Just after walking out of the boutique, Yue Tingting’s phone in her pocket suddenly rang. Tingting answered the call, her expression a bit troubled, "I’m sorry, Mr. Zhao, I’m out shopping with my boyfriend this afternoon. He will take me there later, and he’ll join me for the welcoming party, so there’s no need to trouble you, Mr. Zhao. We have a car."
After hanging up, Yue Tingting looked at Lu Tianxing and explained, "That was Mr. Zhao, who’s organizing the welcome party. He asked where I was and offered to pick me up."
As she spoke, Yue Tingting paused for a moment, seemingly observing Lu Tianxing’s expression, before continuing, "Brother Lu, please don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing between him and me. I don’t like his boastful nature, which is why I told him you are my boyfriend, Brother Lu. You’re not angry, are you?"
Seeing Yue Tingting’s nervous look, Lu Tianxing said with a smile, "Angry? Why would I be angry? Being considered the boyfriend of a beautiful girl like you, Tingting, is something worth cherishing for a lifetime."
"Hehe, I knew Brother Lu would be the best to me. This is your reward."
A brilliant smile instantly lit up Yue Tingting’s face. She tiptoed and planted a kiss on Lu Tianxing’s cheek before blushing and running away.
Lu Tianxing touched his cheek, a faint smile on his lips. The girl’s adorable gesture had relaxed his mood. He might not be able to give Yue Tingting much, but at the very least, he could ensure this cute girl before him would always be happy and undisturbed by anyone.
Lu Tianxing and Yue Tingting continued to wander around Jinfu Mall. Besides clothes, Lu Tianxing bought some jewelry for Yue Tingting. Originally, it was Lu Tianxing who took Yue Tingting shopping, but while he was not paying attention, she secretly used her pocket money to buy him a watch worth a few thousand yuan. Although it was less than what he spent, Yue Tingting’s thoughtfulness made Lu Tianxing feel exceptionally warm, his face always wreathed in a radiant smile.
If the members of the Netherworld Mercenary Corps could see Lu Tianxing’s expression now, they would be surprised and look as if they had seen a ghost. Since when did the always cold and ruthless Judge show such an expression?
By the time Lu Tianxing and Yue Tingting left Jinfu Mall with their hands full of bags, it was already six o’clock in the evening. The two of them chatted and laughed as they stepped out of the elevator and headed towards the nearby BMW.
Lu Tianxing placed all the items in the trunk and was just about to get in the car when he saw a powerful-looking Hummer H2 drive into the underground parking lot. A mature and attractive woman got out of the car, her purple dress hugging her perfect figure tightly, which was precisely why it caught the eye.
Seeing this, a faint look of surprise crossed Lu Tianxing’s face. The glamorous woman was none other than Shen Manjun, whom he had once tried to chat up at the entrance of the residential compound, only to be scoffed at by her—a woman ripe enough to ooze juice.
In normal circumstances, Lu Tianxing wouldn’t have minded approaching her for a perfect encounter. But with Yue Tingting by his side, it was clearly not an opportune moment.
Giving Shen Manjun a quick glance, Lu Tianxing immediately withdrew his gaze, climbed into the car, and left Jinfu Mall.
When Lu Tianxing drove up to Blue Sky Hotel, it was almost seven o’clock.
Yue Tingting’s face showed no sign of impatience as she sat quietly in the passenger seat, sneaking glances at Lu Tianxing now and then before quickly looking away like a thief, a hint of irrepressible blush on her charming face, lost in her thoughts.
For Yue Tingting, attending the welcome party wasn’t important, and being late didn’t matter much. What was important was that Lu Tianxing was by her side; to her, that was enough.
The Blue Sky Hotel was one of Modu’s renowned star-rated hotels, aglitter with lights as soon as night fell. Neon lights overshadowed the surrounding buildings, giving an impression of towering above the rest. Luxury cars gathered around, with a BMW worth over a million standing out conspicuously, marking its presence with a disdainful glare.
Even though Lu Tianxing had been here once with Bai Zhiqing, he still couldn’t help but marvel. This was the world of the wealthy—where ordinary people might lose a year’s salary from a single visit, while for the rich it might just be the cost of an ordinary meal.
Yue Tingting clung tightly to Lu Tianxing’s arm, her pretty face showing a blend of nervousness and uncertainty coupled with a dash of panic. Her family was just an ordinary wage-earning household; the finest place she had probably been to was a restaurant. When had she ever stepped into such a lavishly decorated hotel that resembled a palace, walking so gingerly as if fearing to break something and be scolded by the attendants to leave?
"Don’t be nervous, it’s okay, no matter how well it’s decorated, it’s just a place for dining, it’s not a big deal. Just treat it like your own home," Lu Tianxing said.
Lu Tianxing patted Yue Tingting gently on the back.
"Brother Lu, you’re teasing me again. My home is nothing lavish," retorted Yue Tingting with a pout, though her tension had eased.
Upon entering the hotel front doors, a greeter dressed in a fiery red cheongsam approached them warmly, asking, "Respected sir and miss, do you have a private room reservation?"
Yue Tingting, momentarily startled, replied, "Yes... Mr. Zhao Xianwu invited us. He’s reserved a room."
The greeter thought for a moment, then said with a smile, "So you’re friends of Mr. Zhao Xianwu. He’s in Private Room 26. Please follow me."
With the beautiful greeter leading the way, they easily found the location of the private room.
When the greeter pushed the doors of the private room open, Lu Tianxing was immediately struck by how the space opened up before his eyes.
This "private room" was more akin to a vast hall, nearly half the size of a basketball court, arranged opulently yet elegantly, and the fusion of Eastern and Western decor captivated the eye. At the very center of the hall stood a large table adorned with delicately prepared dishes.
There were already quite a few people in the hall, no less than eight or nine men and women combined. A portly teacher was bellowing into a microphone, his colleagues’ faces the picture of resignation, clearly underwhelmed by their companion’s singing abilities.
The arrival of Yue Tingting and Lu Tianxing instantly captured the attention of everyone in the hall, every man’s gaze fixated on Yue Tingting, their eyes filled with admiration.
Yue Tingting was wearing the princess dress they had purchased at Jinfu Mall; the pure white gown brought out her grace impeccably, a fresh and innocent charm emanating from her, stirring a protective sentiment deep within onlookers’ hearts.