Su He received the transfer of five million yuan three days later. The moment the SMS alert chimed, it sounded like heavenly music. Su He, counting the long string of numbers, her small face flushed with excitement.
Three years. She had finally seen the clouds part to reveal the moon!
Su He kissed her phone twice and happily rolled around on the bed.
With the money in hand, Su He readily signed the divorce agreement and submitted the documents to the Civil Affairs Bureau. All that was left was to wait for a month to pass and collect a little green booklet.
For the sake of five million yuan, she could endure another month.
*
It was Old Master Lu's seventieth birthday, and the Lu family certainly wouldn't dare to slight it. They booked an entire five-star hotel, with a Michelin chef personally overseeing the culinary arrangements. A hundred tables were set, creating a lively scene. Prominent figures from B City were all present, a grand gathering of distinguished guests, the event was truly magnificent.
Su He, clad in a peach-pink qipao and carrying a large bag, weaved through the banquet hall filled with melodious music, feeling out of place amidst her surroundings.
She disliked such occasions where people donned masks and clinked glasses, but the Old Master had always shown her much consideration. For his birthday, she couldn't possibly not come.
"Who is that? How shabbily dressed!"
"Wearing a qipao to an event like this is so tacky!"
"Look at her attire, and she's carrying something heavy. Is she a greeter?"
As Su He entered, people around her began whispering amongst themselves.
Su He ignored them, straining to carry the box towards Old Master Lu. Just as she was getting close, suddenly, a foot appeared from nowhere, tripping a nearby waiter. Incredibly, the waiter stumbled and collided with Su He.
Su He felt a force from behind, her footing faltered, and she lost her balance, propelled forward by inertia.
Instinctively, Su He shielded the box in her hands and closed her eyes, resigned to her fate.
Amidst the gasps of the crowd, Su He crashed into a firm embrace. A muffled grunt was heard, and Su He was caught steadily. The imagined scenario of falling face-first did not materialize.
Su He's eyes remained shut. Her slender waist was held by a strong arm, and the faint scent of men's cologne wafted towards her, taking a moment for her to react.
She had, bumped into someone!
"Oh my god, this woman is too bold! Daring to try and extort Young Master Yan!"
"Young Master Yan is famously averse to women. Isn't she overestimating herself?"
"She trips while just walking? She's clearly doing it on purpose!"
"Just wait, there's going to be a good show!"
The commotion here immediately drew the attention of everyone around.
Lu Yan Bei, who had stumbled back two steps from Su He's collision, his expression indeed darkened.
Seeing this, the surrounding people held their breath.
It's coming, it's coming!
Young Master Yan is going to lose his temper!
However, a few seconds passed, and nothing happened.
"Can you stand steadily?" Lu Yan Bei helped Su He regain her balance, his deep voice resonating from above her.
Su He looked up blankly and let out a sound.
Upon clearly seeing who she had bumped into, Su He immediately panicked. She quickly stepped back, putting an arm's length between them, afraid of displeasing him.
"I'm, I'm sorry..."
Lu Yan Bei took a piece of tissue from a waiter and wiped the champagne from his suit, quietly saying, "It's nothing."
"Young Master Yan isn't angry? That's not right..."
"What's this woman's background?"
Just as everyone was perplexed, a booming voice broke the silence of the hall.
"Su Su is here~" The birthday boy, Old Master Lu, abandoning the people beside him, walked over with a smile, conveniently extricating Su He from her predicament.
"Grandpa," Su He breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully called out. Then, she picked up the box from the ground and offered it to the elder with both hands. "Grandpa, I wish you longevity and a happy life, may you have many more happy returns of this day!"
"You even prepared a birthday gift for Grandpa?" The Old Master didn't show any disdain, happily opening the box and showing it off. "See? This is from my granddaughter-in-law."
With the mention of "granddaughter-in-law," the guests finally understood Su He's identity.
"So, it's her?"
"That bumpkin who married into the Lu family for a 'chongxi' ritual?"
"No wonder Young Master Yan looked like he was holding back his anger just now. He was giving Grandpa face!"
"I heard they've been living separately for three years of marriage and are currently divorcing..."
"She's just so-so in appearance. No wonder Lu Jing Yang isn't interested!"
Some gossipy individuals huddled together in small groups, whispering amongst themselves.
Su He didn't want to be the center of public scrutiny and planned to find an excuse to leave. After all, she had delivered the birthday gift, and her task was complete.
"Grandpa, I..." However, before she could speak, she was interrupted by Lu Jing Yang's "Grandpa."
The crowd turned their heads and saw Lu Jing Yang walking over, holding the elegantly dressed Song Yan's hand.
Lu Jing Yang wore a black suit, allowing Song Yan to link arms with him. Song Yan, on the other hand, was in an ankle-length champagne-colored mermaid dress, its waist-cinching design perfectly accentuating her alluring figure. Her hair was styled into a bun, secured with a ribbon, elegantly revealing her slender neck and the priceless jewelry adorning it, truly radiant.
To be fair, the two of them did look quite a match.
Song Yan, having ventured into the entertainment industry for years, had gained some fame. Especially after recently landing an endorsement deal, she was frequently featured on television, and many recognized her instantly.
"Isn't that the female celebrity rumored to be having an affair with Lu Jing Yang? Why did he bring her?"
"Lu Jing Yang has no sense of propriety! Today is the Old Master's birthday banquet!"
"His lawfully wedded wife is still here, and he's openly parading with his mistress? Isn't this a blatant insult to his wife?"
"I thought tonight's banquet would be dull, but I didn't expect one piece of gossip after another! It's truly thrilling!"
The guests whispered amongst themselves, occasionally exclaiming.
Seeing the two of them arrive hand-in-hand, the Old Master's smile gradually faded.
This scoundrel, he was trying to anger him to death!
"Grandpa, I have good news to tell you." Lu Jing Yang seemed oblivious to the Old Master's displeasure, grinning foolishly, his mouth almost splitting to the back of his head.
Lu's father's face also darkened considerably. He immediately pulled his son aside and reprimanded him in a low voice, "What are you doing? Do you know what day it is today? This is utter nonsense!"
"Dad, I just wanted to give Grandpa a surprise, a double happiness..." Lu Jing Yang argued.
Lu's father glared at him resentfully. "You're in your twenties and still so immature! Why did you bring her here with so many guests present today?"
"Su He and I have already divorced, why can't I bring Yan Yan..." Lu Jing Yang felt wronged for his beloved.
"You've only submitted the divorce application; it's not effective yet!" Lu's father glanced at Song Yan standing not far away and warned in a low voice, "Send her away now, lest you spoil the Old Master's mood!"
"We can talk about anything after the banquet!"
Lu Jing Yang pursed his lips, somewhat unwillingly. "Dad, you're about to become a grandfather! I don't want Yan Yan to be wronged anymore!"
"What did you say?" Hearing the latter part, Lu's father's voice involuntarily rose a few decibels.
"I said, Yan Yan is pregnant with my child..." Lu Jing Yang's reply was like a thunderclap, completely exploding the banquet.