Chapter 46 The Charity Gala, Part Two

“Hello, Senior Ning! I’m Wen Jin.” Wen Jin sat directly opposite Ning Wan, smiling politely.

Ning Wan smiled and nodded, her gaze falling on the couple across from her, lingering on Gu Yao.

Although Gu Yao and Lu Yuxiu were close friends, he had never actually met Lu Yuxiu’s mother before. Now, facing the senior who always managed to put Lu Yuxiu in his place, he found himself quite charmed. He nodded to her graciously.

“This is Xiao Xi’s fourth brother, Gu Yao,” Lu Jin explained to his curious wife, helping her out.

Ning Wan was rather surprised—so this was the son of Mr. Gu? Ever since she had retired from the entertainment industry, apart from teaching vocal music, she no longer paid attention to events within the circle, only keeping up with old friends. She had heard Gu Yao’s name from her students, who mentioned he was the top male singer in the current music scene, exceptionally talented and unique. She hadn’t realized he was Mr. Gu’s son, let alone Lin Xi’s brother.

“He’s my sworn brother,” Lin Xi interjected to clarify.

“Oh, I see now.” Ning Wan finally understood. So the goddaughter Mr. Gu mentioned on social media was actually Xiao Xi. Enlightenment dawned on her.

Wen Jin and Gu Yao watched the expressions at the table, whispering quietly.

“Senior Ning treats Xiao Xi like a daughter-in-law, doesn’t she?”

“It’s far too early for that! I haven’t agreed yet!”

“Shh! Keep your voice down. I think Senior Ning is really nice.”

“But that brat Xiu is too cunning!”

Wen Jin couldn’t help but laugh; Gu Yao clearly couldn’t bear to let go of his sister.

While the group chatted and exchanged pleasantries, the banquet continued...

“The world of children is simple and pure. Let us welcome students from Ancient City Primary School to perform ‘Let Us Hold Hands,’ singing a hymn of love and offering strength and comfort to children battling illness.” Xu Feng’s powerful voice resonated through the hall.

The stage lights dazzled as the curtain slowly rose to reveal the children’s innocent faces. Everyone seated below was instantly transported back to their own childhoods, unable to suppress smiles.

“A pair of warm hands supports our home / A sincere greeting gathers into an ocean of love / Let us hold hands / And touch hearts...”

The adorable children held hands, swaying gently to the melody. The cheerful, heartwarming song quickly filled the hall, resonating in everyone’s hearts.

Thunderous applause followed, and the children waved as they left the stage.

Lin Xi watched the lively, lovely children, her thoughts drifting... Had she ever performed like this with Lu Yuxiu when she was little? What a pity she couldn’t remember anything from her childhood...

The female host stepped onstage, her tone professional and serious: “Thank you to the students for their wonderful performance. We hope we can join hands to help more children fighting illness, giving wounded hearts the strength to persevere.”

“Now, the staff need some time to prepare for the upcoming auction. Distinguished guests, please move to the buffet area and rest for a while. Thank you for your cooperation!” Xu Feng raised his hand, guiding everyone.

The guests began moving toward the buffet.

The gentlemen escorted the ladies to the inner hall, and Lin Xi was protected in Lu Yuxiu’s arms, shielded from the crowd as they moved slowly.

“Xiao Xi!” Suddenly, Lin Xi felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Qi Qi and Xu Chenglin!

“Qi Qi!” Lin Xi’s delight was obvious as she grabbed Qi Qi’s hand.

“You’re here too!” Lin Xi was thrilled to see her friends.

“Yes!” Qi Qi linked arms with her, continuing toward the buffet. “We came for the event, a bit late though—it was the launch for ‘The Legend of the Phantom Moon.’”

The two gentlemen nodded to each other and naturally followed behind.

“So soon? The launch is already over?” Lin Xi blinked, the two women leaning in together.

“Yes, it airs the day after tomorrow. Remember to help us promote it! The demoness role appears in the first few episodes, so this will be your debut on screen, Xiao Xi!” Qi Qi’s slightly upturned lips were full of joy; she was still quite excited.

“That’s true!” Lin Xi nodded, belatedly realizing her first role to air would be a demoness.

“Uh...”

“Haha! The future film queen’s first role is for me!” Qi Qi laughed heartily, clapping Lin Xi on the shoulder in a friendly gesture.

“That’s right!” Lin Xi grinned, tilting her chin up. “Fine, I’ll let you have this one!”

“Hahaha.” The two laughed together.

Inside the buffet hall, soft footsteps and the clinking of glasses echoed, the fragrance of wine wafting from crystal goblets amidst the chatting crowd. The lights gently shifted, jazz music rose and fell, and everyone ate, drank, and conversed, waiting for the auction to begin.

Lin Xi, Wen Jin, and Qi Qi gathered together chatting, each holding a tall glass.

Wen Jin and Qi Qi sipped genuine red wine, but Lin Xi was restricted by Lu Yuxiu, left holding...

Watermelon juice...

According to Lu Yuxiu, anyone with stomach trouble couldn’t drink alcohol, couldn’t eat spicy, cold, or iced foods, couldn’t drink coffee, couldn’t eat fried foods, couldn’t have overly sweet, sour, salty, hot, raw, cold, or hard foods, and needed to maintain a strict routine, drink egg water, eat bananas and honey, and rest well. He had a whole list of forbidden foods.

Just hearing him recite them made Lin Xi’s head spin—so many restrictions, it felt like half her life was gone! But he meant well, so in front of him, she obeyed. Behind his back... not so much.

Lin Xi listened as Qi Qi explained.

The “Beautiful Lady” auction was not like traditional auctions; the items for sale weren’t masterpieces or precious jewels, but closely tied to the annual charity theme.

This year’s charity recipients were children with illnesses, so the auction items all related to them, crafted by the children themselves—ordinary things.

Handmade toys, painted oil canvases, self-made bracelets... None were priceless treasures, but each was lovingly prepared by the children, made to express heartfelt thanks to those who helped them.

Such genuine emotion was priceless; truly unique!

“Do these auction items fetch high prices?” Lin Xi blinked, curious.

Qi Qi replied cheerfully, “The starting prices are all very low, and guests raise the bids themselves. In the end, it’s never as high as those famous paintings or jewels.”

“But, everyone from the entertainment circle who attends the banquet always voluntarily donates to the official ‘Beautiful Lady’ charity fund after the event. Every donation is transparent to the public and truly helps those in need, so there’s never a worry about insufficient funds.” Qi Qi revealed the unspoken consensus in their industry to Lin Xi.

She finally understood, nodding. “I see—so it’s a way to accumulate virtue. I never realized the industry had such unity about this.”

“Mhm.” Qi Qi sighed, regretting, “It’s probably because the original organizer set the example... though it’s a shame...”

“Now, everything is worthwhile, so it’s not so regrettable anymore.” Xu Chenglin suddenly spoke, as if comforting her. He had been standing silently beside Qi Qi, acting as her guardian.

Qi Qi turned to look at him, nodding gently in agreement.

Someone called for Qi Qi just then, and she gestured to Lin Xi with her lips, “Someone’s looking for me, we’ll head over first.”

“Alright!” Lin Xi nodded with a smile.

Qi Qi’s dress was long, and Xu Chenglin naturally picked up her hem, offering his arm for her to hold as they slowly walked away.

Lin Xi’s gaze lingered between the two, giving Lu Yuxiu a meaningful, sly smile.

Lu Yuxiu chuckled, ruffling her hair. This little matchmaker was addicted to shipping couples!

“Come on, let’s get something to eat.” Lin Xi eyed the delicate desserts on the long table and couldn’t help but swallow.

Lu Yuxiu felt that ever since he’d been with Lin Xi, it was like looking after a mischievous child.

“Slow down.” He let her lead him, his tone indulgent, picking up a small plate and placing both desserts she pointed at onto it.

The two found a relatively quiet corner to eat. Lin Xi nibbled at a mung bean cake, thinking to herself—if they were at home, she’d have devoured it in one bite!

Lu Yuxiu poured her a glass of orange juice, afraid this little scatterbrain would choke herself.

“Lin Xi?” A gentle, soft voice reached her ear. Lin Xi put down her plate and turned.

“Yun Yi!” Her face lit up with joy—she hadn’t expected to meet so many familiar faces at the event.

Behind Shu Yunyi was a sunny, handsome young boy.

“This is my brother.” Shu Yunyi reached out to touch the boy’s head, introducing him to Lin Xi as if entrusting him, “His name is Shu Yiran.”

The boy looked to be about eleven or twelve, his features resembling Shu Yunyi’s by about fifty or sixty percent—a sibling bond obvious at a glance.

“Hello, sister.” Shu Yiran greeted her politely.

“Hi there!” Lin Xi wanted to pat his shoulder, but Lu Yuxiu intervened, pulling her hand back.

Lin Xi was both amused and exasperated—was he jealous of even a child? She glanced apologetically at Shu Yunyi, who smiled unconcernedly and explained gently, “My brother is a bit shy, so I brought him out to see the world.”

Lin Xi nodded slightly, her hand still held captive by Lu Yuxiu.

“That’s great. You should come out and play more often, Yiran.” Lin Xi smiled, looking down at the boy.

Yiran looked at Lin Xi seriously, then nodded shyly, “I will, thank you, sister.”

“Distinguished guests, pardon the interruption! Please proceed to the inner hall, the auction is about to begin...” The broadcast sounded, Xu Feng’s voice repeating twice.

“Xiao Xi, let’s go!” Wen Jin was held close by Gu Yao, calling to Lin Xi from a few steps away.

“Coming!” Lin Xi replied, craning her neck, then turned to Shu Yunyi and moved toward the venue.

Shu Yunyi smiled at her brother and took his hand, “Let’s go.”

“Sister, does that big brother dislike me?” Shu Yiran tugged at his clothes, looking timid and gentle.

Shu Yunyi’s heart ached as she bent down to touch his head, explaining softly, “Of course not. That sister is the big brother’s girlfriend. He was just a little jealous, not angry with you.”

“Oh.” Shu Yiran nodded, finally reassured, and they walked slowly toward the inner hall.

No one noticed Su Chen, who had been quietly watching them from behind...