Chapter 17 Fu Shengzhou

Chapter 17 Fu Shengzhou

Lu Jingtang poked at the pasta in her bowl, occasionally stealing glances at Fu Shengzhou across the table.

Fu Shengzhou’s peach-blossom eyes crinkled with a smile, a mischievous, playful smirk curving his lips.

“What, have you transferred your affections and fallen for me now?”

She held back for a moment but couldn’t resist asking, “May I be so bold as to ask, little brother, what are you studying in university?”

“Medicine.”

It turned out to be a subject where she’d only ever scored single digits in her student days. Fu Shengzhou’s flamboyant—or rather, uniquely stylish—demeanor seemed more suited to an art or music teacher.

He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her. “Didn’t you already know? Did that guy surnamed Ji really kick your brains loose?”

Lu Jingtang replied cautiously, “I…”

Suddenly, Fu Shengzhou’s phone rang—it was a video call from Ye Xixi. He answered, but Fu Xiaqing’s face popped up on the screen.

Fu Xiaqing: “Third Brother, have you fed Youyou yet?”

Huh? Why did it sound like he was telling Fu Shengzhou to feed the pig on time?

“She’s eating,” Fu Shengzhou chuckled, turning the camera toward Lu Jingtang, who waved awkwardly. “Uncle, Auntie, have you had dinner yet?”

“We’re eating. We’re planning to barbecue in the yard today.” Ye Xixi leaned into view. The group appeared to be sitting in the yard, with Fu Ting rolling around with the dog nearby, while Fu Nanyu sat to the side, glancing casually at the screen.

Lu Jingtang softly called out, “Big brother.” Fu Nanyu took a sip of tea and responded with a low “Mm,” his gaze sweeping over her. “Did you eat with your face?”

Huh? Lu Jingtang touched her cheek in confusion. Oh, it turned out she had sauce on her nose.

Fu Ting, hearing the conversation, also leaned in and shouted, “Lu Youyou, I was the one who moved your succulents downstairs to sunbathe, remember? Bring me a big diamond!”

Lu Jingtang said ingratiatingly, “Second brother, you’ve worked hard.”

Fu Shengzhou’s gaze shifted oddly between the screen and Lu Jingtang.

He interrupted the conversation, turning the camera back to himself. “Hey, how come no one’s asking how I’m doing?”

Fu Ting made a face of disgust and yelled, “Turn the camera back! I don’t want to see that tacky hair of yours!”

Fu Shengzhou retorted angrily, “Shut up, double-door fridge!”

The two bickered for a while until the barbecue was ready on the other end of the call, and Fu Ting hung up impatiently.

After hanging up, Fu Shengzhou looked at the person across from him with a scrutinizing gaze. “Not bad, Lu Youyou. I’ve only been gone for a month, and you’ve already leveled up.”

Lu Jingtang shyly added a flattering remark, “It’s mainly because big brother taught me well.”

Fu Shengzhou’s lips twitched...

The banquet was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., with guests allowed to enter half an hour early. Around 6 p.m., someone arrived at the villa to help Lu Jingtang with her makeup and outfit selection.

She changed into a silver-black strapless mermaid gown with a large sheer bow at the small of her back, emphasizing her slender waist. Her long, black curls cascaded over her chest.

Fu Shengzhou stood by the door and watched for a moment. Admittedly, Lu Jingtang might be a bit simple-minded, but she was quite good-looking.

“I’m heading out,” Lu Jingtang said, checking the time. It was almost time to leave.

Accompanied by a female assistant and a bodyguard, Lu Jingtang got into the car. The night was a bit chilly, so she draped a shawl over her shoulders.

This banquet was a private brand event, attended by celebrities and influential figures, with plenty of media present.

As soon as Lu Jingtang stepped out of the car, she felt the cameras flashing like lightning, though most of the media’s attention was focused on the celebrities.

The assistant guided her to her seat. To her left sat a gray-haired foreigner in a white suit, wearing black-framed glasses and a white rose in his chest pocket. He smiled warmly at her.

She surreptitiously glanced at the nameplate on his seat, and the assistant whispered in her ear, “This is the CEO of the brand, Ace.”

Her English was just passable, so she simply smiled back and shook his hand.

“Hey, look, the one next to Mr. Ace is the Fu family’s fake princess, right?” At another table, a fair-faced young man in a black suit whispered to the person beside him.

The young man was considered an A-list celebrity in the entertainment industry. Though his acting skills were mediocre, his charming and handsome appearance had earned him a large fanbase of admirers.

With a smirk, he confidently walked over to Lu Jingtang, who was studying the multiple pieces of cutlery on the table. There was no food in sight—were they supposed to eat the flowers?

Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. Puzzled, she looked up to see the fair-faced young man smiling at her. Handsome men and beautiful women were always the center of attention, and this scene was captured by some media outlet and uploaded online.

The young man plopped down in the seat to her right. “These kinds of events are so boring, aren’t they? I don’t really like them either.”

Lu Jingtang stared blankly, wondering who he was. The bodyguard was about to step in and remove him when a stunning woman in a red strapless gown, with captivating, almond-shaped eyes, walked over.

She cast a cold glance at the young man. “What, do you fancy this seat?”

The young man looked down and saw the nameplate on the seat read “Ji Ruyan”—a rare double-award-winning actress in the entertainment industry, though she had been less active in recent years.

“Ms. Ji, my apologies. I was so engrossed in chatting with Miss Lu that I accidentally took your seat. I hope you don’t mind?” The young man feigned respect but inwardly sneered, thinking she was just a has-been. He deliberately leaned closer to Lu Jingtang, hoping to curry favor with the wealthy family.

Lu Jingtang was baffled. When had they been chatting?

“Who are you?” Lu Jingtang couldn’t help but ask. The young man laughed awkwardly. “Miss Lu, you forget so easily.”

Embarrassed, the young man walked away with one hand in his pocket, greeting others as he went. His feet moved forward, but his body lagged behind, leaning at a 45-degree angle. Lu Jingtang stared intently at his departing figure and said to her assistant, “Look, how is he managing to move his hands and feet separately?”