Chapter 12

Translator: Atlas Studios

Editor: Atlas Studios

When everyone heard the voice, they turned and saw an old man with white hair walking shakily with the assistance of a maid.

Everyone recognized that this was the highly respected but rarely seen Old Master Su.

Actually, he wasn’t that old. He aged so quickly and looked so feeble because he had experienced so much.

Everyone automatically and respectfully made way for him.

Su Jue hurried over and assisted him personally.

Lu Xinnuan was also very discerning and accompanied him at his side.

Old Master Su, however, shrugged off these two.

He headed straight for Lu Mian with a benevolent smile and announced, “I have personally invited this young girl, Mian. How dare you say such nonsense about her?”

The guests were extremely surprised as they exchanged looks among each other.

Old Master Su had huge influence in Wu City and he was openly protecting this girl who had beaten his grandson.

Lu Xingtang and Lu Xinnuan were puzzled and looked embarrassed.

Elder Su’s words were more like a slap that had landed crisply on their faces.

Elder Su had personally invited Lu Mian to the banquet?

None of them had this kind of treatment. Sometimes, it was even difficult for them to see him. What did Lu Mian do to deserve this?

“Mianmian, walk with me.”

Old Master Su made his way through the crowd and led Lu Mian to the gazebo.

“Dad, don’t go. Everyone is waiting for you!”

“I have things to do. You can eat first!” Old Master Su’s refusal was sharp.

“Grandpa!” Su Jue also shouted. He was depressed from the humiliation. Seeing his own grandfather ignoring his guests for Lu Mian upset him even more.

Lu Xinnuan tugged his arm gently. “Su Jue, don’t be upset with Lu Mian. She didn’t mean…”

Su Jue didn’t agree and he got angrier.

He only went forward to stop her, but she backhanded him and pinned him to the ground! How was that not on purpose?

“Alright everyone, let’s go back to the front garden.”

Su Sheng eyed his son to stop him and to usher the guests back to the front.

The main host was no longer involved, so the guests, who came in their best to suck up for his favor, were also embarrassed.

Lu Xinnuan grimly watched the back of the old man and the young girl. She held onto her painting, aggrieved.

She was filled with anticipation to see Old Master Su and to gain his approval. The makeup on her face, the dress she wore, and the painting in her hand had been carefully prepared for the occasion.

However, she didn’t even have the chance to speak to Grandpa Su. Instead, the sloppy Lu Mian became his VIP.

Why did it become like this?

She should have been the one to stay with Grandpa Su…

In the gazebo, the autumn breeze gently brushed by, mixed with the light fragrance of osmanthus flowers.

There was an unfinished game of Go on the stone table with black and white seeds.

Lu Mian took a quick glance and sat down.

Old Master Su, Su Qinghe, wasn’t upset with her because his grandson had been bullied earlier. Instead, he apologized to her, “Su Jue has an impulsive temper. I’ll teach him a lesson tonight!”

“Your eldest grandson is pretty funny.” The girl’s voice had a hint of evil arrogance.

She was the only one who dared to talk like this to the esteemed Su Qinghe!

Su Qinghe smiled. Then, he looked carefully at Lu Mian for a long time before asking, “How is your health?”

“Fine.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“It’s good too.” She added offhandedly, “Eating well, too!”

Their conversation was hollow and lacking. Elder Su shook his head helplessly.

A few moments of silence later, he had a distant look as he muttered, “Mianmian, I didn’t know about the kidnapping until later. If I had known earlier, perhaps…”

“I know you did your best.” Lu Mian looked up, crushing a cinnamon petal that was floating on the stone table in her hand. She smiled with understanding. “There’s nothing to ‘perhaps’. Just take it as a way of gaining life experience.”

“Oh, you…” Su Qinghe didn’t know what he should be feeling sad about. He swallowed his words and took out a USB flash drive from his pocket.

“This contains all the information that I’ve collected over the past two years about your kidnapping case. I know you’re here today for this. Take it.”

Lu Mian dropped the cinnamon petal and took the flash drive.

“The kidnappers’ last disappearing point was inside Kun Peng Middle School. Let me know if you find anything new and maybe we can follow the trail to their real lair!”

“Yes, thank you.” Lu Mian got up and placed a palm-sized circular talisman on the table.

“I came today to return this to you too.”

“This…” Old Master Su’s eyes stayed on the object. “Take this quickly. It will save your life if you meet someone from Capital Jin in the future!”