Inside the banquet hall on the third floor, the decor was luxurious and dazzling. Beautiful piano music echoed through the hall, making you feel like you were in an opera house. On both sides, an abundant spread of food was laid out, and there were even top-tier chefs preparing dishes right on the spot.
Young people had been arriving one after another, most of them second-generation rich kids. As the organizer of this little gathering, Fu Yangxue was immensely pleased with himself. After all, not just anyone could invite Gu Wan’er.
But of course, there were jealous ones, like Lu Zhengzhi among them. Although he wasn’t as handsome as Fu Yangxue, he was still well-known in their circle. His family was in the transportation business – many cargo ships out at sea belonged to his family, along with luxury cruise ships, and they also had a logistics company domestically.
He was currently managing one of the family’s domestic logistics companies and had achieved decent performance improvements. He also enjoyed having fun, but he preferred thrilling activities. Whenever he had time, he’d go do extreme sports.
“I wonder what trick Fu Yangxue used to actually get Gu Wan’er to come,” Lu Zhengzhi said disdainfully. Honestly, who in this room didn’t want to get in touch with the eldest daughter of the Gu family? If someone could marry her, they’d gain both a wife and wealth.
The man standing next to Lu Zhengzhi wore a pair of glasses and had fair skin, giving off a refined, scholarly vibe.
Fu Quan. His family was in real estate, but he didn’t like being tied down. He couldn’t care less about the family business and longed for freedom.
He came today just to get a look at this beauty from Jingzhou and see if she could compare to the beauties of Longhai City.
“What’s the matter, jealous?” Fu Quan’s wine glass wasn’t filled with champagne or red wine – just plain boiled water.
Lu Zhengzhi pouted. “I just can’t stand his smug face. A coal miner’s son trying to squeeze into our circle.”
“If he’s a coal miner’s son, then your family are delivery guys,” Fu Quan said with a slight smile, though it carried a hint of sinister softness, like a venomous snake.
Lu Zhengzhi fired back without mercy. “Ha, and your family are brick carriers.”
Fu Quan adjusted his glasses and chuckled. “That’s a pretty apt metaphor.”
Seeing Fu Quan’s thick-skinned, “nothing bothers me” attitude, Lu Zhengzhi couldn’t be bothered to argue further and continued griping. “If it weren’t for Pan Wei, there’s no way he’d be thriving in this circle.”
“Why don’t you go smooch Pan Wei’s behind too?” Fu Quan teased while sipping his water.
“Screw you, man.”
Just then, Fu Yangxue swaggered over, beaming with pride. Even though this was just a small gathering, he felt it was more like a coming-out party – as if he were introducing his woman to everyone in the circle.
“Brother Lu, Brother Fu, thanks for showing up,” Fu Yangxue said very politely to the two of them. Aside from Pan Wei, these two were the most senior “old-school” second-generation rich kids.
Lu Zhengzhi didn’t show him any respect at all and said flatly, “I’m just here today to see a pretty girl. It’s got nothing to do with giving you face.”
Fu Yangxue’s expression dimmed slightly, but he didn’t dare talk back.
Suddenly, Fu Quan reached out and patted Fu Yangxue on the shoulder, the corner of his mouth curling up slightly. “He’s always like this. Don’t mind him.”
Fu Yangxue’s face instantly broke into a smile again. “Haha, of course not. Make yourselves comfortable. Sorry for the poor hospitality.” He turned and walked away, but the smile vanished just as quickly.
“What’s the point in talking to someone like that?” Lu Zhengzhi said contemptuously.
“Whether you hate him or like him, getting too invested will affect your own emotions. It’s pointless.”
Lu Zhengzhi shuddered. Here he goes again with that philosophical crap. He might as well just go carry bricks with his family. But then again, he felt there was some truth to it – why get all worked up and miserable while the other guy just smiles? Still, he couldn’t help but want to punch someone.
He looked at Fu Quan, who seemed to have activated his “sage mode.” “I’m telling you, why don’t you just become a monk? I think Buddhism suits you.”
“I’m still attached to the mortal world.”
“You have attachments to the mortal world? I thought you weren’t interested in women.”
Fu Quan chuckled softly. “The mortal world isn’t necessarily about women.”
“Man, we finally have a decent chat, and you just kill the conversation every time. Talking to you is exhausting.” Lu Zhengzhi was actually used to it, though. Fu Quan had been like this since they were kids. A few years ago, he carried a book everywhere he went, like some kind of nutjob.
“The problem is, you’re too impatient. It’d be better if you could steady yourself.”
“No way, absolutely no way!”
“Let me recommend a book to you. It’ll help you bide your time and learn some truths.”
“Screw off!”
Fu Quan shook his head helplessly. Some people just can’t be taught…
Just then, the two large doors slowly opened. A woman in a striking red dress walked in gracefully. Her stunning beauty and enticing figure were undoubtedly testing the men’s self-control. And the red silk ribbon tied around her fair ankle – that pushed the allure to a whole new peak.
That flash of red left the male guests utterly flustered.
Even Fu Quan, who claimed to have no interest in women, was slightly taken aback. Beside him, Lu Zhengzhi was completely mesmerized. He murmured, “So the eldest daughter of the Gu family from Jingzhou really lives up to her reputation. No wonder Fu Yangxue is willing to act like her dog.”
“Not just anyone gets the privilege of being her dog, though,” Fu Quan said with a light laugh. He had seen plenty of beautiful women, but few could reach this level.
“Who’s that guy behind her? I don’t recognize him in our circle,” Lu Zhengzhi whispered curiously.
Fu Quan observed for a moment, then said confidently, “This guy is keeping a one-step distance from Miss Gu. After entering, he looked around very cautiously, and there’s a hint of worry in his eyes. If I’m guessing correctly, he’s probably some kind of bodyguard.”
If Gu Wan’er had heard that, she would have fiercely objected. You’re the bodyguard! Your whole family are bodyguards!
The truth was, he had only walked too fast and she hadn’t kept up. The caution came from him worrying about running into someone he knew. And the worry? That was because he was afraid Yu Xiaoduo might act up – that guy was definitely capable of doing something jaw-dropping.
As Yu Xiaoduo appeared, the room suddenly fell silent, leaving only the beautiful sound of the piano.
Fu Yangxue froze for a moment, then strode forward quickly. In his eyes, Gu Wan’er looked incredibly beautiful today – none of the other women around came close. His face immediately lit up with pride. Let these spoiled rich kids envy me.
But soon, Fu Yangxue’s attention shifted to the man behind Gu Wan’er. Isn’t this the same guy from that morning? Why is he here with Gu Wan’er? Just who is this man, anyway?
He wasn’t the only one wondering. Others in the room were also curious about who this man next to the eldest daughter of the Gu family was. Judging by the distance between them, the relationship probably wasn’t intimate. If it were, they would have walked in side by side.
“Wan’er, who is this?” Fu Yangxue asked with a beaming smile. But in Yu Xiaoduo’s eyes, that smile looked just like the one from his own family’s Husky back in the day.
“Personal bodyguard.”
Fu Yangxue frowned after hearing that and gave “Gu Wan’er” a careful look. Why would she have a man as her personal bodyguard? That’s just too strange.
Gu Wan’er hadn’t expected Yu Xiaoduo to say that either, but she could accept it. She was just relieved that he hadn’t said, “This is my boyfriend.”
Yu Xiaoduo wasn’t stupid enough to volunteer as her shield. That was way too dangerous. If she really wanted him to say something like that, fine – but it would cost extra.
