Chapter 17: The Grand Banquet of the Elite

In Gu Yunqi’s view, Gu Luosheng could not possibly remain in the Gu family forever, nor could he take care of her for her entire life. Therefore, he needed to plan the best possible future for her. After a moment’s hesitation, Gu Luosheng agreed; after all, she was merely going to the banquet to meet some people. Marriage was still a distant thought, and even if she fancied someone, it was uncertain whether they would reciprocate. Matters of the heart cannot be rushed.

“All right, I’ll listen to you, big brother!” Gu Luosheng’s answer pleased Gu Yunqi immensely, and he immediately decided to take her out to buy a new dress, intending to help her spruce up.

To Gu Luosheng’s surprise, Gu Yunzhou came along as well.

The driver took the three of them to Yun City’s largest mall—Golden Exchange—to shop for clothes. Gu Yunqi selected a white long dress for Gu Luosheng. She had a good figure, and dressed in white, she exuded an air of elegance.

“Big brother, does it look good?” Gu Luosheng spun around in front of Gu Yunqi, the skirt swirling with her steps. She smiled brightly, like the first pear blossoms blossoming on spring branches.

“It looks wonderful!” Gu Yunqi clapped his hands, satisfied, and told the attendant, “We’ll take this dress.”

“Certainly, sir!” The attendant beamed, knowing the commission from this sale would be nearly a thousand.

Gu Yunzhou hadn’t seen a smile on Gu Luosheng’s face in a long time; he couldn’t even recall when she last smiled.

Gu Luosheng took out her bank card to pay, but Gu Yunqi caught her hand. “Luosheng, why not use the card I gave you?”

Gu Luosheng fell silent, glancing toward Gu Yunzhou. Gu Yunzhou cursed inwardly, realizing he’d forgotten something important.

Gu Yunqi’s sharp senses caught the odd atmosphere. His brows lowered, eyes darkening as he looked at Gu Yunzhou. “You have the card?”

“Yes…” Gu Yunzhou pulled the black card from his pocket.

With a cold snort, Gu Yunqi snatched the card, handing it to the attendant. “Use this card for the purchase!”

With others present, Gu Yunqi couldn’t reprimand Gu Yunzhou too harshly, but his expression showed he was genuinely angry.

After buying the dress, Gu Yunqi didn’t let Gu Luosheng change out of it. He took her to a cosmetics store in the mall, arranging for a refined makeover.

Once finished, Gu Luosheng barely recognized herself in the mirror. She hadn’t worn makeup in at least five years, and her beauty was even more striking than before.

Even Gu Yunzhou looked at her with a touch of amazement.

On the way home, Gu Yunqi began scolding Gu Yunzhou, who knew he was in the wrong and dared not retort.

“Big brother, what are you doing?” Gu Qingwan, seeing Gu Luosheng dressed up, felt as if she were facing a formidable rival. She also noticed both her elder brothers had dressed up.

Gu Yunzhou explained, “We’re going to attend a banquet—a gathering for the younger generation of Yun City’s wealthy families, sort of like a matchmaking event.”

“You already have someone you like, so we thought we’d leave you out.”

“So that’s it.” Gu Qingwan relaxed a bit upon hearing this. If Gu Luosheng married and left the Gu family, it would suit her just fine.

Shen Corporation.

Zhou Qiang approached Shen Mo with a phone. “Mr. Shen, your father wants you to attend a banquet tonight.”

Shen Mo was working through documents, not even raising his head. “What banquet? Is it for business negotiations?”

“It’s not a business event. It’s a gathering for the younger generation of Yun City’s elite. Your father hopes you’ll meet a suitable lady there.”

“I’m not going.”

“You brat, you’ll go whether you want to or not!” A robust voice echoed from the phone in Zhou Qiang’s hand.

Shen Mo gestured for Zhou Qiang to hand him the phone. “Dad, what’s the point of attending? Isn’t it just a gathering of spoiled heirs?”

“You’re going, whether you like it or not. If you don’t, I’ll fire you from your post and send you abroad on assignment,” Shen Honglang said, leaving no room for negotiation.

Shen Mo pressed his fingers to his brow. Now that he had found Gu Luosheng, he couldn’t possibly leave Yun City.

Had it been before, he would have fought Shen Honglang to the end.

“Fine, I’ll go!” Shen Mo hung up before his father could reply, and when Shen Honglang called again, he brusquely ended the call once more.

After a brief rest, Shen Mo took out his phone and sent Gu Luosheng a message.

[I have something tonight, can’t come for your barbecue! (Greedy.jpg)]

About ten minutes later, Gu Luosheng replied, “I have something tonight too, won’t be setting up shop. Come next time.”

Shen Mo: “Alright!”

He wanted to chat more with Gu Luosheng, but having never pursued a woman, he truly didn’t know how to flirt online.

He stared at the typing window for ages, but in the end, didn’t type a single word.

As six o’clock approached, Gu Yunqi took Gu Luosheng and Gu Yunzhou out, and the three arrived at the banquet venue.

After verifying their identities, they entered the hall. Many guests were already there, gathered in small groups and chatting.

Gu Yunqi told Gu Luosheng, “Walk around a bit, meet some new people.”

In the past, Gu Luosheng had always orbited around Lin Yichen, so she knew almost no one in the circle of Yun City’s elite.

Looking around, all she saw were unfamiliar faces.

Gu Yunqi was soon called away by business partners, while Gu Yunzhou headed off to greet friends from his own circle.

A young man asked Gu Yunzhou, “Yunzhou, who’s that beautiful woman you came in with? Your brother’s girlfriend?”

Gu Yunzhou shook his head. “She’s not my brother’s girlfriend. She’s Gu Luosheng.”

“Gu Luosheng? The adopted daughter from the Gu family, the fake heiress you’ve mentioned before?”

“That’s right.”

“Damn, you never said Gu Luosheng was so stunning! Introduce her to us!”

For some reason, Gu Yunzhou felt extremely reluctant when his friends asked him to introduce Gu Luosheng. “Keep dreaming.”

“Come on, Gu, didn’t you say before you didn’t like Gu Luosheng? She’s not even your real sister, what’s the harm in introducing her?”

Gu Yunzhou glanced coldly at the speaker. “I warn you, watch your mouth.”

Seeing tempers rising, others quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Yunzhou, don’t be angry! Aze was just joking, he’s had too much to drink.”

“But Gu Luosheng really is gorgeous! I heard she chased Lin Yichen for years and still didn’t win him over?”

“Yeah! If she came after me, I’d probably give in within a few months.”

“Hey, you’re dreaming! If anyone’s worth chasing, it’s me!”