Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west, don't bully a poor girl? (Wishing my adoptive fathers a happy holiday!)

Everyone wore knowing expressions at the words, their gazes flicking back and forth between Lu Jue and Zhang Lu.

However, after all, they were neighbors of many years. Aside from the one who had spoken so carelessly earlier, most people merely exchanged glances and no one chimed in. The atmosphere became somewhat stiff for a moment.

Zhang Lu's father quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. "Haha, that was all just a joke. Both children have their own paths, and Xiao Jue is also excellent!"

Whether intentionally or not, when he said, "Both children have their own paths," the surrounding people immediately interpreted the statement on a deeper level.

Indeed, this was to draw a clear line!

You ignored me yesterday, today I'll make you someone you can't afford to associate with!

In an instant, some people's gazes towards Lu Jue were tinged with a complex emotion, as if saying, "See? If you had agreed to that marriage proposal back then, you could have benefited from it now!"

After all, in over ten years, their courtyard had only produced Zhang Lu, a "prodigy daughter" who got into a martial arts school. Although Lu Jue also practiced martial arts, he was usually quiet and unremarkable. The neighbors had subconsciously categorized the two as being on completely different trajectories.

One was destined to soar to the heavens, while the other would likely blend in with the masses.

The engagement that never happened now seemed, in everyone's eyes, like an opportunity the Lu family missed to change their fate, leaving behind only a topic for idle chatter.

Zhang Lu took in all these subtle reactions. The old resentment she felt from being rejected seemed to dissipate invisibly at this moment. The curve of her lips deepened, not out of malice, but as a natural expression of having established her superior position.

Seeing everyone's reaction, her father also felt a bit uneasy.

He had confidence in Lu Jue, of course. However, as an outsider to martial arts, he couldn't tell who was stronger or weaker. His lips moved, but he ultimately swallowed his retort. He patted Lu Jue's shoulder comfortingly.

"Xiao Jue, you're also excellent. You won't be any worse than your sister Lu in the future! Let's go have dinner together later! At Zunhe Grand Hotel!"

"Why don't you guys go? I can sort myself out!"

Lu Jue was a bit speechless.

What is this, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river? Don't bully a poor girl?

Suddenly looking back, am I Nalan Yanran?

However, he wasn't the type to cause trouble over a few words. He just felt the dinner party was meaningless.

"Our two families have a good relationship. This is the first time your sister Lu is returning home after entering the martial arts school. You have to show your support."

Looking at his father's expression, Lu Jue immediately understood his intentions.

His father didn't understand martial arts. He only knew that everyone said Zhang Lu was successful, so she must be.

Having more connections meant more opportunities. His father wanted to maintain this potentially useful connection for his son.

Even if people laughed at them, even if they had to attend this dinner party, which was clearly awkward for their family, with a forced smile, as long as it could bring even a sliver of benefit to his son, he was willing to do it.

Lu Jue's heart ached, and he swallowed the refusal that had risen to his lips.

He turned his head and looked at the new fine lines around his father's eyes and the lingering fatigue in his brow. The ripples of comparison with others instantly subsided.

Other people's opinions, whether contemptuous or sympathetic, were meaningless.

He had his father's heavy, unreserved support, and that was more than enough!

"Okay!"

Lu Jue replied softly and followed everyone onto the bus chartered by Zhang Lu's family, heading towards the Commoner District.

Half an hour later, they arrived at Zunhe Grand Hotel.

Zhang Lu's family had booked five large tables in the main hall. When Lu Jue's group arrived, they found that many who had arrived earlier had already filled two tables. Lu Jue even saw his uncle and Lu Guowei.

"Your uncle used to be colleagues with your Uncle Zhang. They had a pretty good relationship!" his father explained from the side.

Zunhe Grand Hotel was considered quite grand in the Commoner District, brightly lit and bustling with noise.

The area booked by Zhang Lu's family was even more lively. Relatives and neighbors who had arrived earlier were already chatting, and cold dishes and drinks were already laid out on the tables.

"Brother Qiang, Xiao Jue, sit here!"

As Lu Jue and his father entered, Zhang Lu's mother, who had arrived earlier and was hosting the dinner, immediately came over. She warmly invited them to sit at a table by the window, with Lu Jue's uncle's family also at the same table.

Because of the incident at the last family gathering, his uncle felt a bit awkward seeing Lu Jue and deliberately avoided his gaze. He pulled Lu Jue's father aside and chatted incessantly.

"Our Guowei has been working very hard lately. A few days ago, he even participated in some special training camp with a few classmates. It cost several thousand yuan. They say he performed well, and the coach praised his potential!"

"He was indeed careless in the last match. If they were to compete again now, he might not be much weaker than your Xiao Jue!"

His uncle's brows were filled with pride for Guowei, as if he wanted to use this opportunity to wash away the "stain" of his son's defeat at the last family gathering.

Lu Jue's father wore a simple, honest smile. He listened to his elder brother's boasting, nodding occasionally in agreement. "Yes, Guowei is excellent. He will surely achieve great things in the future!"

Lu Jue, bored, picked up his phone and casually browsed through it. He suddenly noticed that a friend named "Li" had sent him some pictures at some point, along with the text:

What style do boys your age like?

The pictures showed several different styles of outfits, either the heroic and capable "big sister" style or the noble and imposing "young lady" style, all very fitting for the style of this world.

However, Lu Jue stared at them for a long time, almost bursting out laughing.

Is this a trap for me?

If you're going to find pictures to trick me, at least be professional. Isn't this a famous internet influencer who became popular by posting suggestive content?

There are black stockings and sheer stockings, and they haven't even processed the watermark in the background. You can still see half of the blogger's exclusive logo at the edges.

Lu Jue shook his head, casually selected a photo of "black stockings and high heels," and replied, then ignored it.

At this banquet, Zhang's father seemed exceptionally happy today, determined to celebrate properly. He brought out many of his treasured good wines. After several rounds, many people's faces were already flushed, and the entire banquet hall was filled with noise and joy.

After three rounds of food, the boisterous heat and the smell of alcohol in the private room made it a bit stuffy. Lu Jue quietly got up and went to the restroom to wash his face.

The cold water splashed on his face, slightly dispelling the surrounding noise. Just as he was using a paper towel to wipe away the water droplets, from the closed stall next to him, he heard Lu Guowei's voice, deliberately lowered but unable to suppress its rising volume due to agitation.

"I've told you seven times, I'll definitely pay you back. Isn't it just thirty thousand yuan!? If you keep harassing me like this, I won't lend you any more in the future!"

"Hey, Brother Qin, you mentioned last time, which platform can I still get some money from? Hehe, I'm a bit tight on cash lately, just need to tide over an emergency!"

Lu Jue paused his movements. Glancing at the closed door in front of him in the mirror, he didn't make a sound. He simply crumpled the wet paper towel into a ball, threw it into the trash can, and turned to leave.