Chapter 17: Looks Imposing Enough

"He looks really impressive." Lin Lu subconsciously glanced at Xu Yancheng. Wrapped up so tightly, she really couldn’t understand how they could tell he was impressive.

"It's a pity he's already taken. I really envy Su Yi," someone sighed.

Lin Lu was about to walk away when she overheard another comment, "I just don't get what he sees in Su Yi. Does he simply like women who dance? Lin Lu is much prettier than Su Yi."

"Exactly, I think Lin Lu is beautiful too. In fact, I'm her fan." As the girl spoke, her eyes met Lin Lu’s.

Lin Lu: "..."

The girl: "..."

Lin Lu shrugged, signaling that she hadn’t done it on purpose.

When she looked back, she noticed Su Yi had arrived. With her skirt delicately lifted, Su Yi approached Xu Shanyi first, greeting him politely, and then naturally took her place beside Xu Yancheng.

"I heard you won first place in a competition recently," Xu Shanyi said with a kindly smile.

"Yes, Grandfather," Su Yi replied obediently.

"I believe there was another girl who tied with you for first place—what was her name again?" Xu Shanyi asked, and half the smile faded from Su Yi's face.

"Lin Lu," Xu Mingchuan interjected. "She’s here today too, Grandfather. Would you like to meet her?"

"Grandfather doesn't have that much time to spare, meeting every unrelated person," Xu Yancheng remarked blandly from the side.

Su Yi felt somewhat comforted by his words, and when she looked up at Xu Yancheng, her gaze was full of gentle affection.

Xu Shanyi continued to smile warmly. "Since she's Mingchuan's friend and we're in good spirits today, let's invite her over."

Pleased, Xu Mingchuan immediately went to fetch Lin Lu.

As it was a banquet, Lin Lu had taken care with her appearance. She wore a long, pale lavender dress, her hair flowing to her waist, and her makeup was graceful and elegant—a style that always left a good impression on elders. It was rare for her to dress in such a gentle and poised manner, but she had decided to try something different this time, and it turned out to be a fortunate choice.

"Good evening, Grandfather Xu," Lin Lu greeted politely.

"Miss Lin, to have won a prestigious competition at such a young age is no small feat," Xu Shanyi praised her.

"You flatter me, Grandfather Xu."

"Mingchuan tells me you're friends. In that case, stay here and let Mingchuan look after you," Xu Shanyi said, clearly impressed, otherwise he wouldn't have invited an outsider to remain at the Xu family banquet.

Next, Xu Shanyi announced to everyone that Xu Yancheng would officially be joining the Xu Group, and displayed his educational credentials along with dozens of award-winning jewelry pieces he had designed. All proceeds from the jewelry sold at the charity banquet would be donated.

As soon as the display cases were unveiled, they immediately drew the attention of all the ladies present.

Lin Lu joined them to have a look. Various diamond and colored gemstone pieces sparkled under the lights. Girls were naturally drawn to such dazzling treasures, and with the added allure of the talented, wealthy, and handsome designer Xu Yancheng—even with Su Yi by his side—he was enough to make any woman's heart flutter.

A frenzy quickly broke out as guests rushed to buy.

Pushed to a corner, Lin Lu found her gaze drawn to a bracelet set apart at the edge of the display. It was a K-gold chain studded with rubies, the diamonds set around it gleaming brilliantly. Though the ruby pendant was small, its color was exceptionally pure. The chain itself was delicate, and for some reason, it hadn't been placed with the more luxurious pieces but left alone in a corner—easy to miss if one didn’t look closely.

What caught Lin Lu's eye was the clasp, fashioned in the shape of antlers—a unique touch.

She asked the attendant to take it out for her. Trying it on her wrist, she found it a bit long, not quite fitting as a bracelet.

"This is an anklet, Miss Lin," the attendant explained.

Su Yi, meanwhile, had selected two lavish sets and handed them to Xu Yancheng. "Gift these to me," she said.

"Of course," Xu Yancheng replied without hesitation.