The dinner banquet was held in the grandest ballroom of the largest luxury hotel in Water City. The hall was a sprawling, opulent space adorned with glittering chandeliers, gilded columns, and high vaulted ceilings. It could easily accommodate several hundred guests, with round tables dressed in crisp white linens, each set with fine china and crystal glassware.
Every guest in attendance was a person of notable status—renowned politicians, influential business magnates, respected scholars, and a sprinkling of high-ranking military officials. Their presence alone added an air of prestige to the already lavish evening.
At the grand entrance, guests were welcomed with the utmost ceremony. Uniformed attendants flanked the red carpet, bowing politely as each invitee stepped out of sleek black cars. A pair of elegantly dressed greeters, handpicked for their grace and poise, offered warm smiles and courteous words, confirming names against a gold-embossed guest list. A soft instrumental ensemble played in the background, and a subtle scent of jasmine wafted through the air, creating a refined, almost dreamlike atmosphere as each guest was ushered in beneath the soaring marble arches and into the glittering heart of the banquet hall.
There were handpicked members of the media present, carefully selected for their discretion and reliability—trusted to highlight only the most flattering angles of the evening. Cameras flashed intermittently, capturing glimpses of glittering jewelry, tailored suits, and composed smiles, though nothing too intrusive to disrupt the air of exclusivity.
"We are here, Sir and Madam," the driver announced softly, his voice respectful.
In the backseat of the sleek black car, the husband and wife exchanged a brief glance.
"Xiaoyue, are you ready?" Su Nian turned to her daughter.
"Yes, Mom," Little Jian Yue replied with a nod.
At the same time, the driver stepped out and moved swiftly to open the passenger door. The moment the door opened, a hush of anticipation seemed to ripple through the gathered crowd. Heads turned subtly. The press adjusted their angles.
The family emerged one after the other—first Jian Mingzhen, a man whose good looks put actors in the entertainment industry to shame. Tall and dignified in his purple suit, he was the gentleman of many women's dreams. There was a smile on his face as he stretched his large palm toward the car, which was taken by a little hand.
The little girl in the maroon dress made her appearance, and there were even more flashes and clicks than before.
"That's the genius child! The one with an IQ of 188!"
"Little Einstein is so pretty! Even at a young age, she looks so good."
"Take more pictures of her!"
At this moment, Jian Yue also spread out her little hand, and right after, it was taken by her mother, whose 10 cm silver stilettos made their appearance first.
"It's Madam Su Nian!"
"A family blessed with looks!"
"They're so gorgeous."
The family of three took their time to strike several poses on the red carpet, knowing that by tomorrow, they would be on the headlines. It was the first large-scale banquet their branch had ever attended.
Upon entering the ballroom, the opulence nearly blinded them, but nevertheless, they remained poised as they were led to their seats.
So many important people they had never met before were like stones in this particular gathering.
After all, it was a banquet hosted by the Lu family—specifically for the Prime Minister.