Chapter 734: Chapter 32: The Cannon Fodder Best Friend of the Abused Heroine

No wonder the original plot focuses on the emotional tug-of-war between him and the female lead, Zhao Zhaozhao.

Zhao Zhaozhao managed to stay in the Lu Family’s ancestral home thanks to the token and Fu Lihan’s help.

Lu Zhixing pampered her and fulfilled all her wishes.

This put Zhao Zhaozhao, the female lead, in a deep emotional struggle and dilemma.

After all, Lu Zhixing is no less than Fu Lihan in terms of strength or looks.

In the end, the supporting male character couldn’t compete with the male lead, and the female lead still chose Fu Lihan without hesitation, betraying the Lu Family who treated her like a cherished treasure.

So, Lu Zhixing’s kindness to him is completely out of character.

Right now, even if the person sitting in front of him wasn’t Jiang Lai, but another he considered a sister, they would receive his affection.

Therefore, Jiang Lai is very clear-headed.

She can be moved, but only slightly.

She could forget everything by the time she goes to the bathroom.

Little Buding could feel Jiang Lai’s emotional fluctuations, and naturally knew Jiang Lai’s clarity and calmness at this moment.

"I don’t believe you weren’t moved at all."

"I will always be moved by money."

"Oh, as if anyone wouldn’t be. Still, it’s good for you now, so you won’t feel bad after leaving this world."

Jiang Lai closed her eyes indifferently.

After a day of shopping, she was tired, and went straight to bed after casually eating something at home.

Lu Zhixing didn’t leave immediately after tidying up, but helped tidy up the living room a bit more for Jiang Lai.

There, he saw the desk Jiang Lai had placed in the corner of the living room.

The desk was filled with various exam preparation materials. Not only the desk, but the floor and windowsills were filled with traces of Jiang Lai’s hard work, visible everywhere.

Flipping through a book, the densely marked notes caused a slight tremor in one’s heart.

Lu Zhixing had never worked so hard. From childhood to adulthood, everything seemed extraordinarily smooth for him.

School was like that; he easily got into university, successfully secured a postgraduate spot, and then went on to a prestigious university for his Ph.D.

Work, though tiring, never left him feeling exhausted.

In Jiang Lai, he felt the energy field emitted by someone’s hard work.

Very novel, very shocking.

After seeing Jiang Lai’s emptied pen refills, a sudden surge of heartache washed over him.

Jiang Lai was outstanding, so much so that he felt inferior as an older brother.

He didn’t touch this corner but sat on the windowsill and picked up a book Jiang Lai had read.

Late at night, Lu Zhixing turned to the last page of the book.

There, he saw a sentence marked by Jiang Lai.

"I often search for the meaning of living; some live for family, some for desire, some for love, and some for righteousness.

But when I have no ties, no love, or righteousness, what is the meaning of my life?

Later, I looked up and saw the stars above and the river beneath my feet.

At that moment, I found meaning in my life."

This was the protagonist’s reflection on life at the conclusion.

Lu Zhixing had read this book before and previously dismissed it as the author complaining about meaningless and pretentious things.

But when he saw the words Jiang Lai left under this sentence, an unusual emotion surged in his heart.

"Living doesn’t need any meaning."

His heart stirred slightly.

The guilt he felt towards Jiang Lai turned into a subtle ache.

Before this, what did she experience to say such heavy words?

——

At 7:58 PM, the cocktail party began.

The hotel’s entrance, as luxurious and spacious as the Vienna Golden Hall, was filled with luxury cars.

After getting out of the car, Lu Zhixing walked around to open the car door for Jiang Lai.

With his slender hand shielding the car door, the man gently reminded her, "Watch your head."

It was Jiang Lai’s first time seeing such a scene, and Lu Zhixing, worried she might be nervous, let her hold onto his arm as they entered.

On stage under the spotlight, a cellist was playing serene, captivating music.

The venue had three levels, not too large but showcasing meticulous sophistication.

The waiters, carrying silver trays, approached and handed them a glass of champagne.

"Can you drink it?"

"It’s fine."

The champagne had a very low alcohol content, and as she took a sip, it tasted slightly of sour oranges, which Jiang Lai really liked. She clinked glasses with Lu Zhixing two or three times.

Although Lu Zhixing said it was just a regular business cocktail party, there was no need to be too tense, judging by the attendees, it was anything but simple.

Dinners within high society circles always have a purpose; amidst their casual chatter, enormous business deals worth millions were made.

As the wealthiest family, and with Lu Zhixing as the son of the wealthiest, they were undoubtedly the spotlight of the event.

Even from the entrance, numerous people approached to engage and toast.

Lu Zhixing was well-acquainted with such events, adept at dealing with different genders, ages, and statuses of executives.

When others asked him to introduce Jiang Lai, he would sincerely say, "This is my younger sister, Lu Lai, who has been frail since childhood and raised abroad. Now that she’s older, as her brother, I am introducing her to everyone."

"Sister? Mr. Lu hid her well. We hadn’t met such a beautiful sister before! Here, I toast the sister!"

"Hmm, she’s not well, so I’ll drink on her behalf."

After drinking, Lu Zhixing set down his glass and directly took Jiang Lai away.

Towards these partners, he maintained a gentle yet distant demeanor, accompanied by the pride and reserve of a prestigious family.

The others respectfully watched them leave. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Just as they walked away, a few murmured behind them.

"When did the Lu Family have a daughter?"

"Couldn’t it be a mistress he was too shy to introduce, so he called her his sister?"

"Lu Zhixing isn’t that kind of person. He’s known for avoiding women and always attends events alone. If he says she’s his sister, then she must be a real sister.

The Lu Family hid it well; for years, not a hint of this news."

The talk reached Fu Lihan’s ears nearby.

The moment Lu Zhixing appeared with Jiang Lai, he noticed.

Given his understanding of Lu Zhixing, he wouldn’t bring an unknown woman to such events.

Initially, he thought Jiang Lai was just a lover of Lu Zhixing’s.

Now it seems, Jiang Lai’s identity is not simple.

Even if not a sister, she must be an important person to Lu Zhixing.

Thinking of the setback he suffered recently, he felt a surge of anger, his face darkening.

As the new rising star in Sea City, many sought to ingratiate, but whenever Lu Zhixing appeared, those people flocked to him like dogs catching a scent.

Fu Lihan coldly chuckled inwardly.

That’s the way of the world: the strong make the rules, and the weak follow them.

He realized his lack of strength led him to being bullied by Lu Zhixing!

Watching Jiang Lai and Lu Zhixing’s departing figures, Fu Lihan nearly crushed the glass he held.