Invitation

President Li Ruobing's office.

Su Rui held a magnetic card in his hand, along with an employee file and an ID badge.

"The company has been purged. You should now prepare for the opening of the new store," Li Ruobing said, flipping through files at her desk. "There are many things waiting for you to handle."

"No rush," Su Rui said with a smile. "Do you really think your company is clean now?"

"What do you mean?" Li Ruobing looked up and asked.

"Hu Guangyi is Qin Lan's man, and he's not the only one in your company who works for Qin Lan," Su Rui said, raising an eyebrow.

Qin Lan, Li Ruobing's stepmother.

The Li Family Madam who had always viewed Li Ruobing as her imaginary enemy.

"Her original plan was to use Hu Guangyi to seize power and force you out. Once you lost control of the company, the agreement would naturally fail, and she would also gain control of Mingzhu Company. It was a good plan that killed two birds with one stone."

"But now her obvious pawn has been kicked out... I believe her next move will be implemented soon."

Su Rui toyed with the ID badge in his hand. From his understanding of Qin Lan, he knew she was a woman who wouldn't rest until she achieved her goal.

"Let her come. I'll take it all on," Li Ruobing said.

"While I don't doubt your business acumen and talent, your foundation and available resources are ultimately not as strong as hers," Su Rui said. "Because you are the junior, and your father still holds the power in the Li Family. For the same matter, if you and Qin Lan both went to handle it, do you think people would give face to you or to Qin Lan?"

Su Rui said that he had always been able to see the essence of things; the agreement concerning the Li Family was inherently an unequal gamble.

"Are you saying I should get to know some people from higher social strata to be my resources?" Li Ruobing was very intelligent and understood immediately.

Su Rui smiled.

"There are two tickets to the Wen Feng Gala in your drawer. The event is an art appreciation, and it's tonight. Let's go together." Su Rui tapped the desk lightly with his fingertip. "This is a good opportunity."

Li Ruobing's body stiffened for a moment, then she pulled two exquisite invitations from her drawer.

"Now, I'm starting to believe you are a reborn person... I only received these two invitations the evening before yesterday."

"Exactly, and you didn't even plan on attending," Su Rui added.

Li Ruobing narrowed her eyes. She indeed hadn't planned on attending this so-called Wen Feng Gala. The reason was simple: she wasn't interested in such things.

"I... don't know much about art," Li Ruobing hesitated, then pursed her lips helplessly. She had always been dedicated to business and running the company. "Alright, I admit, this is my weakness!"

As she pursed her lips, a lock of long, black, straight hair fell down. Li Ruobing's posture was like that of a shy young girl.

Su Rui stared at Li Ruobing's face with interest.

Because this posture was truly rare. The usually strong Li Ruobing seldom showed such helpless or conceding expressions.

"The content isn't important," Su Rui smiled. "What's important is that art is also a means of socializing."

This was a common trait among people. When material and living conditions improved, they tended to develop interests in art and spiritual satisfaction.

Among those attending the Wen Feng Gala, perhaps not many truly understood art appreciation, but there were definitely many wealthy and powerful people. These big bosses or high-level figures also wanted to use this method to meet more people.

This was why many nouveau riche who couldn't read many characters still liked to set up a study, practice calligraphy, or go to concerts.

Even if they might not understand "Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti," they still pretended to be utterly engrossed.

Because your social class has reached that level!

You're worth billions, and when you open your mouth to other entrepreneurs, it's still full of dirty jokes and vulgarities. After a long time, will people still want to deal with you?

They will feel that you are low-class, that you can't make it to the big leagues!

Gradually, they will consciously distance themselves from you!

While this behavior might have a hint of showing off, the trend is like this. If you can't integrate, you can only be excluded.

Li Ruobing came from a wealthy family and naturally understood the intricacies of this, so after Su Rui spoke, she didn't insist further.

"Let's go," Su Rui casually picked up the car keys from the desk.

"What are you doing?" Li Ruobing frowned.

"To attend a gala, you naturally need a fitting gown. You don't plan to go in these clothes, do you?"

Li Ruobing didn't just own one car, and in the congested traffic of Tongzhou City center, the comfort of a Pagani was clearly inferior to that of a business car.

A silver-gray Rolls-Royce was parked at the entrance of a high-end gown store.

Su Rui glanced at the sign at the entrance and raised an eyebrow.

"What's wrong?" Li Ruobing noticed Su Rui's unusual behavior.

"Nothing..."

Su Rui smiled and walked in with Li Ruobing.

This custom gown store was very famous throughout Tongzhou City. It specialized in customizing various high-end gowns for the upper class. The materials and craftsmanship were very meticulous, and the prices were exceptionally expensive.

And most importantly, this store had requirements for the wealth of its customers.

Assets below fifty million were not accepted!

This hunger marketing method was exceptionally effective, and business was unexpectedly booming!

Naturally, Li Ruobing was not among those refused entry. Not only was the Li Family's wealth and influence immense, but her own company had assets exceeding a billion yuan, making her well-known throughout Tongzhou City.

"Miss Li, welcome. How may I assist you?"

The staff working in this kind of store were well-trained and familiar with the wealthy families of Tongzhou City. Seeing Li Ruobing arrive, the attendant on duty bowed slightly, her attitude very polite and respectful.

"Do you have any ready-made formal wear here? Pick out a few suitable sets for this gentleman and me to try on," Li Ruobing said calmly. She wasn't the type to become arrogant and overbearing towards service staff of lower status. "I want the latest styles."

The attendant nodded repeatedly and turned her gaze to Su Rui beside her, feeling a sense of surprise.

Li Ruobing was very famous in Tongzhou – cold, aloof, and never heard to be accompanied by any man, let alone picking out formal wear together.

Could this handsome, gentle-smiling gentleman be Li Ruobing's boyfriend?

"Please wait a moment," the attendant knew this wasn't the time for gossip. After leading the two to the VIP lounge area, she hurried away.

Soon, a series of women's formal dresses were laid out.

"Miss Li, the men's formal wear will be here shortly. Please take a look at these first," the attendant dared not delay.

"Go try them on," Su Rui smiled, waving his hand as a gesture.

"..." Li Ruobing didn't say anything either, simply nodded and walked straight towards the fitting room.

The attendant, holding a few dresses, trotted eagerly behind Li Ruobing.

The fire of gossip burned fiercely in her heart.

Li Ruobing's strong personality was well-known to everyone, yet that man spoke to her in a tone that was almost like a command. The most crucial thing was that Li Ruobing actually acquiesced!

What exactly was this man's identity?!

Su Rui crossed his legs and looked around at the display cases, waiting boredly.

Suddenly, the sound of leather shoes came from above the staircase.

The footsteps stopped.

A young man in an expensive suit stood there. His appearance could be called handsome, but his face had a sickly paleness and a hint of undisguised haughtiness.

Looking at Su Rui in the lounge area, his eyes showed some confusion, bewilderment, and deliberate arrogance.

With a slight curl of his lips, he said as if surprised, "I'm not mistaken, are I? You are... Su Rui!"

"How can you get into this formal wear store too?"