13 Fortune favors the bold V
The Lus dining area was lavishly decorated in gold. The dining table was huge enough to allocate twenty people. On top of it, there were a variety of cuisines cooked by the top chef in the city. The Lus were seated on the dining chairs, however, a cold atmosphere spread throughout the room. No one was braved enough to talk. Mr. Lu who sat on the chair designed for the Lu's head was having a deep frowned on her face. Yun Xi who sat on the chair next to him whispered to Butler Bun who stood upright next to his husband.
"Have you informed Young Miss Fu?" Yun Xi asked. Butler Bun nodded. He was also worried. He had clearly informed the young miss to attend the dinner on time. However, ten minutes have passed and she was nowhere to be found.
"Master Lu, where is the newly appointed Young Miss? You told us that you'd introduced her tonight." A middle-aged man wearing glasses knocked the silence that had engulfed the whole dining area. He was Lu Ting's cousin; Lu Bei.
"Yeah, I'm rather curious about what this girl looks like. Especially under the guidance of Madam Yun Xi. I believed she will be spectacular. She even dared to go against the rule." Another person spoke. It was flattery but one could sense the sarcastic remark hidden in it. Yun Xi glared toward a woman with two big earrings dangling in her ears. "Madam Chin, is that mockery?" She bravely asked. Since she had decided to return to the Lu residence and her relationship with Lu Ting had improved, she would never back away from other people's insults. She was always like that. Even before she ran away with her granddaughter to Tu island.
Madam Chin snorted. She disliked Yun Xi who suddenly appeared after missing for so long. She was a thorn in her eyes. She was about to refute when Lu Ting interrupted.
"Fu Yixiao is new to this residence and to the Lu's household rules. Therefore, let's not discuss this matter further." He said. His voice roared throughout the room. He was the master alright! That few remarks were enough to shut the rest of them.
Lu Mei, however, was different than the rest. She felt that his grandpa was always doting on her hence, she talked without any restraint. "Grandpa, I met Miss Fu when I went back from my stroll this evening, she was rude to Butler Bun! I'm complaining on behalf of Butler Bun." She lowered her voice indicating that she really didn't mean to accuse her but simply wanted to help Butler Bun.
Butler Bun frowned when he heard Lu Mei's fretting about Young Miss Fu. He realized that Master Lu was watching him so he immediately clarified the issue. "Master Lu, Young Miss Fu wasn't one in fault. I stumbled and fell. Miss Fu was helping me but I lose my balance and hit my head on the ground. She didn't harm me." Besides, I am just a butler, who cares if I was hurt by one of the Lus. I am serving them not the other way round. Butler Bun retorted in his mind.
"Hahaha... Xiao er was indeed a brute but she meant well. That couldn't be helped since my wife had been training her since small." Lu Ting explained. He looked at Yun Xi with full reverence. Yun Xi laughed in her heart. Indeed, she had hired a professional trainer to teach some martial arts to Fu Yixiao but never once she saw her prowess. She thought, she was the docile kind of girl but after watching her self defense against Lu Yiantao's attacked, she changed her mind. Her best guess was that the three months coma had triggered her granddaughter's hidden talent.
Lu Mei cursed in her mind when she realized that her grandfather was completely on Fu Yixiao's side. "I see. Grandma is really wise." She said. She clutched her fist, she was determined to ruin Fu Yixiao for she knew that her position in the mansion is no longer stable.
Once again, silence circled the whole dining area, then a creaking sound broke the silence. Fu Yixiao entered the room in a composed manner. She wore a pink blush gown which accentuated her petite body. Liling pulled a chair next to Lu Mei and Fu Yixiao steadily sat on it. She was surprised to see Lu Mei, but she knew she was one of the Lus after finding out about her name from Butler Bun.
"Sister Fu! you're here. We have been waiting." Lu Mei said. Her eyes glowed, showing her happiness. "Miss Lu Mei. Thanks for your kindness." Fu Yixiao smiled. She knew what she was up to. "Grandpa, grandma, Xiao er asked for your forgiveness for being late. I wasn't aware of the time." She explained. Her eyes remotely scanned the dining table and noticed there were many unfamiliar faces.
"Xiao er, grandpa understood. It was a tiring day after all. So many things had happened. Sit, sit." Lu Ting smiled and waved his hand indicating he wasn't mad.
"Xiao er, let me introduce your uncles and aunts." Lu Ting continued as he briefly explained their name and relationship in the Lu family. Fu Yixiao nodded as she engraved their faces in her memories. Then, she noticed that a man was glaring at her with contempt. She glanced and realized that it was Lu Jing. However, she was lazy to pay him any attention.
"Xioe er greets uncles and aunts. Forgive me for my tardiness earlier." She said and bowed courteously. She had noticed some of their disdain looks earlier however they were quick in hiding it. Still, it couldn't escape her eyes. Fu Yixiao started to feel overwhelmed. It was only her first day and she had met with many people who completely disregard her.
What the hell did I do wrong? She had no idea. However, this was nothing to her for she had met different types of unkind people in her past life, yet, she had successfully trampled over them. These type of people were merely a stepping stone for her to achieve her goals.
"Alright, now that everyone is here. Let's dine!" Lu Ting announced.
The dinner lasted for an hour when Lu Ting gathered everyone in the principal room. Fu Yixiao sat on a contemporary round chair next to a fireplace. All the maids and butlers were also gathered and their eyes were obviously talking to each other. No one dared to speak for they knew they were merely working for the Lu family.
"Is everyone here?" Lu Ting asked. Butler Bun stepped forward and answered. "Yes, Master! All the maids and butlers are here." Lu Ting nodded, satisfied with Butler Bun's efficient work. He then cleared his throat and begin his evening speech.
"Good evening, I assembled all of you tonight to explain an event that will be held two weeks later." He paused looking at everyone's expressions.
"The Lu family was one of the most prominent families in the city. To maintain this status, our ancestors had created a system to select the next successor." Fu Yixiao who lazily sat on her chair, changed her posture as she bent forward. Her hands were supporting her chin. She had a feeling that her grandfather was about to explain something which related to the Successor Selection.
"It is called the Successor Selection. In which, three successors will compete for the position as the Master of the Lu Family and also the Lu Corporation."
"As for the details of this selection. I will explain to the candidates the day after the banquet. For now, I want everyone to focus on preparing for this event. This will be the platform to announce our three candidates. Who they are; that will only be revealed at that time. I have assigned Butler Bun to be the chief and I want everyone to cooperate with him. Butler Bun will explain the details to everyone tomorrow morning. That's all. Dismiss!" Lu Ting finished his speech with a wave of his hand. The maids and butlers bowed and walked out of the room in an orderly manner.
Fu Yixiao took a deep breath. Her guess was spot on. Her grandfather was indeed talking about the Successor Selection. She had heard them said that she was the chosen successor but it seemed that it wasn't really the case. However, she was intrigued as she recalled that in her past life she had gone to numerous selection to prove her abilities. She loved competition and she was also someone who would happily welcome challenges in her embrace. Fu Yixiao, your life is getting interesting! She whispered and went back to her lazy demeanor, enjoying the warmth the fireplace had to offer. .
"Have you informed Young Miss Fu?" Yun Xi asked. Butler Bun nodded. He was also worried. He had clearly informed the young miss to attend the dinner on time. However, ten minutes have passed and she was nowhere to be found.
"Master Lu, where is the newly appointed Young Miss? You told us that you'd introduced her tonight." A middle-aged man wearing glasses knocked the silence that had engulfed the whole dining area. He was Lu Ting's cousin; Lu Bei.
"Yeah, I'm rather curious about what this girl looks like. Especially under the guidance of Madam Yun Xi. I believed she will be spectacular. She even dared to go against the rule." Another person spoke. It was flattery but one could sense the sarcastic remark hidden in it. Yun Xi glared toward a woman with two big earrings dangling in her ears. "Madam Chin, is that mockery?" She bravely asked. Since she had decided to return to the Lu residence and her relationship with Lu Ting had improved, she would never back away from other people's insults. She was always like that. Even before she ran away with her granddaughter to Tu island.
Madam Chin snorted. She disliked Yun Xi who suddenly appeared after missing for so long. She was a thorn in her eyes. She was about to refute when Lu Ting interrupted.
"Fu Yixiao is new to this residence and to the Lu's household rules. Therefore, let's not discuss this matter further." He said. His voice roared throughout the room. He was the master alright! That few remarks were enough to shut the rest of them.
Lu Mei, however, was different than the rest. She felt that his grandpa was always doting on her hence, she talked without any restraint. "Grandpa, I met Miss Fu when I went back from my stroll this evening, she was rude to Butler Bun! I'm complaining on behalf of Butler Bun." She lowered her voice indicating that she really didn't mean to accuse her but simply wanted to help Butler Bun.
Butler Bun frowned when he heard Lu Mei's fretting about Young Miss Fu. He realized that Master Lu was watching him so he immediately clarified the issue. "Master Lu, Young Miss Fu wasn't one in fault. I stumbled and fell. Miss Fu was helping me but I lose my balance and hit my head on the ground. She didn't harm me." Besides, I am just a butler, who cares if I was hurt by one of the Lus. I am serving them not the other way round. Butler Bun retorted in his mind.
"Hahaha... Xiao er was indeed a brute but she meant well. That couldn't be helped since my wife had been training her since small." Lu Ting explained. He looked at Yun Xi with full reverence. Yun Xi laughed in her heart. Indeed, she had hired a professional trainer to teach some martial arts to Fu Yixiao but never once she saw her prowess. She thought, she was the docile kind of girl but after watching her self defense against Lu Yiantao's attacked, she changed her mind. Her best guess was that the three months coma had triggered her granddaughter's hidden talent.
Lu Mei cursed in her mind when she realized that her grandfather was completely on Fu Yixiao's side. "I see. Grandma is really wise." She said. She clutched her fist, she was determined to ruin Fu Yixiao for she knew that her position in the mansion is no longer stable.
Once again, silence circled the whole dining area, then a creaking sound broke the silence. Fu Yixiao entered the room in a composed manner. She wore a pink blush gown which accentuated her petite body. Liling pulled a chair next to Lu Mei and Fu Yixiao steadily sat on it. She was surprised to see Lu Mei, but she knew she was one of the Lus after finding out about her name from Butler Bun.
"Sister Fu! you're here. We have been waiting." Lu Mei said. Her eyes glowed, showing her happiness. "Miss Lu Mei. Thanks for your kindness." Fu Yixiao smiled. She knew what she was up to. "Grandpa, grandma, Xiao er asked for your forgiveness for being late. I wasn't aware of the time." She explained. Her eyes remotely scanned the dining table and noticed there were many unfamiliar faces.
"Xiao er, grandpa understood. It was a tiring day after all. So many things had happened. Sit, sit." Lu Ting smiled and waved his hand indicating he wasn't mad.
"Xiao er, let me introduce your uncles and aunts." Lu Ting continued as he briefly explained their name and relationship in the Lu family. Fu Yixiao nodded as she engraved their faces in her memories. Then, she noticed that a man was glaring at her with contempt. She glanced and realized that it was Lu Jing. However, she was lazy to pay him any attention.
"Xioe er greets uncles and aunts. Forgive me for my tardiness earlier." She said and bowed courteously. She had noticed some of their disdain looks earlier however they were quick in hiding it. Still, it couldn't escape her eyes. Fu Yixiao started to feel overwhelmed. It was only her first day and she had met with many people who completely disregard her.
What the hell did I do wrong? She had no idea. However, this was nothing to her for she had met different types of unkind people in her past life, yet, she had successfully trampled over them. These type of people were merely a stepping stone for her to achieve her goals.
"Alright, now that everyone is here. Let's dine!" Lu Ting announced.
The dinner lasted for an hour when Lu Ting gathered everyone in the principal room. Fu Yixiao sat on a contemporary round chair next to a fireplace. All the maids and butlers were also gathered and their eyes were obviously talking to each other. No one dared to speak for they knew they were merely working for the Lu family.
"Is everyone here?" Lu Ting asked. Butler Bun stepped forward and answered. "Yes, Master! All the maids and butlers are here." Lu Ting nodded, satisfied with Butler Bun's efficient work. He then cleared his throat and begin his evening speech.
"Good evening, I assembled all of you tonight to explain an event that will be held two weeks later." He paused looking at everyone's expressions.
"The Lu family was one of the most prominent families in the city. To maintain this status, our ancestors had created a system to select the next successor." Fu Yixiao who lazily sat on her chair, changed her posture as she bent forward. Her hands were supporting her chin. She had a feeling that her grandfather was about to explain something which related to the Successor Selection.
"It is called the Successor Selection. In which, three successors will compete for the position as the Master of the Lu Family and also the Lu Corporation."
"As for the details of this selection. I will explain to the candidates the day after the banquet. For now, I want everyone to focus on preparing for this event. This will be the platform to announce our three candidates. Who they are; that will only be revealed at that time. I have assigned Butler Bun to be the chief and I want everyone to cooperate with him. Butler Bun will explain the details to everyone tomorrow morning. That's all. Dismiss!" Lu Ting finished his speech with a wave of his hand. The maids and butlers bowed and walked out of the room in an orderly manner.
Fu Yixiao took a deep breath. Her guess was spot on. Her grandfather was indeed talking about the Successor Selection. She had heard them said that she was the chosen successor but it seemed that it wasn't really the case. However, she was intrigued as she recalled that in her past life she had gone to numerous selection to prove her abilities. She loved competition and she was also someone who would happily welcome challenges in her embrace. Fu Yixiao, your life is getting interesting! She whispered and went back to her lazy demeanor, enjoying the warmth the fireplace had to offer. .