"Are you going to the banquet hosted by the Qi family?" Su He asked, knocking on the study door and peeking her head in, holding a red invitation.
Lu Yanbei nodded sincerely. "Of course, I have to go."
"Do the Lu and Qi families have a partnership?" Su He pondered. It seemed that was the only explanation. Given Lu Yanbei's current status, he wasn't someone easily persuaded.
Lu Yanbei shook his head. "No. It's just that, when on Qi family territory, one must show some respect."
With that explanation, Su He instantly understood.
The Qi family was a dominant force in Southern City. If not to befriend them, at least one mustn't offend them.
"Will you accompany me tonight?" Lu Yanbei extended his hand towards her.
Su He obediently stepped forward, placing her hand in his palm.
With a slight pull, Lu Yanbei drew her into his embrace, trapping her between his body and the desk. "Thank you, Mrs. Lu, for your hard work!"
"You're welcome!" Su He returned his smile.
"Su Chen will likely be at the banquet tonight as well," Lu Yanbei said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and cautioned her in advance. "When you're there, remember to keep your distance from him."
"Why?" Su He asked, confused.
"For his safety," Lu Yanbei gave a plausible reason, though he would never admit that he simply found the young man irritating.
Su He, being a creative and imaginative comic artist, quickly grasped the situation.
The Qi family's banquet, while ostensibly a birthday celebration for old Master Qi, was in reality a test. The Qi family wanted to partner with Lu Yanbei, and they needed a catalyst. Whoever could forge this partnership would stand a strong chance of becoming the next family head.
Among the many children of the Qi family, only Su Chen knew Lu Yanbei. Therefore, he would become a target. The more she appeared to be close to him as a sister, the greater the pressure on Su Chen.
With that in mind, Su He had to concede that Lu Yanbei's consideration was valid. "I understand what I need to do."
In the afternoon, Su He spent several hours at her studio getting her hair and makeup done and selecting an evening gown before heading to the Qi family banquet held at the Jinjiang Grand Hotel.
"Director Lu, your reputation precedes you. To meet you in person today, you truly are an exceptional man."
"And this must be Mrs. Lu? She looks like she's blessed with good fortune."
As they entered the banquet hall, members of the Qi family flocked forward to curry favor.
These individuals were incredibly eloquent, almost lifting the couple to the heavens with their praise. Su He couldn't help but muse: As expected of a wealthy family renowned for their internal power struggles, the Qi family's ability to speak falsehoods with a straight face was truly unparalleled.
Facing the Qi family's overtures, Su He maintained a proper smile, nodding occasionally. However, the sincerity behind that smile was debatable.
Not everyone in the Qi family, however, gravitated towards Lu Yanbei.
For instance, Su Chen.
"I didn't expect Mrs. Lu to be so young!"
"A'Chen, isn't she your sister? Why aren't you going over to greet her?"
Su Chen stood in a corner of the banquet hall, holding a champagne flute, looking rather unenthusiastic. "A sister with no blood relation, how close can we be?"
"Really? But I heard that the four of you siblings have always had a good relationship. Last time, when Mrs. Lu was slandered, you even stepped forward to clarify for her." A young man with slicked-back hair, Qi Ying from the Qi family's second branch, observed Su Chen with narrowed eyes.
Compared to the older generation, the younger ones were more active on social media and had access to more information.
Su Chen took a calm sip of his wine and declared loudly, "It was merely a matter of mutual benefit. If her reputation was ruined, we would all be implicated. I worked hard to get the company listed; I don't want it destroyed because of her."
"Oh, is that so?" Young Master Qi the Tenth pursed his lips, a cold glint in his eyes.
He had been the most outstanding among the younger generation of the Qi family, a clear candidate for family head. But with Su Chen's arrival, his position was severely threatened.
Old Master Qi had repeatedly praised him for his decisiveness and strategic thinking, deeming him capable of great responsibility, his admiration evident. Yet, Su Chen played hard to get, maintaining a distant and proud demeanor, refusing to acknowledge his lineage. To his frustration, the old master seemed to favor this act, believing that Su Chen's achievements earned through his own efforts were even more commendable.
Now, the old master was allowing Su Chen to familiarize himself with some of the Qi family's businesses, and Qi Ten was understandably anxious.
If a bastard child were to become the family head, where would their honor lie?
With that thought, Qi Ten wished he could eliminate Su Chen as soon as possible.
Seeing the cold flicker in his eyes, Su Chen knew he harbored ill intentions.
He cast a chilling glance at Qi Ten and said, "If what you say is true, why wouldn't she come over to say hello if we were close? After all, I've been her older brother for over twenty years, haven't I?"
Qi Ten glanced towards Lu Yanbei and Su He, who were mingling with several elders, not sparing Su Chen a single look.
He felt a sense of relief and then taunted, "It seems that despite getting an early start, you haven't gained any real advantage!"
Su Chen allowed his ridicule to wash over him, remaining silent.
He knew that the more he spoke, the more mistakes he would make; silence was his best recourse.
The same applied to Su He on the other side.
She consistently followed Lu Yanbei's lead, her smile gentle, but limited to greetings; she showed no inclination for prolonged conversation.
"Mrs. Lu seems quite shy." After several unsuccessful attempts at probing, someone concluded.
"A nobody with no background or family, how could she possibly handle a gathering like this?" Qi Si Tai, the fourth wife, said sarcastically, tugging at her fur shawl.
"As if your background is so impressive," Qi Ruohan, the eldest daughter of Qi Si Yuan, retorted without mercy, covering her mouth. This woman was the reason her mother died, and seeing an enemy, her hatred burned fiercely.
However, the fourth wife was favored, and no matter how much Qi Ruohan complained to her father, the old master remained indulgent towards her.
"How dare you speak to me like that? Do you have any respect for me as an elder?" The fourth wife, not one to be trifled with, darkened her expression at the blatant mockery.
"Did I say something wrong?" Qi Ruohan replied coldly. "Didn't you also work as a hostess at a nightclub back in the day?"
The fourth wife's fists clenched in anger.
But in such a setting, she couldn't afford to make a scene, lest she ruin the old master's plans, for which he would surely not forgive her. Though the old master doted on her, it was limited to generously showering her with jewelry and property. When it came to important matters, he was uncompromising.
"Just you wait, I'll have plenty of opportunities to deal with you later!" The fourth wife huffed and turned away, leading her branch of the family to pay respects to the old master.
Ultimately, the decision of who would become the next family head rested with the old master. As long as he was pleased, possessions would naturally be within reach.
Qi Ruohan watched them leave, her heart churning with rage. If only her mother were still alive, then that wench wouldn't be stealing the spotlight at the banquet!
Compared to the other branches, the first branch was in decline, with members dead or incapacitated.
She truly hated herself for not being born a man.
Otherwise, she could have vied for the first branch's claim.