The banquet was dull, the socializing tedious, and Su He's face had grown stiff from smiling.
However, this also served as indirect proof of Lu Yanbei's capabilities.
Her husband was truly amazing!
Su He linked her arm through his, her legs aching and numb, barely able to stand. Alas, this was the consequence of her usual lack of exercise and infrequent use of high heels.
Lu Yanbei, occasionally responding perfunctorily to those who pestered him, had his heart entirely set on Su He. He soon sensed her discomfort.
"There's a food station over there. Let's go get something to eat first."
Su He nodded repeatedly.
Lu Yanbei excused himself and, with Su He in tow, headed towards the food station.
"Don't you need to socialize?" Su He asked, somewhat surprised.
"Today's guest of honor is Old Master Qi," Lu Yanbei explained casually.
Su He hummed in acknowledgment.
Indeed, despite his popularity, he couldn't overshadow the host.
Lu Yanbei was simply too dazzling; every move he made was a focal point of attention.
He carefully supported his wife, thoughtfully lifting the hem of her dress, fetching food that suited her palate, and even discreetly removing her high heels to massage her feet in a place unseen by others.
"Tsk, tsk, this President Lu is too considerate of his wife! He can go this far!"
"He's genuinely gentle when he smiles at his wife!"
"I really want to know how Mrs. Lu managed to tame this untamed lone wolf!"
"My God, I'm being force-fed sweetness, ah, I'm so full!"
The younger men and women watching these scenes mostly felt envy and disbelief. However, these actions were perceived quite differently by the older generation.
"Is Lu Yanbei overdoing it? Does he need to go this far?"
"Lu's stock prices fluctuated significantly recently due to Mrs. Lu's scandal, so he must constantly be mindful of his image. He's cultivating a doting husband persona, don't take it too seriously!"
"I knew it. How could the dignified CEO of Lu's bend down for a woman!"
"Exactly. This Mrs. Lu isn't even that pretty. Just a fleeting fancy!"
These individuals, believing they had weathered many storms, had long seen through the games of love between men and women. How often did they themselves engage in superficial pleasantries? Their wives at home were merely decorative, and they had countless women on the side.
A harmonious household, in their eyes, was something to boast about.
Lu Yanbei was a man, and would naturally be like them.
Unfortunately, Lu Yanbei was not acting.
He genuinely cared for Su He.
"Your heel is a bit red and swollen. I'll go and take our leave from the hosts right now," Lu Yanbei said, feeling a pang of self-reproach. The hastily bought shoes were causing Su He discomfort because she couldn't get used to them.
Su He stopped him. "It's fine, I can just sit here. It's only two more hours anyway."
"If you don't apply medicine immediately, the redness on your heel might break the skin," Lu Yanbei disagreed, frowning.
"They haven't even cut the cake yet. Leaving now would be too impolite." Su He couldn't help him much, but she didn't want to be a burden. The Qi family had invited them, likely for collaboration purposes, and she couldn't be ignorant of that.
Lu Yanbei, however, was indifferent to cooperating with the Qi family.
He patted her hand to reassure her. "It's alright. After all, we only have a preliminary intention to cooperate. Leaving at this point wouldn't be abrupt."
Without waiting for her reply, Lu Yanbei rose and went to Old Master Qi.
Old Master Qi, seated in a wheelchair and dressed in a festive Tang suit, appeared to be in good spirits. Seeing Lu Yanbei approach him proactively, the smile on his lips grew more pronounced.
However, when he learned that Mrs. Lu was unwell and needed to depart early, his smile visibly faded. "Did we not offer sufficient hospitality?"
"You worry too much," Lu Yanbei said politely, as he was speaking to an elder. "My wife recently underwent surgery, and her body is still recovering."
He offered a brief explanation.
Then, he presented a box. "Wishing you boundless fortune and longevity. Happy birthday."
Old Master Qi's lips finally curved in relief. "So that's how it is... It seems we can only invite you to visit us again once Mrs. Lu is feeling better."
This seemingly casual remark held a great deal of unspoken information.
Old Master Qi was extending an olive branch to Lu Yanbei.
Guests invited to one's home were naturally more intimate, their status and position vastly different.
Lu Yanbei nodded in agreement.
Shortly after Lu Yanbei left, several elaborately dressed young women surrounded Su He.
"Mrs. Lu, can you tell us how you and Mr. Lu met?"
"Yes, we're very interested in your story!"
These young ladies of high society had no good intentions. While they claimed to want to hear a story, most likely wanted to see Su He embarrassed. The entertainment news was rife with descriptions of her background; their union was a classic fairy tale of a prince and a commoner.
A girl from an ordinary background, whose looks were merely considered presentable, had managed to climb into the ranks of someone like Lu Yanbei. Her methods were indeed remarkable.
Facing their veiled challenges, Su He smiled gently. "We met when we were studying abroad."
"Oh? Mrs. Lu has been abroad?" Qi Ruoqing, from the fourth branch, said with a knowing smile.
This was different from what she had heard!
Didn't the media say she hadn't even finished high school? What a show-off!
So, she cast a glance at her sister, Qi Ruowen. Qi Ruowen, understanding her cue, chimed in, "May I ask which prestigious university you attended? Perhaps we're even alumnae!"
Most of these young ladies were sent abroad for a "gold plating" to secure a good marriage later. However, only a handful had gotten in through their own merits; the majority had bought their way in.
The Qi sisters were of this type.
"It's not a renowned university," Su He replied, feigning a touch of panic.
"Do tell," the group egged her on.
Su He bit her lip and uttered a name.
"Ah, I've heard of that university. I recall a friend of mine graduated from there." Qi Ruoyun, from the third branch, unlike her two sisters from the fourth branch, was not so short-sighted. She wished to foster a good relationship with Mrs. Lu, so she actively tried to help Su He. "May I ask what your major was? I know that university's fine arts department is quite famous."
"I majored in fine arts," Su He replied smoothly.
"What a coincidence!" Qi Ruoqing shot a cold glance at Qi Ruoyun.
Qi Ruoyun ignored her and stepped forward. "I'm also quite interested in painting. Perhaps we could exchange pointers sometime?"
"Certainly," Su He smiled at her. "However, I'll be returning to B City soon. If Miss Qi ever visits there, you can contact me."
"Of course, let's exchange contact information then." Qi Ruoyun handed her phone over.
Su He felt quite favorably towards her and added her.
Su Chen watched this scene from afar, unable to resist pinching his brow.
This silly sister of his had no defense against anyone!
He had endured it all evening and no longer wished to pretend. Just as he was about to go and take her away, he was intercepted by Lu Yanbei's assistant, Cheng Jue.
"If Mr. Su has your wife's best interests at heart, it's best not to intervene," Cheng Jue advised with a disingenuous smile.
Su Chen frowned. "Is this Lu Yanbei's instruction? What if I insist on going over?"
"Mr. Lu said if Mr. Su persists, he wouldn't mind finding a new owner for Yiteng Technology," Cheng Jue threatened, half-jokingly.