Chapter 35: Such Grand Gestures

Nangong Lu swirled the champagne in his glass, lips curled in a smile. “What, are you all feeling sorry for me now?”

“Tch, that brat Zhang Zehao just loves to meddle with the girls you bring, Lu. I swear he’s doing it on purpose!” Gu Yue grumbled resentfully.

Gu Ziyun cast a sidelong glance at Nangong Lu, thinking to himself—wasn’t it you, Young Master Lu, who once stole his girlfriend, back when you were nineteen?

Nangong Lu’s expression was innocent. “That wasn’t my fault—the girl insisted on throwing herself at me!”

Gu Ziyun snorted. “So what exactly are you scheming?”

Nangong Lu finished his champagne in one gulp, eyes glinting with amusement. “My little sister is no ordinary person. Just wait and see.”

As the first dance music began, Xi Junle led Madam Xi gracefully to the center of the dance floor, and the two began to dance elegantly.

Everyone gathered around, quietly admiring the scene.

It was said that the elder of the Xi family had done two things right in his life—establishing Liyang Academy, and raising his grandson into a musical prodigy.

Xi Junle had grown up under the knee of his grandfather, inheriting his gentle, refined demeanor, paired with a handsome face and noble bearing.

Dancing with Madam Xi, whose charm had not faded and who was born into a family of dancers, the two together were as beautiful as a painting.

Upstairs, Xianyu Qing had just secretly uploaded a short video, and the group chat “Hot Pot Squad” exploded.

Sweet Jia: [Wow wow wow! Is this big brother Junle in real life?]

Mao Pea: [Damn, Idle Fish, where have you been wandering off to?]

Whimper Monster: [Oh ho, this is gold!]

Sweet Jia: [Sister Fish, I love you! Mwah.jpg]

Idle Fish: [Don’t spread it.]

Previously, Xianyu Qing hadn’t realized the person chatting with her was the musical prodigy adored by Sweet Jia and the others. It wasn’t until the host’s introduction just now that she finally caught on.

If Sweet Jia hadn’t reminded her repeatedly last time, she wouldn’t have snuck a video at all—such a low-level move. In a place like this, getting caught wouldn’t just be embarrassing, there could be legal consequences.

Still, everyone in the Hot Pot Squad were trustworthy old friends. Xianyu Qing knew she could rely on them; they just wanted to see a little, nothing more.

Once the opening dance ended, couples began to step onto the floor one after another.

None of Nangong Lu’s friends had brought female companions, so they invited other ladies who had come alone to dance casually.

Nangong Lu wasn’t in the mood. Instead, he went upstairs to find Xianyu Qing—after all, he was the one who brought her, and he couldn’t leave her unattended.

He found Xianyu Qing perfectly content, enjoying a drink by herself.

Nangong Lu brought her a piece of cake and set it before her, smiling apologetically. “Qing Qing, sorry! Those friends of mine dragged me into conversation, leaving you alone here. Is it too boring?”

Xianyu Qing didn’t buy his excuse. She had already prepared herself, knowing Nangong Lu hadn’t invited her to the ball just to have fun.

She accepted the cake without ceremony, eating it in small bites. She hadn’t eaten dinner and was hungry; filling up was the best way to face whatever came next.

With Second Young Master Nangong beside her, the single men who might have wanted to ask her to dance didn’t dare approach.

Nangong Lu lounged lazily on the sofa, making idle small talk about Liyang Academy. Xianyu Qing responded simply.

Their lukewarm interaction, from Xi Junle’s perspective, looked as if Xianyu Qing were reluctantly accommodating Nangong Lu.

Madam Xi noticed her son’s distracted expression and assumed he was tired of the event. She instructed the ball’s organizer to move things along to the next segment.

After the dance, it was time for the charity donations.

Earlier, all guests had sent their valuable items to the venue. Once auctioned, all proceeds would be donated by the hosts.

As the important segment began, Nangong Lu led Xianyu Qing downstairs to the auction hall.

The first item up for auction was a violin donated by Xi Junle, used in his overseas concert tours.

Everyone knew Xi Junle’s greatest mastery was the piano, but his skills in violin and transverse flute were also exceptional. He truly deserved the title of musical prodigy.

Naturally, his violin was highly valuable. It was swiftly auctioned for 2.58 million.

Xianyu Qing was amazed—rich people really didn’t treat money like money!

Several more items followed: paintings, jewelry, all sold for high prices. According to the host, the proceeds would be donated to a medical team in Africa.

Nangong Lu noticed Xianyu Qing sipping her drink with boredom and asked, “Qing Qing, is there anything you fancy? Just let me know.”

Xianyu Qing shook her head.

Better not—the items up for auction were antiques and jewelry, worth millions apiece. She wouldn’t dare ask for any.

Nangong Lu chuckled, “Don’t be shy. Whatever you want, just put it on big brother’s tab. He dotes on you—he won’t mind a bit of money.”

Xianyu Qing: “……”

Did he misunderstand something?

She was just a distant relative temporarily staying with the Nangong family. If she accepted their gifts, wouldn’t she be indebted for life?

Suddenly, the crowd grew restless.

The auctioneer had brought out an exquisitely crafted white Western vintage court dress.

The gown was clearly antique, adorned with pale purple crystals, drawing the gaze of everyone present.

Sure enough, when the auctioneer explained, it turned out to be the wedding dress worn by Madam Xi’s grandmother on her wedding day, created by one of the top Western bridal designers of the time.

The Xi family was a scholarly household. When the elder founded Liyang Academy, it was thanks not only to support from other noble families, but also to the wealth of Madam Xi’s maternal family.

Rumor had it that Madam Xi’s mother came from an ancient Western aristocratic lineage. The elder Xi had traveled abroad in his youth, met her, fell in love, and they married.

Their cross-national wedding caused quite a stir, especially because of this unique “Purple Starry Sky” dress—the only one of its kind in the world.

Now, Madam Xi’s grandmother was actually willing to auction it—what a surprise!

In the VIP section, Madam Xi turned to Xi Junle in astonishment. “This dress… Did your grandmother ask you to bring it?”

She’d only just learned of the auction item herself. She’d dreamed of owning that dress; Madam Xi’s grandmother had always treasured it as a rare gem.

Why such extravagance now?

Xi Junle lowered his eyes, considering how best to answer.

Suddenly, a thunderous boom startled everyone in the hall!