Chapter 104 No Kissing

Chapter 104: No Kissing Allowed

On Friday, Lu Jingtang was invited by Miss Zhang Sisi to attend her jewelry exhibition. It was said that Miss Zhang had received guidance from a world-class jewelry design master and had won numerous international awards for her works.

Lu Jingtang stood beside Qi Yao, both silently staring at what was supposedly an award-winning piece—a diamond-studded dog collar designed to cover the lower body while leaving the upper body bare. *Well... wouldn't this just make the dog a robbery target?*

The receptionist, who was explaining the design concept, noticed Lu Jingtang staring at the dog collar for a long time and assumed she was interested. With a smile, she suggested, "If you like this piece, you can place a bid on it."

Most ladies attending the jewelry exhibition would usually bid on one or two pieces to maintain social connections and save face.

But Lu Jingtang had no intention of being a sucker. Shakily, she tugged at Qi Yao’s hand and said with a strained laugh, "It’s truly beautiful, but my dog is too fat for it. I can’t bear to put him on a diet, so I’ll pass."

Hearing that they weren’t going to buy, the receptionist’s smile immediately lost most of its sweetness. *Well, this one's sharp—can’t trick her.* Still, she maintained a polite smile and said, "Alright."

Lu Jingtang pulled Qi Yao away to the rest area for some desserts. Qi Yao leaned in and whispered, "This Zhang Sisi holds four or five jewelry exhibitions every year. Her works don’t sell well outside, and I heard the master who taught her was so angry he had a hypertensive crisis and ended up in the hospital. She’s probably using these exhibitions to clear out her inventory."

While listening to Qi Yao, Lu Jingtang smiled and greeted others who waved at her. Curious, she asked, "Then how did she win those awards?"

"With money, you can buy anything," Qi Yao replied bluntly.

*Damn, it's all about capitalism in the end.*

Lu Jingtang eyed the various delicious desserts, her mouth watering on the inside. But she only picked a small piece of chocolate cake. Though she could usually buy these treats anytime, acting too greedy in such settings would make people gossip about her being petty and ill-mannered, or that the Fu family hadn’t raised her properly. While she saw nothing wrong with enjoying good food, some occasions called for restraint.

The two found a small private booth to rest, separated by a one-way glass partition that allowed them to see outside without being seen.

Knowing that Qi Yao and Lu Jingtang were inside, no one dared to disturb them.

Suddenly, a sharp slap sounded from outside. Lu Jingtang looked out and saw a woman in a black sequined mermaid dress surrounded by several people. The woman’s dress was stained with a large patch of cream, yet despite her disheveled appearance, she showed no trace of fear or shame. Her fox-like eyes tilted upward, gleaming with a captivating glow, a cold smile playing on her lips.

Lu Jingtang immediately perked up with wide eyes. *Wow! Is this the classic scene from novels where the female lead is bullied, and the powerful male lead makes a grand entrance to stand up for her, amazing everyone!?*

She pressed her ear against the glass wall but still couldn’t hear clearly what they were saying.

Her curiosity made her restless. She tugged Qi Yao along and hurried out of the partition, tiptoeing over, thinking her steps were subtle, to the scene of the confrontation.

Zhang Wanqing and Zhang Sisi were engaged in a tense exchange. Lu Jingtang listened intently nearby, almost wanting to push her face into theirs and ask, "What’s your relationship?"

A waiter carrying a tray also drifted over casually to watch the drama. Without looking at what she was grabbing, Lu Jingtang took a glass and drank from it.

The waiter, also there for the gossip, stood there, not moving.

Unaware, Lu Jingtang reached for another glass when she finished, and before she knew it, only empty champagne glasses remained on the tray.

Zhang Wanqing came out on top. Zhang Sisi’s pretty face contorted with anger, and she blurted out in frustration, "Dad never liked you, including your crazy mother!"

*Slap!*

Zhang Wanqing’s eyes turned cold. She turned and delivered a sharp slap across Zhang Sisi’s face.

Nearby, Lu Jingtang was so startled she let out a tiny hiccup—*hic*—then quickly covered her mouth.

"How dare you hit me!" Zhang Sisi clutched her burning cheek, tears welling in her eyes.

"As the eldest daughter of the Zhang family, I’m just teaching my ill-bred younger sister a lesson. What’s wrong with that?" Zhang Wanqing retorted coldly, glaring at Zhang Sisi.

Zhang Sisi raised her hand to strike back, but a hand suddenly reached out from behind Zhang Wanqing and blocked her. Qi Heng’s broad chest pressed against Zhang Wanqing’s slender back, like a towering mountain shielding her firmly. He pushed Zhang Sisi’s hand away, a roguish smile on his face, though the faint coldness in his eyes made people uneasy. "What a lively scene."

Zhang Sisi stared at him in disbelief. "Qi... Young Master Qi."

Qi Heng took out his phone and tapped a few times before looking at Zhang Sisi. "Hmm... Since Second Miss Zhang enjoys hitting people so much, you must be quite skilled. How about I sign you up for the TC boxing match? You can fight on stage after signing the liability waiver."

Zhang Sisi’s face turned pale. "She hit me first!" she protested, her heart racing. Why was Qi Heng standing up for Zhang Wanqing?

Qi Heng replied indifferently, "If it were me, I’d slap you too."

Zhang Wanqing shoved Qi Heng aside and glanced at him coldly. "This is my business. Stay out of it."

That fox-like gaze made Qi Heng’s heart flutter. He tsked, ignoring her coldness, and stepped closer again, leaning in until his lips were almost brushing her ear. "And who am I doing this for? So cold~"

Zhang Wanqing sidestepped, her eyes blazing with anger, chest rising and falling slightly. "None of your business."

Qi Heng laughed instead of getting angry. A beautiful woman cursing was even more attractive.

Everyone present was stunned to see Zhang Wanqing daring to brush off Young Master Qi like that. Strangely, Young Master Qi didn’t seem angry.

Zhang Wanqing ignored him and walked away. Qi Heng was about to follow when he noticed Lu Jingtang and Qi Yao nearby. He waved at them. "Nanyu is here too, on the phone outside. Let’s go."

Without waiting for them, he eagerly chased after Zhang Wanqing.

Qi Yao muttered under her breath about her brother ditching his sister for a beauty. Turning around, she saw Lu Jingtang’s flushed cheeks, lowered eyelashes, and teary, round eyes.

Shocked, she asked, "How much did you drink?"

Lu Jingtang held up seven fingers. "Just... just one glass."

Qi Yao: "Goodness, can you still walk?"

Lu Jingtang shook her head. "I’m not drunk."

Qi Yao quickly supported her. "Alright, stop swaying. Be careful not to get dizzy."

Lu Jingtang let herself be guided, mumbling about not being drunk as they walked.

When they reached the exhibition hall’s exit, they saw Qi Heng and Zhang Wanqing again, standing very close as if about to kiss...

Lu Jingtang’s eyes lit up. She immediately shook off Qi Yao, dashed over, and squeezed between them. "No, it’s not time for the kissing scene yet! You can’t kiss. You have to follow my direction, Lieutenant Little Weirdo."

Qi Heng: "..."

Zhang Wanqing: "..."