Although Little Su Ning had only met Lu Zhe twice - once at the hotel and once during a video call - the clever little boy had a good memory and recognized Lu Zhe immediately when he appeared.
Even though he was young, he knew his sister liked his brother-in-law, and his sister would always smile happily when video calling him.
So when the little one saw Lu Zhe, his first thought was to tell his sister.
"Sister, brother-in-law is here," Little Su Ning went to his sister's side and repeated in his sweet childish voice.
Su Ci's eyes lit up. She bent down and patted the little one's head, "Ning Ning is so thoughtful, truly worthy of being my brother. Tonight, sister will reward you with a big pudding."
Little Su Ning beamed with bright eyes, delighted by his sister's praise and the promised reward.
Xie Yuting, who was standing nearby, was shocked. She had never heard about the Su family's daughter being married - where did this brother-in-law come from?
As the banquet was about to begin, Su Ci, knowing that Xie Yumin had attempted suicide due to cyberbullying, had already arranged for people to monitor online discussions. Any topics about Xie Yuting would be immediately removed, as cyberbullying was the root cause.
Meanwhile, Su Ci had someone escort Xie Yumin downstairs, keeping watch over her movements.
As guests gradually arrived at the banquet, Lu Zhe came with his parents to the Su residence.
The arrival of the three immediately drew everyone's attention.
Lu Chen needed no introduction - with his devastatingly handsome face, he had always been the center of attention. Beside him, Wen Ya was strikingly beautiful. This couple, whether fifteen years ago or now, was so perfectly matched that they inspired both admiration and envy.
However, this time, many noticed an exceptionally good-looking young man beside them, whose features somewhat resembled Lu Chen's.
"Could that be Lu Chen's son?"
"Wasn't Lu Chen's son lost fifteen years ago?"
"Yes, he was lost. This must be an illegitimate child. I knew the Lu family couldn't be without an heir."
"I thought Lu Chen loved Wen Ya so much, but aren't all men the same? The illegitimate son is already this grown up."
"The Lu family is wealthy and powerful; they need an heir to inherit their empire. Ever since Wen Ya lost her child, she hasn't been able to conceive. Even if Lu Chen has an illegitimate son, she can only turn a blind eye. Otherwise, why would they bring him to such a public event?"
Several female guests huddled together, whispering. After all, they had long been jealous of how Lu Chen doted on Wen Ya all these years. Especially since Wen Ya hadn't given the Lu family an heir, yet her position remained unshakeable, with Lu Chen wrapped around her finger and not a hint of scandal.
Meanwhile, their own husbands kept mistresses outside. The comparison was infuriating. Now, seeing an apparent illegitimate son in the Lu family, they couldn't help but make acidic remarks.
Lu Chen seemed to sense their gossip and cast a glance in their direction, immediately silencing the whispering group.
At this moment, Su Ci's parents emerged, with Su ZhiYuan at their side.
The Su family was famous for their good looks, and the Lu family was equally blessed in that department. Everyone agreed that City B's most beautiful people were all born into either the Su or Lu families.
"Lu Chen, I thought you'd be the last to arrive again," Su Ci's father said, well aware of his character.
Lu Chen raised an eyebrow, his phoenix eyes twinkling with amusement, "I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give you some face."
"Uncle Su, Aunt Su, Brother Su," Lu Zhe greeted them politely.
Su Ci's father had a good impression of this young man. When he had investigated Lu Zhe's background and revealed it to Lu Chen, it was mainly out of gratitude. Now seeing him return to the Lu family, he felt happy for them.
"Good," Su Ci's father nodded, then said to Lu Chen with a smile, "I helped you find your son - how will you thank me?"
Lu Chen was an old fox, and it wasn't easy to extract anything from him.
He gave a cold laugh, refusing to yield an inch, "I recall you mentioning that my son was your family's savior. If anyone should be thanking anyone, you should be thanking us."
Su Ci's father and Lu Chen continued their verbal sparring, neither gaining the upper hand.
Wen Ya and Su Ci's mother were already used to such situations.
"Is Su Ci coming down soon?" Wen Ya asked Su Ci's mother.
"Yes," Su Ci's mother replied, seeing Lu Zhe had already returned to his parents' side. She was somewhat acquainted with Wen Ya, who had spent so many years searching for her son. Now that Lu Zhe had returned to the Lu family, Wen Ya would surely cherish him dearly.
She felt this could somewhat ease her guilt.
Meanwhile, He Ermeng had already arrived with his older brother at the Su residence. Several young ladies of similar age tried to approach him for conversation, but his arrogant and aloof demeanor didn't spare them even a glance.
He was waiting for Su Ci.
After so many days of vacation, he hadn't seen her and was desperately missing her.
He followed his brother around listlessly, casually responding to those trying to network with them. When his eyes inadvertently caught sight of Lu Zhe, who had suddenly appeared at the Su family banquet wearing a black suit, he was shocked.
What was Lu Zhe's status that he could attend Su Ci's banquet?
He Ermeng's eyes flashed with anger, but then he remembered that Lu Zhe had saved Su Ci's parents.
"What are you looking at?" His older brother patted his shoulder, "Come on, the Lu family is here, let's go greet them."
Although the He family was powerful, they still couldn't compare to the Lu and Su families.
He Ermeng suppressed his thoughts and followed his brother.
"Uncle Lu, Aunt Lu, Uncle Su, Aunt Su, hello everyone," the elder He brother greeted them politely.
He Ermeng approached, increasingly irritated by Lu Zhe's straight posture and cold expression.
"Both brothers are here," Su Ci's father smiled, "How is your father's health lately?"
He Erjie replied, "He's doing well, just often mentions wanting to play golf with you and Uncle Lu."
"When I have time later, I'll arrange another match with your father."
He Erjie's gaze fell on Lu Zhe, noticing his resemblance to Lu Chen. Like other guests, he had his suspicions, "Uncle Lu, this is..."
He Ermeng immediately looked at Lu Chen. Earlier, he had thought Lu Zhe was invited to the banquet because of his debt of gratitude to the Su family, but now up close, he realized Lu Zhe had arrived with the Lu couple.
Lu Zhe, Lu Chen, the Lu family...
What was the connection?
Just as he was forming an unpleasant theory, Lu Chen spoke up: "This is my son," his tone carried a hint of pride, "My son has been found."
Everyone in City B knew that Lu Chen's son had been kidnapped years ago.
After so many years, everyone had assumed the Lu family's son would never be found.
And now, this tall young man who resembled Lu Chen was the Lu family's young master who had been lost fifteen years ago?
He Erjie was stunned but quickly recovered, "Congratulations, Uncle Lu, Aunt Lu."
"Hello, I'm He Erjie, you can call me Brother He, and this is my younger brother, He Ermeng," He Erjie's personality was completely opposite to his brother He Ermeng's. He was cultured and polite, even his tone of voice was pleasant.
Lu Zhe shook his hand, "Hello, I'm Lu Zhe."
Meanwhile, He Ermeng stared at Lu Zhe in disbelief. He was the Lu family's kidnapped son?
How could this be such a coincidence?
He Ermeng studied Lu Zhe, noting that his features indeed resembled Lu Chen's. His expression darkened.
Even though He Ermeng was rebellious and careless, he knew the Lu family's influence far exceeded the He family's.
With Lu Zhe now part of the Lu family, it would be much harder for him to deal with Lu Zhe.
The surrounding guests kept glancing at their group. City B's three most powerful families were gathered together - it seemed the Su family's daughter commanded great respect. Not only the He family but even the Lu family had accepted the invitation to attend.
The guests marveled at the sight of these celestial beings from the Lu, Su, and He families conversing, but while envious, they didn't dare approach. After all, how could they possibly fit in among these three families?
At this moment, Su Ci appeared.
As expected, she was dazzlingly beautiful. Even though many had seen Su Ci before, they were still stunned by her beauty.
The young woman wore a nude pink starry evening gown, her exposed skin as white as jade. Her exquisitely beautiful face and perfectly proportioned figure made her look like a divine being, not to mention the alluring beauty mark at the corner of her eye.
The Su family's genes for beauty truly inspired both admiration and jealousy.
At the moment Su Ci made her entrance, He Ermeng had already forgotten about Lu Zhe standing before him. He hurried forward, his eyes fixed intently on Su Ci, his gaze bright and warm, "Cici, you look beautiful today."
"I'm always beautiful," Su Ci lifted her chin slightly as she looked toward Lu Zhe standing among the crowd.
He was wearing a fitted black suit today, looking every bit like an elegant young master from a wealthy family.
Su Ci walked over slowly.
"Dad, Mom, Big Brother," Su Ci greeted as she approached.
"Cici looks so beautiful today." The dress had been chosen by Su Ci's mother, and she clearly hadn't made a mistake - her daughter was so stunning that no one could take their eyes off her.
Su Ci gave a slight smile, her gaze sliding almost imperceptibly across Lu Zhe's face. However, the young man was clearly more practiced than her, not sparing her even a single glance.
She felt somewhat annoyed.
"Cici, these are Lu Zhe's parents," Su Ci's mother introduced. The current Su Ci had lost her memories and no longer recognized Lu Chen and Wen Ya.
"Uncle Lu, Aunt Lu, hello." Su Ci's eyes curved into crescents as she immediately transformed into a well-behaved junior.
Lu Chen's phoenix eyes glanced at his son with amusement. Tsk, his son's personality was truly the opposite of his - while he was openly flirtatious, his son was reserved yet passionate. Despite having something going on with the Su family's little princess, he was pretending not to know her well.
His gaze shifted to Su Ci's father as he smugly stroked his chin, saying nothing but waiting for the day when the other party would be furious enough to jump in anger.
Wen Ya had met Su Ci several times before and had always envied Su Ci's mother for having such a beautiful daughter. She hadn't expected that after so many years, the Su family's young lady would grow up to be even more beautiful. It would probably be difficult to find another face as exceptional as hers in the entire country, no wonder the Su family treasured her like a precious jewel.
Finally, Su Ci greeted Lu Zhe, "Lu Zhe."
The young man opposite her maintained a cool expression and merely nodded.
Su Ci narrowed her eyes. Although their relationship was secret, being treated so coldly by him suddenly made her feel uncomfortable.
"Xiao Ci, are you planning to dance the opening dance later?" Su Ci's father had asked his daughter before, but she had said she had no partner.
He Ermeng extended his hand in invitation, "Cici, may I be your dance partner?"
His black eyes were bright and moist as he looked at Su Ci. While he was like a fierce wolf dog when facing his rival Lu Zhe, he had now transformed into a puppy when facing Su Ci, looking at her with expectant eyes.
He waited patiently for her response.
He Ermeng's older brother knew that his younger brother had always liked the Su family's daughter. Seeing him so enchanted by Su Ci, he found it amusing but didn't voice any opposition.
Su Ci glanced at Lu Zhe from the corner of her eye. The young man's lips were slightly pressed together, his eyes cold.
Only then did she smile contentedly, "I won't dance with you. I'll dance with Lu Zhe."
Su Ci asked Lu Zhe directly, "Will you dance the opening dance with me?"
The young man met the girl's bright gaze, looking at her quietly before saying in a low voice, "I don't know how to dance."
Lu Zhe had grown up in an orphanage before being adopted. Having barely enough to eat, where would he have had the opportunity to learn dancing?
"That's alright, just follow my lead," Su Ci extended her hand.
The girl's fair hand was soft and boneless. Lu Zhe took it and tightened his grip.
His heart softened a bit too.
Watching them leave, He Ermeng's gaze darkened, his eyes flashing with severity.
His older brother patted his shoulder.
This younger brother often caused trouble, so it would do him good to suffer a bit and learn that in this world, not everything goes according to one's wishes.
Su Ci pulled Lu Zhe toward the dance floor. As the music started, everyone's attention fell on them.
Su Ci and Lu Zhe's appearances were truly outstanding. Even if they just stood there doing nothing, it was enough to captivate everyone's attention.
"Put your hand on my waist," Su Ci's hand slipped into Lu Zhe's large one, their fingers intertwining.
Lu Zhe placed one hand on her lower back.
Su Ci moved closer to him, "When I take a step, you take a step."
"Mm."
Then, Su Ci slowly led Lu Zhe in following the music.
"Lu Zhe, hold me tighter," Su Ci requested.
The young man's large hand tightened its grip.
"Lu Zhe, you stepped on me," Su Ci complained.
The young man's ears turned red, "Sorry."
"Lu Zhe, if I hadn't asked you to dance with me earlier, would you have let me dance with another man?" Su Ci asked him.
"No."
Hearing this, Su Ci finally smiled, her previous displeasure at being ignored by the young man instantly disappearing, "Hold me even tighter."
Meanwhile, Lu Chen watched his son dancing in sync with Su Ci, and said to Su Ci's father with a smile, "Your daughter is quite good at teaching dance."
Su Ci's father had always been proud of his daughter, and hearing Lu Chen's praise for her, he was willing to return the smile, "Of course."
Su Ci's mother watched her daughter with Lu Zhe standing together, her expression not particularly pleased. Seeing her husband's joyful expression now, she felt both anxious and angry - he didn't even know that their daughter was about to be stolen away by the Lu family.
During the entire dance, Lu Zhe stepped on Su Ci's feet several times.
She looked at him with her dark eyes, "You stepped on me and it hurts."
"I'm sorry," Lu Zhe's black eyes showed traces of embarrassment.
"It's a pity there are other people around," the girl sighed.
Lu Zhe looked at her.
Sure enough, the next moment, the girl said regretfully, "Otherwise, you could have carried me on your back."
Lu Zhe laughed softly, "Let's go back, Auntie Su must be worried." The girl had taken the initiative to invite him to dance, and Auntie Su would definitely be unhappy about it.
Only then did Su Ci stop teasing him. She walked back to her mother's side and acted coquettishly, "I haven't danced for so long, I'm so tired."
Su Ci's mother smiled, "That's because you lack exercise. Why don't you start getting up early tomorrow to exercise with your big brother?"
"Ah, no need, I suddenly don't feel tired anymore," Su Ci stood up straight, looking pitifully at her mother.
Su Ci's mother was amused by her daughter, and her concerns about her daughter dancing with Lu Zhe finally eased.
After cutting the cake, Su Ci received a phone call informing her that some gossip about Xie Yumin had spread online, though it had all been deleted.
Su Ci looked toward Xie Yumin, who had just received a piece of cake. As if sensing her gaze, Xie Yumin looked back and smiled at her.
Xie Yumin had short hair and delicate features, looking cool and aloof, not easy to approach. Her coldness was different from Lu Zhe's - Lu Zhe was naturally quiet and didn't like to talk, while Xie Yumin's cool exterior and personality were her protective coloring, as well as her public image.
"Find out who leaked the information," Su Ci instructed over the phone.
Generally speaking, those who try to blacken an artist's reputation are usually rivals of similar status and style, since resources are limited. Taking down a competitor means getting more resources - this was a common tactic in the entertainment industry.
After hanging up the phone, Su Ci patted little Zhen Tiancai beside her, who was eating cake with cream all over his mouth. Something occurred to her, and her eyes lit up.
Lu Zhe stood beside his parents as people continuously came up to chat with them.
At that moment, his hand hanging at his side was tugged by a small hand.
Lu Zhe looked down to find Zhen Tiancai, with cream around his mouth, pulling at his hand.
"What is it?" Lu Zhe asked the little one.
The little genius grinned at Lu Zhe, then slipped something into his palm before running away.
Lu Zhe gripped the small paper ball in his palm, and instinctively looked through the crowd toward the girl standing beside her parents.
Then, the girl lifted her dress and went upstairs.
Lu Zhe opened the small paper ball, which read: Meet me on the second floor.
After a few knocks, the door quickly opened from inside.
Su Ci saw Lu Zhe at the door and smiled as she pulled him in.
"Why did you ask me to come up?" Lu Zhe had told his parents he was going out for some air, then came up when they weren't paying attention.
"To have you share some cake with me." Su Ci had arranged for a small cake to be placed in the room. The large cake downstairs was for the guests, but this one was just for her and Lu Zhe.
Whether before or after transmigrating into the book, her birthday remained the same day. Su Ci thought this was quite convenient, saving her the trouble of celebrating twice.
Su Ci had already cut the small cake and gave half to the young man.
This was Lu Zhe's first time entering Su Ci's room in the Su house. The girl's room was primarily decorated in cream white, with her light fragrance floating in the air. The strong presence of a young girl's essence made it clear this was where a little princess was pampered.
Lu Zhe felt like a peeping tom who had sneaked into a princess's boudoir.
The small cake was cut in half, making it even smaller, and Lu Zhe finished it in a few bites.
"Why are you eating so fast?" Su Ci beside him had only taken two small bites.
The girl was wearing a nude pink starry evening dress, sitting quietly and delicately on the edge of the bed. She held the cake in her hands, with a bit of cream on her lips, looking beautiful from every angle.
Lu Zhe said, "You're today's main character. It's not good to disappear for too long; we'll be discovered."
Su Ci's mother had been keeping an eye on their movements. If he and Su Ci disappeared from the party for too long together, her mother would definitely notice.
Su Ci didn't care at all. She took a bite of the cake, her mouth full of sweet, creamy flavor. "Don't you have something to say to me?"
"Happy birthday." Lu Zhe used his fingertip to wipe away the cream from the corner of her mouth.
Su Ci blinked, "Is that all?"
Then, Lu Zhe pulled out a small royal blue gift box from his pocket. "Your birthday present."
Su Ci was the daughter of the Su family, and the guests at the party were giving luxury cars, watches, and even entire floors of buildings as gifts. His gift would be worthless among such expensive presents.
Su Ci opened the small box to find a silver chain with a cute little rabbit head charm, only the size of a fingernail. "I love it. Help me put it on."
Su Ci noticed several knife cuts on the young man's fingers, and combined with the somewhat clumsy-looking rabbit, she knew Lu Zhe had carved it himself.
If she weren't clever and observant, she wouldn't have thought twice about it or known how secretly romantic Lu Zhe could be.
Lu Zhe half-knelt at the girl's feet, his cold hands gripping her delicate ankle as he placed her foot on his knee.
Her snow-white ankle against his black suit pants appeared even more fair, with a kind of fatal fragility.
The young man's eyes darkened as his nimble fingers untied the red string from her ankle and replaced it with the new chain. The simple rabbit charm looked surprisingly elegant against the girl's snow-white skin.
"All done," Lu Zhe said, flicking the little rabbit charm with his fingertip.
Su Ci swayed her foot, making the little rabbit on her ankle dance. She looked down at the young man kneeling at her feet, "Thank you for the birthday gift."
Lu Zhe chuckled softly, "Let's go back downstairs."
"Let's wait a little longer." Mischief gleamed in her eyes as she reached out to tug at Lu Zhe's suit jacket.
Lu Zhe followed the girl's movement as she pulled him onto the bed.
Su Ci turned and sat on Lu Zhe's legs, the jade rabbit charm on her ankle swaying continuously.
In the lamplight, the girl smiled like a enchantress, her small beauty mark incredibly alluring. "When I saw you downstairs earlier, guess what I was thinking?"
Lu Zhe lay beneath the girl without resistance, his dark eyes half-lidded as he looked at her. "What were you thinking?"
Su Ci lay on his chest, laughing tremulously, "I was thinking how handsome Lu Zhe looks in a suit, and I wanted to strip it off him!"
Lu Zhe maintained a regular exercise routine and had an excellent physique, with a layer of lean muscle throughout his body - powerful but not unsightly. Su Ci had been wanting to touch him for a long time.
Lu Zhe: ......
The girl was getting bolder and bolder, daring to say anything.
Lu Zhe reached out to steady the girl, "Tuantuan, get up."
The party guests were still downstairs; he couldn't indulge her mischief.
"I won't strip your clothes, just let me touch you once." Su Ci was clever; since the last time, she had been testing Lu Zhe's boundaries step by step.
First making requests, then implementing small touches, then gradually making more demands.
Su Ci knew that for someone like Lu Zhe, who was detached and hard as stone, pushing too much at once wouldn't work. It was better to conquer bit by bit, and only with gentleness.
"Tuantuan, stop fooling around." If the timing weren't so inappropriate, Lu Zhe would have really wanted to show the girl the consequences of her teasing.
Just as Su Ci was about to say something, she suddenly received a golden cotton candy.
It was from Xie Yumin!
Receiving the golden cotton candy meant Xie Yumin wouldn't die.
Su Ci happily narrowed her eyes; this mission had been surprisingly simple. She looked at Lu Zhe, "Kiss me, and then I'll let you go downstairs."
Lu Zhe's hand supporting the girl moved to cradle the back of her head as he pulled her toward himself.
Having just eaten cake, the girl's lips and mouth were filled with a sweet, milky flavor.
Soft and fragrant.
Lu Zhe's eyes darkened further.
Su Ci fed him the golden cotton candy, a glint of cunning flashing in her dark, liquid eyes. The next moment, her small tongue followed it inside.
The large hand pressing against the back of her head tightened, pulling her even closer as Lu Zhe tasted the milky sweetness filling his mouth.
Then, a soft little hand tugged at the hem of his suit jacket. Lu Zhe froze.
Before he could react, it had slipped inside and quickly brushed against his abdomen.
That single touch nearly drove Lu Zhe mad. He gritted his teeth and called out against the girl's lips: "Tuantuan!"
Su Ci's delicate brows were full of satisfaction, "Yes?"
Some time later, Lu Zhe emerged from the girl's room.
Just as the door closed, He Ermeng, who had walked out from around the corner, called out to him.
Lu Zhe turned to look at him.
"What were you two doing in there?" He Ermeng demanded, his eyes bloodshot with rage.
It was clear he had been waiting outside the whole time. Lu Zhe's voice was cold, "It's none of your business."
He Ermeng rushed forward, trying to grab Lu Zhe's clothes, but Lu Zhe dodged.
"Lu Zhe, are you worthy? Are you worthy of Su Ci?" The mere thought of Lu Zhe coming out of Su Ci's room made He Ermeng angry enough to want to kill him.
Lu Zhe looked at him coldly, "At least I'm the one she likes."
The young man's words cut straight to the bone, driving He Ermeng into a corner like a trapped beast.
"Bullshit." He Ermeng's gaze slashed at Lu Zhe. "So what if you're a son of the Lu family now? Don't forget, you have a terminal illness. With ALS, how many years do you think you have left?"
He Ermeng sneered, "Even if she likes you now, so what? I can stay by her side, and after you die, I can pursue her just the same."
He Ermeng continued with a mocking smile: "The one who laughs last is the winner, and you have less than three years left, while I can accompany her for a lifetime!"
A lifetime - everyone had a lifetime, but Lu Zhe's lifetime was less than three years!
Such a person, without any self-awareness, actually dared to dream of being with Su Ci?
Lu Zhe's thin lips lost their color, his arm going numb as his muscles twitched repeatedly.
He looked coldly at He Ermeng, his voice low, "If she wants me by her side for a day, I'll stay by her side for that day."
His lifetime might not be long, but it all belonged to Su Ci.
