Chapter 8: Unfavored

Ning Lu changed into her outfit and stood before the full-length mirror, her mind drifting as scenes from the banquet played over and over in her head. Tonight, many eyes were on her—a level of attention she had never experienced before. To say she wasn’t nervous would be a lie.

If she could win Lu Yanfeng’s trust, she would succeed.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Miss Ning, are you ready?” The bodyguard’s voice was calm as he urged her from the doorway.

“Coming!” Ning Lu adjusted her skirt and lifted it slightly as she stepped out.

The moment the door opened, she noticed the lounge door across the hall swing open. A man emerged and deliberately glanced at her.

“Young Master!” the bodyguard greeted him with utmost respect.

Lu Hongyu gave no reply. He withdrew his gaze and walked away, as if Ning Lu was a stranger.

Beneath it all, unspoken emotions surged between them. Just twenty minutes ago, they had shared intimate moments; now, they turned away as if strangers.

Ning Lu could clearly feel Lu Hongyu’s disdain toward her, and she was at a loss for words.

“Let’s go,” the bodyguard softly reminded when he saw Ning Lu lost in thought.

She followed behind him, passing down the corridor and returning to the bustling banquet hall.

The room buzzed with lively discussions about the collectibles auctioned off in the first round.

The light casually caught Ning Lu as she walked by, clad in a black, spaghetti-strapped evening gown that revealed a graceful collarbone, drawing the attention of many present.

“Isn’t that the latest design by the top luxury designer? I heard it hasn’t even hit the market yet!”

“Yes, there’s only one in the world, and it actually looks good on her.”

“Hmph, she’s just a fox-faced temptress; whatever she wears is meant to send signals that she’s available.”

“Quiet down, or Old Lu will get angry if he hears you.”

...

Step by step, Ning Lu moved deeper into the crowd, ignoring the murmurs around her and striving to maintain a calm facade.

Half a minute later, she reached Lu Yanfeng’s side, a faint smile curving her lips.

“Ready?” Lu Yanfeng’s eyes lit up when he saw her attire.

Compared to the lighter dresses she usually wore, the black evening gown she had hastily chosen carried a distinct allure.

“Yes, do you like it?” Ning Lu asked tentatively.

“You look good in anything,” Lu Yanfeng chuckled softly, as if coaxing a child.

Taking his words as sincere praise, Ning Lu’s smile deepened with satisfaction.

---

Their light conversation stirred much speculation about their relationship; many wished to approach and ask, but none dared to offend the Lu family.

In a shadowed corner, a man sipped whiskey, his gaze scanning the crowd’s focal points with a flicker of coldness.

Lu Hongyu watched Ning Lu fawning over his father and nearly laughed aloud. The old man truly knew how to play his games—bringing in such a greenhorn was quite entertaining.

“Young Master, the elder requests your presence,” the bodyguard whispered to Lu Hongyu.

“Does he need me when he’s got company?” Lu Hongyu replied with a sharp edge.

“He said General Ding Wei’an is here and wants to have a word with you,” the bodyguard persisted cautiously, fearing a reprimand.

General Ding was about the same age as Lu Yanfeng and held a particular fondness for Lu Hongyu, hoping to forge a familial alliance with the Lu family.

If not for General Ding’s daughter’s disinterest, Ding had even hoped Lu Hongyu would become his son-in-law.

Even after two years of marriage, Ding still regarded Lu Hongyu highly.

Lu Hongyu approached from afar, seeing Ding and Lu Yanfeng chatting happily, arms draped around each other’s backs, laughing and speaking with ease.

“Look, Hongyu’s here!” Ding waved him over.

The woman who had been lost in thought suddenly snapped to attention, meeting Lu Hongyu’s deep, intense gaze.

Lu Hongyu turned a cold face toward Ning Lu before shifting his eyes to General Ding, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

“Uncle Ding,” he greeted coolly.

“I told you Hongyu’s great. Didn’t you hear he just secured a ten-billion-dollar deal recently?” Ding beamed, proud as if Hongyu were his own son.

“If you praise him too much, he’ll just get conceited,” Lu Yanfeng shook his head.

“Conceited? Well, he has every right to be. When I was twenty-two, I was still stuck with a job that paid a thousand a month,” Ding said, his hand resting on Lu Hongyu’s shoulder, his smile deepening.

“It’s only impressive when you get a twenty-billion deal,” Lu Yanfeng’s voice was neutral but sharp, silently pressuring his eldest son.

Ning Lu listened to their exchanges and sensed something was amiss.

Servants had often mentioned Lu Hongyu’s strong work ethic, which was why Lu Yanfeng entrusted him with major projects.

But now, in the presence of an old friend, Lu Yanfeng’s tone toward Lu Hongyu was more disciplinarian than complimentary.

“Yeah, Hongyu’s doing well, especially compared to the second young master...” Ding cleared his throat, leaving the rest unsaid but understood by all.

From childhood to now, Lu Hongyu, as the eldest son, often faced comparisons, especially with Lu Sui, who was only two years younger. Everything the brothers did was scrutinized side by side.

“Uncle Ding, I’m truly happy you think so highly of me,” Lu Hongyu smiled, “Let’s not dwell on unhappy things.”

“Right, today is for happiness!” Ding chimed in.

As they chatted, Ning Lu observed discreetly, recalling Lu Hongyu’s attitude toward her.

He insisted she was a stepmother and seemed to resent Lu Yanfeng seeking a new partner.

A vague unease settled in her chest; she feared choosing the wrong side within the Lu family.

In a dim corner, a woman holding a wine glass approached where someone was smoking.

“What are you doing here?” Ivy asked softly.

“They look more like a real family,” Lu Sui said with dissatisfaction.

Following Lu Sui’s gaze, Ivy saw Lu Yanfeng and the others talking and laughing, the scene glaringly intimate.

“You know...” Ivy began slowly, “everything in the Lu family should belong to you.”

“Who does Lu Hongyu think he is?” Lu Sui said coldly.

“Exactly. How much has he taken that should have been yours over the years? Are you going to sit here and feel sorry for yourself?”

Ivy’s hand covered Lu Sui’s, each word deliberate.

Lu Sui’s expression darkened, well aware of what Lu Hongyu had done to him.

“Lu Sui, if you don’t act soon, we’ll just have to watch Lu Hongyu succeed.”

Ivy patted Lu Sui’s back gently, signaling it was time to take action.