Chapter 18: Preparing for the Birthday Banquet

For nearly a week, Ning Lu had been resting in her room, barely stepping outside. Every day, Sister Yu brought her brown sugar water and occasionally checked in on her. In the otherwise cold atmosphere of the Lu family estate, Sister Yu's kindness brought Ning Lu a touch of warmth, for which she was deeply grateful.

At eight in the morning, after waking and freshening up, Ning Lu prepared to go downstairs. Just as she opened the door, Sister Yu arrived with breakfast.

“Where are you headed?” Sister Yu’s face brightened with a hint of joy.

“I’m planning to have breakfast downstairs. It’s been days since I last saw Uncle Feng,” Ning Lu replied with a smile.

“That’s good timing. Master has been very busy these past few days, but he’s free now and having breakfast at home,” Sister Yu said, trailing just behind Ning Lu, a faint smile playing at her lips.

“What’s he been busy with?” Ning Lu asked, puzzled. Since their last meeting, Lu Yanfeng had been so occupied that he hadn’t been seen, though he had instructed Sister Yu to look after Ning Lu’s diet and encourage her to rest.

“Don’t you know?” Sister Yu’s words made Ning Lu pause.

“Know what?” Ning Lu frowned, worried she might have missed something important.

“Master’s birthday is coming up. The entire Lu family has been busy preparing for his birthday banquet.”

Hearing this, surprise flickered across Ning Lu’s face.

“When is it?” she asked softly.

“Next weekend,” Sister Yu smiled, “Each year, Master’s birthday banquet invites many important guests and is even more grand than the annual gala.”

Ning Lu suddenly felt a wave of nervousness. She hadn’t forgotten the last banquet, and if she had to face guests again, she knew it wouldn’t be so easy this time.

“I just found out...” Ning Lu muttered quietly.

“You’ve been resting in your room these past few days because you weren’t feeling well. Master will definitely invite you,” Sister Yu added thoughtfully, sensing Ning Lu might misunderstand.

Ning Lu said no more but a question began to form in her mind. Such a lavish birthday banquet would surely draw many guests, all bringing gifts for Lu Yanfeng. For a man who seemed to lack nothing, the thought of choosing a gift troubled Ning Lu. Something too cheap would surely be looked down upon; something too extravagant was beyond her means.

She exhaled softly, already tangled in indecision over what to give.

As she crossed the corridor into the dining room, voices drifted to her ears.

The dining room was bustling. Ning Lu spotted Lu Yanfeng immediately. Not only was he there, but Lu Hongyu and his wife Lu Sui were also present. They seemed to be chatting merrily until Lu Yanfeng noticed Ning Lu and his laughter ceased.

“What are you doing here?” Lu Yanfeng’s expression softened. “Feeling better?”

“Much better. I thought it was time to get out—haven’t left the house for days—and came down for breakfast,” Ning Lu replied with a gentle smile, taking the empty seat beside Lu Hongyu.

Lu Sui and Yiwei exchanged glances, their eyes sharpening with a trace of wariness toward Ning Lu. Only Lu Hongyu remained calm, as if oblivious to her presence, sipping coffee and nibbling on a sandwich.

“Today we have your favorite—soup dumplings,” Lu Yanfeng said, glancing at the butler and giving a subtle nod.

“That’s wonderful!” Ning Lu smiled brightly. “Thank you, Uncle Feng.”

Lu Sui’s chest burned with an unspoken resentment as she watched Lu Yanfeng and Ning Lu laugh together. Sitting next to her, Yiwei’s expression was cold as she scrutinized the noticeably different way Lu Yanfeng treated Ning Lu.

“Dad, you even specially hired a soup dumpling chef?” Lu Sui said, displeased. She found it odd that the household had brought in a chef just for dumplings, only to realize it was all for Ning Lu.

Seeing Lu Sui about to lose her temper, Yiwei quickly pressed down on her hand beneath the table.

“Did you forget that last month you said you wanted soup dumplings? Dad even hired someone to make them for you then,” Yiwei smoothly defused the tension, preventing a father-son quarrel.

Lu Sui tried to deny it but was promptly silenced by a pinch from Yiwei.

“Right, I guess so. I should thank Dad then,” Lu Sui quickly backtracked, smiling as she thanked Lu Yanfeng.

Lu Yanfeng raised an eyebrow but neither confirmed nor denied, his gaze resting on Ning Lu.

“If you’re not feeling well, you can always call the family doctor,” Lu Yanfeng said quietly.

“She’s not that fragile...” Lu Hongyu suddenly interjected.

“That’s Dad’s affection for Ning Lu. You, a big brute, wouldn’t understand love and romance—you’re just a lonely dog!” Lu Sui shot back bluntly, mocking Lu Hongyu’s single status.

Lu Hongyu’s face darkened. He lifted his head to glare coldly at Lu Sui.

“Ning Lu is still young. It’s normal for Dad to care about her more,” Yiwei chimed in, supporting Lu Yanfeng with her words.

“You’re too noisy,” Lu Yanfeng said with a look of disdain. “If there’s nothing important, get to work.”

Lu Yanfeng wanted to say more to Ning Lu, but their bickering distracted him.

The louder they argued, the more he wished for quiet, hoping for a few words alone with Ning Lu.

“Dad, you’re playing favorites!” Lu Sui sneered.

Lu Hongyu stood slowly, picking up on Lu Yanfeng’s hint.

“True enough. It’s about time to get to work, or else you’ll end up like some idle people who never show their faces...” Lu Hongyu said, deliberately looking at Lu Sui, mocking him.

“You...” Lu Sui started to retort, but Yiwei squeezed his thigh.

Seeing Lu Hongyu’s displeasure, Yiwei maintained her smile.

“Dad, I forgot to tell you, Lu Sui has been busy organizing your birthday banquet. He’s been out early and late every day to oversee the venue. Last night, he didn’t get home until after 3 a.m.”

Yiwei’s words caught Lu Yanfeng’s attention. He turned to look at Lu Sui.

“Really?” Lu Yanfeng asked, and Lu Sui nodded vigorously.

“Of course. We agreed it had to be a proper event. You think I’m joking?” Lu Sui muttered, clearly annoyed.

“That’s enough. The birthday is the same every year,” Lu Yanfeng said softly. “Don’t overwork yourself.”

Watching their back-and-forth, Ning Lu sensed the discord between Lu Sui and Lu Hongyu. As for Yiwei, she was clearly a shrewd woman. The last time she had confronted Ning Lu alone, she had even threatened her with leverage.

Ning Lu had thought Yiwei was merely playing a tactic, but it turned out she was a cunning woman who always cleaned up Lu Sui’s messes.

“By the way, Ning Lu, you must come that day,” Lu Yanfeng said with a smile, turning to her.

“If she’s unwell, she shouldn’t come...” Lu Sui quickly interrupted, trying to prevent Ning Lu’s attendance.

“Come! The more, the merrier!” Yiwei gave Lu Sui a sharp look.

“All right, Uncle Feng’s birthday banquet—I’ll definitely be there,” Ning Lu replied graciously.

Lu Hongyu glanced sideways at Ning Lu. Their eyes met briefly for two seconds before he quickly looked away.

“Just don’t make a fool of yourself,” he called out, then strode out of the dining room.