Chapter 74 The Boss of the Vast Company

Her fair skin complemented any color perfectly.

“It seems the dress is a bit too long, but everything else fits,” Lian Youyou said, glancing at the gown trailing on the floor. “Can we shorten it a bit?”

“That’s only because you haven’t put on your shoes yet,” Lu Ming replied, holding a pair of Jimmy Choo heels. He knelt on one knee and gently slipped them onto her feet.

The guests in the living room couldn’t help but exclaim, “Miss Lian is truly stunning. Mr. Lu—”

A single look from Lu Ming silenced them instantly.

“Lulu, what do they call you?” Youyou asked.

“Nothing important,” Lu Ming replied, tidying her dress. “Let the stylist design your hairstyle for tonight.”

“Professor Lu, what do you think of this jewelry set for Miss Lian?” A man with red-rimmed glasses handed Lu Ming a box containing a dazzling set of earrings and a necklace.

“Lulu, this dress you gave me must have cost a fortune!” Seeing the diamond earrings and necklace, Youyou suddenly recalled the diamonds sewn onto her gown. “Are these real diamonds, not rhinestones? Don’t try to fool me—I know the difference!”

“My clever Youyou can always tell real diamonds from rhinestones at a glance,” Lu Ming sidestepped her question about the price.

“How much did it cost, really?” she pressed.

“That’s not something you need to worry about,” Lu Ming replied with a soft smile. “Just remember, from now on, what’s mine is yours.”

She was silent. She didn’t care how much money he had; she cared about what his side business was. She only hoped it was nothing outside the bounds of the law.

As the stylist worked on Youyou’s hair, Lu Ming asked, “Are you really not going to do anything about the person who ruined your gown?”

Letting things slide wasn’t like the Lian Youyou he knew.

“Of course not,” Youyou smiled, lips curling. “Just not right now.”

How could she possibly let someone get away with such behavior?

…

That evening, the sixth-floor ballroom of the seven-star Newman International Hotel in Binhai City sparkled under a thousand lights. The upper echelons of society mingled, glasses clinked, and waiters moved gracefully through the crowd. The atmosphere was vibrant and lively.

Guests held their drinks, exchanging greetings, whispering in small groups, or chatting in clusters of two and three.

Lian Youyou and Lu Ming arrived at the hotel entrance in a black stretch Rolls Royce.

As soon as she stepped out, Youyou couldn’t help but shiver. “It’s freezing!”

Lu Ming draped a coat over her shoulders. “It’s the middle of winter—of course it’s cold.”

“Thank you,” Youyou said with a shy smile. “Good thing you brought an extra coat.”

She reached for his arm, but saw him pull it back slightly.

“Youyou, you’re a celebrity now. If we walk in together and someone snaps a photo, there’ll be more gossip about you,” Lu Ming reminded her.

Youyou withdrew her hand, feeling a little disappointed. Being in the public eye meant always worrying, always being exposed.

“But,” Lu Ming’s eyes curved as he flashed a breathtaking smile, “tonight’s a private event—no paparazzi can get in. There’s nothing to worry about!”

“That’s right! You scared me so much just now that I almost forgot.” Youyou breathed a sigh of relief and, without hesitation, took his arm. “Let’s hurry inside—I’m freezing!”

Arm in arm, they entered, a striking couple who immediately drew the attention of many guests.

“I know Lian Youyou, but who’s the man with her? Is he the new artist from Xincheng?”

“Could he be her kept pretty boy? That’s awfully bold.”

“No way—this banquet isn’t open to just anyone. Only prominent figures from every industry are invited.”

Whispers buzzed throughout the hall.

Outside the hotel, Fan Xiaoyun and her parents sat in their car, hesitating to get out.

“Mom, are you sure your eyes are alright?” Fan Xiaoyun asked worriedly. “Maybe you should skip the banquet and see a better doctor.”

Qu Wuyan kept her eyes closed, gently pressing her eyelids to avoid ruining her makeup. “I’m fine, just a bit tired from all the recent events.”

“But you’ve never had eye problems before. How come you can’t see clearly now?” Xiaoyun persisted.

Qu Wuyan was about to reply, but after glancing at Fan Chi with her good eye, she swallowed her words. “Don’t worry about me. I’m really fine. Xiaoyun, didn’t you set up a meeting with the CEO of Haohan tonight? Make the most of the opportunity. Don't let it slip by.”

“You’re right. Let’s get out of the car.”

The three of them, all professional actors, wore various expressions inside the car. But as soon as they stepped out, they appeared the very picture of harmony.

Lian Youyou stood idly in the grand hall, feeling bored as she watched the guests come and go.

She hadn’t been in this era for long and knew only a handful of people in high society. To make matters worse, Lu Ming, who had accompanied her, bumped into an old friend from his doctoral days and went off to catch up, leaving her alone.

Youyou picked up a glass of champagne and took a sip.

It tasted surprisingly good.

With nothing else to do, she decided to amuse herself by drinking glass after glass.

“Youyou, you’re here early,” Richard approached her, his arm linked with that of a beautiful woman.

After greeting the woman politely, Youyou said to Richard, “President Li, did you bring the person I asked you to?”

“I did,” Richard replied, taking a sip of champagne. “Just wait and enjoy the show. I’m going to chat with President Li over there. Have fun.”

Soon after Richard left with his companion, Lu Ming returned.

Youyou said, “This is boring. Let’s go home.”

“Leaving so soon? Don’t you want to meet those directors?” Lu Ming asked in surprise.

Youyou took his hand, her tone soft and pleading. “I don’t like it here. Can we just go?”

Lu Ming didn’t press further and led her toward the exit, when suddenly a cocky voice called out behind them:

“Isn’t this the lovely lady who endorses our Haohan Technology’s ‘Legends of the Martial World’ game? Where are you off to in such a hurry? Aren’t you going to say hello to the chairman of Haohan?”

Fan Xiaoyun, arm in arm with a man, strode toward them with an air of arrogance and superiority.

The man had bronzed skin and sharply defined features, almost as if carved from stone. His striking silver hair was tied back in a short braid, a small earring glinting in one ear. He wore a casual suit with the top three buttons of his black shirt undone, revealing a well-toned chest.

He looked a bit like a foreigner—a rebellious young man, not at all what Youyou had imagined. She’d always pictured the chairman of Haohan as a kindly middle-aged gentleman. The reality was far from her expectations.

And as for Fan Xiaoyun—wasn’t she publicly creating rumors with Fu Yuanye? She’d seemed so interested in him. When did she end up on someone else’s arm?

Full of questions, Youyou still greeted the man politely, “Good evening, Chairman.”