Chapter 30: The Gown

The banquet officially started at 7:30 PM.

Due to the tight schedule, Lu Xiao Na skipped her final practical combat simulation class and drove straight to wait outside Luo Yan’s company building.

After checking the time on her phone about a dozen times, Luo Yan finally came downstairs.

Seeing that beautiful figure, Lu Xiao Na’s eyes lit up.

She immediately rolled down the car window and called out cheerfully, “Big Sister Luo Yan, I’m over here!”

It was the first time Luo Yan had seen this young lady so excited, and she couldn’t help but feel a little more curious about the evening’s banquet.

“What kind of banquet is it tonight? You seem so eager…”

“Hehehe, you’ll know when we get there.”

Luo Yan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and asked, “So, are we heading straight there now?”

“Of course not.”

“Then?”

As they spoke, Atlanta had already stepped on the gas, and the headquarters of Neo Aonan Energy Company quickly faded behind them.

Lu Xiao Na sized Luo Yan up. “For such an important banquet, how can we show up like this?”

“Makeup…?”

Lu Xiao Na grinned. “Something like that. We’re going to a boutique first. I’ve reserved a few gowns—you can try them on there.”

“That makes sense… You just got out of class, and it’s a big event. You really should get ready properly.”

Luo Yan thought for a moment, somewhat enlightened, and felt a little more at ease.

However, Lu Xiao Na’s next sentence made her uneasy again.

“Big Sister Luo Yan, I think you may have misunderstood… For a banquet like this, it’s not just me who needs to prepare—you do too! I’ve already reserved a gown for you. Tonight, you have to dress beautifully for the occasion.”

“Me?” Luo Yan pointed at herself, stunned.

“There’s no need to go that far, please. It’s your blind date, not mine…”

“Aiya, Big Sister Luo Yan…”

Lu Xiao Na leaned over, hugging Luo Yan’s arm tightly and putting on a pitiful look. “Even a bride needs a bridesmaid at her wedding. Even if you’re just my wingwoman, you can’t be too casual, right?”

That’s what she said, but Luo Yan still felt like something was off.

In the end, though, she couldn’t resist Lu Xiao Na’s persistent coaxing and reluctantly agreed.

Women really are trouble.

***

Neo Aonan, Carlson Hotel.

“Mr. Yun, the banquet is in an hour. Shall we leave now? Mr. Holt asked me to check with you.”

The female assistant traveling with the delegation gently knocked on Yun Mo’s door and reminded him softly.

Click. The door opened.

A handsome figure appeared before her.

Though she’d seen him every day due to work, this was the first time they were this close. The aura he exuded left her breathless.

Thinking about the many shining accolades that surrounded him, her heart couldn’t help but race.

“What did Mr. Holt say?” Yun Mo’s magnetic voice came from above.

The female assistant composed herself and nodded. “Mr. Holt suggests we wait another half hour. That way, we won’t seem too eager, but we also won’t come off as aloof.”

Yun Mo nodded. “Then let’s follow Mr. Holt’s suggestion.”

“Okay,” the assistant replied.

It was only after Yun Mo closed the door that she slowly let out a sigh of relief.

Although everyone said this young master was kind and easygoing, being face-to-face with him always carried a subtle pressure.

Perhaps it was because his light shone too brightly.

He wasn’t just the youngest Luminous-level ability user in the Europa Union in recent years, but also the only son of the woman known as the “Aurora Diamond,” and one of the top graduates of the prestigious Violet Academy.

Of course, it might also be because he was too gentle—so gentle that no one could guess what he was truly thinking.

Countless noble young ladies saw him as their ideal partner, and he always treated his admirers with the utmost warmth and respect.

But no one had ever truly touched his heart or left a unique imprint there.

As the saying goes, sometimes the gentlest person is the most heartless.

The female assistant thought to herself.

***

“How about this one?” Lu Xiao Na held up a gown and asked Luo Yan.

After arriving at the boutique, the young lady barely spent any time on her own hair and makeup, getting everything done at lightning speed.

The rest of the time was devoted entirely to Luo Yan.

Clearly, Lu Xiao Na had come prepared.

Having already figured out Luo Yan’s measurements, she had brought three gowns tailored to flatter her figure.

“Something’s off.”

“What’s off?”

Lu Xiao Na blinked and examined the gown from left to right, looking as though she might whip out a microscope next.

“No need to look at the dress. I’m talking about you,” Luo Yan said, annoyed.

“No way. You’re overthinking it, Big Sister Luo Yan. You probably don’t realize that sometimes, dressing up the wingwoman helps test whether the man truly likes you.”

“Heh.” Luo Yan, who had already seen through her, sneered.

Realizing she was about to be exposed, Lu Xiao Na’s heart skipped a beat.

She lowered her voice and said, “Big Sister Luo Yan, look—I prepared so much. If you back out now, won’t it all go to waste?”

And if you don’t come, how will my ‘Ultimate Young Master Conquest Plan’ continue?
She added silently.

That’s right. Following her “Save Big Sister Luo Yan’s Maiden Soul Plan,” Miss Lu had launched a brand-new, upgraded mission.

Compared to the first plan, this one made her even more excited.

Just imagine: the abstinent male god who no one had ever conquered, finally falling for Big Sister Luo Yan.

Wouldn’t that be the ultimate victory?

“I really can’t with you. Fine, hand over the dress—I’ll try it on,” Luo Yan said, rolling her eyes.

“Oh yeah! That’s why you’re my favorite Big Sister Luo Yan!” Lu Xiao Na made a heart gesture with her hands.

About five minutes later, Luo Yan emerged in the gown, her expression a little stiff.

She walked up to the floor-length mirror and turned around, frowning deeper. “The neckline is too low—my chest is practically spilling out. And the slit is way too high—my whole leg’s exposed. No way, this is too bold.”

“Your legs are gorgeous, Big Sister Luo Yan. You should show them off.”

“No. Next,” Luo Yan said, shaking her head.

“Alright, then how about this one? This shouldn’t be too revealing, right?” Lu Xiao Na brought out her backup plan.

Luo Yan examined it suspiciously for a moment and said, “The back’s still a little exposed… but it’s barely acceptable.”

Lu Xiao Na grinned. “Then it’s decided! Oh, and Big Sister Luo Yan—don’t forget to change into these too.”

“This… I probably can’t pull this off…”

“Of course you can! If you can’t, Big Sister Luo Yan, I don’t think anyone can.”

“Flatterer.” Luo Yan rolled her eyes again.

***

On the top floor of the Carlson Hotel, Yun Mo stood by the glass curtain wall, gazing out at the vibrant young city.

A faint glow shimmered in his deep eyes, as though he were lost in thought.

Suddenly, the female assistant knocked again. “Mr. Yun, it’s about time.”

He adjusted his collar and said softly, “Alright. Let’s go.