Chapter 286: Chapter 286 The Show is About to Begin Chapter 286: Chapter 286 The Show is About to Begin The following morning, at dawn.

At the site of the Jupiter Love Charity Foundation.

Today’s press conference was held outdoors, and from a distance, one could see the arrangements on the lawn, along with the particularly eye-catching “Nurturing Seedlings” campaign slogans.

Numerous business elites arrived to support the charity foundation’s newly launched “Nurturing Seedlings” initiative.

At that moment, a black Bentley slowly drove in, and Lu Xining, who was seated in the back, looked up to see Mu Suyu on the lawn nearby, engaging in lively conversation with the guests, her apricot eyes tinged with a cold moisture.

Seated beside her, Fu Junhang also saw the scene outside; his gaze was icy, as if void of any human emotion.

“Mrs. Li, long time no see. You’re looking even better than before.”

“Mr. Chen, we meet again. Do visit my home for tea when you’re free.”

“Miss Wang is still as stunning as ever. I’m very grateful that you could come today.”

Mu Suyu seemed to have already distanced herself from her son’s crisis, her white suit elegant and intellectual, as she greeted the arriving guests with warm exchanges.

But her smile abruptly froze when she saw Fu Junhang stepping out of the Bentley.

The man was dressed in a black, austere suit; a scar on his face added a wild and unrestrained air, and his indifferent eyes were intimidating, yet his motion of opening the car door was completely gentlemanly.

When Mu Suyu saw Lu Xining appear at that moment, her expression turned instantly dark.

Dressed in a white cheongsam, Lu Xining held an elegant posture as she clung to Fu Junhang’s arm beside her, her lips bearing a faint smile as she walked step by step toward Mu Suyu.

“Mrs. Jing, we meet again.” Her voice was light, yet it delivered a heartfelt pain to the other.

Struggling to suppress the rage in her throat, Mu Suyu forced a smile, “Miss Lu, I recall that you were not on the invitation list.”

Today’s charity foundation event was a major occasion before the year’s end and could not afford any mishaps.

She stood tall, her tone laced with pride and scorn, “Miss Lu might not be aware, but today’s event is exclusively for our charity’s guests. We do not entertain unknown outsiders. If you wish to donate, you may contact our staff some other day. For now, please leave.”

Faced with her unfriendly words, Lu Xining did not get angry. Instead, she seemed distressed as she lowered her head, appearing as though she was genuinely affected by the words.

Mu Suyu, observing this, breathed a sigh of relief, thinking Lu Xining had no invitation and feeling glad she had set a barrier beforehand; otherwise, she had no idea how this woman might have caused trouble today.

“They are with me,” a familiar voice came from behind.

Zhou Jiawang handed the invitation to a staff member nearby.

Lu Xining turned her head and saw him, the corner of his mouth raising a faint smile toward her.

He had not brought a female companion; his white suit made him look even more distinguished, while the current shade of blue added a touch of melancholy to him.

Zhou Jiawang nodded towards Fu Junhang, as if their previous conflict didn’t exist.

The latter also nodded in response, maintaining a superficial calm between them.

Fu Junhang knew Lu Xining’s purpose and played the role of a silent backing throughout, waiting for her next move.

“Let’s go,” Zhou Jiawang said in a deep voice.

But Mu Suyu stepped forward, making it clear that the charity foundation did not welcome anyone without an invitation.

She stared intently at Lu Xining, adamant in her refusal to let her in.

Yesterday was the He Family’s territory where she could not make a big scene, but today she was in her own Mu Family’s home ground and was determined not to let Lu Xining through.

She wanted to ensure that however grandly Lu Xining arrived, she would leave just as embarrassingly.

However, at that moment, the head of the Jupiter Love Charity Foundation hurried out. Seeing Lu Xining, he quickly half-bowed and respectfully said, “Miss Lu, you’ve arrived. Everything inside is ready; please come in.”

A look of astonishment appeared on Mu Suyu’s face.

She looked puzzled at the person in charge next to her and furrowed her brows, “Mr. Shi, what do you mean by this?”

The man referred to as Mr. Shi hurriedly explained, “Mrs. Jing, I also received a last-minute notice. Mr. Murong had urgent matters abroad and couldn’t make it back, so he specially asked for Miss Lu to replace him in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.”

The corners of Lu Xining’s lips lifted, tinged with a mocking smile.

She pointed out indifferently, “It seems that the Jupiter Love Charity Foundation has plenty of funds and doesn’t need Mr. Murong’s donations anymore.”

“Miss Lu, you are mistaken. Mr. Murong has always been our number one philanthropist at the Jupiter Love Charity Foundation, and we are very grateful for his consistent love over the years. Mrs. Jing is simply unaware of your identity, and it’s also my fault for not explaining it to Mrs. Jing in advance. It’s my mistake.”

Mr. Shi took the responsibility upon himself and invited Lu Xining and Fu Junhang to come inside.

Lu Xining raised an eyebrow: “Mrs. Jing, may I go in now?”

With a forced smile, Mu Suyu clenched her teeth and said, “Of course!”

Zhou Jiawang lowered his eyes and couldn’t help but laugh. He almost forgot that she never fought unprepared battles; if she showed up here, it was certain she had made thorough preparations, and it was actually he who had been overthinking.

In just a short week’s time, the Zhou Family had thoroughly become Zhou Jiawang’s plaything.

Zhou Zhenqing died, and Zhou Ni Juan was locked up.

Feng Suli, who had once loved attending inner circle gatherings the most, had begun a life of not stepping outside her door.

“Jiawang, how is your mother? She hasn’t been out for tea recently,” Mu Suyu tried to bond with Zhou Jiawang, yet she saw a trace of coldness in his gentle eyes.

Zhou Jiawang spoke coldly: “Mrs. Jing, I can’t even bring friends along with an invitation, do you think my mother still needs to have tea with you?”

Hearing his words, Lu Xining turned her head to look over, always feeling that today’s Zhou Jiawang seemed to have thorns.

In the past, even when meeting people he didn’t like, he would always maintain a gentlemanly demeanor against them and would never make such blunt and confrontational actions.

The things she did, after all, changed his nature.

Fu Junhang patted the hand she was holding his arm with, comforting her, “A lion living in a greenhouse can’t hunt. If he wants to take complete control of the Zhou Family, this is the path he must take.”

He looked down at her and said, “So you need not blame yourself.”

“I am worrying too much,” Lu Xining laughed and continued walking inside, arm in arm with him.

The circle was just that small.

The guests invited to each banquet always included some of the same names.

Like Mrs. He and He Lele in front of them.

He Jinseng did not come, but his wife and daughter were both present to show their support.

The wealthy ladies, upon seeing Lu Xining appear and thinking of her background and identity, all came over to talk with her.

Fu Junhang went on his own to Zhou Jiawang’s side, and as his gaze swept past the crowd towards Lu Xining, he said, “Although this is late, I still want to tell you, she never thought of hurting you.”

“If your grandmother hadn’t joined forces with the Gou Family to move against Nuonuo, she wasn’t planning to pursue past matters.”

Zhou Jiawang’s heart was as if fried in oil, and the corners of his mouth carried a bitter taste, “I know.”

It was precisely because he knew that he felt even more heartache.

How could such a wonderful girl have had the best of her youth ruined by the Zhou Family?

The two men were having a sporadic conversation.

On the other side, Lu Xining was surrounded by the wealthy ladies, her gaze intersecting with He Lele’s in mid-air.

…The drama was about to begin.