CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: BANQUET II

"Young Madam, please follow me to get your makeup done."

Yue Ning nodded absent-mindedly as she walked out with Manager Wu.

The system’s warning still lingered in her mind.

"Please, have your seat." Manager Wu’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

After about twenty minutes, they were done with her makeup.

"Absolutely stunning!" Manager Wu praised while her eyes brightened. Yue Ning was one of the most beautiful ladies she had ever seen.

"Young Madam Huo reminds me of someone," Manager Wu sighed.

Yue Ning propped her chin. "May I know who that is?" She asked with a soft smile.

"Lu Ting." There seemed to be a look of admiration in Manager Wu’s eyes as she answered Yue Ning.

There was a look of confusion on Yue Ning’s face as she said. "Lu Ting?"

She just realized that the book didn’t make mention of this. It was focused more on Yue Chen and Kang Beichen.

She had no idea about the attitude of the new characters she’s interacting with. Perhaps it was as the system said... butterfly effect.

Manager Wu looked at the girl who was lost in thoughts before asking.

"You don’t know Lu Ting?"

Yue Ning shook her head negatively in response.

With a look of admiration, Manager Wu explained. "Lu Ting is Madam of the Lu’s. Their social standing is on the same level as the Huo’s. I’ve been privileged to meet Madam Lu a few years ago, and your mannerisms are quite similar to hers."

She paused, taking a good look at Yue Ning. "In fact, you have a bit of semblance towards her." She finished with a deep look in her eyes.

Yue Ning was taken aback. "You must have gotten it mistaken. Anyways, we shouldn’t keep him waiting.

Manager Wu nodded. She must have gotten it all wrong but she couldn’t deny that Yue Ning looked a lot like Madam Lu in her prime.

They finished the look by putting on a necklace with a jade pendant around Yue Ning’s neck which enhanced her high collarbone neck.

A few minutes later, Yue Ning walked out to where Huo Feng was seated, and she realized that he had changed into a sophisticated black suit, different from his earlier gray one.

Huo Feng raised his head and he was stunned by her sheer beauty. Unconsciously, he rose to his feet, and walked towards her.

Meanwhile, Yue Ning watched as he strode towards her, and she became nervous instantly. She gripped her dress, forcing herself to stay calm while plastering a smile on her face.

"You are gorgeous." He complimented, taking her hand into his like a gentleman.

Yue Ning blushed softly. Clearing her throat, she replied. "You look good yourself."

There was a low chuckle from Huo Feng as he led her out. Yue Ning didn’t forget to thank Manager Wu who waved at her.

Silence engulfed them as they walked to the car, and Yue Ning saw someone she hadn’t seen for a long time.

"Young Master, Young Madam." Ah Si greeted them with a bow.

"It’s been a while since I last saw you. Where have you been?"

"Young Madam, I’ve been running errands for Young Master," Ah Si replied sheepishly.

Yue Ning didn’t say anything, but only gave him a polite nod, before turning to look at Huo Feng who had an expressionless face.

She smiled secretly, and cleared her throat. "Mr. Huo, when did you change your clothes?"

Huo Feng, on the other hand, helped her with the door, before giving her a reply. "When you had gone to change."

She nodded, finding it feasible.

The drive to the Lu’s mansion was quiet. Yue Ning didn’t forget to read the novel, Huo Feng felt helpless. He didn’t expect that she would continue with the novel, but he seemed to be used to it.

They finally arrived at the mansion, and Huo Feng helped her out of the car.

Yue Ning raised her brows at the luxurious cars parked, and she smiled faintly. It seems like every single person present at this banquet were powerful people.

Looking at the intimidating mansion in front of her, Yue Ning didn’t falter. Instead, she felt a bit attached to it which was weird.

In fact, it felt familiar to her. But she hadn’t been there, at least, it wasn’t mentioned in the novel that she had visited the Lu’s mansion.

"Are you nervous?"

She suddenly felt her hand being engulfed by a larger hand. Looking up, she saw that it was Huo Feng who had his gaze on her.

She shook her head negatively. It was the truth. She wasn’t nervous. She only felt a bit of anticipation within her. But she couldn’t pinpoint the reason for the anticipation.

"If you say so. Let’s go in," Huo Feng said, and they walked in.

As they walked in, the system’s warning replayed in her mind, sharp and intrusive: "This gown will bring you more attention than you can handle."

She tightened her grip on the small clutch in her hand. Attention? What kind of attention? From whom?

Her thoughts spun, but Huo Feng’s warm palm on her lower back pulled her back to reality. He was smiling faintly as if nothing in the world could go wrong tonight.

Seeing the smile on his face, Yue Ning forced herself to calm down.

The servants at the door bowed deeply when they noticed both of them. Immediately, they opened the doors for them to walk in.

Once they stepped in, all eyes turned to them. Some with wide eyes, some with envious gazes, and some with calculating looks.

Yue Ning finally understood why the system had given her the earlier warning. Although she didn’t know if it was because of her dress, or because of the man standing beside her.

Huo Feng ignored all the looks, and walked in with Yue Ning.

Yue Ning could hear the envious discussions amongst the ladies. She only smiled faintly while she had her head high.

A middle-aged man approached them with a smile.

"Young Master Huo, it’s our pleasure that you honored our invitation." The old man shook hands with Huo Feng who only smiled.

"Let me take you to your designated seat, and this is?" The man asked, gesturing to Yue Ning who had a polite smile on her face.

Huo Feng’s face subconsciously softened, "Mr. Lu, this is my wife, Yue Ning." He introduced, pride laced in his voice.

For a fleeting second, Mr. Lu’s smile faltered. His eyes lingered on Yue Ning—too long, too searching. Then, just as quickly, he recovered, his warmth returning as if nothing had happened.

"It is an honor to meet you, Madam Huo," he said with practiced courtesy, yet something unreadable flickered in his gaze.

Yue Ning caught that brief change and felt a ripple in her chest. A strange familiarity washed over her again—the same unsettling tug she had felt the moment she first laid eyes on the Lu mansion.

Lu Ting... Manager Wu’s earlier words rang in her mind. ’You look like Madam Lu.’

Could it be?

The system’s warning replayed in her head, sharper this time: ’This gown will bring you more attention than you can handle.’

And for the first time that evening, Yue Ning wasn’t sure if that attention came from envious strangers... or from a dangerous resemblance to the mysterious Madam Lu.