Chapter 11: Charity Banquet? No, This Is a Massive Younger Brother Pampering Scene!
Lu Family Manor, dressing room.
Lu Shixuan looked at the devastatingly handsome young man in the mirror and sighed helplessly.
He was wearing a pure black handmade suit personally sewn by a top tailor from Savile Row, with cufflinks made of rare black opal that shimmered with a deep, mysterious light under the lamps.
This outfit was specially prepared for him by his eldest sister, Lu Qingwan.
Sigh, Eldest Sister's taste is truly exceptional. If I'm dressed this handsomely, how am I supposed to make people hate me later?
According to the script, I should be wearing a loud, garish nouveau riche suit tonight with three gold chains, scurrying around the banquet like a country bumpkin, and ideally spilling red wine on some big shot.
Instead, Eldest Sister insisted I wear this. Once I walk out there, won't those socialites be staring at me like hungry wolves?
Standing outside the door, Lu Qingwan heard this inner monologue, and the corners of her mouth curled into a proud arc.
She pushed the door open and entered, her slender fingers gently adjusting Lu Shixuan's bowtie.
"A Xuan, tonight is a charity banquet where the capital's elite gather, and it's also Ye Chen's first official appearance. Mom and Dad want him to get to know people."
Lu Qingwan's voice was cold, but the gaze she directed at Lu Shixuan was so tender it could melt ice.
Lu Shixuan immediately put on an impatient expression and snorted coldly. "Get to know people? I think he's just going to embarrass himself! A country bumpkin like him will only bring shame to the Lu family. Eldest Sister, I'm warning you, don't let him get too close to me tonight; I find it humiliating!"
After saying that, he turned around arrogantly and strode out of the room.
Hehe, Eldest Sister must think I'm narrow-minded and can't tolerate my biological brother now.
Actually, I'm afraid that kid Ye Chen will be humiliated by Lin Zihao of the 'Four Young Masters of the Capital' tonight.
That pervert Lin Zihao loves bullying newcomers. With Ye Chen's personality, he's bound to suffer if he goes.
I have to stay ahead of him and provoke that troublemaker Lin Zihao first, drawing all the fire to myself.
Then Ye Chen can peacefully play his role as the true young master.
I'm truly a genius villain. Sacrificing myself to fulfill the protagonist's path—this retirement fund is in the bag!
Lu Qingwan's hand froze in mid-air, her eyes slightly moistening.
This silly younger brother.
He's clearly doing this to protect Ye Chen from being bullied by the playboys in the circle, yet he insists on saying such harsh words.
Lin Zihao?
That spendthrift from the Lin family?
A cold glint flashed in Lu Qingwan's eyes. She took out her phone and sent a text: "Notify the legal department to conduct a full audit of all recent foreign trade contracts of the Lin Group. I want to see a preview of their bankruptcy by midnight tonight."
...Beijing, Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
Tonight, the place was brightly lit and crowded with celebrities and socialites.
As soon as Lu Shixuan got out of the car, he saw Ye Chen wearing a somewhat ill-fitting suit.
Ye Chen stood beside Father Lu and Mother Lu. Although he tried hard to remain calm, the unease and greed in his eyes betrayed him.
"Yo, isn't this our 'true young master'?"
Lu Shixuan walked over and, in front of everyone, raised his voice an octave, his tone full of mockery.
"Was this suit rented? The shoulders are all wrinkled. Dad, Mom, really, bringing someone like this to a banquet of this caliber—aren't you just asking for the circle to laugh at the Lu family for having no worthy successor?"
Father Lu, Lu Zhenhua, darkened his expression. "Shixuan, watch your tongue!"
Ye Chen lowered his head, a trace of resentment flashing in his eyes, but his tone was incredibly aggrieved. "Big Brother is right. I really haven't adapted to this environment yet, and I've embarrassed the Lu family."
Yes, yes, yes!
That's the flavor!
Quick, scold me!
Let everyone around see how malicious I, the fake young master, am!
But seriously, didn't this kid Ye Chen look in the mirror before leaving?
There's half a strand of hair stuck to his collar. If Lin Zihao sees it later, he'll definitely mock him for ages.
Sigh, whatever. Who told me to be the 'wicked older brother'?
Lu Shixuan snorted coldly and suddenly took a step forward, crudely grabbing Ye Chen's collar.
"Looking at your pathetic state is annoying!"
He appeared to be humiliating Ye Chen, but in reality, his fingers quickly pinched off that strand of hair and gave Ye Chen's crooked collar a sharp tug, perfectly concealing the flaws of the poorly tailored suit.
"Get lost, don't get in my way!"
Lu Shixuan gave Ye Chen a forceful shove and turned around, just in time to bump into several playboys walking toward them.
The leader was the eldest young master of the Lin family, Lin Zihao.
"Yo, Young Master Lu, quite a temper tonight, huh?" Lin Zihao said, his arm around a young model, smiling playfully. "Is this that... farmer your family just found?"
A burst of laughter erupted from the surrounding crowd.
Ye Chen's face instantly turned pale.
Lu Shixuan squinted at Lin Zihao, suddenly grabbed a glass of red wine from a nearby waiter's tray, and without hesitation, splashed it directly onto Lin Zihao's expensive white suit.
Splash!
The entire venue fell into dead silence.
Lin Zihao froze, staring down at the large red stain on his chest, completely stunned.
"Lu Shixuan! Are you fucking crazy?"
Lu Shixuan tossed the wine glass aside and pointed at Lin Zihao's nose, arrogant to the extreme.
"This Young Master is in a bad mood today and found your outfit annoying. So what if I splashed you? What, Young Master Lin has an objection? If you do, have your father come talk to me and see if he dares to break off cooperation with our Lu family over a single suit!"
Whew, perfect!
I've firmly drawn all the aggro.
That mad dog Lin Zihao will definitely focus on me now and won't have time for Ye Chen.
Eldest Sister, Dad, look!
I'm acting recklessly here!
Hurry up and kick me out!
However, instead of a slap from his father, Lu Shixuan was flanked by his second sister, Lu Zhirou, and his third sister, Lu Hongyi.
Lu Zhirou hooked her arm through his left and smiled radiantly. "Good splash, A Xuan. I also thought Young Master Lin's outfit was too tacky; the color of the red wine suits it perfectly."
Lu Hongyi was even more direct. Wearing a sharp, deep red evening gown, she stared coldly at Lin Zihao, her knuckles cracking. "Lin Zihao, who did you just call a farmer? Say it again if you have the guts, and I'll make sure you experience what 'farming' feels like at the station tonight."
Lin Zihao took two steps back in fear.
These Lu family women are each crazier than the last. More importantly, why are they all protecting this fake young master like this?
Standing in the back, Ye Chen watched Lu Shixuan being surrounded like a star, his heart feeling as if it were being gnawed by venomous snakes.
Why?
He's clearly making a scene and ruining the family reputation!
Why are these sisters pampering him even more instead?
"Everyone, please be quiet."
The host of the banquet stepped onto the stage, their voice broadcasting through the speakers to the entire venue.
"Next is the charity donation segment of the evening. First, let us welcome Mr. Ye Chen from the Lu family to present his first charitable contribution."
Ye Chen took a deep breath, adjusted the collar that Lu Shixuan had "pulled," and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.
He pulled an ancient-looking rectangular wooden box from his coat and slowly opened it.
Inside was a jade Guanyin, translucent green and exquisitely carved.
"This is an ancient jade Guanyin I acquired by chance. Experts have identified it as a palace imperial piece from the Qianlong era. I wish to donate it, with all proceeds going toward education in mountainous regions."
Ye Chen's voice was gentle, instantly earning the approval of many elders.
"Qianlong ancient jade? With this quality, it's worth at least ten million."
"The Lu family's biological son actually has some assets and character."
Listening to the surrounding praise, Ye Chen shot a provocative look at Lu Shixuan.
Lu Shixuan, besides squandering money, what else can you do?
However, Lu Shixuan only gave the jade Guanyin a cold glance, and his inner thoughts immediately exploded.
Holy shit!
That idiot Ye Chen doesn't even know he's been scammed!
What Qianlong ancient jade?
That's clearly a modern imitation soaked in hydrofluoric acid. Although the carving is decent, the color saturation inside is artificially dyed. If this thing is donated and found to be a fake in a couple of days, the Lu family's reputation will be completely ruined!
This is the so-called 'true young master'?
His eye for quality is absolute trash!
No, I have to find a way to smash this fake. I'd rather be a bully who ruins a charity event than let the Lu family be branded with the reputation of 'donating fakes.'
Lu Shixuan's eyes darted around, and he suddenly strode onto the stage.
Under everyone's horrified gazes, he snatched the jade Guanyin away.
"Qianlong ancient jade? This piece of junk is worthy of being on stage?"
Lu Shixuan sneered with disdain, and then, in front of all the capital's elite, he let go.
Crash!
The "ten-million-yuan" jade Guanyin shattered into pieces on the expensive marble floor.
The entire venue was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Ye Chen's eyes nearly split from rage as he roared, "Lu Shixuan! You're crazy! That was a cultural relic worth ten million!"
Father Lu was also trembling with rage, preparing to rush forward.
Lu Shixuan beat him to it, pointing at the shards on the ground and mocking him. "Ten million? Ye Chen, have you gone stupid from living in the mountains? This kind of street-stall junk soaked in acid—available on Pinduoduo for 9.9 yuan with free shipping—and you bring it to a Lu family banquet to make a fool of yourself?"
"If you don't believe me, have Second Sister come take a look. She's an honorary director of the Appraisers Association."
Lu Zhirou stepped onto the stage gracefully in her high heels.
She didn't even look at Ye Chen, only glancing down at the shards on the floor before letting out a cold laugh.
"A Xuan is right. This is indeed a crude imitation. Ye Chen, by bringing this out, are you trying to insult everyone here, or are you trying to make the Lu family the laughingstock of the capital?"
Ye Chen felt as if he had been struck by lightning, freezing in place.
This... how is this possible?
He clearly bought this at a high price from that mysterious antique dealer!
Seeing Ye Chen's desperate expression, Lu Shixuan was overjoyed.
Hehe, the Lu family will definitely kick me out now, right?
Smashing my 'biological brother's' donation in public and causing a scene at the banquet.
Come on, Dad, Mom, Eldest Sister, hurry up and announce that you're severing ties with me!
However, Lu Qingwan slowly stepped onto the stage at that moment.
She didn't look at Ye Chen, but instead gently took Lu Shixuan's hand and, facing all the elites below, announced in a cold and domineering voice:
"Tonight, to maintain the purity of the charitable cause, A Xuan did not hesitate to expose a counterfeit product in public. To make up for the disappointment, on behalf of the Lu family and in A Xuan's name, I am donating a 5% stake in 'Qingfeng Real Estate' under the Lu Group to the charity fund!"
The entire venue erupted in thunderous applause.
A 5% stake in "Qingfeng Real Estate"—that was an asset worth billions!
Lu Shixuan was completely dumbfounded.
Wait... Eldest Sister, did you miscalculate?
I'm here to cause trouble!
How did you end up whitewashing my reputation?
And gave me billions in the process?
Is this script... even working anymore?
!
Just as Lu Shixuan was questioning his life, the banquet doors were pushed open once again.
Chu Yaoyao, wearing a minimalist yet elegant white evening gown and accompanied by the head of the Chu family, walked slowly into the venue like a queen inspecting her territory.
Her gaze crossed the crowd and landed precisely on Lu Shixuan.
"Young Master Lu."
Chu Yaoyao walked up to Lu Shixuan and, in front of everyone, bowed slightly.
"The Chu family is willing to follow in Young Master Lu's footsteps and donate an additional one billion."
Seeing this, Ye Chen's vision went dark, and he fainted straight onto the floor from pure rage.
As Lu Shixuan watched the favorability overflow alerts flashing frantically on his system panel, he just wanted to flip the bird at the sky.
This villain role—can I just quit?
!