Chapter 68; Pleasure meeting you

"All right, Mama..." They echoed in unison.

The car rolled to a stop.

The door opened.

The gala had begun.

A wall of flashbulbs greeted them the moment the car door opened. The Lu family stepped out one by one, a portrait of elegance and controlled power.

Lu Zhi Hao offered his arm to his wife, his expression cool and unreadable. Lu Wan Ruyi wore a blue sparkling dress, her beauty poised yet severe. The clothes covered her baby bump, and no one was gonna know she was pregnant.

Lu Zi Zhen stepped forward next, perfectly tailored in black, his steps unhurried, movements calculated. Beside him, Lu Ting Cheng adjusted his cufflink, scanning the crowd with a subtle flicker of mistrust.

Then came Lu Ting Zhou.

For a moment, the cameras faltered, as if unsure whether to focus on him as he was a celebrity or not. He looked every bit the heir, but there was a crack in his composure tonight—a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes, a tightness in his jaw, and a fake smile pasted on his face.

They were ushered in through the marble foyer of the estate, the interior bathed in golden light and the soft strains of a classical quartet. High-society elites mingled under crystal chandeliers, murmuring praises and exchanging secrets behind crystal flutes.

"Remember, stick closer to each other..." Lu Zhi Hao whispered to Ting Zhou as they passed a pair of foreign diplomats who were chatting away.

"All right, Father." He nodded his head in agreement.

In the main hall, the Lu family took their designated positions. Waiters flowed like shadows, and the eyes of allies and enemies alike discreetly tracked their every move.

"Remember to stick closer to each other..." Lu Zhi Hao whispered to Ting Zhou as they passed a pair of foreign diplomats deep in quiet conversation, their laughter polished but eyes sharp.

"All right, Father," Ting Zhou replied with a subtle nod, adjusting the line of his collar as he fell into step beside his elder brother.

In the grand hall, beneath the cascading glow of chandeliers and the muffled murmur of high society, the Lu family moved with practiced precision.

Waiters slipped through the crowd like shadows, and from every corner, the watchful gaze of allies and enemies tracked their presence, measuring, calculating, judging.

Lu Zhi Hao led them forward, his presence commanding and calm, the weight of his reputation cutting through the room like a silent decree.

Standing at his side was Lu Wan Ruyi, elegant and composed, her smile reserved and knowing.

Then came the introductions.

"Your Highness," Lu Zhi Hao greeted as they approached a regal young man adorned in dark royal silks, one of the region's most influential foreign princes. "Allow me to present my family to you, you have been asking me this question for so many times."

"Hehe... Master Lu, it's good that you decided to show up tonight! You are such a rare commodity!" The prince offered a respectful nod as Lu Zhi Hao gestured first to his wife. "My wife, Lu Wan Ruyi."

"A pleasure," she said with grace, inclining her head slightly respectfully, greeting him.

"Pleasure meeting you too! You are beautiful, no wonder this man hides you away!" He jokingly responded before gazing at the tall, muscular boys standing closer to Master Lu.

"This is my eldest son, Lu Ting Cheng," he continued, and the prince clasped Ting Cheng's hand firmly.

"A solid heir you have got here," the prince remarked with admiration. Lu Ting Cheng looked stable and a very handsome boy, but still, not a match when it came to Lu Zi Zhen. "I've heard of your accomplishments in the company. You are doing so well." He was young but accomplished already.

Next came "Lu Zi Zhen," with a quiet nod from the middle son, sharp-eyed and observant, Lu Zi Zhen walked forward.