Chapter 021
To get rid of Wang Zhongzhao and Wang Xiuyi as soon as possible, Liao Wanru called Mrs. Ming, He Xuan, right in front of the father and daughter, bluntly requesting an additional invitation without any subtlety.
He Xuan’s Mandarin was not very good, so directness was best.
“No problem, I’ll have it delivered to you shortly,” He Xuan readily agreed. She didn’t care who might show up with one more invitation issued, and simply reminded Liao Wanru, “You two, along with Mingzhu, must arrive on time tonight.”
Liao Wanru smiled gently. “Rest assured, Mrs. Ming. We shall see you this evening.”
She knew that the person they most wanted to invite was Lu Mingzhu.
Half an hour after hanging up the phone, someone sent by He Xuan delivered an invitation.
The Wang family lived on Sassoon Road in Pok Fu Lam, while the Ming family resided on Austin Road at Victoria Peak. Although one household was uphill and the other downhill, both were located within Hong Kong Island’s affluent district, very close to each other.
The two families have a partnership, making their usual interactions very convenient.
In fact, the grand mansion that Wang Xingcai purchased for Wang Zhongzhao and his wife was not far from here. The original intention was for the four brothers to watch out for one another. However, since the second brother’s house was jointly owned by Wang Zhongzhao and Zhen Zhen, even though Zhen Zhen was not in Hong Kong, Mo Shuxian refused to set foot inside. Consequently, she forced Wang Zhongzhao to spend several hundred thousand to buy a Western-style villa in another location.
Upon opening the invitation and seeing that she was indeed the invitee, Wang Zhongzhao took his leave with a beaming smile.
As he reached the main gate of the principal house and was about to step over the threshold, Wang Xiuyi turned back to glance at Lu Mingzhu. A hint of triumph flickered in her eyes; then, holding her head high and chest out, she followed Wang Zhongzhao away, her steps light and brisk.
Lu Mingzhu blinked. “Why is she looking at me like that? I haven’t offended her.”
While carefully soothing her mother-in-law, who was so enraged by Wang Zhongzhao that her chest tightened and she felt like spitting blood, Liao Wanru casually remarked, “From what I understand, the mere fact that you’re more beautiful than her is offense enough.”
At a loss for words, Lu Mingzhu retorted, “Half the people in the world are more beautiful than her. Does she have the capacity to be jealous of them all?”
She finally understood the source of Wang Xiuyi’s smugness.
She probably thought she wasn’t qualified to attend the Ming family’s evening banquet, while I could.
It’s utterly absurd!
How could a legitimate daughter of the prestigious Lu family be considered inferior to someone born of a mistress?
In Shanghai, no matter how hard Wang Xiuyi worked, she could never break into my social circle, even though she was close friends with Lu Feifei, the seventh daughter of the Lu family.
As a result, Lu Mingzhu lost all interest in trying on more clothes or jewelry; instead, like Liao Wanru, she offered comforting words to Mrs. Wang, keeping her company with cheerful conversation and games of mahjong.
With one player short, they invited Zhao Ma, Mrs. Wang’s former maid from her dowry who now served as the Wang family’s housekeeper in Hong Kong.
While deliberately feeding winning tiles to Mrs. Wang, Lu Mingzhu still managed to win several dozen dollars more.
My luck is just too good; there’s nothing I can do about it.
We played until dusk, when the golden sun dipped below the western horizon.
Liao Wanru glanced up at the wall clock, pushed away the mahjong tiles before her, and said, “Let’s stop playing; time is running short. Mingzhu, let’s quickly change and do our makeup. Your eldest brother will be back at six to pick me up so we can head out together.”
The Ming family dinner was scheduled to begin at seven o’clock.
Xie Junyao arrived twenty minutes earlier than Wang Bohui, still presenting Lu Mingzhu with a bouquet of flowers.
Today, however, they were not red roses but white lilies; the pure lilies, paired with roses and balloon flowers, created an elegantly mixed arrangement.
Lu Mingzhu immediately asked the maid to fetch an exquisite vase, fill it with water, arrange the flowers inside, carry them to her room, and place them on her desk before heading out together with Xie Junyao.
This early departure stemmed from Xie Junyao’s suggestion: “We are the youngest; let’s arrive a bit earlier.”
Lu Mingzhu wholeheartedly agreed.
At any banquet, the prominent figures always make their grand entrance last.
When they departed from the Wang residence, Wang Bohui and Ping’an had not yet returned.
The car ascended the hill, following Austin Road to the Lu family home, where it stopped before the gate of a white Western-style villa.
Bright floodlights illuminated the entrance, turning night into day.
Before Lu Mingzhu could retrieve the invitation from her handbag, He Xuan and a middle-aged man had already come out personally to welcome her and Xie Junyao, likely having dispatched someone to monitor the road conditions and thus learned of their arrival time in advance.
“Good evening, Ms. He,” Lu Mingzhu said, deliberately avoiding addressing her as “Mrs. Ming.”
In her view, He Xuan was first and foremost herself, secondly the daughter of He Yun, and only thirdly the wife of Ming Hui.
He Xuan immediately broke into a radiant smile. “Mingzhu, welcome to my home for the first time.”
Seeing that the pearl necklace around Lu Mingzhu’s neck and the white pearl earrings at her ears were both gifts from her own father, paired with a pomegranate-red satin qipao adorned with subtle patterns, her skin as fair as snow, radiating brilliance yet tempered with gentleness, elegant and graceful, while the white leather handbag she held was a gift from herself, He Xuan felt deeply contented, her smile softening the harshness of her features.
In just a few short days, she had profoundly sensed the security and steadiness that came from having her father still alive.
Her husband, once notoriously flirtatious, no longer stayed out all night; invitations to grand banquets from prestigious families flew toward her like snowflakes, and countless people sought ways to meet her father, thereby extending their flattery to her, his daughter.
All thanks to Lu Mingzhu!
A life-saving grace can never be repaid.
He Xuan’s gaze upon her grew ever gentler.
“A-Xuan, won’t you make introductions? I’m not referring to Mr. Xie; he is an acquaintance. I mean this elegant and noble young lady.” As his eyes turned to Lu Mingzhu, the middle-aged man could not help but reveal a look of stunned admiration, making no attempt to conceal it. Yet his voice remained warm and smooth, like clear spring water striking fine jade, so pleasing to the ear that it aroused no displeasure whatsoever.
He Xuan offered a faint smile. “She is my father’s savior. Mingzhu, this is my husband, Minghui.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Ming.” Upon seeing Ming Hui’s appearance, Lu Mingzhu smiled instinctively.
She finally understood why He Xuan hadn’t kicked Ming Hui out.
This man was utterly breathtaking!
A handsome man no less striking than Xie Junyao, yet with a style entirely different from his.
Did the turbulent era a century ago produce an abundance of beauties?
Each one possessed such extraordinary charm and beauty that later generations could never hope to compare.
The man before us was simply somewhat advanced in years.
He appeared to be around forty years old, with eyebrows slanting gracefully toward his temples, phoenix eyes brimming with affection, and thin lips curved in an ambiguous smile. His face was unsurpassed in beauty, his figure tall and upright, his bearing effortlessly charming. A mature allure capable of captivating the masses lingered in the corners of his brows and eyes, so striking that even the moon shyly hid behind the clouds, too embarrassed to show itself.
Rarely did he smile without a trace of greasiness. “Miss Mingzhu, an honor to meet you, truly an honor.”
“Well, now that everyone’s acquainted, Mingzhu, please come in. My father is waiting for you upstairs. You and Mr. Xie can go up for some tea and come down when the dinner begins, so no one disturbs your peace,” He Xuan said.
Minghui quickly chimed in, “Yes, yes, Miss Mingzhu, please come inside. My father-in-law will surely be delighted to see you.”
The couple’s demeanor drew the attention of many who had arrived early or stepped out of their cars just after them; all eyes turned toward Lu Mingzhu, a strikingly beautiful stranger, filled with contemplation.
Xie Junyao is a familiar face; everyone knows him.
And that young lady?
Who is she?
Judging by her appearance, demeanor, and attire, she is no ordinary person.
Has another prominent family arrived in Hong Kong?
Among the guests arriving before and after, there was no one Lu Mingzhu had known from her previous life in Shanghai. She paid no heed to their scrutinizing glances. Xie Junyao, however, recognized a few acquaintances, occasionally nodding in greeting. Together with Lu Mingzhu, he followed Mr. and Mrs. He Xuan through a winding path shaded by flowers and trees, entering the Western-style villa.
Inside, the decor was magnificent; every piece of valuable furniture was positioned to perfection.
The living room was vast, opening directly onto the dining hall and ballroom on either side. Beneath the opulent crystal chandelier, numerous guests were already exchanging pleasantries, while a
Dressed in exquisite attire and speaking in soft tones, they exuded an air of wealth and refinement.
It was evident that all were prominent figures in Hong Kong.
He Xuan whispered quietly, “My father does not care for lively gatherings.”
Lu Mingzhu pressed her lips together with a smile, revealing a hint of puzzlement. “If Mr. He dislikes such festivities, why did you host this banquet?”
He Xuan smiled. “This is a welcome banquet. My father has come to Hong Kong; it’s impossible for him to avoid everyone. Might as well take this opportunity to make an appearance, so that certain people with eyes but no recognition don’t mistake Mount Tai for a mere hill. As you know, Hong Kong’s wealthy hail from all over the world; inevitably, there are a few who, unaware of their own limitations, behave recklessly just because they have some money.”
Lu Mingzhu agreed inwardly but said nothing aloud.
She always wore makeup when going out alone or with only Lu Ping’an, fearing trouble, as the aunt and nephew were truly isolated and vulnerable in Hong Kong.
The wealthier one is, the more cautious one must be; kidnapped tycoons are far from few.
As they ascended the stairs, He Xuan suddenly asked, “Mingzhu, I heard you bought a small villa on Peak Road?”
“Your sources are remarkably well-informed,” Lu Mingzhu remarked with genuine admiration.
It’s not that my sources are so good,” He Xuan replied. “My father had someone purchase a plot of land on the Peak years ago; it took several years to complete construction, and we only moved in two days ago. When the housekeeper introduced the neighbors, your name came up. Was the previous owner William?
Lu Mingzhu nodded. “Yes, it’s him. He’ll be moving out in a while, and then I’ll move in.”
“It’s quite close; we should visit each other often! My place is also near your new home.” He Xuan led her and Xie Junyao up to the third floor. Minghui did not follow, staying downstairs to greet the newly arrived guests.
Lu Mingzhu and Xie Junyao looked up to see He Yun leaning over the railing with both hands, gazing down below.
He wore a simple light-gray Tang suit made of cotton and linen—ordinary yet casual and comfortable. A string of agarwood prayer beads hung from his left wrist. His brows and eyes were calm, his demeanor refined and scholarly. In both appearance and presence, he far surpassed his son-in-law Minghui, who was currently mingling with everyone downstairs.
He possesses an aura that inspires trust.
Lu Mingzhu attributes this to the mellowing of time, something no young person could match.
Hearing footsteps, He Yun turned his head toward the staircase, a faint smile gracing his lips. His gaze was gentle, his speech slow and deliberate, spoken in Mandarin: “Miss Lu, we meet again.”
Lu Mingzhu offered a respectful greeting, then said, “Mr. He, please just call me by my name.”
This person is a golden lifeline; I must hold on tight.
Whether in ancient or modern times, encountering a benefactor who offers guidance can save one from many detours, surpassing what countless ordinary people achieve through a lifetime of hard struggle.
Lu Mingzhu felt this deeply.
Had she not met Grandma Lin and her husband, as well as Grandma Zhang and her daughter, neither she nor her mother would have enjoyed the happy life that followed, nor would they have had the opportunity to connect with more benefactors and develop their careers.
He Yun grew even more amiable and quickly corrected himself, “Very well, I shall call you Mingzhu. And please, do not keep addressing me as ‘Mr. He.’ Having dealt with your honorable father, and being a few years his senior, I believe I am worthy of being called ‘Uncle’ by you.”
“Uncle He,” Lu Mingzhu, adept at climbing up the ladder, then addressed He Xuan as well: “Sister Xuan.”
He Xuan responded with exceptional crispness, “Good sister!”
“It’s too lively downstairs; you go attend to the guests first. We’ll head down after finishing our tea,” He Yun instructed his daughter.
He Xuan obediently left.
He Yun invited them inside and personally brewed tea.
This time, he did not overlook Xie Junyao; instead, he warmly urged him to drink, saying, “I heard your joint venture has secured several plots of land in succession. Does this mean you are very optimistic about the future of the real estate market?”
Xie Junyao and Lu Mingzhu exchanged a smile before replying, “Yes.”
Lu Mingzhu stated with certainty, “The war in the Northeast will not last long, at most two years. Hong Kong, with its superior geographical position serving as a gateway connecting the mainland to the international community, will see a substantial economic boom.”
“Most officials and wealthy merchants are evacuating now,” He Yun pointed out the most obvious fact.
Lu Mingzhu smiled. “But you came!”
If he did not believe in Hong Kong’s development, why would he have come here?
He Yun also smiled. “You are very clever.”
Lu Mingzhu, however, shook her head. “I am not clever at all.”
She was merely standing on the shoulders of giants, viewing the historical developments she had studied.
She was just an ordinary girl who loved beautiful clothes, exquisite jewelry, delicious food, and traveling around. She had seen neither too much nor too little of the world, and her intelligence was neither high nor low. Despite having such a superior learning environment before her transmigration and holding a Shanghai hukou to take the gaokao in Shanghai, she still failed to get into a top-tier university.
Lu Mingzhu particularly admired sharp, capable, and domineering career women; unfortunately, she was not one of them. Lacking any business acumen, she could only rely on foreknowledge or clumsy methods to earn a modest but secure income.
He Yun did not think so.
In his view, Lu Mingzhu was lucid and clear-minded, living with openness, magnanimity, and self-assurance. Unlike many women of the time who were constrained, meek, and overly deferential, she always exuded an air of carefree elegance—confident and spirited, like sunlight that was everywhere, warm and inviting.
Look, Xie Junyao’s gaze remained fixed on her face, filled with emotions so deep they seemed impossible to dissolve.
The room fell silent for a moment, with only the faint, refined fragrance of tea lingering in the air.
Soon, He Xuan came to invite them downstairs.
All the guests had arrived.
As they descended, Lu Mingzhu lagged behind. Just before reaching the first floor, she suddenly narrowed her eyes, nearly blurting out, “Holy shit.”
Father Lu!
Just two days ago, I told Lu Ping’an that he was in Hong Kong, and now here he is.