Mrs. Lu arrived late, supported by Sister-in-law Zhang as she entered, just in time to see Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan leaving. Both Lu Zechuan and Xia Mian didn’t look pleased. Mrs. Lu tried to persuade Lu Zechuan to stay, but he made an excuse about being busy and left with Xia Mian. Not giving her any face, she didn’t even need to think to know that nothing good had happened during her absence! Sure enough, as soon as she entered and got close to Lu Zefang, she overheard Lu Zefang sowing discord! In the entire main branch of the family, only Lu Zeming was worry-free! Mrs. Lu felt her heart uncomfortable. She had married into the Lu Family, taken over Lu Group with her husband, weathered countless storms, and overcome numerous challenges to develop Lu Group to its current stature. After finally securing their position as the number one family in Beijing, these younger generations in the family were all harboring secret thoughts and scheming against each other! "Grandma, don’t be upset!" Lu Zefang immediately put on a smile, taking over from Sister-in-law Zhang to support Mrs. Lu. "All the prominent figures invited today are from the Capital City. If you call it off, aren’t you just playing with them?" Though a smile hung on Lu Zefang’s face, her words were laced with hidden barbs. Mrs. Lu’s expression darkened once again, just as she was about to lose her temper. Lu Zhenhua approached, dark-faced, and scolded Lu Zefang, "Shoo! Don’t bother your grandmother here. It’s your main event today; why aren’t you entertaining the guests instead of lounging around here?" Lu Zefang took the cue and stepped down, giving Mrs. Lu a slight smile, "Grandmother, I’ll go attend to things now!" As Lu Zefang turned away, her face instantly turned grim. In the end, her grandmother’s heart and eyes were still solely on Lu Zechuan, the eldest grandson! Lu Zefang felt indignation. In terms of talent and means, she believed herself no worse than Lu Zechuan. Why should everything in the Lu Family go to him? Just because she’s a girl? Lu Zefang’s eyes shifted slightly, scanning the guests until they landed on Gu Xiao. Gu Xiao was a well-known eligible bachelor in the Capital City! Moreover, the Gu Family had close personal ties with the Lu Family. If they could form a union through marriage, the relationship would be even more unbreakable. Narrowing her eyes, Lu Zefang picked up a glass of red wine from the server’s tray and gracefully made her way toward Gu Xiao. Once Lu Zefang left, Mrs. Lu’s expression eased considerably, her gaze slowly shifting to Gu Xuan, softening as she spoke, "Xuan’er, you and Ah Chuan may have grown up together, but Ah Chuan feels nothing for you like that. A forced melon isn’t sweet..." Mrs. Lu was still mindful of the Gu Family’s dignity, so she gently advised Gu Xuan. Gu Xuan’s eyes reddened, and she sniffled, "Grandma Lu, tell me, how am I any worse than that Xia Mian?" As the eldest daughter of the Gu Family’s first branch, Gu Xuan had been strictly raised, full of talent, with droves of men pursuing her, yet she found none appealing. Now, the man she fancied didn’t fancy her back, which dealt her a severe blow. "Matters of the heart can’t be judged by others’ perspectives." Mrs. Lu sighed. Gu Xuan said nothing, sitting quietly in a corner, picking up a glass of wine to drink. Meanwhile, as Gu Xiao saw Lu Zefang approaching, his gaze flickered ever so slightly. Ji Hua promptly stood up, "I have something to discuss with Miss Xia; you guys carry on. I’m heading off!" Ji Hua, ever spontaneous, did things on a whim, never playing by the rules. He got up to leave without caring whether the welcome banquet had started or whether his mid-event departure would offend the host. Once Ji Hua left, Fu Jingtian only stayed a little while longer before leaving as well. Lu Zefang’s face immediately showed a tinge of awkwardness, "Did I come at a bad time?" Gu Xiao smiled gentlemanly, gesturing to Lu Zefang, "Miss Lu is here; please have a seat!" Lu Zefang took the opportunity to sit across from Gu Xiao, "I noticed Miss Gu seems to have some feelings for our Ah Chuan. Young Master Gu, aren’t you thinking of granting your sister’s wish?" Gu Xiao took a sip of wine, looked at Lu Zefang, and chuckled lightly, "Gu Xuan? She’s not a match for Zechuan." After a pause, Gu Xiao spoke meaningfully, "Miss Xia and Zechuan are a perfect match, and anyone trying to intervene... hehe..." That’s tantamount to courting death, isn’t it? Not only is Lu Zechuan clearly fond of Xia Mian, but even Xia Mian isn’t someone who tolerates nonsense. Didn’t you see how, last time at the Gu Family, she poured an entire drink over Gu Xuan? Lu Zefang caught the hint and didn’t discuss the matter further. The welcome banquet gradually began amid drinks and lively chatter. The place was teeming with distinguished guests, creating an atmosphere of joyous banter. Lu Zefang maneuvered smoothly among the guests, earning countless flattering compliments for free. Mrs. Lu sat for a while until she felt increasingly irritable, prompting Sister-in-law Zhang to assist her out of the restaurant. Just as she was about to get into the car, she noticed a familiar face across the street from the restaurant, waving cheerfully at her. Mrs. Lu squinted, surprised, thinking, "It’s Ding Lan! What’s she doing here at this hour?" Considering how Ding Lan had some past connections with the Lu Family, Mrs. Lu signaled for Sister-in-law Zhang to assist her in crossing the street. Just as Mrs. Lu stepped one foot onto the road, her jade bracelet suddenly emitted a brilliant light. Startled by the unexpected glow, Mrs. Lu instinctively paused. The next instant, a van roared past right in front of her! Missing her by just a centimeter, Mrs. Lu could have been swept under the car! Mrs. Lu’s face changed drastically. Ever since Lu Zechuan met Xia Mian, who had visited her a few times, bringing amulets, she hadn’t encountered such uncanny events for a long time! Having narrowly escaped disaster, Mrs. Lu, her heart still pounding with fear, looked up towards the opposite side of the street again, only to find Ding Lan’s figure had vanished. It was as though Ding Lan had never been there at all. Mrs. Lu’s heart began pounding erratically, and she swallowed hard before speaking in a shaky voice, "Xiu’er, did you see Ding Lan just now standing across the street?" Sister-in-law Zhang paused, bewildered, "Ding Lan? Madam, are you seeing things? There’s no one over there!" Mrs. Lu felt a chill run down her spine. She distinctly saw her just now! How could there be no one?! Mrs. Lu’s face turned pale, prompting concern from Sister-in-law Zhang, "Madam, you don’t look well. Should we take you to the hospital?" Mrs. Lu shook her head, "Just take me home!" In the car, Mrs. Lu looked at the bracelet on her wrist and asked again instinctively, "Did you see my bracelet glow just now?" Sister-in-law Zhang chuckled, "Madam, please don’t joke with me like that. It’s late, and frightening people can be life-threatening! When did your bracelet ever glow?"