Although little Su Ning had only seen Lu Zhe twice — once at the hotel and once through a video call on the phone — the little guy was smart, with a good memory. When Lu Zhe appeared, he recognized him at a glance.

Even though he was still small, he knew his sister liked his brother-in-law. Whenever his sister video-called with her brother-in-law, she would smile very happily.

So the moment the little guy saw Lu Zhe, his first thought was to tell his sister.

“Jiejie, rrother-in-law is here.” Little Su Ning walked over to his sister and repeated it again in his milky child voice.

Su Ci’s eyes lit up. She bent down and patted the little guy’s head, “Ning Ning is so sensible. As expected of my little brother. Tonight, jiejie will reward you with a big pudding.”

Little Su Ning was praised by his sister and even got a reward. His dark, round eyes sparkled brightly.

Standing to the side, Xie Yumin was stunned. She had never heard anything about the Su family’s young lady being married. Where did this brother-in-law come from?

The banquet was about to begin. Su Ci knew that Xie Yumin had attempted suicide because of cyberbullying. She had already instructed people to monitor online activity closely — the moment any topic about Xie Yumin appeared, it was to be deleted immediately. After all, online violence was the real root.

At the same time, Su Ci ordered someone to bring Xie Yumin downstairs and keep a close watch on her every movement.

Guests began arriving at the banquet one after another. Lu Zhe followed his parents and came to the Su residence.

The appearance of the three immediately drew everyone’s attention.

There was no need to say much about Lu Chen — he had a demonically beautiful face and had always been the center of attention. Beside him, Wen Ya’s bright and elegant appearance was equally eye-catching. No matter whether it was ten years ago or now, this couple was enviably well-matched.

However, this time, many noticed that beside them stood an outstandingly handsome young man whose brows and eyes bore some resemblance to Lu Chen’s.

“Could that be Lu Chen’s son?”

“Wasn’t Lu Chen’s son lost more than ten years ago?”

“He was lost. Could this be an illegitimate child? I always said the Lu family couldn’t possibly have no heir.”

“I thought Lu Chen loved Wen Ya so much, but aren’t all men the same? Even his illegitimate son is already this big.”

“The Lu family is huge. They need someone to inherit the business. Ever since Wen Ya’s child went missing, she hasn’t been able to have another. Even if Lu Chen has an illegitimate child, she can only turn a blind eye. Otherwise, why would she bring him along to attend publicly?”

Not far away, several female guests were whispering among themselves. After all, Wen Ya had been pampered by Lu Chen for so many years, and they had long been jealous. Especially since Wen Ya hadn’t given the Lu family an heir, yet her position in the Lu family remained unshakably stable. She had Lu Chen firmly wrapped around her finger, without a single scandal.

Meanwhile, their own husbands kept mistresses everywhere. Comparing themselves to her was infuriating. Now that they saw the Lu family show up with an illegitimate son, how could they hold back their sour remarks?

As if sensing something, Lu Chen swept a glance at that gossiping group. Several women who had been whispering froze in fright and immediately shut their mouths.

Just then, Father Su and Mother Su came out, with Su Zhiyuan following beside them.

The Su family was famously good-looking, and the Lu family was no worse. Everyone felt that all the best-looking people in B City had been born into either the Su family or the Lu family.

“Lu Chen, I thought you’d be the last to arrive again.” Father Su knew his temperament well.

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his peach-blossom eyes. “I’m in a good mood today, giving you a bit of face.”

“Uncle Su, Aunt Su, big brother Su.” Lu Zhe greeted them politely.

Father Su had a very good impression of this young man. He had previously investigated his background and then revealed the truth to Lu Chen — mostly out of gratitude. Seeing him return to the Lu family now, he felt genuinely happy for him.

“Good.” Father Su nodded, then smiled as he turned to Lu Chen. “I helped you find your son. How do you plan to thank me?”

Lu Chen was an old fox. Getting anything out of him was never easy.

He let out a cold laugh, refusing to give an inch. “I remember you telling me before that my son was the Su family’s savior. If we’re talking about gratitude, shouldn’t you be the one thanking us?”

Father Su and Lu Chen went back and forth, one sentence from each of them, neither gaining the upper hand.

Wen Ya and Mother Su were already used to this.

“Su Ci should be coming down soon, right?” Wen Ya asked Mother Su.

“Yes.” Mother Su noticed that Lu Zhe had already returned to his parents’ side. She was somewhat acquainted with Wen Ya — after searching for her son for so many years, now that Lu Zhe had returned to the Lu family, Wen Ya would surely cherish him dearly.

It eased a bit of her guilt.

Meanwhile, He Ermeng had followed his elder brother to the Su residence early on. Many young ladies of similar age wanted to go up and talk to him, but he looked arrogant and aloof, not giving any of them even half a glance.

He was waiting for Su Ci.

They had been on break for so many days, and he hadn’t seen her at all. His longing had already reached the point of torment.

Bored, he trailed behind his brother, responding half-heartedly to the people who approached them to curry favor. But when his gaze accidentally landed on Lu Zhe — dressed in a black suit and appearing suddenly at the Su family banquet — he was completely shocked.

What was Lu Zhe’s identity, to actually attend Su Ci’s banquet?

He Ermeng’s eyes filled with anger, but in the next second, he remembered that Lu Zhe had saved Father Su and Mother Su.

“What are you looking at?” His elder brother patted his shoulder. “Come on, the Lu family is here. We should go greet them.”

The He family was powerful, but compared to the Lu and Su families, they were still far behind.

He Ermeng suppressed the thoughts in his heart and followed his brother over.

“Uncle Lu, Aunt Lu, Uncle Su, Aunt Su, hello.” Young Master He greeted them politely.

He Ermeng drew closer. Seeing Lu Zhe standing straight, expression cold, he became even more irritated.

“You two brothers came as well.” Father Su smiled. “How is your father’s health lately?”

He Erjie replied, “The old man is doing well. He keeps thinking about finding time to play golf with Uncle Su and Uncle Lu.”

“When I have some time later, I’ll arrange another match with him.”

He Erjie’s gaze fell on Lu Zhe. Noticing how much he resembled Lu Chen, he had the same thought as the other guests. “Uncle Lu, this is…?”

He Ermeng immediately looked at Lu Chen. A moment ago, he had thought Lu Zhe was here only because he had helped the Su family. But now that he saw him up close, it was clear Lu Zhe had arrived together with the Lu couple.

Lu Zhe, Lu Chen, the Lu family…

What was their relationship?

Just as a bad thought surfaced in his mind, Lu Chen spoke. “This is my son.” His tone carried a trace of pride. “My son has been found.”

All of B City knew that Lu Chen’s son had been kidnapped back then.

So many years had passed that everyone had assumed the child could never be found.

But now, this tall young man before them, whose features resembled Lu Chen’s, was actually the young master the Lu family had lost more than a decade ago?

He Erjie froze for a moment, then quickly composed himself. “Congratulations, Uncle Lu, Aunt Lu.”

“Hello, my name is He Erjie. You may call me Big Brother He. This is my younger brother, He Ermeng.”

He Erjie’s personality was completely opposite from his younger brother’s. He was gentle, courteous, and even his tone of voice made people feel comfortable.

Lu Zhe shook his hand. “Hello, I’m Lu Zhe.”

Beside them, He Ermeng stared at Lu Zhe in disbelief. He was the Lu family’s son who had been kidnapped all those years ago?

How could it be such a coincidence?

He Ermeng sized him up and found that his brows and features indeed bore some resemblance to Lu Chen. His expression darkened.

No matter how unruly or careless he was, he still knew that the Lu family’s influence was greater than the He family’s.

Now that Lu Zhe had become part of the Lu family, making trouble for him would be much more difficult.

The surrounding guests kept glancing over. The three most powerful families in B City were gathered together. It seemed the Su family’s young lady held great face — not just the He family, but even the Lu family had come to attend.

Guests sighed in awe as the Lu family, Su family, and He family — these “celestial beings” — stood chatting together. Though envious, none of them dared go near; before these three families, they had no place to stand at all.

At this moment, Su Ci appeared.

As expected, she was dazzlingly beautiful. Even though many had seen her before, they were still stunned.

The girl wore a nude-pink starlit gown; her exposed skin was snow-white like jade. Her exquisite face and graceful figure were simply enchanting, not to mention the tiny tear mole beneath the corner of her eye that added a seductive charm.

The looks of the Su family truly made people jealous.

The instant Su Ci appeared, He Ermeng completely forgot about Lu Zhe. He hurried forward, eyes fixed on her, his gaze bright and a little wet. “Cici, you look so beautiful today.”

“I’m always beautiful.” Su Ci slightly lifted her chin. She looked toward Lu Zhe among the crowd.

Today he wore a fitted black suit, looking every bit the noble young master from a wealthy family.

Su Ci walked toward them slowly.

“Dad, Mom, Big Brother.” Su Ci approached.

“Cici looks so beautiful today.” The dress had been chosen by Mother Su. She had chosen well — her daughter was so beautiful that people couldn’t look away.

Su Ci pressed her lips into a smile, her gaze lightly sweeping across Lu Zhe’s face. But the young man, clearly more experienced than her, didn’t spare her even a glance.

She felt a little annoyed.

“Cici, these two are Lu Zhe’s parents,” Mother Su explained. Without her memories, the current Su Ci no longer recognized Lu Chen or Wen Ya.

“Hello, Uncle Lu, Auntie Lu.” Su Ci’s eyes curved sweetly, instantly transforming into an obedient, well-mannered junior.

Lu Chen cast his son a sidelong look, peach-blossom eyes filled with amusement. Tsk, his son’s personality really was the complete opposite of his own. He was openly flirtatious, while his son was secretly restrained. Clearly already entangled with the Su family’s little princess, yet pretending they weren’t familiar.

His gaze slid toward Father Su, and he stroked his chin proudly. He didn’t say anything, already waiting for the day Father Su would be so angry he’d jump in rage.

Wen Ya had seen Su Ci a few times before and had always envied Mother Su for giving birth to such a beautiful daughter. Unexpectedly, after so many years, the Su family’s young lady had grown even more stunning. Probably nowhere in the country could one find a second person with such beauty. No wonder the Su family treated her as their treasured jewel.

Finally, Su Ci greeted Lu Zhe. “Lu Zhe.”

The young man across from her remained expressionless, simply nodding faintly.

Su Ci narrowed her eyes. Even if they were in a secret relationship, being treated so coldly all of a sudden made her feel uncomfortable.

“Xiao Ci, are you planning to dance the opening dance later?” Father Su had asked his daughter before, but she had said she hadn’t chosen anyone.

He Ermeng stepped forward and extended his hand. “Cici, can I be your dance partner?”

His black, bright eyes looked at Su Ci, wet with emotion. Facing Lu Zhe, his love rival, he was a fierce wolfdog, but now, looking at Su Ci, he had turned into a little puppy, staring at her with hopeful eyes.

He waited patiently for her reply.

His elder brother knew he had always liked the Su family’s young lady. Seeing him like this — completely bewitched — he found it amusing but didn’t object.

Su Ci glanced at Lu Zhe from the corner of her eye. The youth’s lips were pressed together slightly, and his gaze was icy cold.

Only then did she curve her eyes in satisfaction. “I won’t dance with you. I’ll dance with Lu Zhe.”

Su Ci asked Lu Zhe directly, “Will you dance the opening dance with me?”

The youth met the girl’s bright gaze. He looked at her quietly, his voice low. “I don’t know how to dance.”

Lu Zhe grew up in an orphanage, later adopted by someone, barely having enough to eat. When would he have ever had the chance to learn dancing?

“It’s fine. Just follow me.” Su Ci extended her hand.

The girl’s fair, soft, boneless little hand was held by Lu Zhe, his grip tightening.

Something in his heart softened as well.