I was exposed for adding my female boss to my group of female friends.

Chen Sheng and Lu Ruixiang devoted themselves to assisting their son Chen Hai's factory business, immersing themselves in financial reports and daily management all day long.

Since that "special day," Chen Hai has changed a lot. He wants to do his best to become a better person before he meets Qin Yun Chu for the first time.

However, time was still too short for him—because Qin Yun Chu had already confirmed that she would attend on the day of Old Master Lu's birthday, and at that time, the real Qin Yun Chu would really appear in front of Chen Hai.

Xia You has been looking grumpy these past few days, like a cat with a bad temper, wanting to scratch anyone she sees—because her mother has taken her to all the high-end custom clothing stores these past few days, just to dress her up in the best possible way for her birthday banquet so she can make a grand appearance in front of the guests.

Lu Qianzi continued to live a carefree life. The only good news for her was that she had acquired a few more JX records in the past few days, taking another step forward in her collection of JX's complete records.

After a long period of self-isolation, Miao Aoxue finally emerged from her depression and made peace with herself—although she hadn't held on to Chen Ya back then, Li Jiayi wasn't bad either.

She and Li Jiayi will attend Old Master Lu's birthday banquet as representatives of the Xuanyuan Chamber of Commerce.

The person who looked forward to this day the most, and was also the most marginalized, was Chen Ya's aunt, Chen Chi.

The day of Old Master Lu's birthday banquet was also the day of her wedding with Wei Mingzhe.

However, in a corner of the world, the wedding of such an ordinary working woman always hovered on the fringes of the elite class. People only paid attention to the Lu family and Old Master Lu; no one cared about her wedding.

Great-grandmother and Committee Member Gao were conflicted, yet confident—confident because many things would be revealed on the day of the birthday banquet, and confident because at least people could see that Gu Yuqing was still polite to Old Master Lu.

The Lu family's influence will be fully displayed on this day in the upper echelons of Beijing—that is beyond doubt.

At the center of all the turmoil, Old Master Lu remained calm and continued fishing every day.

Even his great-grandmother found it difficult to understand the inner world of this octogenarian, and it was hard to know what was brewing in his heart.

Amidst everyone's different mindsets, wishes, and anxieties, the pivotal day of Grandpa Lu's birthday finally arrived.

Chapter 280 is about the marriage with Chen Ya.

In Lu Qingxuan's eyes, although the Lu family members concealed their true emotions at Old Master Lu's birthday banquet, everyone managed to explain themselves in the most appropriate way. She saw it all clearly.

The only person she couldn't understand was Chen Ya. The fundamental reason she couldn't understand him was that she hadn't seen him since that day when she tried lighting fireworks in the outskirts of Beijing.

She didn't want to appear that she really wanted to see that person, but in reality, she waited for Chen Ya to contact her every day, and this wait lasted for half a month.

With Old Master Lu's birthday banquet fast approaching, Chen Ya was still nowhere to be found. She had no choice but to give in and call Lu Ruixiang to ask if Chen Ya was still alive.

“We don’t know where Chen Ya went either,” Lu Ruixiang said. “He left in a hurry, and we don’t even know if he’s still in the capital…”

"So, he ran away, right?" Lu Qingxuan said emotionlessly. "Then he's not planning to attend Old Master Lu's birthday banquet tomorrow either?"

"That's definitely not the case. He said he would attend the birthday banquet."

“He should indeed attend,” Lu Qingxuan said in a cold voice. “His seat is at the very front, the table closest to the old master. It doesn’t look good to leave that seat empty.”

Lu Ruixiang was unaware that Chen Ya's seat had been arranged at the very front. She was surprised upon learning this and asked:

"Why is he sitting there? Isn't he sitting with our family in the side room?"

"His great-grandmother valued him highly."

Lu Qingxuan simply stated this. But it cannot be said that there was no threat in her words at all.

She didn't tell Lu Ruixiang that Chen Ya's seat was actually arranged by her and by various coincidences, which made Lu Ruixiang's imagination run wild after hearing it, and she gasped in shock.

"Then, what about our family's seats..."

"Your family should sit in the side hall." Lu Qingxuan's words shattered all of Lu Ruixiang's hopes.

Lu Ruixiang gripped her phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white and her palms were sweaty. She said in a dry voice:

“We will definitely find Chen Ya and make sure he attends on time. However, we really can't contact him recently. If he still can't attend the birthday banquet by tomorrow, could we perhaps adjust his schedule?”

"Adjust? How can we adjust? Do you know who's sitting at that table? Qin Yun Chu, Gu Yu Qing... Have you thought about how complicated things will become if we adjust? It might even escalate to Great-Grandma's place. I don't want Great-Grandma to know about this."

Lu Ruixiang was so nervous that her breathing became uneven, and she quickly said, "Okay, okay, we will definitely find him."

After hanging up the phone, Lu Qingxuan's lips curled into a wicked smile.

She knew that because of this phone call, Lu Ruixiang would definitely try every means to put pressure on Chen Ya. But this couldn't be blamed on Lu Qingxuan; it was all his own fault—who told him to disappear?

However, Lu Ruixiang, after finishing her call with her, had her attention completely elsewhere.

As a member of a collateral branch of the Lu family, she wasn't as well-informed as the other members of the Lu family. This was the first time she had heard that Gu Yuqing would also be attending Old Master Lu's birthday banquet.

The fact that the Lu family arranged for Chen Ya to sit at the same table as Gu Yuqing shows just how high Chen Ya's status had risen in the hearts of his great-grandmother and the others during his short month in Beijing.

Lu Ruixiang quickly gathered her entire family—except for Chen Ya—and told Lu Qingxuan about her conversation with her, instructing them to do everything they could to contact Chen Ya.

Aside from Chen Hai being consumed by jealousy, her little family meeting was ineffective; Chen Ya was still unreachable.

No one could get through to Chen Ya by phone, and he didn't reply to messages; it was as if he had disappeared.

Except for Lu Qianzi.

Lu Qianzi secretly sent a message to Chen Ya behind everyone's back:

Are you really not planning to come tomorrow?

A short while later, a reply came quickly:

"I'm dealing with a serious matter. But it should be resolved by tomorrow."

Upon seeing this message, Lu Qianzi calmly turned off her phone screen.

Chen Ya had never used the word "serious" to describe anything before, which made Lu Qianzi a little worried.

Moreover, even if he resolves this matter, will he still appear at the birthday banquet?

He didn't say it.

……

The suspense of whether Chen Ya would appear remained until the day of the birthday banquet.

Six o'clock in the evening, at Mingyue Tower.

Red carpets were laid out, brocade was laid out on the tables, and lanterns and decorations were hung everywhere.

Groups of people dressed in their finest attire arrived, with Rolls-Royces, Porsches, and other luxury cars streaming into the parking lot.

Passersby were astonished by the scene – which prominent family in Beijing was holding a gathering? Judging by the number of cars, at least half of the wealthy elites in the city had come here.

Their prediction was wrong. Because more than just a small portion of the elite families from various circles had come.

All the elite families in Beijing's social circles have come here.

Mingyue Tower was completed about 10 years ago. Now, 10 years have passed. The owner of the 85-story restaurant, whose assets are worth hundreds of millions, is now standing at the entrance of the lobby, rubbing his hands together and bowing his head, greeting every guest who comes here.

Even in the entire history of Mingyue Tower since its construction, today is one of the most grand and solemn days.

Even the most ordinary members of the Lu family couldn't help but stand tall today. The Lu family's current prosperity, as a powerful and influential clan, is a direct and concentrated demonstration of its power. How could anyone not feel proud?

"Ding!"

The doors of the sightseeing elevator opened, and the rhythmic, crisp sound of high heels hitting the ground rang out. Lu Qingxuan stepped out of the elevator, surrounded by a crowd of people.

The people standing in the corridor were all immediately struck by Lu Qingxuan's beauty.

Today, Lu Qingxuan was dressed to the nines. She changed her usual hairstyle and styled her hair into an elegant yet glamorous updo. She wore a long dress that resembled European court attire, with a fluffy skirt that flowed around her, making her look like a princess.

She wore crystal high heels, and her exposed, shapely calves were as white and flawless as jade. Perhaps because it was quite cold outside, her ankles were a little red, which made her legs look even more captivating.

Throughout the corridor, everyone—waiters, servants, managers, scions of prominent families, wealthy merchants, and other tycoons—did their gazes toward Lu Qingxuan, lingering on her face, which resembled a flower on a high mountain.

"Miss Lu, this way please."

"Qingxuan, it's been a long time!"

Lu Qingxuan nodded to each of them, a polite smile on her face, but her eyes were searching for something.

All she wanted to know was what Chen Ya had come for.

"Miss Lu?"

"Ah, it's you."

Lu Qingxuan's gaze met that of someone else who was also searching for something.

It was Liu Ruying.

Today, Liu Ruying wore a black evening gown, her slender figure rivaling that of Lu Qingxuan. She was already beautiful, but with her perfectly applied makeup, she became even more radiant and captivating.

Liu Ruying came as a representative of the Liu family. Although the Liu family was slightly weaker among the aristocratic families, due to the special relationship between the Liu and Lu families, the representatives from the Liu family were given very important positions.

Upon seeing Liu Ruying, Lu Qingxuan walked over and asked, "Have you found Chen Ya?"

"No," Liu Ruying shook her head dejectedly. "Maybe he won't come."

"That won't work."

“Actually, it’s better for me that he didn’t come, to avoid… awkwardness,” Liu Ruying said earnestly.

Lu Qingxuan was unaware of her engagement to Chen Ya and gave her a strange look.

"I know where your seat is, come with me."

"Mm." Liu Ruying nodded.

Two equally beautiful girls walked one after the other into the main hall, attracting everyone's attention.

Both girls were slender with incredibly long legs and beautiful faces, naturally attracting attention. However, neither of them had their mind on anyone else.

It's still early before the banquet starts, and there aren't many people in the main hall. Most of those who have arrived early are members of the Lu family. As for aristocratic families like Qin Yun Chu and Gu Yu Qing, none of them have come, so the table looks empty.

Lu Qingxuan was about to lead Liu Ruying to a seat when she saw her great-grandmother and Committee Member Gao in the distance. So, she and Liu Ruying went up to them and greeted the two elders.

Upon seeing Liu Ruying, Great-Grandma smiled and said, "This girl is so beautiful. Which family are you from?"

Liu Ruying politely replied, "I am from the Liu family."

"Are you the eldest or the second eldest?"

Liu Ruying hesitated for a moment, then said, "The eldest daughter's."

Are you still in school?

Yes, I did my undergraduate studies at Peking University.

Great-Grandma's smile widened, and she took her hand, saying, "Not bad, she has a dignified appearance, speaks very well, and is well-educated. Our Lu family and the Liu family have been on good terms for generations, and we are even happier to see the next generation of the Liu family succeed than our own children."

Liu Ruying repeatedly thanked her great-grandmother for her concern. Her great-grandmother then said, "Grandpa has always treated the younger generation of your Liu family as if they were his own. I remember he even arranged a marriage for your family, was it you?"

Liu Ruying blushed slightly: "It's me."

Lu Qingxuan looked at her with some surprise. She had only heard about this marriage before and did not know that the person to be married was Liu Ruying.

"The marriage is with Lu Ruixiang's family. I've seen the child; he's very talented. Have you met him?"

Lu Qingxuan's heart sank. Liu Ruying's voice trailed off: "I've seen him."

"That's good, that's good," Great-Grandma nodded repeatedly, then looked at Lu Qingxuan and said, "Qingxuan, you've had a hard time these past few days."

Lu Qingxuan forced a smile and said, "It's not hard work. Family matters are my own matters, so it's understandable that I'm a little tired."

She felt that her voice was hollow, as if it were floating on the surface of the world.

"You don't need to work hard today. Just enjoy the banquet like the Liu family girl. You don't need to do any other chores."

"Yes." Lu Qingxuan nodded.

Great-grandmother held Lu Qingxuan's hand, her expression showing considerable heartache, and said:

"Actually, of all your generations, you are the one I value the most. However, you are strong-willed and unwilling to back down, so your life will definitely be more difficult than others. But this kind of personality is also the most likely to make you successful."

After listening, Lu Qingxuan calmed down a bit and said, "Great-Grandma, I don't find it hard. Being above others in everything is actually easier for me because I'm used to it."

Grandma Yu smiled and said, "This child... you haven't experienced the hardships I mentioned yet. When you reach my age and look back, you'll understand everything. However, children and grandchildren have their own blessings, and this old woman won't say anything more about your thoughts."

Some of the Lu family members stood by, watching the old lady holding Lu Qingxuan's hand and speaking softly to her, and couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

Lu Qingxuan contributed a lot to this birthday banquet and won the old lady's favor. It is likely that she will be given priority consideration for any good things to happen in the family in the future.

Of course, Lu Qingxuan herself is outstanding enough, and her good fortune is something that others can only envy.

Lu Qingxuan seemed to remember something and asked Grandma Yu, "Grandma, did you see Chen Ya today?"

Great-grandmother said, "Chen Ya? Never seen him before."

Lu Qingxuan frowned, seemingly muttering to herself, "He hasn't shown up for several days. I wonder if he'll even come to the birthday banquet today..."

Upon hearing this, Committee Member Gao immediately became displeased and said from the side, "What day is it today? How could he not come?"

"I'm just worried that he might have something he can't get away from and can't come, which would delay the really important things," Lu Qingxuan quickly tried to make amends for Chen Ya.