The heartless beauty is addicted to being licked by a seemingly obedient and loyal dog.

The number of people who could be personally greeted by Lu Qingyuan at the main gate could be counted on one hand in the entire capital city.

Outside the lobby, a black, extended Rolls-Royce came to a smooth stop.

Bodyguards ushered in the car door, and a spirited middle-aged man stepped out. He looked to be in his early fifties and exuded an air of authority.

Although the corners of his eyes and forehead bear the marks of time, they cannot conceal his handsome and dashing appearance in his youth.

His aura was not as cold as Lu Qingyuan's, but rather a calm and composed demeanor befitting someone who had long held a high position.

The moment Song Yunxi saw that face, an extremely strong sense of familiarity flashed through her mind, but she couldn't quite place it.

The surrounding guests had already begun to whisper among themselves.

"My God, they even invited President Shen? The Lu family has really gone all out this time."

"This person doesn't even usually show up at state banquets. If it weren't for the close business ties between the Shen and Lu families, how could President Shen possibly attend a junior's engagement banquet in person?"

The richest man in China is Shen Chuanbin.

It is the bellwether of the entire Chinese economy and the only reliable support for the Lu family on their path of whitewashing and transformation.

"Mr. Shen, your presence is an honor to my humble abode."

Lu Qingyuan's face lit up with an unusual enthusiasm, and he took the initiative to extend his hand to shake hands with the other person.

Shen Chuanbin smiled politely, shook hands with him, and said with a hint of apology, "Brother Lu, you're too kind."

"I'm so sorry, I was delayed on the way and arrived a little late. Please don't mind."

"Not at all. Mr. Shen's presence is the greatest honor for these two troublesome juniors."

Lu Qingyuan turned to the side and led him inside.

As Shen Chuanbin walked, he sighed helplessly, "There's really no other way."

"My son was spoiled by his mother when he was young, and I only see him twice a year. He's become somewhat estranged from his father."

"He suddenly returned to China a while ago, but he was never home. He came back this afternoon, but he didn't seem to be in a good mood. He looked terrible and seemed preoccupied, like his wife had run away."

"I was a little worried, so I gave them a few extra words of comfort at home, which is why I was late in leaving."

Lu Qingyuan laughed and patted him on the shoulder to show his understanding: "Having a son late in life, and being his only child, it's only right to spoil him a bit."

"Young people always need an adjustment period after returning to China. I understand, I understand."

Song Yunqi listened with a smile to the two bigwigs exchanging pleasantries. Her gaze lingered on Shen Chuanbin's face for a moment, and the faint sense of familiarity in her heart quickly found its footing.

This richest man frequently appears on the covers of major financial magazines and is also a regular on news websites and marketing accounts on some short video platforms, so it's natural that he looks familiar.

As for the eccentric only son that Shen Chuanbin mentioned, Song Yunqi had no interest in delving into it further.

In the elite circles of wealthy families, it is common to keep the information of heirs strictly protected, mainly to prevent revenge or kidnapping. Before officially entering the board of directors to take over, these young masters' privacy is kept as secret as a confidential matter.

Besides, he was preoccupied with his current troubles and had no time to care about a richest man he had never met.

"Yunxi, what are you thinking about? The old man wants to see us."

Beside her, Lu Jinci's voice pulled Song Yunqi back to reality.

The man's arm around his waist tightened imperceptibly, the heat of his palm seeping through the fabric of the dress onto his skin, burning intensely.

Song Yunqi suppressed her thoughts, turned her head to smile at Lu Jinci, her eyes filled with a warm smile:

"It's nothing. I've always admired President Shen, and I'm quite excited to meet him in person."

"Let's go, don't keep the elders waiting."

The two walked hand in hand to greet him, and under Lu Qingyuan's introduction, they politely and respectfully toasted Shen Chuanbin.

Shen Chuanbin's attitude wasn't exactly warm, but it wasn't bad either. After offering a few simple compliments, he was personally accompanied by Lu Qingyuan to the main banquet hall.

As the most important guest entered, the lights in the hall suddenly dimmed, and the engagement banquet officially began.

Several soft spotlights shone precisely on the ceremonial table in the center of the main hall.

The melody of classical music flowed under the empty dome, and the celebrities of Beijing raised their glasses and spontaneously formed a semi-circle, casting all their envious, curious or scrutinizing gazes at the two protagonists on the stage.

Song Yunxi walked up the red carpet step by step.

Lu Jinci's palms, which were clasped together with his, were slightly sweaty, and he unconsciously increased the pressure, making his knuckles turn white.

The priest stood before a cluster of pristine lilies, opened the Bible in his hands, and his aged voice carried throughout the hall through the microphone:

"Mr. Lu Jinci, are you willing to become engaged to Mr. Song Yunqi, and stand shoulder to shoulder with him, sharing both glory and hardship, no matter how the future situation changes?"

Lu Jinci turned his head, gazing at Song Yunqi with affectionate eyes, a near-morbid possessiveness surging deep within them, and spoke slowly and deliberately:

"I do."

The priest recited the same vow again, then turned to Song Yunqi and asked, "Mr. Song Yunqi, are you willing?"

All eyes in the audience turned to him at that moment.

In the corner, Meng Zhaoyuan gripped the stem of a wine glass tightly, his face pale, while Lu Qingyuan sat calmly at the main table, his right thumb slowly stroking the jade thumb ring that symbolized power.

As Song Yunxi met those complicated gazes, the corners of her lips curved into a near-perfect upward arc.

This was just a business deal, and he had already received the most generous upfront payment.

"I do." The clear voice echoed through the venue via the microphone.

The shimmering velvet box was brought up by the waiter.

Lu Jinci took Song Yunqi's slender, fair right hand and lightly traced his fingertips across the back of the young man's hand in a lewd manner, carrying a kind of obscene implication that only the two of them understood.

Song Yunqi's smile remained unchanged as she allowed the large sapphire ring, symbolizing their engagement, to slowly slip onto her ring finger.

He then, with the same elegant gesture, placed the matching ring on Lu Jinci's ring finger.

The cold metal glided across the skin, stirring a chilling sense of repulsion, yet under the guise of profit, it became the strongest shackles.

Amidst thunderous applause and a flurry of flashing lights, the two men lightly clinked their glasses in mid-air before downing the expensive champagne in one gulp.

Immediately afterwards, Lu Jinci, emboldened by the alcohol, reached out and grabbed Song Yunqi by the waist, pulling her into his arms.

Two bodies dressed in formal attire collided seamlessly. Through the exquisite dark-patterned fabric, Song Yunqi could clearly feel the outline of the other's bulging muscles in his lower abdomen, as well as the aggressive feeling that almost wanted to devour him alive.

"Wife." Lu Jinci whispered in his ear, his hoarse voice carrying a sticky, amused laugh.

Song Yunqi obediently rested her head on the man's shoulder, her back to the camera and guests, but her eyes behind her glasses were filled with icy indifference.

He warned in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Don't act like an animal in heat. I don't want to ruin you right now."

The ceremony concluded, and the applause from the audience lasted for a long time.

Surrounded by the crowd, Lu Qingyuan stepped forward. Song Yunxi's obedient behavior tonight had greatly pleased the old fox. He strode to the center of the stage and took a heavy brown paper bag from his assistant.

"Today is a good day. I watched Yunxi grow up, and she will be the only young mistress of the Lu family in the future."

The man pulled Song Yunqi's hand, slammed the paper bag heavily into his palm, and spoke loudly into the microphone below the stage:

"Consider this transfer agreement for 10% of the core shares of the Lu Group as my pre-wedding gift to him. I wish you both happiness and a blissful life together."

Upon hearing this, the once lively banquet hall instantly fell into a deathly silence.

The expressions on the faces of the guests who had initially come with a "let's watch the show" attitude changed dramatically in an instant.

The 10% stake held by the Lu family has immeasurable value.

Lu Jinci's smiling face froze slightly, and the fingers around Song Yunqi's waist tightened abruptly, almost pinching a piece of the young man's flesh. He had not known about this beforehand.

Now, the situation seems to have reached an awkward point.

Including the 12% that Song Yunqi forcibly took from Lu Jinci during the day, Song Yunqi now holds a full 22% of Lu's shares.

In this vast black gold empire, besides Lu Qingyuan who holds 50% of the shares, he has become the rightful second-largest shareholder.

Feeling the force that was almost squeezing his waist, Song Yunqi's fake smile finally became incredibly real and radiant at this moment.

He slowly withdrew his hand from Lu Jinci's grasp, took the share transfer document with utmost naturalness, bowed slightly to Lu Qingyuan, and raised his glass in acknowledgment:

"Thank you, Father. I love this gift. I'm truly flattered."

Her beautiful phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced sideways at Lu Jinci, whose face was pale. The confident and provocative look in her eyes was particularly breathtaking under the bright lights.