Chapter 72; You danced well...

"Lu Zi Zhen," the girl in sapphire blue greeted, her voice was smooth and practiced, it wasn't her first time being in such places. "You disappeared from the dance floor too quickly. I was hoping for another chance."

Zi Zhen offered her a polite nod, charming but unreadable. "You danced well. I thought I might slow your rhythm."

She giggled. "Hardly. You were good."

Beside him, Lu Ting Cheng leaned back, watching as the second girl, a quiet beauty in emerald green, turned to him with a slight bow of her head.

"You are the one who advises on 'international policy', aren't you?" she asked softly. "I read one of your essays on energy transitions last year, if I remember well."

Ting Cheng blinked, slightly surprised, then inclined his head with mild curiosity. "Did you understand it?"

She smiled with a flicker of sharpness. "Enough to know you were right."

He gave a rare, amused hum. "Then I will take that as a compliment."

The third girl, clearly younger, seemed more hesitant as she stepped in front of Ting Zhou. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, eyes flickering from him to his shoes and back.

"You were very graceful on the dance floor," she said, then winced slightly, as if doubting herself.

Ting Zhou, still catching his breath from the evening's parade of smiles and scrutiny, softened. "I was mostly trying not to step on anyone."

Her lips curved into a small smile. "You didn't. At least not me."

From the opposite couch, Lu Zhi Hao and Wan Ruyi exchanged a knowing glance, neither interrupting nor acknowledging what they were watching—this was a normal thing in such places. Wan Ruyi sipped her juice; Zhi Hao rested his arm over the back of the couch, his sharp gaze occasionally drifting to his sons.

The conversation between the youth flowed with a mix of teasing, intellect, and veiled admiration. The girls took their seats on the armrests and low ottomans around the boys, weaving themselves effortlessly into their orbit. They laughed, asked about studies and travels, complimented subtle things—cufflinks, watches, insights during the earlier speech.

Zi Zhen remained diplomatic, engaging without offering too much. Ting Cheng spoke more than usual, intrigued by a mind that mirrored his. And Ting Zhou, to his own surprise, found himself smiling genuinely.

It was harmless, perhaps even strategic. But underneath the polish and poise, there was something electric. A ripple in the water.

From the shadows, others watched. And they noted what they saw:

The future of the Lu family wasn't just strong.

It was magnetic.

After a whole lot of chatting, the girls left to join their families, after all, the Lu brothers didn't want to have another dance.

As the night wore on, the golden haze of the gala settled into a lull. Waiters passed by with silver trays of champagne and delicate hors d'oeuvres, and soft classical music filled the spaces between conversations.

Lu Zi Zhen loosened his collar slightly and leaned back against the couch, eyes momentarily closed.

Beside him, Ting Cheng scrolled through something on his tablet, slightly busy, while Ting Zhou poured himself a glass of sparkling water, careful not to spill on his neatly pressed suit.

Just then, the subtle rustle of silk and heels clicked softly against the marble floor.

Another small group of three girls, elegant, radiant, and clearly emboldened by each other's presence, approached with the kind of practiced grace that only came from years of elite finishing schools and diplomatic galas.

"Lu Zi Zhen," the girl in a deep red gown greeted sweetly, eyes gleaming. "We didn't get a chance to dance. Would you mind dancing with me?"