14

Lila returned home in high spirits. At the restaurant, the head chef had taught her a simple yet flavorful home-cooked dish and a dessert. Eager to try them, she'd swung by the market after her shift, arms full of ingredients.

The door swung open, and there was Lu Zhe, already back.

"You're home?" he said, unusually chatty. "Cooking?"

Lila nodded, her eyes sparkling. "Yup! Learned a new dish today—super easy. Wanna see me nail it?"

She darted to the kitchen, ingredients in tow, ready to dazzle. She washed veggies, sliced meat, marinated it with wine and salt, and chopped fruit for a vibrant platter.

"Lila," Lu Zhe called from the living room.

Wiping her hands, she poked her head out. "What's up?"

He handed her a sleek gift box. "Tomorrow, 5 p.m., I'll pick you up at school. Company networking event—I want you there. This is your outfit."

Inside was a deep purple off-shoulder mermaid gown, matching heels, and a delicate necklace. Lila opened her mouth, but Lu Zhe cut her off, ruffling her hair. "Don't embarrass me."

Her lips twitched. As long as no one sabotages me, I'll shine.

She stashed the box and returned to cooking. An hour later, a feast emerged: dessert, cold salad, three hot dishes, soup, and steamed rice—a colorful spread.

Lu Zhe sat, eyeing the table. His gaze lingered on the new dish, its hue a ghastly match for the purple gown. Is she mocking me?

They ate in silence, yesterday's kiss unmentioned. He tried the new dish—surprisingly tasty. A smirk played on his lips. "Not bad. Could give a cooking show's poison plate a run for its money."

Lila: "…"

She'd skipped fish soup, opting for bone broth to avoid his usual disdain. But Lu Zhe, with a huff, snatched her bowl and drank deeply.

"Comparable to amnesia soup," he quipped. "One sip, and you forget you have a brain."

Lila's chopsticks froze. She set them down, appetite gone. I just wanted to cook for him, and he tears me apart.

She stood to leave, but Lu Zhe's voice stopped her. "Actually… it's decent. Good flavor. Cook dinner from now on—I'll be here."

Lila clenched her fists, grabbed the fruit platter, and stormed to her room. But deep down, she noted a shift: he hadn't trashed her food, even tossed her a backhanded compliment. Progress.

The next afternoon, Lu Zhe's car rolled up to campus, sparking a frenzy. Lila exited the lecture hall, only to bump into Vanessa.

Vanessa's eyes narrowed, but she plastered on a syrupy smile, sashaying to Lu Zhe. "Lu Zhe, here for me? I knew you cared! I'm exhausted from gym class…" She stumbled dramatically, aiming for his arms.

Lu Zhe stepped back, his voice flat. "I'm here for Lila."

Vanessa's smile froze, her heart cursing. She recovered, cooing, "Oh, for Lila? She's so lucky. Can I hitch a ride?"

"No," Lu Zhe said, shutting her down.

He walked to Lila, took her hand, opened the car door, and buckled her seatbelt—a seamless display that left onlookers swooning and Vanessa's nails digging into her palms.

"You vixen!" Vanessa hissed under her breath.

Lila stayed composed, but she knew the score: Lu Zhe's "affection" was a performance for the event. She'd play along.

At the company, he'd arranged a dressing room, complete with a makeup artist and stylist. By 7 p.m., the networking gala began.

The venue glowed with chandeliers, elite guests mingling as music swelled. Lu Zhe gave a brief speech, then the crowd dispersed into dancing, chatting, and deal-making.

Lila emerged in the gown, heels clicking, her poise regal—like a queen from a fairy tale. Every eye turned.

Lu Zhe, mid-conversation with a foreign exec, glanced up—and froze. She was moonlight incarnate, radiant and untouchable.

Snapping back, he approached, slipping an arm around her waist, a rare smile curving his lips. "Let me introduce my fiancée, Lila."

The exec praised her charm and left. Lu Zhe leaned in, his voice low. "You look… stunning tonight."

Lila raised a brow. "Thanks." Is that a jab or genuine?

As he mingled, Lila roamed, only to spot Vanessa and Susan in a corner. The Jo family, tied to Lu Zhe's empire, was a fixture at such events.

Vanessa sneered, her voice dripping acid. "Here to humiliate yourself again? The banquet wasn't enough? Ready to disgrace us internationally?"

Her tight blue dress hugged her curves, barely reaching mid-thigh—a stark contrast to Lila's elegance.

Lila leaned close, whispering, "I know you're pulling strings, Vanessa. Want to play? I'm game. But Lu Zhe? He's not yours."

Vanessa's face paled, her hand swinging for a slap—

But Lu Zhe appeared. Vanessa pivoted, smacking herself and collapsing theatrically.

Lila: "…"

Susan jumped in, hand on hip, eyes teary. "Lila, we tolerated your bullying at home, but now you attack her here?"

The mother-daughter duo's victim act was flawless.

Vanessa sobbed, "Lu Zhe, I just said a few words, and she hit me…"

Lu Zhe's face was unreadable, his gaze on Lila, waiting.

Lila's lips curled into a cold smile. Then, her eyes welled up, and she sank to the floor, voice trembling. "Vanessa, I know I'm just an orphan, a Jo family stray, unworthy of Lu Zhe. If you love him, just say so—I'll step aside."

"I'll walk away, okay? You two are childhood sweethearts. I'm the outsider."

Tears shimmered as she looked at Lu Zhe, her expression a mix of love and sacrifice.

Whispers erupted. "Lila's the other woman?" "No way—Lu Zhe called her his fiancée."

Lila pressed on, voice soft but piercing. "Vanessa, frame me all you want, but don't drag Lu Zhe's name through the mud. He's too honorable for scandals. I slapped you to remind you to watch your words."

Lu Zhe's face darkened for a split second. Vanessa sputtered, "You're lying!"

Lila sighed, clutching Lu Zhe's sleeve, her face pure heartbreak. "Lu Zhe, I don't deserve you. Let's cancel the engagement. I'll explain to Grandma—it's my fault for stealing Vanessa's place."

Vanessa panicked, grabbing Lu Zhe, cooing, "No! She's the liar!"

But her clingy act sealed her fate. The crowd murmured, "Vanessa's stealing her sister's fiancé?" "Jo family's 'real' daughter, stooping this low? Shameless."

Susan sensed the tide turning, hissing to Vanessa, "We've been played. Lila's too cunning—no wonder Lu Zhe's hooked."

Vanessa's teeth ground. "That bitch…"

Defeated, they slunk away.

Lila rose, eyes still misty, earning sympathetic glances. Lu Zhe watched, amused—she was acting, and he let her play it out.

She shot him a look: Thanks for the assist.

His heart stirred. This Lila… she's not half bad.

"Next time you act, keep me out of it," he muttered.

"Huh?" Lila blinked. "Did I drag you in?"

He gave her a look, and she zipped it, trailing him obediently.

"Later, dance with me," he said, handing her a glass of red wine.

Lila sipped, startled. "Huh?"

"You can't dance?"

She smirked inwardly. Joke's on you—I'm a dance queen.

Across the room, Vanessa seethed. "Mom, that vixen! Lu Zhe's siding with her, ignoring me!"

Susan soothed, "Patience. Lila won't hold him long. You're the Jo heiress—she's nothing. He'll come back to you."

Vanessa's eyes glinted coldly. "We'll see."

She dialed a number. "Everything ready?"

A low voice replied, "All set, Miss Jo. We work clean."

Vanessa smirked. "Perfect. Lila, you're done. I'll make Lu Zhe see your true colors."