Su Ci was in a good mood after obtaining two more golden cotton candies.
Earlier, she had miscounted; she actually had thirteen golden cotton candies in total. Fu Gui had eaten four, not three!
Su Ci was heartbroken, but now, with these two additional golden cotton candies, Lu Zhe had eaten eleven in total.
That meant there were still thirty-eight golden cotton candies needed for Lu Zhe's amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to be cured.
Su Ci's slender fingers tugged at Lu Zhe's hem.
"Huh?" Lu Zhe's eyes darkened as his hand unconsciously tightened, still feeling the softness of the girl's touch in his palm.
Su Ci leaned closer to him, "Kiss me, and I'll give you something good."
Lu Zhe glanced at the driver standing outside, who was watching them intently. He thought to himself, her boldness knows no bounds—she really says whatever she wants.
"Hurry up," Su Ci urged.
Lu Zhe lowered his gaze to her rosy lips, sighed, and directly kissed her.
Su Ci handed over the two golden cotton candies to Lu Zhe.
As she watched the golden cotton candies disappear into Lu Zhe's mouth, Su Ci tried to pull away, but the next second, her little tongue was captured, leaving her no chance to retreat.
Su Ci met Lu Zhe's dark eyes, and her heart skipped a beat.
By the time the driver finished his task and got back into the car, Su Ci was already leaning against Lu Zhe's chest.
The girl's fair cheeks were flushed, her dark eyes glistening with moisture, and the small teardrop mole at the corner of her eye was even more alluring.
She had only intended to give him the golden cotton candies.
Su Ci pursed her lips, feeling a numbness in her tongue.
This time, Lu Zhe was so fierce that she had the illusion of being swallowed by him.
...
The next day, Yang Shujing didn't show up at school.
Rumors spread that she had toyed with someone's feelings, been avenged, and dragged into an alley to be beaten, even disfigured. By the afternoon, the gossip had shifted to Yang Shujing stealing someone else's boyfriend and being disfigured as a result.
After the incident with the forum leak, many weren't surprised by Yang Shujing's retaliation. Those who do evil will always face retribution.
Su Ci knew that Yang Shujing's face had been slashed, the wounds infected, and she had been hospitalized.
Yang Shujing hated Shen Shi and had reported the incident to the police, but there were no surveillance cameras near the alley, and the police found no leads. Plus, the injury on her face was attributed to her own fall, leaving her to suffer in silence.
Su Ci received a report from her bodyguard that Yang Shujing's parents had gone to the school to handle her transfer procedures.
As for Shen Shi, he had returned to his city.
Shen Shi had ten years left to live. Su Ci wondered if he had come to terms with it and would make the most of his remaining time.
On Saturday, Su Ci was to accompany Su's Mother to Grandmother Fu's birthday banquet.
Fu's main business was in City S. Back in the day, Grandfather Fu was highly respected, and even now that he was gone, people still gave face to Grandmother Fu and attended her events.
Grandmother Fu, young at heart, loved dressing up and looking beautiful. Even in her old age, she enjoyed wearing gold and silver.
She wore a maroon cheongsam, her hair white, her wrists adorned with several exquisitely crafted gold bracelets embedded with emeralds.
Grandmother Fu's elegance meant that the abundance of gold jewelry on her neck, wrists, and fingers never appeared tacky.
Fu Baili's parents, who had been abroad on business, had also rushed back to attend and were now greeting guests in the grand hall. Fu Baili helped Grandmother Fu down the stairs.
“Are all the guests here?” Grandmother Fu asked the butler.
The butler replied respectfully, "Madam, the Su family's guests have not yet arrived." Earlier, Grandmother Fu had already instructed that the Su family's arrival must be reported.
Grandmother Fu slowly descended the stairs, "It's fine if they arrive later. The banquet hasn't started yet. Keep an eye out, and when the Su family arrives, give them our best hospitality."
The Su family agreeing to attend her birthday banquet was already a great honor. The connection between the Fu and Su families was only due to the old friendship between Grandfather Fu and the Su family.
“Yes, Madam.” The butler hurried to arrange the reception.
Grandmother Fu turned to her grandson and said, "A Li, later, follow your father and greet the guests properly. Many of them are business friends of the Fu family. You're grown up now, and in a few years, you'll take over the company. Make a good impression."
This grandson of hers was hot-tempered, never obedient, and often got into trouble, making Grandmother Fu love and worry about him.
Recently, he had been spending a lot of time with a girl surnamed Zhao.
Grandmother Fu knew her grandson's personality. He rarely interacted with other girls, so bringing the Zhao girl home clearly meant he liked her.
She didn't necessarily require a match in status, but she did expect the girl to be virtuous.
She had investigated and found that the girl's character was not good. She had a bad reputation at school, had deceived her neighbor's lottery ticket, and even falsely claimed someone else's life-saving deed.
Such a morally flawed person was not someone she would approve of for her grandson.
Her parents were always busy, so Fu Baili grew up by Grandmother Fu's side. Although he was rebellious, he still listened to his grandmother. "I understand," he said.
Grandmother Fu nodded in satisfaction.
The banquet was held at the International Grand Hotel, and guests arrived one after another.
When Grandmother Fu was escorted by Fu Baili, many hurried over to greet her.
Fu Baili was handsome, dressed in a black custom-made suit, his tall and slender figure catching the attention of many noble young ladies.
"Fu's young master is indeed outstanding, both in looks and demeanor. I wonder which noble lady he will marry in the future." Guests whispered among themselves.
"Fu's young master is truly exceptional."
"With Fu's young master inheriting the family, there won't be any internal strife. Whoever's daughter marries into the Fu family will live comfortably."
"Does the Fu family have any plans for an alliance?"
"Many young ladies here are already smitten. It seems Fu's young master has captured a lot of hearts."
"I heard the Su family is also attending tonight's banquet. I wonder if the Su family's young lady will be present. If she stands next to Fu's young master, they would make a good match."
...
The guests whispered among themselves, and Fu Baili's striking appearance and superior demeanor made many harbor thoughts of a marriage alliance with the Fu family.
Even though the Fu family wasn't as powerful as the Su or Lu families, it was still a strong force.
"Grandmother Fu," a noble lady, Mrs. Wang, accompanied by her daughter, approached to greet her. Both were dressed exquisitely, exuding elegance.
Wang Xiaoqin's voice was sweet as she said, "Grandmother Fu, I wish you happiness as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity as long as the Southern Mountains."
"This is our gift for Madam Fu's birthday," Mrs. Wang handed the gift to the butler.
Grandmother Fu smiled and nodded, "How thoughtful. This is Xiaoqin, right? It's been years since I last saw her. She's even more beautiful now. I remember she was studying abroad?"
"Yes, this child has just returned recently," Mrs. Wang smiled. "We haven't had the chance to visit you, so we took the opportunity of your birthday to come."
Grandmother Fu smiled, "Is Xiaoqin the same age as Baili?"
"Xiaoqin is a year younger. When she was born, you even held her. I remember you joked about arranging a marriage between the two children," Mrs. Wang chuckled, reminding Grandmother Fu.
Grandmother Fu carefully examined Wang Xiaoqin. She had to admit that the girl was pretty, with clear eyebrows and a fair complexion, looking pleasing to the eye.
"I'm old, my memory isn't what it used to be. And Baili is grown up now; he doesn't listen to my old-fashioned ideas," Grandmother Fu said.
"Madam, you look radiant and not at all old," Mrs. Wang said, her earlier words just a passing remark. Sometimes, there's no need to be too explicit.
At this moment, Wang Xiaoqin's face turned red as she secretly glanced at Fu Baili. Hearing about their childhood "engagement," her face grew even redder.
Mrs. Wang noticed her daughter's expression and then looked at Fu Baili, who was helping Grandmother Fu.
There was no denying that Fu's heir was outstanding in both appearance and background. If the childhood "engagement" between him and her daughter could be made official, it would be a good thing for the Wang family.
Just then, the butler whispered to Grandmother Fu, "The Su family's guests have arrived."
Grandmother Fu perked up, "Good. Let's go greet them."
Mrs. Wang, upon hearing that the Su family would also be attending the banquet, was surprised but tactfully refrained from further disturbing Grandmother Fu.
When Su's Mother and Su Ci made their entrance, they immediately drew the attention of all the guests present. It wasn't just because of their status, but more so due to their striking appearances.
The Su family was well-known for their excellent genes, and everyone knew that the Su family members were exceptionally good-looking. Today, seeing them in person, it was clear that the rumors were true.
Su's Mother, in her youth, was a famous heiress among the wealthy families. Despite the years that had passed, she had maintained her appearance well, looking delicate and gentle. No wonder her husband had always doted on her.
And as for the Su family's daughter, there was no need to mention it—with her bright eyes and white teeth, her fair skin and jet-black hair, her appearance instantly overshadowed all the other young ladies present.
No wonder everyone said the Su family had such high attractiveness.
"Grandmother Fu," Su's Mother saw Grandmother Fu approaching and quickly stepped forward, "There was a bit of a traffic jam on the way, so I'm a little late."
"It's not late; the banquet hasn't started yet," Grandmother Fu smiled, her gaze shifting to Su Ci, "This is..."
She looked shocked.
"She's my daughter, Ci Ci. This is Grandmother Fu," Su's Mother gestured for her daughter to greet her.
Su Ci's red lips curved, her attitude neither humble nor overbearing, "Grandmother Fu, long time no see."
Grandmother Fu had lived for most of her life and had experienced all kinds of ups and downs. She quickly adjusted her expression.
Grandmother Fu smiled kindly, "Oh, so you're the daughter of the Su family."
Su's Mother was a bit surprised, "Ci Ci, do you know Grandmother Fu?"
“Yes, you could say that I'm still standing here today because of Miss Su,” Grandmother Fu had been saved by Su Ci before, and during their conversation, she found the girl's manners and etiquette to be very good, and her temperament was also very refined, not like an ordinary child.
Moreover, with such an outstanding appearance and figure, she must have been pampered.
To think that she was actually the daughter of the Su family.
It seemed that the two thousand yuan her grandson had given to Miss Su, along with the thank-you gift she had sent through the butler, were not appropriate.
Grandmother Fu briefly recounted to Su's Mother how Su Ci had saved her.
Su's mother had never heard her daughter mention saving Grandmother Fu. "I didn't expect Ci Ci to have such a fate with you, Grandmother."
Grandmother Fu sighed, "If it weren't for her, I would have been six feet under by now, how could I still be standing here?"
"Grandma," Fu Baili, standing beside her, couldn't help but stop her from saying such things.
"You child..." Grandmother Fu smiled and shook her head, then held Su Ci's small hand, "I'll call you Little Ci. I didn't expect to see you today. The previous thank-you gift was just a small token; Grandma still owes you a lifesaving grace."
The girl's small hand was soft and boneless, smooth and delicate, white and beautiful. Such a hand could only be nurtured with meticulous care.
So she was a child of the Su family.
"Grandmother Fu, you don't need to be so polite. Consider it a small favor from me," At the time, she had no money on her, which was why she had wanted compensation. Now that she knew Grandmother Fu had ties with the Su family, she would no longer ask the Fu family to repay her.
"Little Ci is truly beautiful and kind-hearted," Grandmother Fu liked Su Ci more and more the more she looked at her.
Although Su Ci's appearance was too beautiful, her eyes were clear and bright, her gaze was pure, and her character was virtuous. If it weren't for the fact that she might be considered as someone out of reach, she really hoped her grandson could get to know Su Ci better.
“Little Ci, this is my grandson, Fu Baili. You've met before. You young people can go and chat, don't feel constrained by us elders,” Grandmother Fu deliberately created an opportunity for her grandson.
Su's Mother didn't think much of it.
"Then I'll go get some food," Su Ci didn't intend to interfere with Su's Mother's conversation with Grandmother Fu.
Fu Baili was sent by Grandmother Fu to follow Su Ci and protect her, making sure no one bumped into her.
Su Ci picked some snacks and walked over to the sofa to sit down.
She raised her chin and directly dismissed Fu Baili, "You don't need to follow me."
Fu Baili, being the male lead in the novel, was such that whenever he attended a banquet, the other young ladies' eyes seemed to stick to him.
He'd better stay away from her to avoid causing her trouble.
The girl wore a light lavender evening gown, looking like a fairy, yet her gaze towards him was very unfriendly.
Fu Baili remembered that the first time this girl saw him, her gaze was also unfriendly, as if she found him a bit distasteful?
Why?
He looked down at her and tentatively asked, "Do you like me?"
What?
Su Ci was so shocked that her eyes widened.
Fu Baili, dressed in a black suit, was indeed very tall and handsome. He stood in front of Su Ci and sneered, "If you're trying to attract my attention with a strategy of feigned indifference, let me tell you, that trick doesn't work on me."
Too many girls had used such tactics in front of him, and he only found them foolish.
Su Ci sighed; she considered herself thick-skinned and narcissistic, but she didn't expect someone even more narcissistic than her.
"Your eyesight must be bad. Which eye do you think I like you with?"
Su Ci leaned back on the sofa, her delicate chin raised, her fair little face showing an incredibly haughty expression. "You're not as good-looking as my boyfriend, your family background isn't as good as my boyfriend's, and don't even get me started on your abilities—you even bought your way into B University. Do you think I would ever consider you?"
The girl's tone was full of disdain.
Fu Baili's veins bulged on his forehead, and his gaze fixed fiercely on the girl who had humiliated him.
At that moment, Su Ci curled her beautiful red lips into a smile, "Oh, someone who's worthy of you has arrived."
Her gaze turned to the door.
Fu Baili followed her gaze and saw Zhao Youyou appearing at the door.
Su Ci let out a soft hum.
Fu Baili actually thought she liked him?
With her stunning beauty and extraordinary charm, only Lu Zhe could be her match. Fu Baili could only be paired with Zhao Youyou.
