Chapter 4 Iconic Scene or Cursed Moment?

Chapter 4: Iconic Moment or Cringe Moment?

“There’s a party tomorrow. You should go with your big brother,” Fu Xiaqing told Lu Jingtang during dinner. Lu Jingtang’s hand paused slightly, and her appetite visibly waned.

Based on the timeline, this was likely the private dinner party hosted by the Qi family of CO Finance, as depicted in the novel. At this gathering, as the female antagonist, she would deliberately instigate Minor Female Antagonist No. N to trip the female lead. Coincidentally, the female lead would then encounter the world’s top fashion designer, who happened to be a friend of the male lead. And as luck would have it, that designer was searching for the perfect wearer for his exclusive "Hurricane’s Kiss" gown, instantly recognizing the female lead as its destined owner at the party.

Everything aligned perfectly. The female lead would make a stunning debut, while the female antagonist would face her comeuppance—harassed by a creep, she would leave the event in disgrace.

Lu Jingtang ate her osmanthus cake, silently reciting the *Great Compassion Mantra* in her heart.

The party gown, handpicked by Madam Fu, was a light pink, off-the-shoulder long dress adorned with tiny, sparkling diamonds on its tulle. Lu Jingtang carefully touched it, gaining a new appreciation for the value of money.

Her long hair was styled into an elegant updo, crowned with a wreath-like accessory that revealed her fair, slender neck, making her appear like a delicate fairy who had accidentally stumbled into the human world.

Madam Fu was utterly pleased. Lu Jingtang had always possessed a lively and charming appearance, but her overly mature dressing style had often overshadowed her natural radiance.

Noble families raise noble children, and Lu Jingtang had been raised exceptionally well.

Madam Fu had always longed for a soft, sweet daughter, but instead, she had given birth to three sons, each more exasperating than the last.

“So beautiful, isn’t she, Chen Ma?” Madam Fu remarked with satisfaction.

Chen Ma smiled in agreement. “Our young lady will certainly be the most beautiful at tonight’s banquet.”

Lu Jingtang had been staying here for nearly a month, and everyone in the Fu household, from Madam Fu to the drivers, felt she had become much more approachable. The servants, too, were less reserved around her than before.

Lu Jingtang chuckled. “I’m not the prettiest—I’m the second prettiest.”

“Then who’s the first?” Chen Ma asked curiously.

“You’ll find out when the time comes.”

Fu Nanyu and Lu Jingtang, representing the Fu family of Huakong Capital, naturally had to attend the private dinner party together.

So, around 8 p.m., Fu Nanyu’s car arrived to pick her up.

Lu Jingtang gathered her skirt and stepped out. Several luxury cars were parked in front of the villa, and a young man in a well-tailored suit with handsome features stood beside one of them.

With a warm and appropriate smile, he opened the car door for her. “Miss Lu, please.”

This man was Qin Xianzhao, Fu Nanyu’s special assistant and trusted right-hand man. He possessed a gentle, jade-like demeanor, yet also had a sharp tongue.

What left the deepest impression on Lu Jingtang when reading the novel was the part where he manipulated his love interest. Being targeted by someone like him was akin to having a highly venomous snake coil around one’s neck. Just reading about it made her shudder for the person he fancied.

“Thank you.”

“Big brother.” Lu Jingtang settled into the car. Fu Nanyu, in his custom-made black suit, exuded a dignified and imposing aura that was quite captivating.

The atmosphere in the car was stifling. Lu Jingtang shifted uncomfortably, touching her earlobe before turning to look out the window. The reflection on the glass showed the car’s interior, and her gaze unconsciously settled on Fu Nanyu’s wrist.

A sapphire crystal, gold-capped watch with a black-and-gold bezel—subtle yet luxurious, perfectly complementing his sophisticated demeanor.

Bored, Lu Jingtang secretly took out her phone and scanned the watch using Douyin (TikTok). When the price popped up, she gulped. A seven-figure watch? Wow, he was literally wearing a house on his wrist.

Just then, the car jolted suddenly. Lu Jingtang’s hand slipped, hitting the volume button. Her phone flew out of her hand, and the Douyin video started playing aloud in the car.

“The world’s most expensive watch…”

“Worth seven figures…”

“A symbol of wealth and prestige…”

The car fell silent except for the narrator’s voice. Fu Nanyu lifted his eyelids and glanced at her. She swallowed her pride and retrieved her phone from Secretary Qin in the front seat.

Lu Jingtang felt she needed to explain herself and blurted out, “I just thought big brother’s taste… *pfft*… classy…”

So close! So close! She almost put her foot in her mouth.

“Ahem… ahem…”

In her effort to swallow a certain sound, Lu Jingtang nearly choked on her own saliva. She patted her chest, her heart still racing.

Fu Nanyu stared at her with a complex expression for a few seconds, as if pondering whether he should take Lu Jingtang to get her head examined.

His lips moved as though he was utterly speechless, and he replied with three completely unrelated words: “You’re welcome.”

Lu Jingtang’s eyes widened, sparkling with the joy of meeting someone who understood her. She responded, “It was nothing. No need to marry me.”

She had intended to be abstract, but as soon as the words left her mouth, Lu Jingtang cringed. Saying something like that to Fu Nanyu was no different from sexual harassment.

She sheepishly lowered her head, revealing a section of her slender, fair neck. Her ears turned bright red, and she didn’t dare even glance in Fu Nanyu’s direction.

The Qi family’s private dinner party was attended by top-tier tycoons from the capital, as well as numerous celebrities from the entertainment industry.

As soon as Fu Nanyu and Lu Jingtang stepped out of the car, the surroundings went noticeably quiet.

Various gazes intersected around them—curious, admiring, anticipatory…

Fu Nanyu naturally paid no attention to these looks, as if everyone around him were mere background scenery.

He took Lu Jingtang to greet the host of the Qi family first.

The matriarch of the Qi family was over 90 years old, with silver hair but still spirited. She wore a navy blue *qipao* and a pair of gold wire-rimmed glasses.

She spoke cheerfully with Fu Nanyu for a few words. When she noticed Lu Jingtang beside him, she exclaimed, “Oh, isn’t this Miss Lu?”

Lu Jingtang smiled and replied, “Hello, Grandma Qi.”

“You’ve grown even prettier, young lady. And you’ve filled out nicely.”

Older generations often preferred a fuller figure. Lu Jingtang already had naturally full cheeks, and after a month of good care, her face looked even rounder.

Lu Jingtang didn’t seem bothered by Grandma Qi’s comment about her weight and simply smiled warmly.

Fu Nanyu couldn’t help but glance at her.

After greeting the hosts, Fu Nanyu naturally went to join Qi Heng, Li Chen, Jiang Mingyuan, and the others.

The socialites had their own circles too. After parting ways with Fu Nanyu, Lu Jingtang looked around uncertainly before finding an empty seat. But socialites kept approaching her with champagne glasses to greet her.

She could only opt for fruit-based cocktails; otherwise, she was afraid she wouldn’t last until the end of the banquet.