Chapter 4: Young Master Yun's Discerning Eye

Huo Yutong knew all too well that her younger sister had been spoiled since childhood. She always had her nose in the air, never caring for anyone else’s feelings, afflicted with a classic case of princess syndrome. Originally, Huo Yutong hadn’t planned to bring her along, but for reasons unknown, her grandfather insisted at the last moment, saying it would be good for her to learn.

“This wretched girl, she’d better not ruin things,” thought Huo Yutong anxiously.

Just as her nerves were fraying, Lu Ming slowed his pace and spoke, “Little girl, don’t mistake ignorance for personality. There’s so much in this world you haven’t seen, so much you don’t know.”

Huo Yutong sternly added, “Yufeng, if you keep causing trouble, you’ll go home right now, and I’ll never bring you out again.”

Caught between Lu Ming’s sharp rebuke and her sister’s public scolding, Huo Yufeng’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Lu, just you wait. I’m not done with you. I’ll tell Grandpa when I get home,” she choked out, running from the banquet hall in tears.

Lu Ming couldn’t be bothered with her, and continued toward Ye Qi Mountain Stream, with Huo Yutong following closely, too pressed for time to comfort her sister.

In moments, they were near the small circle where Ye Qi Mountain Stream stood. Ye Qi Mountain Stream saw Huo Yutong approaching, his eyes brightened, and after a brief exchange with those around him, he walked toward her.

“Beautiful Ms. Huo Yutong, seeing you again is truly my honor,” Ye Qi Mountain Stream said in awkward Mandarin.

“Thank you for your compliment,” Huo Yutong replied, suppressing her revulsion at his pig-like face.

“Mr. Ye Qi Mountain Stream, I came today to discuss that order with you again. May I—”

Before she could finish, Ye Qi Mountain Stream interrupted, “Miss Huo, surely you know that Ji Xizhao’s company is far stronger than yours. I see no reason to give you the order instead.”

As he spoke, his gaze swept up and down Huo Yutong’s figure, the meaning unmistakable.

Huo Yutong frowned, realizing negotiations were at a dead end. She prepared to introduce Lu Ming, hoping he could intervene.

Just then, a voice sounded nearby. “President Huo, are you and Mr. Ye Qi having a pleasant conversation?” A man with gold-rimmed glasses appeared in front of Huo Yutong; it was her main rival, Ji Xizhao.

“President Ji, you seem very confident,” Huo Yutong replied with a smile.

Ji Xizhao smiled warmly, displaying perfect gentlemanly manners. “Not at all, I am simply grateful for Mr. Ye Qi’s consideration.”

Huo Yutong’s delicate brows knitted slightly. From Ji Xizhao’s words, it seemed he had already struck a deal with Ye Qi Mountain Stream—a bad omen. This order would keep her company running for five years, and with those five years, Huo Yutong believed she could weather the storm. She had to win this contract.

She quickly said, “Mr. Ye Qi, allow me to introduce a friend.”

Saying this, she gestured to Lu Ming at her side. “This is Lu Ming, Mr. Lu, my friend.”

Knowing she had exhausted her options, Huo Yutong pinned all her hopes on Lu Ming, thrusting him into the spotlight. Everything now depended on him; she prayed he truly possessed the legendary power she’d heard of.

At this, Ye Qi Mountain Stream and Ji Xizhao both turned their gaze to Lu Ming. Huo Yutong’s sudden introduction was clearly intentional, but the name meant nothing to them, so they paid him little mind.

This was not because Lu Ming’s name lacked weight. Overseas, he was acquainted with heads of state, CEOs and chairmen of multinational groups, presidents of small nations, and patriarchs of world-class financial families. Even someone like Ye Qi Meiyu was insignificant before Lu Ming; for people at their level, it was unsurprising that they hadn’t heard his name.

“Mr. Lu, your suit is rather unique,” Ji Xizhao remarked, eyeing the wrinkled suit Lu Ming wore with a mocking smile.

Lu Ming chuckled, “It’s decent. A few years ago, an old man insisted on making it for me. I couldn’t refuse, so I accepted it, though I’ve barely worn it.”

“Is that your only suit?” Ye Qi Mountain Stream asked haughtily, glancing at his own Armani ensemble.

“Yes,” Lu Ming answered calmly. He cared little for attire; a man who lived on the edge of life and death long ago learned to disregard such externals. The suit had been a gift after he casually rescued Meredith, who had been kidnapped by a gang of robbers during a trip. The world-renowned, retired artist insisted on making Lu Ming a suit in gratitude, and Lu Ming accepted.

Ye Qi Mountain Stream looked proud, while Ji Xizhao shook his head inwardly. He’d expected Huo Yutong to bring out a heavyweight, but instead, she offered someone so obscure.

Today was contract-signing day; clearly, Huo Yutong had run out of tricks, and the order was his for the taking.

Ji Xizhao secretly rejoiced. He knew Ye Qi Mountain Stream coveted Huo Yutong’s beauty, and he’d always feared she might, in desperation, compromise herself. But seeing Huo Yutong’s pride now, she clearly wouldn’t stoop so low—good, that left the opportunity to him.

Collaborating with Ye Qi Mountain Stream had strategic significance. Establishing ties with Changwu Corporation, such a large group, meant endless future orders—orders that translated to vast sums of money. How could Ji Xizhao not be pleased? After all, a businessman’s purpose was profit.

Huo Yutong saw the two men dismiss Lu Ming, while Lu Ming remained unfazed, as if unconcerned. She began to feel nervous.

“Could Lu Ming really be a fraud?” If so, she would have ruined her entire family!

Just as anxiety gripped her, a young man stepped forward, glanced at the W insignia on Lu Ming’s suit, and asked, “Sir, is that suit the work of Mr. Meredith?”

His question startled everyone.

Meredith Vayne! A world-class master artist, a legendary figure in the fashion industry, once at the height of fame. Though age had led him to retire from public view, the brand he founded, Meredith, remained top-tier, a global luxury icon.

As astonishment rippled through the crowd, Lu Ming said, “Being able to recognize Vayne’s personal mark shows some discernment.” He nodded at the young man, a gesture of approval.

“How dare you speak to Young Master Yun that way—do you know who he is?” Ji Xizhao suddenly exclaimed.

Young Master Yun’s brows drew together, clearly displeased by Lu Ming’s manner. He had only passed by to greet an acquaintance, overheard the conversation about Lu Ming’s suit, and looked over. To his surprise, the suit was crafted by the international fashion master himself, identifiable by the unique calligraphic W—a mark Meredith only left on his hand-made pieces.

Three years ago, at sixty, Meredith had announced he would no longer make clothes for anyone, choosing a quiet retirement. The young man was simply curious how Lu Ming possessed a suit made by Meredith’s own hand; such items could no longer be measured by money, but were pure symbols of status and prestige.

People like this usually had extraordinary backgrounds, so Yun Ketian felt inclined to befriend him. Yet Lu Ming’s manner left him cold; it was as if he looked down on Yun Ketian, and in all of Northwest Province, few dared speak to him thus.

Still, Yun Ketian was well-raised and, though displeased, showed no outward sign. But Ji Xizhao, ever the sycophant, jumped at the chance.

“This is Northwest Province’s top leader, the son of the Yun family—how dare you question him?”

Seeing Yun Ketian’s expression, Ji Xizhao acted like a loyal dog, attacking Lu Ming again. Opportunities to curry favor with Young Master Yun were rare—he clung to it.

Lu Ming listened without any change in expression. The people he knew were no less distinguished than the province’s top official; to him, the son of the governor was little more than a stranger.

Huo Yutong, however, was shocked. The son of the Northwest Yun family was a towering figure. When had Ji Xizhao managed to connect with Young Master Yun?

She looked at Lu Ming with concern. If matters involved Young Master Yun, even if Lu Ming possessed legendary power, things would be difficult. In all of Northwest Province, no one dared disrespect Young Master Yun.