CHAPTER 234: CHAPTER 236: GOLD STAR AND PURPLE STAR

On stage, the tall, striking man stood in a suit, his handsome features like those carved by a master, dazzling the eyes.

He slightly opened his hands, and just stood there quietly yet stubbornly gazing at Su Xingyu, as if he wouldn’t leave the stage unless Su Xingyu gave him a hug. Su Xingyu lightly bit her lip and embraced him resolutely; her exquisite and beautiful cocktail dress outlined perfect curves, nimble and delicate like an elf. She hugged him like a fragile petal, releasing quickly and stepping back slightly, as if shy.

The audience below the stage held their breath; although it was just a fleeting moment, it was a scene too beautiful, like a prince and princess.

"That girl..." an employee at Edge Blade said, "What a pity not to marry Mr. Lu..."

"Yes, what a pity, how could Mr. Lu possibly marry a girl of humble background?"

"Miss Zhuang doesn’t look so good standing next to Mr. Lu."

Amid whispered discussions, Zhuang Heng’s face was as sour as if ready to drip water. She always thought she understood Lu Shifeng well, thought he liked gentle and virtuous women. In normal conversation with him, he also hinted at a preference for classic beauties. So, Zhuang Heng always dressed herself in an elegant manner; but Su Xingyu, she looked so fragile as if a gentle squeeze could crush her—how did she win Lu Shifeng’s favor? That... cheap woman!

Zhuang Heng cursed venomously in her heart, suddenly recalling something—the old man from the Lu Family might favor this type?

Her heart shivered, involuntarily thinking of Lu Shifeng’s mother—a woman so innocent, foolish, and ignorant, yet became the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu Family!

That day in the hospital, Mr. Lu had coldly asked her to leave, saying something about men and women in compromising situations, she suspected Su Xingyu had instigated something—was it true?

Su Xingyu... wouldn’t become the Lu Family’s daughter-in-law, right?

How could it be?

She quickly dismissed this absurd notion from her mind; under no circumstances could she allow such a thing to happen!

The award ceremony concluded, and Su Xingyu returned to her place in the photography center.

Many people gathered to see her medal, praising: "Xingyu, you’re really something, how long have you been with the company to already earn a Gold Star medal? Miss Zhuang took years back then."

Saying this, they suddenly realized they might have misspoken, quickly looking around nervously.

Zhuang Heng also returned to the office with them.

Not that she wanted to return, but under the current circumstances, she couldn’t not come back. If she didn’t return, who knew what rumors these people would spread? Probably say she left in a jealous rage over Su Xingyu?

Lose people, but not the argument; Zhuang Heng had to hold her ground today.

At this moment, she heard her colleagues’ discussions but kept her head down as if busy, not wanting to react at all. No matter what response she gave now, she’d be ridiculed.

Over there, Su Xingyu laughed softly, her voice calm: "I didn’t expect it so soon either."

"Quick, tell us, how does it feel to hug Mr. Lu? Wow, such a handsome man! Don’t you know he’s rated as the most desirable man to marry by the women across the company?" Anna said dreamily.

On the side, Xia Ranran couldn’t help but tugged Anna’s sleeve, signaling her to be mindful that Zhuang Heng was still there, making Anna realize and hold her tongue.

Many colleagues gathered around Su Xingyu felt a bit deflated; they came to congratulate her and gossip, but with Zhuang Heng in the office like a nuisance, there were too many topics they couldn’t discuss easily. How come they hadn’t noticed before that sometimes Miss Zhuang was quite annoying?

But not everyone found Zhuang Heng annoying; Yun Xi, Zhuang Heng’s die-hard loyalist, stared unappealingly at Su Xingyu: "What are you proud of, isn’t it just a Gold Star? Who wouldn’t use telephoto lens to photograph the ground? If Miss Zhuang were in the plane that day, she might have done better than you."

"Indeed, if Miss Zhuang were on the plane, she certainly would have been awarded a Purple Star." Xia Ranran also said.

Su Xingyu had already torn face with Zhuang Heng, no point in feigning harmony, she sneered: "Oh? She’d still need to ask Hanyu Research Center’s permission to be on a plane."

"Don’t be too much," humiliation on her face, Zhuang Heng couldn’t bear it anymore, stood looking at Su Xingyu, "Su Xingyu, just a Gold Star medal, and you’ve become so arrogant?"

Su Xingyu sneered twice more: "I’m speaking the truth."

"Shifeng still doesn’t favor you; you must have done something on this trip to annoy him." Zhuang Heng’s meticulously groomed face held pride, "Saving hundreds of lives on a plane warrants a Purple Star medal; don’t believe me, check the employee manual. But he only gave you the Gold Star."

"Why should I care what kind of star it is, Lu Shifeng personally awarded it to me, not you." Su Xingyu refused to concede.

Seeing the two begin quarreling, Yun Xi quickly helped: "Su Xingyu, just because Mr. Lu personally awarded it to you, you think you’re amazing? Our Miss Zhuang is to be the future Mrs. Lu!"

"Mrs. Lu?" Su Xingyu’s sneer deepened, "Someone shouldn’t talk so boldly and end up slapped in the face!"

"Alright, alright, everyone say less." Fang Luohua and several colleagues felt strained, quickly stepping in to mediate.

Fang Luohua directly grabbed Su Xingyu’s hand, pulling her out: "Xingyu, come, come, I suddenly remembered something to tell you..."

Su Xingyu was dragged by him to the 12th floor’s sky garden resting area before shaking off his hand: "You’re really devoted to mediating, huh?"

"I just don’t want you to suffer," Fang Luohua chuckled, then frowned worriedly, "But Xingyu, you really shouldn’t offend Miss Zhuang too much, no matter what, she’s the future wife of Edge Blade’s CEO, you and Mr. Lu..." he contemplated, still braved to say, "If you’re with Mr. Lu now, provoking her will always put you at a disadvantage."

"You mean to say I’m not officially recognized, right?" Su Xingyu saw through his thoughts.

Fang Luohua sincerely worried: "Xingyu, continuing like this isn’t a long-term solution."

"Don’t worry," Su Xingyu smiled lightly, "Zhuang Heng can’t touch me." Feeling happy being cared for, "Someday I’ll ask Shifeng to promote you with a raise."

"Even now you’re joking around!" Fang Luohua was anxious.

"Haha..." Su Xingyu laughed again, vigorously patted his shoulder, then turned to go downstairs.

To win the Gold Star medal was originally delightful, but Zhuang Heng’s interference made Su Xingyu somewhat depressed again; with her merit, could she truly have received the Purple Star medal? Why didn’t Lu Shifeng just award her the Purple Star? Wouldn’t that have allowed her to outshine Zhuang Heng?

Could it be...

Lu Shifeng didn’t want her to overshadow Zhuang Heng?