Standing nearby as his sister's bodyguard, Lu Jingyao couldn't help but exclaim, "My Sister Xia's eloquence is truly something! To deliver that speech off the cuff without any prior preparation—she's got the skills to be a press spokesperson!"
"Of course, our senior is incredibly well-rounded!"
Tang Aoran chimed in eagerly, "She was the president of our Plushies Society for the past three years. Not only is she the face and talent of our club, but she also accomplished so much for us. We're all feeling lost now that she's graduated."
As she finished speaking, the big star wearing sunglasses, Lu Jingxi, nodded. "If Xia is this amazing, then I've got to show my support for her!"
With that, she took off her sunglasses, picked up the microphone, and stepped beside Xu Yanxia.
"Hello everyone, I'm Lu Jingxi. I'm honored to be invited by my good friend Xia to participate in this event at your university today.
This is a very meaningful event. Xia is also a very compassionate senior whom you can all be proud of. I hope everyone will show more care for small animals in the future and continue to support Xia. Thank you!"
Indeed, a celebrity's touch makes all the difference.
After Lu Jingxi's words, the applause and cheers from the audience erupted into a frenzy.
The staff quickly projected the relevant introductory video onto the big screen.
Seeing even more people heading toward the stage, Xu Yanxia decided to quickly leave with Lu Jingxi to avoid causing unnecessary congestion.
With some effort, and thanks to the help of the Lu brothers and the society's junior members, they finally managed to squeeze through the crowd.
Xu Yanxia breathed a sigh of relief and then led Lu Jingxi toward where the car was parked.
However, just after leaving the sports field, she suddenly heard someone call her, "Xia?"
Xu Yanxia stopped.
The three Lu siblings also looked in the direction of the voice and saw a bespectacled, scholarly-looking young man waving at her.
"It really is you?"
This was Lin Hengnan, a senior from the same department two years ahead of Xu Yanxia, and also a fellow townsman.
"Senior?"
Xu Yanxia smiled with pleasant surprise and stepped forward to talk to him. "What are you doing here?"
"I just heard from Fan Xiaowei that you were here. I didn't expect to actually run into you."
Lin Hengnan also wore a face full of delighted smiles.
Noticing the three Lu siblings beside her, he asked, "And those people are..."
"Ah, my boss and two friends."
Xu Yanxia left no room for misunderstanding, answering quickly and directly.
Hearing this from the side, Lu Jingyao shot a very sympathetic look at his brother—
Sister Xia referred to the three of them as "my boss and two friends."
Clearly, the "two friends" referred to his sister and himself.
His brother was so pitiful, not even counted as a friend.
"..."
Fortunately, the secretly wounded President Lu maintained his gentlemanly demeanor and nodded toward Xu Yanxia's "senior."
"Hello."
The young man also returned a polite smile to him.
He then asked Xu Yanxia, "How are things at home now? I heard from many classmates a few days ago that they saw you on video apps. Is everything okay with your brother?"
Xu Yanxia smiled back at him. "My brother is doing fine, and things at home are almost resolved. How about you, how have you been lately?"
...
On this side, the youngest Lu brother, Lu Jingyao, whispered to his older brother and sister, analyzing, "This guy seems really familiar with Sister Xia. He knows about her family troubles and even about her brother's street stall iron plate grill?"
Huh?
His sister Lu Jingxi quickly asked, "Did something happen at Xia's home?"
"It's a long story,"
Lu Jingyao just hurriedly looked at his brother Lu Jingming. "Brother, look, Sister Xia keeps smiling at this guy."
Before his brother could speak, his sister Lu Jingxi added, "This guy likes Xia. And judging by Xia's reaction, she probably had at least some positive feelings for him at one point."
What?
Lu Jingyao immediately turned to Lu Jingming again. "Brother, could this be Sister Xia's boyfriend?"
What?
Lu Jingxi gasped in surprise. "Xia has a boyfriend?"
Lu Jingming frowned slightly. "Probably not."
His gaze remained fixed ahead.
At the far end of their line of sight, the young man said to Xu Yanxia, "Professor Zhou has always regretted your decision to give up on grad school. He hopes you can come back once your situation stabilizes."
"I will if I get the chance,"
Xu Yanxia smiled at him. "I really troubled you so much before. I only have Tuesdays off now. I'll treat you to a meal when I have time."
"Okay,"
the young man also smiled. "We'll see then, just get in touch anytime."
"Mhm,"
Xu Yanxia nodded again before finally bidding him farewell. "I have things to do today, so I'll head off now."
The other party waved goodbye, and only then did Xu Yanxia walk back to the three siblings.
Lu Jingming withdrew his gaze.
Lu Jingxi immediately grabbed Xu Yanxia's arm and asked, "Boyfriend?"
"No,"
Xu Yanxia said. "A senior from our department. He's about to start his Ph.D. now. He helped introduce me to potential supervisors when I was considering grad school before."
"That's so nice of him!"
Lu Jingxi winked. "Is he interested in you? Did he ever pursue you?"
"No,"
Xu Yanxia said immediately. "He's very helpful and kind to everyone."
She then reminded them, "Let's take the shortcut to be faster. People are still coming this way. If it gets crowded, we won't be able to leave."
With that, she quickened her pace, pulling Lu Jingxi toward a small garden path.
Behind them, Lu Jingyao whispered to his brother Lu Jingming, "Seems he's not the boyfriend. You still have a chance, brother. Go for it!"
Lu Jingming, "...Mhm."
Of course he had a chance.
He was much handsomer than that guy.
...
Finally settled in the car, Lu Jingyao, driving toward the school gate, asked, "It's noon. Where are we eating today?"
Xu Yanxia said, "It's still early. We could go back and I can cook."
"We're already out, why go back?"
Lu Jingyao chuckled. "Big brother's treating today anyway."
"Fine."
Lu Jingming glanced at the back seat. "What do you want to eat?"
But he saw the second sibling, Lu Jingxi, asking Xu Yanxia, "Xia, how much weight do you think one French meal could make you gain?"
Xu Yanxia, "..."
It was clear Queen Xixi was a genuine foodie.
Last night she was crying over weight anxiety, and today she was already craving French food.
She could only say, "French soups, foie gras, cheese, desserts, and some sauces are relatively high in calories. Salads, beef, and fish are okay. Of course, it's best to use vinaigrette for the salad, and for steak, it's best to choose the filet mignon, which has the least fat."
"Steak! Steak!"
Before the words fully landed, Lu Jingxi immediately shouted, "I'll have the filet! I haven't had it in so long! Wanxiang Sky-High French Restaurant, let's go there!"
However, her brother said, "Ask Xia what she wants to eat. Today is up to her."
Suddenly put on the spot, Xu Yanxia let out an "Ah?" and hurriedly said, "I'm fine with anything, but..."
She wanted to say, but that sky-high French restaurant is the top-rated high-end Western restaurant in Rong City. It's said the minimum per person is 1500, and you need to book at least a week in advance.
However, for the top-tier wealthy Lu family, this was hardly a challenge.
Lu Jingxi immediately shook her hand. "Then let's go for French food! I haven't had it in two years!"
Uh...
Seeing her in such a pitiable state, Xu Yanxia had no choice but to nod. "Then we'll do as you suggest."
"Excellent!"
Lu Jingyao stepped on the accelerator. "Off to Wanxiang Heights French Restaurant we go."
...
Twenty minutes later, the group arrived at the Wanxiang Center, a currently famous skyscraper in Rong City.
The sightseeing elevator ascended directly to the 66th floor, where the renowned Western restaurant came into view.
The rule requiring reservations a week in advance did not apply to President Lu. The restaurant manager personally came out to escort the party to the seat with the best view in the entire restaurant.
Looking out the window, the entire city of Rong was spread out before their eyes.
Soft music played in the restaurant, and the dining guests conversed in hushed tones.
Occasionally, the gentle clink of cutlery drifted through the warm, soft glow of the crystal chandeliers.
After ordering, Xu Yanxia and Lu Jingxi went to the restroom.
As they were walking back to their table, a woman in a haute couture suit suddenly approached Lu Jingxi to greet her. "Jingxi, you have time to dine here today?"
"Auntie Tao?"
Lu Jingxi also stopped to greet her. "Are you here for a meal today too?"
It was clear the two were quite familiar.
Xu Yanxia politely stood to the side and waited.
After the two exchanged a few words, the lady suddenly turned her gaze to Xu Yanxia and said with a smile, "This must be President Lu's girlfriend, right? I saw you two on Douyin a few days ago. You make a very lovely couple."
Huh?
Xu Yanxia was taken aback. This woman said she saw her and President Lu on Douyin?
Just as she was about to quickly explain, Lu Jingxi beside her suddenly answered her phone with a "Hello?"
Immediately after, her brows furrowed as she said, "What?"
It seemed something unexpected had happened.
