Lu Huaiyu’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed.
Was this… paying off their debt in advance?
“Due to Gambler’s early repayment this time, the system has been slightly delayed. Please forgive me.”
Lu Huaiyu did not speak.
“At this point, all the debts of Gambler have been paid off. Your debt with Gambler will immediately be released.”
Shen Li seemed to have sensed something. She turned around and saw that Lu Huaiyu was on the phone.
Hearing the second sentence, Lu Huaiyu’s eyebrows raised slightly.
Then, as he had done twice before, he pressed the asterisk to indicate that he understood and hung up swiftly.
As soon as he turned around, he met Shen Li’s gaze.
Shen Li studied his expression, but this man was as calm and composed as ever. He was noble and languid, and she couldn’t see anything.
Then, her gaze paused on his phone for a moment. Her lips moved slightly, and just as she was about to speak, old madam Gu’s gentle voice came from behind:
“Ah Li.”
Shen Li paused, turned around, and saw that old master Gu, Old Madam Gu, and the others had also arrived.
She thought for a moment and temporarily suppressed her thoughts as she walked over:
“Grandpa, Grandma.”
Old Madam Gu held her hand, as the corners of her eyes wrinkled gently.
“Why are you standing at the door? The banquet is about to begin. Will you go in with Grandma?”
Shen Li nodded meekly. “Sure.”
Gu Tingfeng teased with a smile.
“Ah Li, according to Tinglan, your luck at betting on horses was very good at this horse racing event!”
The amount that Shen Li had bet was not considered big in their eyes, but the probability of her wins had been very high.
Although there were a few times when she had guessed wrongly, overall, the probability of her wins had still been very shocking.
Liang Su, who was beside her, blinked.
“Isn’t that so? After the horse race ended, there were quite a number of people who came to ask me if I could help them get some tips on how Ah Li played.”
At tonight’s reception, Shen Li was the absolute focus.
Shen Li’s heart moved slightly, and the corners of her lips curved into an arc.
“I was just lucky. Moreover, speaking of which, Second Brother is much better than me.”
This was also true.
The news that Lu Huaiyu’s success in winning every single bet he had placed on the horses had long spread in private.
In the past, he had come to Hong Kong City to play before, but most of the time, he only played a few rounds. This time, he had only placed his bets just to accompany Shen Li.
It was also because of this that his judgment and luck were deemed even more amazing.
Even Old Master Gu, who had always had high standards, had given a rare evaluation of being “Not bad”.
It was really rare for Old Master Gu to give this kind of compliment.
Among the younger generation, Lu Huaiyu was indeed the one he admired the most.
Lu Huaiyu glanced at her, his thin lips curling slightly.
The young girl was quite easy to bribe. After helping her win some pocket money, she already knew how to put in a good word for him.
“Huaiyu is smart, and Ah Li is also outstanding.”
Old Madam Gu’s eyes were curved as she led Shen Li inside. She waved at Lu Huaiyu again.
“Huaiyu, you come too.”
Lu Huaiyu strode forward with his long legs and followed them.
Old Madam Gu smiled and said, “You were the one who accompanied Ah Li last year. It’s the same this year.”
Hearing this, Old Master Gu looked over, as if he wanted to say something.
“Ah Qing–”
Ah Li had not been with her family for long–
However, when Old Madam Gu’s gentle gaze landed on him, the rest of Old Master Gu’s words were stuck in his throat.
In the end, all he could say to Lu Huaiyu was,”Take good care of Ah Li.”
Lu Huaiyu responded with a smile.
…
In the banquet hall, the huge luxurious crystal chandelier was extremely resplendent as the extravagantly dressed guests toasted with each other.
After dealing with a few people who had come over to say hello, Shen Li turned around and took a glass of orange juice from the tray of a nearby waiter. She looked at the man who was standing beside her.
“Second Brother, Grandma seems to like you very much.”
In fact, she more than liked him.
Everyone could see how partial Old Madam Gu was to Lu Huaiyu tonight.
Otherwise, Shen Li would definitely have been by Old Master Gu or Shen Zhijin’s side right now, and not Lu Huaiyu’s.
Lu Huaiyu tilted his head and looked at her.
“That’s not really what you want to say, is it?”
Shen Li paused for a moment and nodded honestly.
“I just wanted to say… Second Brother is indeed smart.
In the entire Gu family, as long as he could gain Old Madam Gu’s approval, it would basically mean a sure win.
In the eyes of outsiders, the person in charge of the Gu family was Old Master Gu.
But in fact, the one who really had the final say was Old Madam Gu.
Old Master Gu would always listen to her opinions and what she had to say.
Just like tonight, when Old Madam Gu had asked him to accompany her, hadn’t Old Master Gu just nodded his head?
Shen Li did not say these words explicitly, but her eyes and expression clearly expressed this thought.
Lu Huaiyu could not help but laugh. He bent his head slightly closer and said in a low voice, “Actually, ultimately, it’s because Old Madam Gu loves you.”
Shen Li’s heart felt as if it had been hit by something soft.
Of course, she understood what Lu Huaiyu meant.
She raised her eyelashes slightly and looked into his eyes.
In the depths of those deep eyes, she could see herself reflected there.
This Lu Huaiyu, in the end…
She wanted to ask, but she did not know where to start.
And there were so many people around–
“Ah Li.”
Liang Su walked over with a smile.
“Madam Yin and the others are here too. Would you like to go over and greet them?”
There were many well-known people from all walks of life here tonight. It was a great opportunity to develop connections and relationships.
The people that Liang Su was willing to introduce were not ordinary people.
Shen Li nodded. “Okay.”
She and Lu Huaiyu shared a look with each other before she followed Liang Su to another corner of the banquet hall.
Lu Huaiyu watched her leave and thought of the earlier phone call. He put down the wine glass and walked towards the balcony.
…
There was no one else on the balcony. Compared to the dazzling and lively banquet hall behind him, it appeared somewhat quiet.
Still carrying a trace of a hot night breeze, Lu Huaiyu raised his hand to loosen his tie.
Following that, he took out his phone and sent a message to Cheng Xiyue.
Just half a minute after the message was sent, Cheng Xiyue swiftly called him back.
He thought for a moment before deciding to answer.
Before he could speak, Cheng Xiyue’s shocked voice came through the receiver.
“You said that Gambler paid back the money in advance? Really?”
Lu Huaiyu had one hand in his pocket while the other hand held his phone, as he stood with a languid posture.
In front of him was the hotel’s garden fountain. It was currently flickering with brilliant light under the dense night sky, illuminating the flowing water with flowing lights and overflowing colors.
He lightly said, “Hmm.”
Cheng Xiyue was filled with puzzlement.
“Then why did he do it? Was it because he won money betting on the horses? That’s not right either. Last year, he won as well. Hadn’t he still returned it on time?”
Lu Huaiyu seemed to laugh.
“That’s probably because… he lost.”
Cheng Xiyue was speechless.
He had almost forgotten about this… This time, it was Gambler who had taken the initiative to provoke first, but in the end, he had still been firmly suppressed by Lu Huaiyu.
Who would not be angry about this matter?
“Then this person is also quite interesting.” Cheng Xi Yue clicked his tongue. “To be honest, I really want to see just what kind of person this is. Sigh, don’t tell me you don’t think so too? In any case, you’re the creditor–”
“Not now.”
Lu Huaiyu interrupted him,
“Once this payment is received, his debts will all have been paid off.”
Cheng Xiyue let out an “Ah” sound and seemed somewhat surprised.
“Paid off? That… that’s pretty good too. Then you won’t have to think about this anymore, right?”
After Shen Li had greeted the other guests, she returned to the place from before but did not see Lu Huaiyu.
She looked left and right, but only after looking around for a while did she finally see his figure on the balcony.
She walked over.
His back was facing her as he was making a call.
Even if it was just his back, it did not hide the pride and dignity that he carried in his bones.
Just as she was hesitating as to whether she should leave first, she heard his deep and smiling voice.
“What I’m feeling?”
“Three years is quite a long time. After this last debt is paid off, I won’t have any debts to chase after in the future. I feel–
“It’s quite a pity.”
