Thirty Years East of the River, Thirty Years West of the River-Never Look Down on a Poor Young Girl? (Wishing My Godfathers a Happy Holiday!)

At these words, everyone revealed knowing looks, their gazes shifting back and forth between Lu Jue and Zhang Lu.

Still, they had been neighbors for many years. Aside from the person who had spoken without restraint just now, most merely exchanged glances and said nothing. The atmosphere became somewhat stagnant for a moment.

Zhang Lu's father hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over. "Haha, that was all just a joke. The two children each have their own path to walk. Little Jue is a fine young man too!"

Whether he meant it or not, when he said, "The two children each have their own path to walk," the people around them immediately interpreted those words on a deeper level.

Sure enough, they were drawing a line between them!

Yesterday you ignored me; today I'll make you too lofty to reach!

In an instant, some people's gazes toward Lu Jue became tinged with complicated meaning, as though they were saying, "See? If you'd agreed to that marriage proposal back then, you could be basking in the glory now too!"

After all, in their courtyard, Zhang Lu was the only "Prodigy Daughter" to have been admitted into a martial arts academy in over a decade. Though Lu Jue practiced martial arts as well, he was ordinarily obscure and unremarkable. The neighbors had already subconsciously placed the two of them on utterly different tracks.

One was destined to soar through the nine heavens, while the other would most likely vanish among the masses.

That marriage proposal that had never come to fruition now seemed, in everyone's eyes, more like an opportunity that could have changed the Lu family's fate—a missed chance that left behind nothing but idle gossip over tea and meals.

Zhang Lu took in every subtle reaction. The old resentment born from being rejected seemed to dissolve invisibly at that moment. The curve of her lips deepened—not out of malice, but as a natural expression after establishing her superior position.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Father felt a little uncomfortable as well.

Of course he had faith in Lu Jue, but as an outsider to the martial world, he could not tell who was stronger or weaker. His lips moved, but in the end, he swallowed his rebuttal and patted Lu Jue reassuringly.

"Little Jue, you're a fine young man too. In the future, you won't be any worse than your Sister Lu! Let's have dinner together later! At the Zunhe Grand Hotel!"

"Why don't you all go? I can handle dinner myself."

Lu Jue was somewhat speechless.

What was this, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—never look down on a poor young girl?

Looking back at dusk, he was actually Nalan Yanran?

Still, he was not about to cause trouble for someone over a few verbal clashes. He simply found this dinner gathering rather meaningless.

"Our two families have a good relationship. This is the first time your Sister Lu has returned home since entering the martial arts academy. We have to show our support."

Seeing Father's expression, Lu Jue immediately understood what he was thinking.

Father did not understand martial arts. He only knew that everyone said Zhang Lu had a promising future, so she surely did.

One more connection meant one more path. Father wanted to do his best to maintain this favor that might perhaps be useful to his son in the future.

Even if people laughed at him, even if he had to wear a smile and attend this dinner gathering that was obviously somewhat awkward for their family, he was willing to do it as long as it might benefit his son even a little.

Lu Jue's heart stung, and the refusal that had reached his lips was swallowed back down.

He turned to look at the fresh fine lines at the corners of Father's eyes and the lingering fatigue between his brows. The ripples in his heart stirred up by others' comparisons instantly calmed.

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

Having Father's weighty, wholehearted support was already enough!

"Alright!"

Lu Jue answered softly, then followed the others onto the bus chartered by Zhang Lu's family and headed toward the Commoner District.

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

Zhang Lu's family had reserved five entire large tables in the main hall. When Lu Jue's group arrived, they found that quite a few early arrivals had already filled two tables. Lu Jue even spotted his eldest uncle and Lu Guowei.

"Your eldest uncle used to be coworkers with your Uncle Zhang. They have quite a good relationship," Father explained from beside him.

The Zunhe Grand Hotel was already considered grand in the Commoner District. It was brightly lit and bustling with voices.

The area reserved by Zhang Lu's family was even more lively. The relatives and neighbors who had arrived early were already exchanging pleasantries, while cold dishes and alcohol had been laid out on the tables.

"Brother Qiang, Little Jue, sit here!"

The moment Lu Jue and Father entered, Zhang's mother, who had arrived early to host the dinner, immediately came over. She warmly ushered them to a window-side table, where Lu Jue's eldest uncle's family was also seated.

Because of what had happened at the previous Lineage gathering, Eldest Uncle was somewhat awkward around Lu Jue. He deliberately avoided Lu Jue's eyes and pulled Father into endless small talk.

"Our Guowei has been working hard lately. A few days ago, he even joined some special training camp with several classmates. It cost several thousand, but I heard he performed quite well. Even the coach praised him for having potential!"

"He really was careless in that last match. If they fought again now, he might not be much weaker than your Little Jue!"

Eldest Uncle's face was filled with pride in Guowei, as though he wanted to use this opportunity to wash away the "stain" of his son's defeat at the previous Lineage gathering.

Father wore an honest smile as he listened to his older brother's boasting, merely nodding in agreement from time to time. "Yes, Guowei is a fine young man. He'll surely achieve great things in the future!"

Lu Jue grew bored listening from the side. He picked up his phone and casually scrolled through it, only to suddenly discover that the friend named Li had, at some point, sent him several pictures with a message attached.

What kind of style do boys your age like?

The pictures showed several different styles of outfits—either the dashing, valiant style of an older beauty, or the imposing style of a wealthy young lady. They fit this world's aesthetic perfectly.

But after confirming it for a while, Lu Jue nearly laughed out loud.

Was this a trap for me?

If you're going to use pictures to trick me, at least be more professional. Isn't this person some big online influencer who got famous through suggestive content?

She wore black stockings in some and nude stockings in others. Even the watermark in the background had not been edited out, and half the blogger's personal logo could still be seen at the edges.

Lu Jue shook his head, casually picked the picture titled "Black Stockings and High Heels" to reply with, then ignored her.

At this banquet, Zhang's father seemed especially happy today. He had been holding himself back all day, intending to celebrate properly, and brought out quite a few bottles of fine liquor he had treasured away. After several rounds, many faces had already turned red, and the entire banquet hall was filled with noise and festivity.

After three rounds of drinks, the noisy heat and alcohol fumes in the private room became somewhat stifling. Lu Jue quietly rose and went to the restroom, intending to splash some water on his face.

The icy water splashed over his face, slightly dispersing the noise around him. Just as he wiped away the droplets with a tissue, a deliberately lowered voice came from the tightly shut stall beside him. Yet because of its owner's agitation, it could not help rising in volume.

"I've already told you seven times! I'll definitely pay you back! It's only thirty thousand yuan, isn't it!? If you keep harassing me like this, watch out—I won't lend to you again in the future!"

"Hey, Brother Qin, last time you mentioned some platform where I could squeeze out another loan, right? Hehe, I've been a little short on cash lately. It's urgent!"

Lu Jue's movements paused. Through the mirror before him, he glanced at the tightly shut stall door without making a sound. He merely crumpled the wet tissue into a ball, tossed it into the trash can, and turned to leave.