CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: BANQUET III

Huo Feng noticed the look in his eyes, but he didn’t think too much of it, so he ignored it.

Lu Jiang, the host of the banquet led them to an inconspicuous corner, and they had their seats.

"Sorry I won’t be able to accompany you, I still have other guests to attend to," he apologized to them.

Huo Feng waved his hands politely. "Carry on Mr. Lu, we don’t want to keep the guests waiting."

After he left, Yue Ning fell into deep thought. She had no idea why she found the man to be extremely familiar. She had also seen a faint look of shock in his eyes which he thought he masked properly.

She recalled her earlier anticipation, and she frowned. Huo Feng noticed the frown on her face, and he knitted his brows.

Dropping his glass of wine on the table, he asked worriedly. "Are you okay?"

Yue Ning snapped out of her thoughts, and nodded. "I’m fine. Just a little bit depressed, I’m not used to such banquets." She confessed sheepishly.

"This is also the first time I’ll be attending a banquet at the Lu’s, it feels overwhelming." After thinking for a while, she added.

Huo Feng fixed his gaze on her intently. "You don’t attend banquets?"

Yue Ning shook her head negatively. It was the truth. According to the original novel, Yue Ning had never attended any banquets, much less the Lu’s.

Now that Yue Ning thought about it, she didn’t have any social circle, compared to Yue Chen. Thinking about all of these, she didn’t know why she felt like her were trying to keep her away from the socialites. She didn’t mingle with them.

Huo Feng stared at her, and he sighed. He underestimated the way she was treated in her family.

"You don’t have to think too much about it. Now that you are my wife, I’ll naturally bring you around for banquets which are suitable for you." Huo Feng vowed.

Yue Ning smiled. He kept addressing her as his wife, and he had no idea how much her heart warmed at his words.

"Anyways, I don’t know the reason for this banquet. Do you have an idea?" She changed the topic.

Huo Feng smiled at her. "Today is Madam Lu’s birthday." He gave her an answer.

"Madam Lu, as in Lu Ting?" Yue Ning instinctively asked.

"You know her?" He asked curiously.

Yue Ning hurriedly shook her head. "Manager Wu

it to me. She also said I had a bit of semblance to Madam Lu. Tell me, do I look like Madam Lu?"

She propped her chin, and gazed deeply at Huo Feng. If his answer was positive, she would ask the system. And if it was unable to give her an answer, she would investigate to confirm her doubts.

Huo Feng, on the other hand, observed her deeply. His eyes flashed with an unknown light.

After a while, he admitted. "You do look like Madam Lu."

Yue Ning nodded with understanding. Now, she was looking forward to seeing Madam Lu. Silence reigned between them, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable one.

Before long, He Yuchen approached them.

"Ah Feng, Sister-in-law," he called out with a smile. Yue Ning returned the smile politely.

Seeing the smile on Yue Ning’s face, Huo Feng’s face contorted into a frown as he glared at him.

He Yuchen subconsciously rubbed his hands while he looked around. "Strange, it wasn’t cold before. Where’s the cold coming from?" He murmured.

Yue Ning who was beside Huo Feng smiled faintly. She had already felt the cold aura coming from him, and she wondered why.

She glanced at him, and seeing his stormy expression, her smile widened.

"Why are you here?" Huo Feng demanded, his voice dangerously low.

He Yuchen scoffed lightly. "I haven’t had the chance to thank my Sister-in-law for her help two weeks ago."

He turned to look at Yue Ning with an ingratiating smile. "Sister-in-law, if not for you, my family’s business would have gone down the drain. And with your reminder, I was finally able to find out who was responsible for it."

"It’s my pleasure. You are Mr. Huo’s friend, so that makes me your friend as well. I’m glad you were able to solve it." Yue Ning replied with a soft smile.

Huo Feng looked at both of them who were having a peaceful conversation, and he felt jealous.

’Jealous? How can I be jealous?’ He thought to himself, and knitted his brows.

"Have you found out who the mastermind is?" Unable to control himself, he asked.

"Of course I did. It’s my Uncle. That man continually plays tricks, but thanks to sister-in-law, I was able to beat him at his own game."

He Yuchen replied proudly.

"But I doubt he will stay down." He Yuchen pursed his lips tightly as he thought about his uncle.

The hall dimmed, and all three turned their attention to the stage where Lu Jiang stood under the spotlight.

"Greetings everyone. Thank you for honouring my family’s invitation." His deep voice carried clearly through the hall, and the murmurs of conversation gradually faded.

He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over the sea of glittering gowns and dignified suits. The atmosphere grew heavy with expectation.

"Today, we are celebrating a special person in my life."

The spotlight shifted from him and began to wander through the crowd. Whispers rippled among the guests, each curious about who would be revealed.

Finally, the light came to rest on a woman seated quietly in a corner. Unlike the others who flaunted jewels and bright smiles, she carried herself with understated elegance. A faint smile curved her lips, her eyes fixed firmly on Lu Jiang.

A hush fell over the room.

"My wife, Madam Lu."

The applause that followed was warm, but Yue Ning barely heard it. Her gaze locked on the woman as she rose gracefully to her feet.

The simple lift of her chin, the calm dignity in her steps, and the faint light that seemed to surround her—everything about her commanded attention without effort.

Madam Lu joined her husband on stage, and together they shared a brief, tender embrace before she faced the guests.

"Greetings everyone. Thank you for coming to my celebration. Every birthday of mine since my daughter went missing, I only wish for one thing..." Her voice wavered, and a sigh slipped from her lips.

A murmur swept across the hall. Everyone present understood what she meant.

The festive atmosphere dimmed, and for a moment, sorrow seemed to blanket the hall.

Sensing it, Lu Ting quickly forced a brighter tone. "Today is a joyous day. There is no need for gloom. Let us all have fun tonight. Thank you."

With her husband’s help, Madam Lu stepped down from the podium.

But Yue Ning could not tear her eyes away from her. Every gesture, every feature tugged at her heart with uncanny familiarity. Her fingers tightened around her wine glass, her expression solemn and unreadable.

Beside her, Huo Feng noticed. His gaze sharpened as he studied her pale face and the way her eyes followed Madam Lu’s figure. A faint crease appeared between his brows, and his heart sank with unease.

’Why does she look at Madam Lu this way?’ He wondered, concern and worry in his eyes as he studied her.

Yue Ning, lost in her thoughts, didn’t even realize his scrutiny. Only one thought burned through her mind.

Could there be such a coincidence in this world?