Lu Jingming maintained his usual expression as he explained to his parents, "I was just about to go with Xiao Xia to pick up the clothes at that time, so there wasn't much time to spare."
"I see."
Mrs. Lu quickly said to the mother and daughter, "That was rather unfortunate timing; he did indeed have prior arrangements. I apologize on Jingming's behalf for not being a more attentive host, Zhiyue. Next time, contact me directly. I'll have our family driver pick you up and ensure you are properly entertained."
"You're too kind, Auntie," Jiang Zhiyue hurriedly replied.
Her mother, Yao Chunling, seemed somewhat appeased and was about to speak again when another guest arrived at the entrance.
They saw Mrs. Lu immediately step forward to greet them, saying, "Mrs. He, you've finally arrived! Welcome, welcome!"
Yao Chunling also looked over and realized the newcomer was none other than the matriarch of the prestigious and influential He family from Jingbei.
It was well-known that the He family had dominated the business world for years, and this Mrs. He herself hailed from a prominent political family—her background was truly formidable.
Not just here in Rong City, but even in Jingbei, she was someone ordinary people rarely had the chance to meet.
Only then did Yao Chunling realize that Shen Zhiping's elaborate preparations today were specifically to receive this guest.
Watching the Lu father and son also go over to greet her, Yao Chunling contemplated leading her daughter forward to at least get acquainted and make an impression.
However, the Lu family had already personally ushered their guest into the garden.
Yao Chunling paused briefly, then quickly followed suit.
After a few steps, she turned back and said to her daughter with a serious expression, "Be more proactive later, I don't need to teach you that, do I?"
Jiang Zhiyue hesitated for a moment, then nodded and followed.
Not far away, Manager Wei, who happened to witness this scene, subtly furrowed his brow—
Having worked in the service industry for over a decade, he wouldn't boast about other skills, but he was quite accurate at reading people.
Judging by this mother's demeanor, she didn't seem like an easy person to deal with.
He then picked up his walkie-talkie and reiterated instructions to all departments—
"Stay sharp, everyone. Today is extremely important. We absolutely cannot afford any slip-ups."
...
There was still some time before the banquet, so the guests first gathered in the small garden to the left of the main building for conversation and tea.
Lu Jingming accompanied his parents for a while. Seeing that his younger brother Lu Jingyao had also arrived, he seized the moment while his brother was greeting everyone to slip away and check on the kitchen.
Little did he expect to run into Jiang Zhiyue just as he stepped out of the small garden.
"Big Brother,"
she asked him with a smile, "Where are you headed?"
Lu Jingming paused politely, "I'm going to check on the kitchen."
He was about to continue on his way when she spoke again, "I have something I'd like to say to you. That day at the mall, I might have been a bit rash with my words. I wanted to apologize to you."
Lu Jingming frowned slightly.
He wanted to say that the person she should really apologize to wasn't him, but Xu Yanxia.
But he also felt there was no real need to say that to her.
So, he planned to offer a perfunctory response.
Just then, someone entered through the moon gate.
It was none other than his food-loving younger sister, Lu Jingxi.
"Huh, Big Brother?"
Lu Jingxi called out to him.
Then she caught sight of Jiang Zhiyue beside him and couldn't hide her surprise, "Zhiyue, you're here today too?"
Jiang Zhiyue seemed somewhat embarrassed and replied, "My mom happened to call Auntie yesterday. When she heard we were both in Rong City, Auntie Shen invited us to dinner today."
"Oh,"
Lu Jingxi paused, then added, "Is your mom still traveling with you for all your performances?"
Jiang Zhiyue gave an affirmative hum.
Lu Jingming spoke up, "I'm heading to the kitchen. You two chat."
With that, he prepared to leave.
But Lu Jingxi called out to him again, "Brother, are you going to see Xiao Xia? Can you tell her I'm back and that she doesn't need to save any food for me?"
"Alright."
Lu Jingming strode into the main building.
When he reached the kitchen on the second floor, he found it a hive of activity. Over ten chefs and assistants were busy chopping vegetables, frying, blanching, with various enticing aromas rising from the stoves.
Head Chef Xu Yanxia was intently arranging cold dishes on plates, completely focused.
It wasn't until he walked up close and called her name that she noticed him and quickly asked, "Why are you here? Isn't it busy out front?"
Lu Jingming hummed in acknowledgment, "It is busy, but I wanted to come see you."
Unfortunately, due to the noise in the kitchen, she didn't catch his words at first and frowned, asking, "What did you say?"
So Lu Jingming said it again, louder, "I said I wanted to come see you!"
This time, his voice was loud enough.
Loud enough that not only Xu Yanxia, but everyone else in the kitchen heard it.
For a moment, they all exchanged knowing, amused smiles amongst themselves.
It made Xu Yanxia a bit shy, and she also smiled, saying, "I see. It's too busy here. You should head back to avoid getting your clothes dirty."
Lu Jingming said okay and added, "Jingxi just arrived. No need to save food for her."
Xu Yanxia hurriedly gave him an OK sign with her hand, her eyes instinctively widening in a particularly playful and adorable way, before immediately returning to arranging the plates.
Knowing that he, a kitchen novice, would only be in the way if he stayed, Lu Jingming waved goodbye to her and left the kitchen.
By the time he returned to the garden, his sister Lu Jingxi had finished greeting the guests.
Shortly after, Manager Wei came to announce that the dishes were ready and led everyone to the banquet hall.
To avoid hindering the ladies' free conversation, Chairman Lu tactfully took a few old friends to the wine room on the third floor, with Lu Jingming and his younger brother Lu Jingyao accompanying them.
Lu Jingxi stayed with her mother, Madam Shen, to host the group of distinguished ladies in the second-floor banquet hall.
Due to the profound impression Xu Yanxia had left on everyone during Mrs. He's last hosted event, coupled with her recent online attention, the guests were already filled with anticipation.
Once everyone was seated, their attention was first captured by the handwritten menu in front of each of them.
"This menu... is it handwritten?"
Mrs. He, a calligraphy enthusiast, picked up the menu to examine it carefully and exclaimed with surprise, "This 'Zanhua Xiaokai' style is written with such elegance and liveliness! Madam Lu, you truly have no shortage of talented people under your wing!"
In truth, Madam Lu was also somewhat surprised.
Although this club was their family's and she visited often, previous menus had always been printed. This was the first time she had seen one handwritten in calligraphy.
She smiled at Mrs. He and said, "To be honest with you, I just got off the plane today myself. All this was prepared by the young people here. Presumably, knowing your appreciation for calligraphy, I'm pleasantly surprised as well."
Then she asked a female server nearby, "Who wrote today's menu?"
—This first step had already made a good impression on Mrs. He; a bonus was definitely in order!
But the server replied, "It was written by today's head chef, Miss Xu."
What?
Everyone present, including Madam Lu, was quite taken aback.
Lu Jingxi couldn't help but exclaim, "So our Xiao Xia not only knows how to cook and practices traditional Chinese medicine, but she can also do calligraphy?!"
What?
She even knows traditional Chinese medicine?
Mrs. He couldn't help but express her admiration to Madam Shen, "Madam Lu, I'm starting to feel envious! Where on earth did you find such a multi-talented person? Why can't I find someone like that?"
"Exactly!"
The others chimed in agreement, "We're all in Rong City too, how come we didn't discover Xiao Xu first and let Madam Lu snatch her up?!"
Ms. Shen could only laugh and sigh, "I must have saved the galaxy in my past life!"
