CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: CONVERSATION WITH LU JIANG.

She shifted her attention from Madam Lu. The uncanny resemblance and familiarity unsettled her. If one finds out, it won’t be long before the upper echelon begin to ask questions.

I will have a discussion with Huo Feng once we reach home...she mumbled under her breath.

"It’s best for you to leave, after all, you have totally embarrassed yourself."

He Yuchen’s mocking voice brought her out of her thoughts, and she stared at Yue Chen whose gaze had already darkened.

"You’ll pay for insulting me."

"I’ll be waiting," He Yuchen whispered, further annoying her.

Yue Chen’s face flushed scarlet. She opened her mouth, but no words came, only a strangled sound of rage. The weight of every gaze around the table pressed down on her, prickling like needles against her skin.

Her eyes darted to Huo Feng, desperate to salvage her dignity. "Brother Feng, I—"

But before she could finish, Yue Ning calmly lifted one of the pastries Huo Feng had placed on her plate and bit into it, as though Yue Chen no longer existed.

The deliberate gesture made Yue Chen’s breath hitch. Her hands trembled at her sides, nails digging into her palms until they hurt.

"You..." she choked out, her voice shaking. But faced with He Yuchen’s mocking smile and Yue Ning’s unbothered air, the humiliation was unbearable.

Tears of anger stung her eyes, and with one last venomous glare at Yue Ning, she spun on her heels and stormed off, the sharp click of her heels echoing long after her figure disappeared.

Yue Ning couldn’t help it. Laughter spilled out of her, light and unrestrained. He Yuchen quickly followed suit, his chuckle carrying a sharper edge of mockery.

Huo Feng stared at Yue Ning who was laughing uncontrollably, and his gaze softened.

After the laughter had died down, He Yuchen said with an aggrieved tone, "To be blunt, today’s matter only happened because of you." His statement was directed to Huo Feng.

Huo Feng was speechless as he pointed to himself confusedly. Yue Ning’s eyes darted between both men, and she leaned back to listen to them.

"Yes, you. If you had listened to me and not allowed her to gain access to you, she would not act this familiar with you," He Yuchen blamed him.

Yue Ning secretly nodded. At least, there was someone who thought the same way as her when she was reading the original novel.

As if thinking of something, he continues, "fortunately, your stomping brought you to sister-in-law, or you could have missed out on such a nice lady." He didn’t forget to praise Yue Ning who felt good.

Huo Feng was speechless by the accusations. But he couldn’t say anything to defend himself. Recalling his past actions, he definitely acted like a simp.

Scratching his hair, he said, "haven’t I changed now?"

He Yuchen rolled his eyes, and wasn’t bothered to give him a reply.

While the trio had fun discussing among themselves, there were a lot of people who wanted to toast Huo Feng, and speak to him. They majorly wanted to know the identity of the woman seated beside him.

But his cold face prevented them from approaching him. Although they felt regret, they could only have conversations with different CEOs of the company.

Although this was a birthday banquet, for upper echelons like them, it was more or less to socialize for their businesses.

Huo Feng and Yue Ning decided to leave before the banquet ended.

Lu Jiang personally sent them to the door when they were about to leave.

"Mrs. Huo, if it isn’t inconvenient, may I have a brief word with you?"

At once, Huo Feng’s arm shifted behind her, a faint barrier between them as his gaze cooled on the older man.

Sensing the edge in his look, Lu Jiang quickly explained, "Please don’t misunderstand. I only have a small doubt in my heart, and I hope to clarify it with Mrs. Huo."

Huo Feng studied him, then gave a curt nod. He stayed close but allowed them space.

When only the two of them remained, Lu Jiang spoke in a measured tone, his eyes quietly studying her.

"Mrs. Huo, this should be the first time we’ve met. And yet..." His brows furrowed slightly. "For some reason, I feel as though I’ve seen you before."

Yue Ning smiled politely, her voice calm.

"As Mr. Lu has said, this is our first meeting. How could we have crossed paths before?"

Lu Jiang hesitated, then pressed on, though carefully. "Forgive my boldness, but may I ask, which family do you come from?"

"The Yue family," she answered with the same composed smile.

"The Yue family.." he repeated under his breath, as if weighing the name.

"Does Mr. Lu find any issue with me?" she asked lightly, though her eyes flickered with an unreadable glint.

"No, no." He quickly shook his head. "On the contrary, I only felt a strange familiarity and wished to put my mind at ease. Nothing more."

"In that case," she said with a small bow, "I’ll take my leave. Please also extend my greetings to Madam Lu."

"Certainly. And do pass my thanks to Young Master Huo for honoring us tonight."

They exchanged polite farewells before parting ways.

Yue Ning walked back toward Huo Feng, and at once his sharp gaze swept over her, as though confirming she was unhurt. The intensity made her laugh softly.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Mr. Lu wouldn’t dare harm me," she teased.

Huo Feng’s expression didn’t change, but his hand hovered protectively at her back. "I know. Still—get in."

Ah Si had already pulled the car to the entrance, the headlights cutting a pale line across the steps. He stepped forward briskly to open the door. Huo Feng shielded Yue Ning from the night air as he guided her inside.

Once settled, she turned to the window, the faintest smile playing on her lips, while his eyes lingered on her profile in silence.

"What did you both discuss?" Unable to contain his curiosity, Huo Feng asked her.

Yue Ning turned to look at him, and she pursed her lips before asking. "Do you think there is a possibility that I am the Lu’s missing daughter?"