Chapter 34

Lu Jingqing said lightly: "Family banquet? Not necessarily."

Today, besides Hai Cheng's upper-class socialites and noble ladies, there were also some of Lu Chi's fair-weather friends.

Those people are all rich second-generation heirs; for occasions like the Lu family banquet, there won't be few outsiders.

Lu Mu, in order to let her son quickly show his face before these people of status, had practically used all her connections.

In such an occasion, if one merely wears everyday clothes, they'd likely be laughed at.

Seeing Lu Jingqing had already seen through everything, Lu Mu could only force a smile and said: "That's what I mean; even if Su Yun Jiao doesn't dress up, she's naturally lovely."

Su Yun Jiao now certainly wouldn't believe Lu Mu's words.

This is undoubtedly a deliberate trap to make her jump in.

Su Yun Jiao said: "I've grown up with Lu Chi since childhood; of course I'll dress up nicely for his birthday."

Those words immediately made Lu Mu happy; she instantly thought Su Yun Jiao dressed up so nicely because of Lu Chi: "Exactly, exactly, I'll have Lu Chi come down now—if he sees you dressed up like this for him, he'll surely be delighted."

After saying that, Lu Mu had the servant beside her call Lu Chi downstairs.

For this birthday banquet.

Lu Mu moved all the furniture out of the hall; the already spacious hall became even more spacious.

She also had people prepare several banquet tables, and even the dance floor was ready.

Su Yun Jiao saw that Lu Mu had invited many dance experts and pianists to perform for these upper-class guests.

It seems she truly intends to use Lu Chi's birthday banquet to accumulate connections for him.

Upstairs, Lu Mu went up specially; Lu Chi wore a suit today.

His stature was already upright; in a suit he looked especially handsome.

Lu Mu walked to Lu Chi's room and specially tied his tie for him.

"Su Yun Jiao and Lu Jingqing have already arrived; why are you still wasting time here?"

Lu Mu tidied Lu Chi's suit, then said: "Perk up; many big shots from various circles have come today, mind your manners."

"Hmm, got it."

Lu Chi doesn't much like such formal occasions.

A hint of impatience gradually appeared on his stern face.

"Later, go down and greet Su Yun Jiao; today you should spend more time with her."

"I've invited a few classmates to come over later; you can chat in the front, and we'll gather in the courtyard."

Upon hearing Lu Chi say that, Lu Mu's face darkened instantly: "When is this? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Don't worry; after the guests leave, they'll come, and I won't let them appear in front of outsiders."

Lu Chi isn't an idiot either.

With so many big shots coming today, his high school classmates are all unsophisticated country bumpkins—how could they possibly show up at such an occasion?

It's just because those classmates heard that his family is celebrating his birthday today and all want to join the fun.

Upon hearing that, Lu Mu softened her expression and said: "Also good; the snacks prepared at home would go to waste if no one ate them. Remember, let your classmates come only after the big shots have left, so we don't lose face for the Lu family."

"Hmm."

After Lu Chi got ready, he went downstairs together with Lu Mu.

As soon as he stepped downstairs, a figure in the crowd caught his eye.

Su Yun Jiao wore a white gown with a long skirt; the white gauze set off her skin like snow, as if she had walked out of a snowdrift.

At first Lu Chi thought he might be mistaken.

But when Su Yun Jiao turned her head, he saw her profile.

Su Yun Jiao's profile is lovely; when she smiles, there are shallow dimples at the corners of her mouth.

For a moment, Lu Chi stared, dazed.

Su Yun Jiao……had never dressed up like this before him.

"Lu Chi, what are you staring at? Hurry up and go greet her."

Lu Mu reminded Lu Chi.

Staring at a girl in such a setting is a very rude behavior.

Lu Chi came to his senses, confirming he hadn't been mistaken.

As he approached Su Yun Jiao, her gaze also fell upon him.

Su Yun Jiao's eyes are lively and beautiful, like a clear spring; whoever sees them can't help but have their spirit cleansed.

How had he never noticed before how beautiful Su Yun Jiao really is?

"Lu Chi?"

Su Yun Jiao frowned, waving her hand in front of Lu Chi's face.

Lu Chi's gaze involuntarily drifted to the side: "What do you want from me?"

"Happy birthday."

Su Yun Jiao held out the cake in her hands toward Lu Chi.

Lu Chi suddenly recalled that in past years, on his birthday, Su Yun Jiao had always done this: carefully presenting the first slice of cake to him, then bowing her head in a fluster and softly saying "Happy birthday."

But this time, it seems a bit different.

Lu Chi, somehow compelled, took the cake in his hand and ate a bite, putting it in his mouth.

Instantly, his mouth felt as if a C4 bomb had been thrown in.

Lu Chi's whole face flushed red.

"Su Yun Jiao! What did you put in the cake?"

Lu Chi's face turned dark and grim.

Su Yun Jiao smiled at Lu Chi, revealing a row of white teeth: "I added a bit of mustard, Young Master Lu, please enjoy."

"You!"

Lu Chi's voice suddenly rose by an octave.

The surrounding gazes all fell on Lu Chi.

Lu Mu had just been greeting guests nearby, but seeing Lu Chi shout so recklessly, she frowned and said, "Lu Chi, what are you doing? Hurry over and greet your uncle."

"... I'm coming."

Lu Chi put down the cake in his hand and then walked over to Lu Mu's side.

After pranking Lu Chi, Su Yun Jiao returned to an empty corner.

Lu Jingqing wouldn't let her run around, so she simply decided to slack off at Lu Chi's birthday banquet.

It didn't make much difference.

Su Yun Jiao sat on the sofa, doing nothing, while the music from the surrounding dance floor had already started.

The hall's lights instantly dimmed.

Before her, a young man suddenly extended his hand: "Miss beautiful lady, may I have the honor of dancing this evening's first dance with you?"

His accent sounded a bit strange, as if he weren't a local.

Su Yun Jiao looked up and saw a man with green eyes, somewhat mixed-race, standing gentlemanly before her.

The man's features were deep and charming, and he extended a hand toward her.

"Of course, though I don't dance well."

Su Yun Jiao generously placed her hand in the palm of this handsome guy before her.

"No problem, I'll teach you."

His voice was gentle.

Many upper-class people attended tonight's banquet; this handsome guy before her seemed to be about the same age as Lu Chi.

At the same age, one only knows how to skip class, while the other has already gone out to flirt internationally.

Indeed, the difference between people is huge.