Chapter 98: These Men, Set Them Ablaze for Her!

Qiao Xianyi lingered, reluctant to leave, gazing at the wind chimes hanging above the restaurant entrance.

She had been looking forward to this restaurant for a long time. Bali was close to home; whenever she had a few days off, she would come here to relax. Like Liu Nana, she adored this place.

Zhu Xin'en noticed the look on Qiao Xianyi's face and, feeling for the childlike longing of a mother, made a quick decision: "We came out to have fun, after all. Always pinching pennies takes away the enjoyment. It's no harm to indulge ourselves once in a while."

It wasn’t just Liu Nana; Jia'er and Qiao Qiao also wanted to eat here.

Li Huan, however, shook his head. "I disagree. It's only the second day. I think we should be more frugal. At this rate, we’ll still have plenty left in our wallets by the last day. Then, we can dine here without feeling guilty."

Despite Li Huan’s calm, gentle demeanor—never competitive and always considerate—he was not someone who lacked opinions. On the contrary, he was decisive, never ambiguous when it came to making decisions. He wouldn’t keep silent just to avoid offending others.

His tone was gentle, not at all aggressive: "If we spend a lot on the second day, and end up with nothing left for a meal on the last day, what then?"

Zhu Xin'en frowned slightly, about to protest, "But—"

"Xiao Lu!"

A voice, a little excited, interrupted her from behind.

Everyone turned to look.

A woman wearing a sun hat and a face mask waved at them through the window of a high-end sedan.

Bai Lu’s lips twitched.

If that wasn’t her grandmother, then who could it be!

"It really is Xiao Lu!" Song Jinse, over fifty, winked playfully, as lively as a young girl—utterly adorable.

"Xiao Lu, Xiao Lu, my husband and I are your fans!"

Bai Lu: "..."

So this was why Grandpa and Grandma’s phones were switched off last night. Was it really suitable for elderly people to be having such adventures?

Lu Cheng’s voice came clearly from the car: "It's rare to meet Xiao Lu; this must be fate. Why not invite her and her friends for a meal?"

"Yes, yes! That’s a wonderful idea!" Song Jinse clapped happily. "Xiao Lu, let us treat you and your friends to a meal, won’t you?"

Bai Lu: "...You’re being too generous."

"Oh, don’t mention generosity." Song Jinse waved them over. "Come on, kids, don’t be shy!"

Bai Lu resigned herself and stepped forward. "Since the elders are being so thoughtful, we shouldn’t let them down."

Lin Ye cheered, "Thank you, beautiful auntie!"

Song Jinse covered her mouth, laughing, "What auntie? Call me Grandma."

Lin Ye shook his head. "You’re so young and pretty, I can’t call you Grandma."

Song Jinse liked Lin Ye all the more for his innocence.

Bai Lu walked over. "Thank you, Grandma."

Lin Ye obediently corrected himself, "Thank you, Grandma."

Di Jia'er and Zhu Xin'en wore expressions as if they’d expected this scene all along.

As everyone passed by, they each thanked the elders.

When it came to Liu Nana, she smiled sweetly. "Since the elders are Xiao Lu’s fans, I feel embarrassed to take advantage. I’ll pay for myself. Thank you for your kind offer."

Her words were flawless.

Song Jinse smiled with gracious elegance. "You’re right. I see you’re a bit older, probably not mixing with Xiao Lu and her group of youngsters. We’re strangers, so insisting on treating you wouldn’t be proper. Let’s not force it."

Liu Nana’s smile faltered, just a crack.

A bit older? Was that a roundabout way of calling her old?

Strangers? In other words, she wasn’t recognized, she wasn’t popular.

Out of view of the camera, Bai Lu proudly gave her grandmother a thumbs-up.

Song Jinse winked back.

Oh! Her grandmother—so adorable!

The Lu family’s fierce protectiveness was clearly inherited.

The eight of them pushed two tables together to form one. Lu Cheng and Song Jinse sat at a nearby table.

The camera avoided filming the elders’ faces, showing only the backs of their heads.

Unlike Song Jinse, Lu Cheng was a businessman frequently featured in financial magazines and newspapers. Many viewers would recognize Chairman Lu’s face.

Song Jinse kindly said, "Don’t be shy, children. Grandpa and Grandma are quite well-off. Order whatever you like."

It was obvious. Though the two elders wore simple beige cotton shirts and pants with no accessories, their refined air was unmistakable.

Still, everyone felt a bit embarrassed and restrained themselves, each choosing only their most desired dishes.

Seeing this, Chairman Lu told the waiter in halting English, "Bring them one of every dish."

"Grandpa!" Bai Lu was startled. "That’s too much. It’ll go to waste!"

Lu Cheng replied, "The staff need to eat too. It won’t be wasted."

The director interjected, "Thank you, sir, but it’s unnecessary. We have staff meals, so let’s not—"

"I don’t see anything wrong," Chairman Lu’s commanding presence was overwhelming. "The elders want to treat you all. If you keep refusing, that’s what’s wrong. It would make us sad, wouldn’t it?"

The director broke out in a cold sweat. "Thank you, sir!"

Chairman Lu nodded, satisfied. "Good."

Liu Nana raised her glass, smiling. "Xiao Lu is so blessed. With countless fans like the two elders, surely Xiao Lu’s future will be very smooth."

Her words were correct, but from her mouth, they sounded oddly sarcastic—slightly grating.

Lu Cheng’s expression darkened immediately; if Song Jinse hadn’t kicked him under the table, Chairman Lu might have taught Liu Nana a lesson then and there.

Implying anything about the Lu family’s treasure? That was bold indeed.

"A child loved by fans is truly fortunate," Bai Lu tilted her head thoughtfully, then smiled sweetly, "Xiao Lu has always been a very lucky child."

Di Jia’er chimed in, offhandedly, "It’s all because Xiao Lu is so young. I always forget she debuted at six. Strictly speaking, she’s the senior among us all."

As she spoke, her gaze lingered on Liu Nana for a few seconds, almost imperceptibly.

One reason Liu Nana’s fans attacked Bai Lu and Qiao Xianyi was that they claimed Bai Lu and Qiao Xianyi were disrespectful to seniors. From there, it escalated: they were accused of arrogance and lack of manners. The insults grew harsher.

Because Bai Lu was an orphan, Liu Nana’s fans even hurled abuse like, "A stray is a stray, born without upbringing."

Di Jia’er could laugh off criticism directed at herself, but when Liu Nana’s fans attacked Bai Lu for her orphan status, she was genuinely furious.

Zhu Xin'en and Li Huan felt the same.

Lin Ye, driven to outrage, logged into a secondary account and argued with Liu Nana’s fans until his phone died and shut off.

Bai Lu, of course, knew nothing of these things.

But she could clearly sense everyone’s attitude.

A warm current surged through her heart.

Her resolve to help these men reach the pinnacle grew ever stronger.

These men must become stars.

Stars that shine beyond the solar system!