Chapter 173 - Double Celebration

The day of the party had finally come and everyone was gathered at the Starlight Tower's main restaurant enjoying each other's company.

The other night, Andrea had a conversation with Li Wen and just so happened General Lei was there to visit. 

"Andy, am I not invited to Lu Fang's birthday?"

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. Not that we don't appreciate you, Lei Dong, we just totally forgot! Please do come. You can join Li Wen on the way here."

The couple was trying to keep the gathering so intimate that they had overlooked their most trusted ally in the military. 

"Well, I should be used to it by now, Andy. You always forget me," he took a second to pause before asking a favor, "Can I bring my girlfriend with me?"

"WWHHAAATTT?" Needless to say, she was shocked. The last time they met in person was before she found out she was pregnant. There was never a talk about dating someone. 

General Lei cleared his throat and repeated himself, "Yes, I have a girlfriend. It's Rou Chunhua. I did mention having saved her from the Yanlin's Asylum to you."

"WOW! This calls for a double celebration - "

"Andy, don't exaggerate, but yes. I imagine Lu Fang would celebrate."

"Haha! Yes, he would," declared Andrea. 

Back at the party, Lu Fang Introduced Andrea to his college friends. They were also acquaintances of Shen Mian and they heard that the man's wife was a mere bodyguard. Despite this discovery, they opt to keep their opinions to themselves as they respected Lu Fang's decision, regardless. 

As they were chatting in one of the tables, Xia Ting and Li Wen finally arrived together with the children. 

Seeing her aunt, Xia Mei immediately rushed to Andrea's side. 

"Aunt! Aunt!" Mei-mei jumped to hug her Aunt. 

Andrea tried her best to reciprocate the loving embrace without protruding her belly. 

Seeing her leaning forward, Xia Ting came to retrieve the little girl, excusing her excitement. 

"It's fine Brother Ting, I'm being careful," assured Andrea. 

Lu Fang turned to greet him at introduced his friends at the same time.

His buddies were in awe seeing the great Xia Ting for the first time, even calling Lu Fang brother. Later, they learned of Andrea's relationship with the Xias. Apparently, she was not a simpleton. They mocked Shen Mian in silence, knowing she never stood a chance. 

Seeing the admiration in their faces, Andrea begged Lu Fang's friends, "I don't really tell about my connection with the Xias. So I hope we keep this between us."

They confirmed without question. 

General Lei followed and with him was a shy Rou Chunhua. 

Lu Fang saw them first and excused himself together with his wife. "General," he called. "What a cute young lady you have with you. Is she your girlfriend?"

The girl's cheeks immediately flushed, but Lei Dong maintained his poker face and said, "Yes. This is my girlfriend."

"Hi, I'm Andy. Any girlfriend of Dong is a friend of ours," Andrea smiled brightly at Chunhua then looked up to the General with a thumbs up. 

"General, let us take our seats and begin our double celebration!" He winked at him while Lei Dong shook his head. 

It did not take long for the Smiths to arrive. They went directly to greet Lu Fang who was seated at a round table, engrossed in a conversation with General Lei. 

"Happy birthday, Lu Fang," greeted Harold. The two ladies behind him also gave their wishes. Patricia wanted to hug the man, but when Lu Fang realized this, he said, "I'm sorry. I don't do hugging."

Her face instantly frowned. 

"Mr. Smith, we will just be having a simple dinner serenaded with live music, nothing special really. Please take your seats, your assigned table is over there," said Lu Fang pointing to a table on the far end from where they stood. 

Harold Smith realized how much Lu Fang belittled them. He did not give importance to their soon and their prestige. 

The man noticed the dismay on his face and asked, "Any problem Mr. Smith?"

"I'm sorry about the arrangements. The front rows were reserved for the Royal Dragon family," he said while pointing out to the next table where Andrea sat with Li Wen and her family before resuming, " my relatives, very good friends and partners in business." 

"Right. Right." Harold nodded before saying to himself, 'Technically, we haven't signed anything on paper.'

"There is no problem, young man. I just wished we have more opportunity to talk."

The Smiths went to sit on their assigned area observing the guests who attended the event. He was particularly surprised to see the Royal Dragon to be represented. It only meant Lu Fang had great ties to the richest and most powerful family in China.

The one thing that got him even more curious was the fact that it was Andrea and not Lu Fang who was happily chatting with the Xias. The little girl next to her even kept on hugging Andrea, indicating she was closer to them than Lu Fang. 

Harold let out a sigh and murmured, " I need to do more research about this Andrea."

He recalled Lu Fang suggesting for him to send a proposal to this corporation but did not take it seriously at that time, given their target was him in the first place. 

Outside the Starlight Tower, an unknown man had followed the Smiths enter the building. Seeing everyone was in formal wear, he realized he needed to be dressed well to enter the tower. He could at least observe from outside the restaurant.  

After learning that the Smiths were flying out to China and with the possibility of residing in Beijing temporarily, It made him curious and assume another evil plan was on the way. So he used his resources to follow them all the way from the US. 

The unknown individual clenched his hand into a fist at the thought of the Smiths living their lives, partying in this building while they had ruined his life. He swore to bring them down.