Chapter 420 - Compensation and First meeting

With the banquet nearing its end, the guests were already showing hints of languid carefreeness.

A few guests already excused themselves to leave. Some ladies chattered with their friends, planning when to meet next. A few of the guests who were competitors from the same industry even had small arguments with a sarcastic and snide remarks, though nothing worth to mention as it was something that happened in every banquet.

One thing that happened in every group though was that one or two people would whisper and talk about the last dance.

Lu Yin Ze found himself in a pinch once again. He was surrounded by people once more. Even though they simply casually chatted up with him, he knows that deep inside, they have been itching to ask if he had some sort of ambiguous relationship with the Second Young Miss of the Tang family.

He sighed. This night was really troublesome. He felt very tired.

He looked around trying to find the Tang family, the hosts of this event.

Once he bid goodbye to Tang Xinyang and Mistress Tang, he would go home.

Suddenly, his eyes glanced at one of the tables nearby.

Xiong Zhi was surrounded by figureheads, just like him. Her cold face and focused eyes exuded charisma whenever she talked. For a moment, he seemed to see her past self, the Xiong Zhi who saved her from hell. She was really different from before, when she was like an introvert like him, although cooler and more indifferent. She was now a total leader, with magnetic charisma that commanded everyone's attention. 

An overbearing person who showed her share of affection to only one person, and would become a totally different person altogether when she was with 'him'.

He smiled bitterly, yet still his eyes followed her.

The dress suited her well. Too bad he could not go there or even greet her.

He truly missed her, but she did not even glance at him, even as a friend. What could he expect? After what he had done to her, and after that email she sent to him...

Then a tall figure suddenly blocked his sight. 

Lu Yin Ze narrowed his eyes.

The familiar black suit of a butler.

His eyes were blocked by Linfeng's wide back. Then, the man turned around and gave him a sharp, warning look.

'Take your eyes off.'

Lu Yin Ze tightened the hold on his wineglass. He smiled bitterly again, looked down, and took a sip. 

"I hope you are enjoying the night, Young Master Lu Yin Ze." 

A voice of an old woman sounded in front of him.

Lu Yin Ze looked up and was taken aback. When did Mistress Tang came up in front of him? It seemed he was too preoccupied and did not notice at all.

The surrounding people who gave way to her slowly quieted down. The people nearby engaged in various groups seemed to notice and secretly glanced at their side. Their ears were perked up.

Lu Yin Ze bowed respectfully with a gentle smile. "Of course, Mistress Tang. It's a great night. The Tang Mansion splendidly entertained us well. I'm even happier to win an unexpected Easter egg this night. I am truly honored."

Mistress Tang smiled. It seems like this young man already knew why she came here.

"It is us who should be honored and grateful by your participation for this night. We apologize if ever the earlier event surprised you." 

The two pair of tails behind her nodded apologetically as well.

"You are too polite. There's nothing to apologize. It was a pleasant surprise."

"I'm glad to hear that." Mistress Tang stepped closer and whispered, so that only the two of them could hear it. "I'm sorry about my granddaughter's irresponsible move. We will make sure to compensate you."

Lu Yin Ze shook his head graciously. How could he let the whole Tang family compensate him? Just having this unruly Tang Xinyang owe him a favor was enough. 

Of course, for the trouble that would come later, this favor was honestly lackl.u.s.ter.

"It's alright, Mistress Tang. Tang Xinyang is my friend, and I'm happy to become the Second Young Miss's last dance," he replied politely, lying through his teeth. He could not just say he was not left without much choice, could he?

Behind her grandmother, Tang Yin quietly glanced at him and added another assumption. 'A guy who could lie with a straight face.'

Mistress Tang continued. "It won't do. You might not like my compensation but your grandfather will surely ask for it. Especially because your name is used accidentally, and the resulting... aftermath will also concern you."

Lu Yin Ze could not rebut on that. It appeared that Mistress Tang had already decided about it and was just letting him know.

So be it.

"Alright. I appreciate Mistress Tang's concern and effort. But please, rest assured that the Lu family will not take offense of it."

Mistress Tang appreciated his gentle and generous personality even more. A truly fine young man, she sighed. 

"Please tell your grandfather that I will pay him a visit one of these days."

"Yes, I will. Thank you for inviting me. It is also getting late. I shall go now."

"Allow me and my two granddaughters to escort you."

"There's no need." 

"It's alright, Lu Yin Ze. After all—" Tang Xinyang stepped forward, leaned in, and whispered secretly. "—You are now my master."

Mistress Tang and Tang Yin who had a very good hearing: "..."

M-master? What kind of play was that!?

Lu Yin Ze saw their shocked faces and became fl.u.s.tered, breaking his cool prince image. A slight blush rose on his cheeks out of embarrassment.

"T-that's not it. She... she just called me in her own accord. She is just playing around," he hastily explained.

Tang Xinyang rolled her eyes and pulled him away. "Alright! Since the party is ending and you are leaving, we will escort you, master." 

"Cut it out, Tang Xinyang!" He whispered helplessly. 

He glanced once more at Xiong Zhi's table, but she was not there anymore. His eyebrows rose and he looked around. There was no sight of his butler, too.

...It appeared that he could only go home without even getting to talk to her. His spirit waned and his resistance to Tang Xinyang's pulling faded.

He followed Tang Xinyang's lead with a low mood. 

Tang Yin who was following behind also looked at the table he was looking at earlier.

Her eyes fell into deep thoughts.

Outside.

"There's no need to escort all the way to the car. This privilege is actually putting a lot of pressure on me." Lu Yin Ze turned around. They were near at the parking area. There was no one around, just them and the car with his chauffeur.

"It's what you deserve." Tang Xinyang grinned.

"You've done enough for me."

Mistress Tang smiled. "This is just a small matter to do for our savior tonight."

"Master, thank you for saving the night. I owe you big one!" 

"...Alright, whatever you say."

Tang Yin also bowed in apology and spoke, still using her overly sweet fake tone. "I apologize for all the troubles we caused you, Second Young Master Lu. I'm really thankful for your help though. If you ever need my help, I'll gladly extend my hand. Also, rest assured that the Tang family will compensate you."

Lu Yin Ze sighed and glanced at her. Why were they so adamant in pushing him to accept compensation—

Then his eyes grew wide. He seemed to have realized something. Sweating, he asked, "Hold on. By compensation, you don't mean offering me a marriage, right?" 

Tang Yin blinked.

A marriage? What for? Whose hand?

"Heh~ If Second Young Master Lu is looking for a good candidate to marry, I will make sure that the Tang family will find a candidate who is very suitable for you. We will do our best to help," Mistress Tang suddenly chimed in.

"Ah, no, no! I didn't mean that, I am good. There's no need for that." 

Lu Yin Ze sweated. He just thought too much, thankfully.

"Then, Mistress Tang, Tang Xinyang, and Second Young Miss Tang Yin—"

"Just call me Tang Yin. That's too long."

"...I'll go now. Thank you for escorting me." Lu Yin Ze bowed to the Tang family and hurriedly went to his car, as if escaping from something.

****

Meanwhile, on the other side of the parking lot, four people stood quietly. Two men were facing each other with dark eyes. Their auras were secretly clashing.

While at the side, the man- the stand-in butler- could only break out in cold sweat. The only woman, Xiong Zhi narrowed her eyes at the two people who suddenly blocked their way.

She could not help but pay more attention to the tall man who had a cold and imposing aura. There was no doubt that he was the boss between them.

Who was this person?

It was clear that it was her first time meeting him. The man's face was perfectly sculpted. His jaw was sharp and his cold face was handsome. A kind of beauty that exuded mystery.

For some reason, his features were familiar. Yet she was certain that it was her first time seeing him.

Who was he?