The surroundings fell silent instantly.Mu Beiyin stood in a daze—what did Huo Shiqing just say?
Huo Shiqing swept his cold gaze over the crowd, then lowered his eyes."I told you to wait for me, but you wouldn't listen. Why are you so stubborn?"
Mu Beiyin was stunned. She didn't quite understand. Wasn't it he who refused to bring her here yesterday?
But at that moment, more people were shocked than Mu Beiyin herself. Miss Yang could barely maintain her composure."Mr. Huo, you brought this woman? Do you know that she—"
Mu Beiyin suddenly understood—he was standing up for her.
Seeing Lu Xixue deflated, her eyes rolled slightly. She lowered her head and said aggrievedly,"They said I didn't have an invitation and wouldn't let me in."
Huo Shiqing's fingers paused. Her passive-aggressive complaint meant she was upset.
He lifted his eyes indifferently."No invitation?"
Silence fell again. No one dared speak.
Lu Xixue braced herself,"Brother Shiqing, I was just following the rules. Miss Mu truly didn't have an invitation. If we let anyone barge in, where's the Lu family's dignity?"
Huo Shiqing narrowed his eyes, speaking lazily,"So the one in charge of the Lu family now... is the second Miss Lu?"
Lu Xixue was extremely wronged and couldn't understand his point."Of course not me, but—"
"The second Miss Lu drove away a guest invited by President Lu himself? I thought the head of the Lu family had changed."
A faint, sarcastic smile played on Huo Shiqing's lips."Just like Beiyin, I was verbally invited by President Lu. No formal invitation either. If that's not acceptable, then I won't attend."
Lu Xixue froze instantly.
The crowd was stunned. Mu Beiyin was invited by President Lu? But hadn't Lu Xixue just said she snuck in? Was the second Miss Lu lying?
Mu Beiyin stepped behind Huo Shiqing."Yes, even though we were both invited by President Lu, Miss Lu said the rules couldn't be broken. What's the use of being invited by him?"
Huo Shiqing said no more and turned to leave.
Lu Xixue's pupils widened. She panicked."Brother Shiqing, you can't go! This banquet—"
Bai Ji stepped in to block her path."Miss Lu, please step aside. Our master is a man of principle. Since the host doesn't permit it, we'll take our leave."
"N-no! It's not like that!" Lu Xixue was flustered, biting her lip. If Huo Shiqing really left, how could she explain this?
He's actually choosing that btch over me!*
Lu Xixue was nearly in tears. What else could she do? She could only let Mu Beiyin in.
Suppressing her shame and fury, she clenched her teeth and said word by word,"Brother Shiqing, I was just joking with Miss Mu. I never meant to drive her away. I know she was invited by Dad. She's more than welcome…"
Mu Beiyin raised her brows meaningfully,"So I can go in now? Miss Lu won't mock me again with her little friends, will she?"
Lu Xixue almost exploded but managed to force a smile."You were personally invited by my father. Of course you can enter."
Mu Beiyin arched her brow in satisfaction and strode confidently through the front door.
Lu Xixue nearly went crazy. Her whole body trembled as she glared at those around her."What are you all looking at?!"
She refused to believe Mu Beiyin's luck could last forever!
Seething, Lu Xixue stomped her foot and stormed off to find her mother.
"Mom! She humiliated me! You have to help me!"
Once Madam Lu understood what had happened, her face turned grim."That woman is really ungrateful. Don't worry, Xixue. Even if you can't marry Shiqing, I won't let her off easy!"
"Mom, do you have a plan?"
Madam Lu thought for a moment."Go talk to your grandfather. As for me…"
She whispered a few words into her daughter's ear. Lu Xixue's eyes lit up and she left happily.
What's Mu Beiyin so smug about? She'll be crying soon enough!
…
Mu Beiyin entered the banquet hall with her arm linked through Huo Shiqing's, her eyes scanning the room for the ruby brooch.
Huo Shiqing glanced at her with a subtle smile, a trace of curiosity in his tone."Mrs. Huo is quite bold, crashing the Lu family's banquet like this."
Mu Beiyin shamelessly accepted the compliment."Flattered. Truly."
Huo Shiqing chuckled. When he invited her before, she had clearly refused—so it wasn't the banquet that interested her.
But since last night…
He suddenly recalled—she had received a message, and after reading it, her attitude had completely changed. She insisted on accompanying him.
He spoke meaningfully,"Seems there's something at this banquet that Mrs. Huo finds irresistible—even if it means offending the Lu family."
Mu Beiyin's heart tightened. She wasn't sure what Huo Shiqing had figured out, but pretending to be clueless was always the safest choice.
"What are you talking about, Mr. Huo? It's just a regular banquet. I insisted on coming only because I was worried they'd make things hard for you."
Huo Shiqing raised his brows."So I should be thanking you?"
Mu Beiyin's eyes darted. She still didn't fully understand the relationship between Lu Lingshuang and Huo Shiqing, nor how her mother's ruby brooch ended up in Lu Lingshuang's hands—so she had to play dumb.
"As long as you understand my good intentions. If we're saying 'thank you' now, doesn't that feel too distant?"
Huo Shiqing had long grown used to her flexibility and craftiness. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
"Shiqing, Miss Mu." A woman's voice called from behind.
Madam Lu approached with a group of elegant women and took Mu Beiyin's hand warmly."Beiyin, I heard what happened earlier. Xixue was being childish. Don't worry—I'll teach her a proper lesson."
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned to Huo Shiqing."Oh, right, Shiqing. Father is looking for you. Seems he has something to discuss. Could you head over?"
Huo Shiqing narrowed his eyes slightly.
Mu Beiyin raised her brows. She had a feeling Madam Lu was deliberately trying to separate her and Huo Shiqing.
His tone cooled."Thank you, Madam Lu. Beiyin, come with me."
"Shiqing." Madam Lu smiled apologetically."Father only asked for you. You'd better go alone. We'll take good care of Miss Mu."
Mu Beiyin was now certain—Madam Lu wanted them apart. But for what?
Her eyes flicked, and she suddenly said,"Madam Lu is right. Don't worry about me. The Lu family isn't the kind of place that eats people… right?"
Madam Lu's smile grew stiff."Right, right. Shiqing, there's no need to worry."
Huo Shiqing shot Mu Beiyin a look that was half-amused, half-exasperated. From her eyes, he clearly saw a hint of mischief.
So, he had nothing to worry about.
After Huo Shiqing left, Madam Lu forced a smile in front of the crowd and warmly said,"Miss Mu, you came in such a hurry today—didn't even have time to do your makeup. There's a stylist on the second floor. The banquet won't start for another half hour—why don't you go up and change into a gown?"