The little girl lifted her chin proudly, her clear voice ringing through the quiet restaurant.
"I'll pay—"
Before she could finish those two words, a cold, deep voice suddenly cut in.
"What's going on?"
Everyone turned toward the sound.
A man in a tailored suit strode over with steady steps. His handsome face looked as if it had been meticulously sculpted by God, now drawn tight with displeasure. A noble, distant aura surrounded him, making people instinctively wary after just one glance.
Someone whispered in shock, "Young Master Lu!"
The waiters' expressions changed immediately. They stepped aside, clearing a path.
The woman and Ruan Shuqing exchanged looks, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.
Lu Jingyuan stopped walking, his dark gaze falling on the girl.
Her damp hair… her disheveled appearance… and those large eyes, desperately holding back tears.
His hand tightened slightly inside his pocket.
Just then, another figure walked in from the entrance, wearing a casual smile.
"Well now, what's going on today? Why is this shabby little restaurant so lively?"
When the staff saw him clearly, their faces changed drastically.
"Boss!"
Wei Yuanxiao's gaze swept over the three girls by the table before landing on one of the staff members.
The employee's face instantly turned pale. Stepping forward, she recounted everything that had just happened without hiding anything.
After hearing the full story, Wei Yuanxiao glanced at Lu Jingyuan's increasingly cold expression and began to regret coming in.
He had only followed out of curiosity when he saw Lu Jingyuan enter the restaurant. He hadn't expected to walk into such a troublesome situation.
One was his cousin. The other was the girl his good friend seemed interested in.
He truly didn't know how to handle this.
Ruan Shuqing, who had been tense because of Lu Jingyuan's sudden appearance, relaxed the moment she saw Wei Yuanxiao. A confident smile returned to her face as she walked over and affectionately hooked her arm around his.
"Cousin, long time no see."
Ruan Xingchen suddenly lifted her head, looking at Wei Yuanxiao with a strange expression.
Sensing her gaze, Wei Yuanxiao gave an awkward smile and chose to stay silent.
The atmosphere froze.
Everyone's attention was focused on the man who had only spoken four words since entering—
Lu Jingyuan.
The executive president of Nanyuan Group. A young master of the Lu family.
Because of his outstanding background, he had long been privately referred to as the "Crown Prince."
Anyone involved in business or politics in C City had heard of him.
So how could it not be shocking to see him here today?
Ruan Xingchen hadn't expected him to appear either—especially not when she was in such a miserable state.
She had thought she'd at least managed to appear clever and capable in front of him before.
Who would've thought that image would collapse so quickly?
But…
Would he help her?
She had just heard Ruan Shuqing call Wei Yuanxiao "cousin." Since he and Wei Yuanxiao were close friends, he probably wouldn't side with her, right?
Ruan Xingchen pouted slightly, feeling wronged.
If only Lu Xiaobai were here. No matter who was right or wrong, she would definitely stand by her side.
Looking at the girl's increasingly aggrieved expression, Lu Jingyuan felt a slight tightening in his chest.
The next moment—
His body had already made a decision before his mind could.
Under everyone's astonished gazes, the man took another step forward.