shuyan introducing the dishes to Rong Zheng, and the two seemed to be quite familiar with each other.

Rong Zheng said without looking up, "This is the first time we've met."

Seeing that Rong Zheng was engrossed in her book and not even glancing at him, Lu Peichuan walked up to her and said, "There are boats at the manor's private dock. Would you like to go out to sea?"

Going to sea is something I'd like to do, but with Lu Peichuan... "I don't want to."

Lu Peichuan glanced at Rong Zheng for two seconds, and seeing that she still didn't respond, he had no choice but to sit down next to her. "You read your book, I'll deal with the emails."

Rong Zheng paused slightly as she turned the pages, but then continued reading.

Lu Peichuan spent the entire afternoon in the room with Rong Zheng, occasionally pouring her water and bringing her fruit, without disturbing her. He would simply place the fruit in front of her and then continue with his own business.

His thoughtfulness and care were just right, without being offensive. Yet, this peaceful and warm interaction made Rong Zheng feel somewhat dazed, as if she had returned to the time when the two of them dated in college.

Back then, she would spend all her free time in the school library, and Lu Peichuan would always quietly accompany her, preparing snacks, milk tea, fruit, and desserts for her, just like now, only saying a word and not disturbing her.

His thoughtfulness and gentleness made her feel very comfortable in his company.

But after they got married, they never had such times again. Now that they are getting a divorce, she feels all of this again, and all she can do is sigh: people's hearts are fickle.

The man who promised to treat her well for life changed his mind after only one year of marriage.

Lu Peichuan looked at the untouched water and fruit on the table and had the illusion that he couldn't hold onto Rong Zheng. How could this be? They used to love each other so much. Love is something that seeps into the bones. It's impossible for them to stop loving each other just like that.

She must still be angry. He can't rush things. He should take it slow, just like when he pursued her. Didn't he win her over little by little?

He can win her over once, and he can definitely win her over a second time.

At four o'clock, the housekeeper called to say that the birthday banquet would start at six o'clock and asked if she needed a makeup artist.

In such an occasion, wearing makeup is the most basic courtesy. Rong Zheng originally planned to do her own makeup, but she didn't expect the Song family to be so considerate in their hospitality.

The makeup artists arrived shortly afterward. There were three makeup artists: Bai Yuxiu, Lu Xingyao, and Rong Zheng. After the three of them finished their makeup and changed into their evening gowns, they came downstairs. It was already 5:30.

Lu Peichuan and Lu Yunshan had been waiting downstairs.

Before leaving, Lu Yunshan looked at Rong Zheng and said, "The people who can attend the birthday banquet tonight are all rich and powerful. You should keep Pei Chuan company."

Rong Zheng knew that Lu Yunshan was giving her a warning, telling her not to act childishly in such a situation and to cooperate well with Lu Peichuan. "Don't worry, I will definitely keep my promise."

Lu Yunshan nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Lu Xingyao, "Have you figured it out?"

Lu Xingyao cried for a long time in the afternoon, and even though the makeup artist applied eye masks to her, the swelling in her eyelids did not completely subside.

She lowered her eyes, her hands hanging at her sides, her thumbs tightly gripping her index fingers, and answered softly, "I understand."

"It's good that you've figured it out. Let's go."

The group went outside, and a tram was already waiting at the door.

The birthday banquet was held at the Banquet Hall.

Rong Zheng and the others arrived at the banquet hall and got out of the car. Lu Peichuan walked to Rong Zheng's side and slightly raised his right hand, "Let's go in together."

Rong Zheng hesitated for a moment, then took Lu Peichuan's arm and followed him into the banquet hall.

For the upper class, such banquets are never just about eating and drinking, but rather silent marketplaces where a single dinner can be a passport to marriage alliances, business opportunities, power, and social class.

Especially since the host family is the Song family, everyone naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity to befriend and curry favor with them.

Almost all the prominent people in the capital came, and many others came from other cities. There were even blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigners from overseas who had cooperated with the Song family.

When Rong Zheng entered the banquet hall, it was already packed with people. However, the banquet hall was large enough that it did not feel crowded. Everyone was chatting and laughing, clinking glasses, and the scene was noisy and lively.

Song Shiyan stood out from the crowd. Whether it was his appearance, family background, or his own abilities, he was top-notch. That's why Rong Zheng saw him as soon as she entered.

His tall, imposing figure, black suit, black shirt, and handsome, sharply defined face exuded a natural, aloof, and powerful aura befitting a person in a position of authority.

He didn't say much; he simply held a glass of wine, his thin lips slightly pursed, and occasionally nodded slightly, which made everyone around him treat him with utmost respect and greet him with smiles.

Just as Rong Zheng was about to look away, she inadvertently caught sight of the tie clip on his chest, and her gaze suddenly froze.

That was the gift she gave him yesterday.

He actually wore it on such an important occasion tonight!

When she bought it, she only thought that the style would suit him, but she didn't expect it to suit him so well.

The cool, dim lighting made him appear even more refined and noble. The banquet lights fell on him, casting only a faint, cool glow, which perfectly highlighted his inherent understated and composed noble temperament.

Perhaps it was her intense gaze that caught his attention, but he suddenly looked up and glanced in her direction.

Their eyes met across the noisy crowd.