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I got home close to midnight.
Lin Ruoyin took off her high heels and stepped barefoot onto the cool, smooth marble floor. A wave of fatigue washed over her from the soles of her feet.
A floor lamp was still lit in the living room. Lu Yan was reclining on the sofa, his brow furrowed as he stared at his phone screen. Hearing footsteps, he looked up, his face appearing somewhat gloomy in the dim light.
"You're back?" He sat up straight and looked at Lin Ruoyin. "I heard about what happened in the design department. Dad called me this afternoon too."
"Mm." Lin Ruoyin responded, draped her coat over her arm, walked to the single sofa next to her, sat down, and rubbed her sore ankles. "The situation has basically stabilized, the emergency plan is being implemented, and internal adjustments are being made."
"How did you manage to stabilize the situation?" Lu Yan pressed, his gaze falling on her face, which betrayed her weariness.
Lin Ruoyin briefly summarized the key points of the subsequent meeting.
Lu Yan's expression softened slightly upon hearing this, but his brows remained furrowed. "Is this guy surnamed Xu never going to stop?"
Lin Ruoyin's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't reply.
Lu Yan composed himself, looked at Lin Ruoyin, and said helplessly, "You've worked hard these past few days. The company is relying on you both inside and outside, and I also have a lot of mess to clean up here. I can't get away to go back and help you for the time being."
Lin Ruoyin glanced at him and gave a soft "hmm" in response.
"By the way, next Friday is your birthday. You've had too many bad things happen lately, so this is a good opportunity to celebrate and get rid of the bad luck. I've already asked my assistant to make the arrangements, so remember to make sure you're free."
Lin Ruoyin frowned slightly. "It's just a birthday, no need to make such a fuss. There's a lot going on at the company right now, a simple meal will do."
“How can that be?” Lu Yan raised his voice, his tone leaving no room for argument. “It’s precisely because there are so many things to do now that we need to handle things properly and make them look impressive! Let those who are laughing at us outside see that our Lu family is doing just fine.”
He spoke in a grand and dignified manner, but Lin Ruoyin could hear the determination in his words. She also knew that once Lu Yan made a decision on something like this, which was all about saving face, it would be difficult to change his mind.
She remained silent for a few seconds, then offered no further objection. She simply said, "You make the arrangements."
Seeing that she had agreed, Lu Yan's smile became more genuine, but at the same time, a fleeting glint of cold light flashed in his eyes.
"I'm a little tired, I'll go upstairs to rest first." Lin Ruoyin stood up and picked up her coat.
"Okay, go to sleep early." Lu Yan replied, his gaze following her back as she disappeared around the corner of the stairs.
He was alone in the living room again. He picked up his phone again, opened his assistant's chat window, and instructed with a hint of satisfaction: "Add Xu Jia's name to the guest list for Mrs. Lu's birthday party."
The Grand Hyatt Hotel's rooftop star lounge.
The enormous arched glass dome offered panoramic views of the city's dazzling lights and deep blue sky, with artificial starlight intertwining and flowing overhead, creating a luxurious, almost dreamlike atmosphere. Elegantly dressed guests mingled, glasses clinked, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of expensive perfumes, champagne, and fresh flowers. City celebrities, business partners, media reporters… almost half of the upper class had been drawn here by Lu Yan's invitation to celebrate the birthday of Lin Ruoyin, the young mistress of the Lu family.
This pomp and circumstance, rather than being a birthday banquet, was more like a meticulously planned public relations extravaganza showcasing the Lu family's strength and solid image. Lu Yan clearly understood this; he needed to send a clear signal to the outside world during this turbulent time: the Lu family remained prosperous, the marital relationship was still harmonious, and all the turmoil was merely a temporary disturbance.
Lin Ruoyin wore an ivory-white satin gown, its minimalist cut perfectly outlining her slender yet powerful figure. The neckline was adorned with tiny diamonds, as if she were draped in starlight. Linked to Lu Yan's arm, a perfectly measured smile graced her face as she moved gracefully among the guests. Her speech was impeccable, her demeanor elegant and impeccable.
She stood side by side with Lu Yan, one bright and capable, the other handsome and dashing. Under the lights and the spotlight, they appeared to be an impeccable couple from a wealthy family, successfully silencing many speculations about instability within the Lu family and a strained relationship between the couple.
"Mrs. Lu, happy birthday! May you stay beautiful forever. And may Mr. Lu and Mrs. Lu always be so loving and sweet." The CEO of a certain group raised his glass in celebration.
"Thank you, Mr. Wang." Lu Yan placed his hand on Lin Ruoyin's waist and pulled her closer to his chest.
Lin Ruoyin's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, but Lu Yan didn't seem to notice. His gaze casually swept over the entrance, as if he were confirming something with an expectant look.
Just then, a slight commotion arose at the entrance, accompanied by a few low murmurs of discussion.
Lin Ruoyin subconsciously looked up.
Xu Jia walked in wearing a perfectly tailored black suit, with Zhou Hui beside him.
His appearance instantly drew everyone's attention. Not only because he was the founder of the recently popular Mocore, but also because everyone knew that this young founder of an emerging industry had an ambiguous and tense relationship with the Lu family.
Lu Yan's smile deepened, and a cold yet excited flame ignited in his eyes.
Xu Jia walked unhurriedly through the crowd that automatically made way for him, his gaze calmly sweeping across the entire scene, and finally, inevitably, it landed on Lin Ruoyin, who was being tightly embraced by Lu Yan.
His eyes were deep and unreadable, but when they swept over Lu Yan's hand on her waist, they paused for a half-second. Lin Ruoyin felt her breath catch for a moment, as if she had been burned by his gaze.
Lu Yan's arm didn't loosen; instead, it tightened even more, almost forcibly bringing Lin Ruoyin in front of Xu Jia. He could feel the stiffness of her body under his palm, which made the flame of his desire to win and perform burn even brighter.
He stopped in front of Xu Jia, his face still bearing that confident social smile, but his eyes held a blatant scrutiny that belonged to the owner and a hint of barely perceptible provocation.
"Mr. Xu, it's an honor to have you here. My wife certainly has a lot of influence."
Lu Yan pronounced the words "my wife" with exceptional clarity.
He turned his head, his gaze deliberately tenderly falling on Lin Ruoyin's face, which stiffened even more instantly. He could even feel her breath catch slightly. His tone was theatrical, a boastful indulgence: "Ruoyin, look how thoughtful President Xu is, coming all the way to celebrate your birthday."
Lin Ruoyin's body stiffened like a stone in his arms.
Xu Jia's appearance caught her completely off guard.
Was Lu Yan doing this on purpose?
An anger and embarrassment welled up inside him, but he had to suppress them under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Lu Yan had no time to care about Lin Ruoyin's inner turmoil. He held Lin Ruoyin in his arms and met Xu Jia's unfathomable eyes, like a king guarding a precious trophy, demonstrating his sovereignty and power to a neighboring country that clearly had ulterior motives.
Look closely, it's Xu Jia.
Whom is she standing next to now, and in what capacity?
The air was tense.
Lin Ruoyin could feel Xu Jia's gaze, cold and penetrating. It first landed on Lu Yan's hand, paused, and then slowly moved to her face, calm but carrying a cold anger.
Then, a faint, emotionless smile appeared on his lips.
"Mr. Lu, you're too kind. Mrs. Lu and I are old acquaintances. I've heard that things haven't been going well at Lu's recently." Xu Jia's expression was slightly sarcastic. "There's no one capable of handling things internally. Mrs. Lu must be having a hard time all by herself. It's only right that I come to check on her."
Lu Yan's smile froze, and the muscles in his arm holding Lin Ruoyin tensed.
The atmosphere became tense.
"Mr. Xu is too kind." Lu Yan barely maintained his composure, but his tone was already cold and hard. "Don't bother with Lu's business. I will take good care of my wife."
He then pulled Lin Ruoyin closer to his side and turned towards the other guests.
"Please make yourself at home, Mr. Xu, and have a good time. Ruoyin, Chairman Wang and General Manager Li have arrived. Let's go say hello."
He stopped looking at Xu Jia, put his arm around Lin Ruoyin, and led her away.
Lin Ruoyin, who was taken away, remained solemn throughout and did not turn back.
The guests arrived one after another.
During this time, Lu Yan, with Lin Ruoyin by his side, moved among several board members and family elders, smiling obsequiously and speaking respectfully, playing the roles of "Lu's future heir" and "considerate husband" flawlessly. Lin Ruoyin cooperated with him, but remained completely uncomfortable.
She could feel the gaze on her back, ever-present, heavy on her spine. Xu Jia neither left nor approached again; he simply stood at a distance, holding a glass of champagne, quietly watching the performance.
The emcee announced at just the right moment that the banquet was about to begin and invited all distinguished guests to take their seats. A soothing overture was played by the live band.
Lu Yan, holding Lin Ruoyin's hand, walked towards the main table amidst countless gazes.
Whether this was intentional on Lu Yan's part or not, Xu Jia was arranged to sit diagonally opposite the main table. His view was superb, allowing him to clearly see everything happening on the stage and at the main table.
Lin Ruoyin sat down in the chair that Lu Yan had pulled out for her, her gaze casually falling on the tableware on the table, deliberately ignoring the very strong gaze coming from diagonally opposite her.
The dinner proceeded amidst exquisite dishes and superficial conversation.
During the event, the emcee took to the stage again and announced in a warm voice: "Distinguished guests, next, let us invite Mr. Lu Yan to present our beautiful birthday celebrant, Ms. Lin Ruoyin, with his carefully prepared birthday wishes and gifts!"
Thunderous applause erupted, mixed with good-natured cheers and expectant glances. All cameras and all eyes instantly focused on the scene.
Lu Yan calmly stood up, straightened his suit jacket, and wore a smug smile. He turned to the side and extended his hand to Lin Ruoyin. The spotlight shone on him, making his handsome face and expensive suit dazzling. Lin Ruoyin looked at his hand, hesitated for a long time, and finally placed her fingertips into his palm.
Lu Yan's palm was clenched tightly.
He led her step by step toward the small stage in front of the banquet hall. Flashbulbs went off wildly, capturing this "affectionate" moment.
Standing before the microphone, Lu Yan still held Lin Ruoyin's hand in one hand and gently put his other arm around her shoulder, his posture intimate and possessive. Lin Ruoyin stood stiffly beside him, her face maintaining a standard smile, but her eyes were empty and calm.
Lu Yan cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping across the audience, lingering almost imperceptibly on Xu Jia's side for a moment.
"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to come and celebrate my wife Ruoyin's birthday tonight." He began, his usual playboy tone now tinged with deeper emotion. "These past few days have been hectic with company affairs and a lot of gossip. But I know that no matter what happens, Ruoyin has always stood by my side, silently supporting me and our family with her wisdom and resilience."
He turned his head to look at Lin Ruoyin, his eyes so tender they could melt water, his fingertips even lightly brushing a non-existent stray hair from her cheek. "Ruoyin, thank you for your hard work. Today, I don't want to say too many formalities, I just want to tell you, and everyone here—"
He paused, then raised his voice, with a declarative force, "You are the most important pillar in my life, and the most cherished partner. Marrying you is my greatest fortune."
As he finished speaking, he released her arm and took a dark blue velvet gift box from the waiter. The moment the box was opened, a murmur of astonishment rippled through the room.
It was an extremely rare antique alexandrite necklace, which immediately drew hushed gasps from the connoisseurs. The centerpiece was a perfectly oval-cut alexandrite weighing over thirty carats, its legendary quality being its ability to change color with the light. At this moment, under the warm golden light of the banquet hall, it presented a noble and gentle honey-gold color, with a soft luster, and at first glance, it even gave the serene illusion of an old moonstone.
However, as Lu Yan smiled and deliberately adjusted the display angle, the gemstone suddenly transformed before Lin Ruoyin's eyes, turning into a rich, intense raspberry red—pure, domineering, and instantly captivating everyone's attention. Set within it was a platinum setting crafted by the most renowned Victorian artisans using filigree and openwork techniques. The fine, hair-like platinum was intertwined into an intricate pattern of thorns and roses, densely set with over two hundred old-cut diamonds. In the instant the gemstone changed color, all the diamonds seemed to ignite, bursting forth with dazzling starlight.
This is more than just a gemstone; it's a museum-quality piece of jewelry art. Its value lies not only in the unpredictable and unique main stone, but also in its irreplaceable craftsmanship and historical significance. It silently proclaims the Lu family's profound collecting heritage and still substantial wealth.
Amidst the undisguised gasps of amazement and envy in the room, Lu Yan's smile deepened. He turned and, with elegant and deliberate movements, wrapped the necklace around Lin Ruoyin's slender neck. The cool metal and gemstones pressed against her skin, their weight emanating not only from the physical contact but also from the wealth and gaze they represented.
He carefully fastened the concealed clasp, his fingertips lingering on the back of her neck. Then, he gently placed his hands on her shoulders, turning her slightly towards more guests and cameras, ensuring that the legendary gemstone resting below her collarbone, rising and falling slightly with her breath, and she herself, were both in optimal display condition.
He gazed at her with deep affection, his voice, clear and full of emotion, reaching everyone through the microphone: "Ruoyin, this gem is like you, warm and embracing in its quiet moments, yet possessing an unparalleled brilliance and power beneath its light. Only you are worthy of its uniqueness." With that, he lowered his head and placed a solemn yet tender kiss on her smooth forehead.
Lin Ruoyin: "..."
The applause and cheers reached their peak instantly.
Xu Jia remained seated.
The chilling sarcasm from before vanished, leaving only a deep, still silence on his face. His gaze pierced through the bustling crowd and the blinding light, locking onto her without any hesitation.
Those eyes contained everything that had been crushed, frozen, and swallowed by darkness.
Lu Yan straightened up, looking around the room with a smug expression, enjoying the moment surrounded by envy and compliments. His gaze swept over Xu Jia's seemingly calm face, and his heart was quickly overwhelmed by a surge of victory.
Just as the applause was still lingering, Lu Yan put his arm around Lin Ruoyin's shoulder, preparing to turn around and walk off the stage.
Xu Jia, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up without warning.
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