From rejecting the beautiful female CEO to becoming extremely powerful

Lu Yunzhou fastened the iron lock on the equipment room, then turned and walked towards his car.

The car door opened, revealing a dark blue gift box on the passenger seat.

He picked up the gift box, confirmed that the brooch was still in the hidden compartment, and then casually closed the car door.

The brooch, crafted from stardust and spiritual essence, had an eight-petaled floral pattern engraved on its frame.

Mu Qingying had waited six days; it was time to hand it over to her tonight.

As soon as the elevator reached the first floor and the doors opened, music from the main building began to play.

The banquet hall was brightly lit, and long tables were laden with wine and fruit platters.

Guests chatted while holding glasses, waiters moved through the crowd, and several concierges stood at the entrance registering identities.

Lu Yunzhou walked into the hall carrying the gift box.

Su Qingwan on stage had already changed into her formal dress.

A black long dress cinches at the waist, a thin jacket is draped over the shoulders, long hair is styled in an updo, and two silver earrings dangle from the ears.

She took the microphone from the staff member and pressed it down.

The noise in the hall quickly subsided.

"I invited everyone here tonight for one thing: to celebrate Qingying's birthday."

Holding the microphone, Su Qingwan glanced at the audience and said clearly, "She just returned from abroad and is unfamiliar with the place. Please give me some face and don't let her stand alone."

After she finished speaking, she stepped aside to clear the way on the steps.

Mu Qingying walked out from the side door of the main building.

She wore a moon-white long gown, the hem of which was adorned with tiny sequins. As she moved, the lights shone on it, and the bright spots moved with the hem of the dress.

Her waist was neatly tied, her long hair was draped down her back, and she wore only a pair of small pearl stud earrings.

She didn't rush to leave; she looked up and searched for someone first.

Lu Yunzhou stood at the back of the crowd, the gift box tucked into his arm, looking directly at her.

Mu Qingying paused for a moment, then lifted her skirt and descended the steps.

She walked through the crowd, stood in front of Lu Yunzhou, and took the gift box.

"You still know how to come back."

She placed her fingers on the box, her tone reproachful, but her eyes remained fixed on his face.

Lu Yunzhou handed the gift box to her: "Happy birthday, open it and take a look."

Mu Qingying did not open the box immediately, but stood next to him while holding the gift box.

She waited for most of the night, and the slight disappointment on her face finally faded.

Su Qingwan glanced at the two of them and then raised the microphone again.

"Qingying, you are the host today. Come up on stage and let everyone get to know you."

Mu Qingying reached out and took Lu Yunzhou's arm, then followed Su Qingwan up the steps.

The conversations below the stage ceased, and many young guests put down their glasses, their eyes all fixed on her.

Some people recognized the Mu family crest, while others began asking those around them about her identity.

Lu Yunzhou stood below the stage, his gaze sweeping over his surroundings.

He ignored the discussions and focused only on Mu Qingying on the stage.

She took the microphone from the staff member and pressed her palm against the microphone casing.

"Thank you everyone for coming to my birthday party, and thank you Aunt Su for arranging this evening for me."

After Mu Qingying finished speaking, she nodded to Su Qingwan: "I will keep the gift safe. Everyone, please enjoy your meal and drinks tonight."

As her voice faded, applause erupted from the audience.

Su Qingwan raised her hand towards the band.

The lights went out, leaving only two warm beams of light on the stage.

The staff pushed over a three-tiered cake and handed the lighter to Su Qingwan.

Su Qingwan lit the first candle and then handed the lighter to Mu Qingying.

Mu Qingying took it and lit up each candle along the edge of the cake.

The flames danced inside the glass dome, and the aroma of cream mingled with the scent of flowers.

The band played a birthday song, and the guests clapped along to the beat.

Mu Qingying stood in front of the cake, clasped her hands together in front of her chest, closed her eyes, and made a wish.

Lu Yunzhou looked at her profile and touched his car keys in his pocket.

A moment later, Mu Qingying bent down and blew out the candle.

The lights came back on, and the staff pushed the cake to the VIP table.

Gift registration then began.

The first item presented was a set of blue diamond jewelry. After the gift box was opened, hushed whispers arose from all around.

Immediately afterwards, the equity transfer documents delivered by the Feng family were placed on the table, and the concierge in charge of registration verified the seals on the spot.

Further on, there are wines from overseas estates, as well as antique porcelain and manuscripts by famous artists from private collectors.

Each gift was photographed, numbered, and sealed.

Mu Qingying stood on the stage to greet the guests.

When someone presents her with a bouquet of flowers, she nods and thanks them; when someone hands her heavy documents, she takes them personally and then hands them to her assistant behind her.

That night, she was no longer just the Mu family's young lady who was the subject of gossip.

She stood in everyone's sight and accepted the blessings that were meant for her.

On the other side of the banquet hall, Lei Hu, holding a wine glass, stood with Chu Zhengnan by the screen.

The two had just finished discussing the East Lake project when Lei Hu glanced at his phone.

Three missed calls were displayed on the screen, and the numbers dialed went unanswered.

"Why hasn't Lei Xiao arrived yet?"

Lei Hu turned off his phone, his face darkening.

Chu Zhengnan turned his head to look at him, the wine glass in his hand pausing at his lips: "Didn't he already enter the manor?"

Lei Hu did not answer, and dialed another number.

After the call connected, a bodyguard's hushed report came through the phone.

We've searched the side entrance, the back area, and even the underground parking garage, but there's no sign of Lei Xiao or his two bodyguards.

Lei Hu's jaw tightened, and he raised his hand to call over his accompanying secretary.

Where did he end up?

The secretary quickly checked her phone's records, sweat beading on her forehead: "Young Master Lei said there was something going on in the parking garage and asked me to wait in the lobby. He went down through the side door with two other people."

Lei Hu placed the wine glass back on the table, the bottom of the glass making a soft clinking sound.

"Take people and search again. Check every room, don't stop until the call connects."

The secretary readily agreed and quickly turned to leave.

Chu Zhengnan watched his retreating figure, his brows furrowed: "There are many guests today, don't make a scene."

Lei Hu took out a cigarette, held it in his hand without lighting it: "My son has gone missing, and that's already big enough of a commotion."

After he finished speaking, his gaze passed over the crowd and landed on Mu Qingying on the stage.

Chu Zhengnan followed his gaze, and his expression darkened.

His son, Chu Tiankuo, had already had both legs crippled, and the score between the Chu family and Lu Yunzhou was not yet settled, so he could not retaliate in public tonight.

Just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance to the banquet hall.

Tang Shaoyu walked in with several members of the Tang family.

He was dressed in a dark suit, carrying a gift box prepared by the Tang family, and wearing a badge indicating his official status.

The ushers opened the register and registered the Tang family's names in front of everyone.

Mu Qingying was just receiving a bouquet of flowers when she looked up and saw him.

The flower branch in her hand stopped in mid-air.

Tang Shaoyu also saw Mu Qingying, put on a smile, and raised his glass to her.

He didn't approach; he simply stood at the entrance waiting for a response.

Mu Qingying put down the bouquet, pressed her hand against the side of the dress, and looked away from him.

She remembered the projection outside the community, and she also remembered Tang Shaoyu's face as he pressured her to agree to the project cooperation.

Su Qingwan stood below the stage, following her gaze to the entrance, and beckoned two bodyguards over.

"Keep an eye on Tang Shaoyu and don't let him get close to Qingying alone."