The banquet was boring, the social interactions were tedious, and Su He's face was stiff from smiling.
However, this also indirectly proved Lu Yanbei's capabilities.
Her husband was truly amazing!
Su He held his arm, her legs aching and numb, almost unable to stand. Alas, this was the consequence of her usual lack of exercise and infrequent wearing of high heels.
Lu Yanbei was being accosted by people, occasionally responding absentmindedly, but his heart was entirely on Su He. Soon, he sensed her discomfort.
"There's a buffet table over there. Let's go eat something first."
Su He nodded repeatedly.
Lu Yanbei excused himself and, holding Su He, walked towards the buffet table.
"Don't you need to socialize?" Su He was a little surprised.
"Today's protagonist is Old Master Qi," Lu Yanbei explained casually.
Su He hummed in understanding.
Indeed, though he was popular, he couldn't overshadow the host.
Lu Yanbei was too radiant; his every move was a focal point of attention.
He carefully supported his wife, thoughtfully holding up her skirt hem, fetching her favorite food, and even discreetly removing her high heels to massage her feet in places no one could see.
"Tsk tsk, President Lu is too doting! He can go this far!"
"He looks so gentle when he smiles at his wife!"
"I really want to know how Mrs. Lu managed to tame this wild, untamed lone wolf!"
"My heart is overflowing with this public display of affection, ah, I'm so full!"
Young men and women who witnessed these scenes generally felt envy and disbelief. However, these actions were viewed differently by the older generation.
"Isn't Lu Yanbei overacting a bit? Does he need to go this far?"
"Lu Corporation's stock fluctuated wildly recently due to Mrs. Lu's scandal, so he naturally has to be mindful of his image at all times. He's likely cultivating a 'doting husband' persona, don't take it too seriously!"
"I knew it. How could the dignified President of Lu Corporation bend down for a woman!"
"Exactly, and this Mrs. Lu isn't even that beautiful. It's just a fleeting fancy!"
These people, believing they had weathered many storms, had long seen through the games of romance between men and women. How often did they engage in superficial pleasantries themselves? Their wives at home were mere decorations, and they had countless women on the outside.
Harmony between the principal wife and concubines, in their eyes, was something to boast about.
Lu Yanbei was a man, and they assumed he was just like them.
Unfortunately, Lu Yanbei was not acting.
He genuinely cared for Su He.
"Your heels are a bit red and swollen. I'll go and bid farewell to the hosts now." Lu Yanbei felt a pang of self-reproach. Because of the shoes he bought on short notice, Su He couldn't get used to them and was uncomfortable.
Su He stopped him. "It's fine, I'll just sit here. It's only about two hours anyway."
"If you don't apply medicine immediately for heel injuries, the skin will break," Lu Yanbei said with a frown of disapproval.
"They haven't even cut the cake yet. It would be too impolite to leave now." Su He couldn't help him much, but she didn't want to be a burden. The Qi family invited them presumably for business cooperation, and she couldn't be ignorant of that.
Lu Yanbei, however, had no interest in cooperating with the Qi family.
He patted the back of her hand to comfort her. "It's alright. After all, it's just a preliminary intention. Leaving now won't be considered abrupt."
Before Su He could say anything, Lu Yanbei stood up and went to Old Master Qi's side.
Old Master Qi sat in his wheelchair, dressed in a festive Tang suit, appearing quite spirited. Seeing Lu Yanbei approach him proactively, the smile on his lips deepened.
However, when he learned that Mrs. Lu was unwell and would be leaving early, the smile on his face visibly faded. "Did we not host you properly?"
"You worry too much," Lu Yanbei said politely to the elder. "My wife recently underwent surgery and is still recovering."
He offered a brief explanation.
Then, he presented a gift box. "May your fortune be as boundless as the East Sea and your lifespan as enduring as the Southern Mountains. Happy birthday."
Old Master Qi finally managed a relieved smile. "So that's how it is... It seems we'll have to wait for Mrs. Lu to recover before inviting you to our home."
This seemingly ordinary remark contained a great deal of information.
Old Master Qi was extending an olive branch to Lu Yanbei.
Guests invited to one's home were naturally closer, and their status was entirely different.
Lu Yanbei nodded in agreement.
Not long after Lu Yanbei left, several flamboyantly dressed young women surrounded Su He.
"Mrs. Lu, can you tell us how you met Mr. Lu?"
"Yes, we're very interested in your story!"
These young ladies of wealthy families harbored no good intentions. While they claimed to want to hear a story, most likely wanted to see Su He embarrassed. Entertainment news had plenty of reports about her background; their union was a classic example of a prince and a Cinderella.
A girl from an ordinary background, whose appearance was only moderately attractive, managed to secure such a prominent figure as Lu Yanbei. Her methods were indeed remarkable.
Facing their probing questions, Su He smiled gently. "We met while studying abroad."
"Oh? Mrs. Lu has also been abroad?" Qi Ruoqing of the fourth branch said with a half-smile.
This was different from what she had heard!
Didn't the media say she hadn't even finished high school? She was really putting on a brave face!
So, she subtly signaled to her sister, Qi Ruowen. Qi Ruowen, understanding her intention, followed up with, "May I ask which prestigious university you attended? Perhaps we're even alumnae!"
Most of these young ladies were sent abroad for further education to secure a good marriage later. However, very few were admitted based on their own merit; the majority were admitted through financial means.
The Qi sisters were of this kind.
"It wasn't a famous university," Su He replied, feigning nervousness.
"Do tell us," the group chimed in.
Su He bit her lip and uttered a name.
"Ah, I've heard of that university. I remember a friend of mine graduated from there." Qi Ruoyun of the third branch was not as short-sighted as her fourth-branch sisters. She wanted to cultivate a good relationship with Mrs. Lu and thus actively tried to help Su He out of her predicament. "What was your major? I know that university's fine arts department is quite renowned."
"I majored in fine arts," Su He replied smoothly.
"What a coincidence!" Qi Ruoqing shot Qi Ruoyun a cold glare.
Qi Ruoyun ignored it and stepped forward. "I'm also quite interested in painting. Perhaps we could exchange tips sometime?"
"Certainly," Su He smiled at her. "However, I'm returning to B City soon. If Miss Qi visits there, you can contact me."
"Okay, let's add each other's contact information then." Qi Ruoyun offered her phone.
Su He had a good impression of her and proactively added her.
Su Chen watched this scene from afar and couldn't help but rub his temples.
This foolish sister had no defenses against anyone!
He had endured it all evening and didn't want to pretend anymore. Just as he was about to go and escort her away, he was intercepted by Lu Yanbei's assistant, Cheng Jue.
"If Mr. Su wants what's best for his wife, it's better not to come over," Cheng Jue advised with a fake smile.
Su Chen frowned. "Is this Lu Yanbei's intention? What if I insist on coming over?"
"President Lu said that if Mr. Su acts rashly, he wouldn't mind finding a new owner for Yiteng Technology," Cheng Jue threatened, half-jokingly, half-seriously.