Lu Shao is cunning; Miss Nan has fallen for his tricks again.

Chapter 129 The engagement banquet will be held a week later.
After lunch, Nan Xu, Lin Jingshu, and Chen Hui chatted and drank tea in the quiet back garden.

Soon it was time to meet. Lin Jingshu and Nan Xu placed the prepared gifts in the back seat. Lin Jingshu sat in the passenger seat, and Nan Xu drove away.

When they arrived, the Lu family elders and Cen Xi were already there. But they didn't see Lu Zhiyan.

Nan Xu looked around again, and when she was sure she didn't see Lu Zhiyan, she couldn't help but ask Cen Xi, "Aunt Cen, where's Zhiyan?"

Cen Xi was talking to Lin Jingshu when she heard Nan Xu call her. She smiled and explained, "He said he has some business at the company and will arrive later."

Nan Xu nodded vaguely, feeling as if she had forgotten something.

By the time she realized what she had forgotten, her phone rang in her bag.

"You're not home? Where did you go?" Lu Zhiyan's dark eyes stared at the empty villa.

"I forgot to tell you, I went home this afternoon." Nan Xu smiled sheepishly.

"Where are you now? I'll come pick you up."

"We're already at the restaurant," Nan Xu said hesitantly.

"It's good that you're here. I'll be there in a bit. If you're hungry, order now, no need to wait for me." Lu Zhiyan said as he walked out.

"Okay, see you later."

"Okay." Lu Zhiyan hung up the phone, shook his head, and thought to himself, "What a fool."

When Lu Zhiyan pushed open the door to the private room, Nan Xu was sitting between Old Madam Lu and Old Master Lu, with Old Madam Lu chatting with her.

Upon seeing Lu Zhiyan enter, Nan Xu subconsciously glanced at him, her gaze earnest and even carrying a hint of pleading.

Grandma Lu and Grandpa Lu were so enthusiastic that Nan Xu was a little overwhelmed. Seeing Lu Zhiyan was like seeing a savior.

With just one glance, Lu Zhiyan received the message that Nan Xu wanted to convey.

He walked over with a smile and put his hands on Nanxu's shoulders. "You two are here quite early today."

"Of course, it's only right to arrive early for such a formal occasion," said Madam Lu, touching the bracelet on her wrist with a smile.

"I need to speak with Ah Xu about something..." she said, glancing at Old Madam Lu.

Madam Lu was a shrewd woman; how could she not understand the hidden meaning in Lu Zhiyan's words?

"It's alright, you two can talk first. Your grandfather and I just need to discuss something."

Lu Zhiyan twitched the corners of his mouth and revealed a smile. "Then we'll head out first."

When he and Nan Xu went out, Lin Jing Shu and Cen Xi stopped talking at the same time.

Cen Xi chuckled, "Look how much Zhiyan cares about Axu. If I had known they would get together, I should have introduced them to each other much earlier."

Lin Jingshu chimed in, "Yes, they've only known each other for a few months and they're already getting engaged. What a coincidence!"

"Of course! I told you before, the fortune teller said we two are destined to be together for a lifetime. Look, these two kids have been getting along so well, aren't we destined to be together for a lifetime?"

"Yes, yes, you're right," Lin Jingshu replied with a smile.

Even without Lu Zhiyan and Nan Xu's relationship, they would still be best friends for life and have a lifelong bond.

"Hey, look at you, you're just giving me the runaround again!" Cen Xi said to Lin Jingshu like a child.

At the end of the restaurant corridor, Lu Zhiyan stopped. "A Ning, this afternoon... Mr. Qiu came to the company to see me again."

Nan Xu leaned against the wall as if nothing had happened, her heart completely unmoved. She took out a piece of candy from her coat, tore off the wrapper, and put it in her mouth.

"What are you looking for?"

“He probably saw our proposal video and photos online. He asked me when we were going to have our engagement party, and he… wants to come.” Lu Zhiyan spoke cautiously, and even his gaze towards Nan Xu was filled with caution.

She was afraid that a single word she uttered would upset Nan Xu.

"Don't pay any attention to him. If he comes to you again, just refuse to see him and shut the door!" Nan Xu said angrily, pouting as she spoke, looking disgusted.

"I understand." Lu Zhiyan lowered his head and took Nan Xu's hand.

"What are you doing?" Nan Xu let him lead her.

"I missed you." Lu Zhiyan's tone was sticky and he wanted to cling to Nan Xu and pull her into his arms. Nan Xu reached out and pressed against Lu Zhiyan's chest. "Hey, there are people coming and going, don't be silly."

This is, after all, a restaurant corridor, so there are bound to be waiters walking back and forth.

"By the way, what do you think about Uncle Lu? It wouldn't be appropriate for him not to attend the engagement banquet." Nan Xu hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

When she and Lu Zhiyan get engaged, their business partners and family friends will be present. Even if they don't want too many people to attend, they will still need to observe proper social etiquette.

It's an open secret in high society that Cenxi and Lu Ji are at odds. But in order for Lu Zhiyan's engagement banquet to proceed smoothly, they will put on a show of affection even if they are at odds.

Therefore, Lu Ji will definitely have to attend the engagement banquet.

When we first met at the Lu family's old house, we didn't inform Lu Ji. If we don't inform him this time either... Lu Ji will inevitably feel resentful.

"You don't need to worry about this. I've already spoken to him, and he'll be there on time for the engagement party. As for tonight's event, I haven't told him, and he won't be coming. Okay, do you have any other questions?"

"That's all." Nan Xu shook her head.

"Since they're gone, let's go inside first, so as not to keep Grandpa and Grandma waiting." With that, he led Nanxu inside.

Nan Xu nodded and followed Lu Zhiyan's footsteps.

When they entered the private room, the dishes they had ordered were already on the table.

Lu Zhiyan first pulled out a chair for Nan Xu, and then sat down next to her.

The meal went smoothly and happily, and the date for the engagement banquet was even set. A week later, the engagement banquet was held at Jiangbei International.

As the dinner party drew to a close, Lin Jingshu presented the gift she had prepared beforehand.

"Uncle Lu, I've heard you like Qi Zhongyan's calligraphy and paintings, so I'll present this 'Winter River Scene' as a gift to you. I hope you like it." As she spoke, she accurately pulled out the painting from the prepared gifts.

Upon hearing Qi Zhongyan's name, a glint of light flashed in Old Master Lu's deep, cloudy eyes.

Lin Jingshu silently curled the corners of her lips and handed it to Old Master Lu.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony with you." Old Master Lu happily accepted the calligraphy and painting, and then eagerly unfolded it, wanting to admire the beauty of the painting.

"Aunt Lu, I've prepared a pair of jade earrings for you. I hope you like them."

Madam Lu happily accepted it, saying, "Oh my, the quality is really good."

"I'm glad you like it..." Lin Jingshu was interrupted by Cen Xi before she could finish speaking.

"What about mine? What did you prepare for me?" Cen Xi asked cheerfully, her eyes shining as she eagerly reached out her hand to Lin Jingshu.

She doesn't act like an elder at all; she's more like a chattering teenage girl, lacking the dignity and composure that an elder should have.

Lin Jingshu bit her lip, tilting her head slightly to give Cen Xi a deep look. It was as if she were saying, "Didn't you see I was talking? And to Aunt Lu, why are you interrupting?"

Madam Lu didn't mind and waved her hand, "It's alright, it's alright. Cenxi has been like this for so many years, and I've gotten used to it."

Lin Jingshu took out the gift she had prepared for Cen Xi with a hint of annoyance. "Here, a limited edition LB runway bag."

"A bag?" Cen Xi raised her eyes. Lin Jing Shu clearly knew that she liked perfume.

"Oh dear, you know I don't like perfume. I'm sure you already have a copy of the one I gave you. This bag is a limited edition from this winter's runway show, with only 500 pieces available worldwide. I didn't even keep one for myself..." As she spoke, Lin Jingshu pouted, looking a little aggrieved.

Hearing Lin Jingshu's explanation, Cen Xi sighed, "If you like it, why did you prepare it for me? Are you just being polite?"

Lin Jingshu turned her head away and didn't say anything.

"Alright, alright, you can take this bag back. I don't want it."

"Really not?"

"Ah."

"Then I'll take it back if you don't want it."

She and Cen Xi have been friends for many years, so there's no need for them to be so polite.

(End of this chapter)