Huo Yixuan was ecstatic.
Today was a chance she had worked hard for! After multiple meetings with Madam Tang and attending boring tea parties, she finally had a chance to be alone with Young Master Tang.
She had spent the whole day yesterday picking out a lovely dress, and deciding on a hairstyle.
She wanted to look polished and refined, but not as trying too hard. And, she also knew that this was her best chance - she needed to impress Tang Feng. So far it was going so well!
Tang Feng had picked her up from home and had opened the door for her. He gave mono syllable responses, yes. But Huo Yixuan was sure she could warm him up.
It was her idea to buy antiques for Grandfather Tang. She knew he was a Buddhist and liked prayer beads. The Lin family's old store still had a great collection.
So she'd intentionally brought Tang Feng here, hoping to appear "thoughtful" and "refined".
She picked out a set of beautiful buddhist beads and turned to Tang Feng for his opinion.
She noticed his distraction right away.
He had never watched anyone with that much attention! Even when she herself dressed up, she didn't get even a cursory glance.
Huo Yixuan didn't think much of it then - Tang Feng was known to be cold to women. But now, looking at him watching another woman with such close attention, she felt incredibly annoyed. And slighted.
What did this girl, with no designer bag or brand name clothing have - that deserved Tang Feng's attention?!
Fox faced country bumpkin, I will teach you a lesson!
"Feng ge, do you know her?" she asked outright.
Tang Feng had the grace to look embarrassed. "No" he said curtly, in his usual cold way, not giving any explanation.
It was exactly what Huo Yixuan predicted. "Oh, but look, that girl is all alone and might not know how to buy here. Let's see if we can help." she cooed and without waiting for Tang Feng to reply, she headed towards Lu Mian.
"These are exquisite - boss how much" she cut in, bumping her shoulder against Lu Mian, trying to shove her away.
Unfortunately, Lu Mian wasn't a dainty high-profile miss. She was a hardened soldier who was aware of her surroundings at all times.
She'd noticed the interested gaze on her and she had watched this girl come towards her.
Used to all sorts of silly power plays, Lu Mian could guess what was happening. Relying on her extensive training in her previous life, Lu Mian merely centered herself and held steady.
Huo Yixuan bumped into her sharply, intending to knock the jade out of her hands… and fell back instead.
The very few patrons who were around turned to look at them. Huo Yixuan's face burned with embarrassment.
Lu Mian frowned "Excuse me ma'am - I am still browsing. Please give me space" she politely requested and gracefully turned back to the jades in her hand, like an empress dismission a lowly subject.
Huo Yixuan couldn't swallow this!
Not only had she disgracefully fallen down - but this girl didn't give her any face. As the young miss of the Huo family, her fame in the capital was unparalleled.
She was used to people giving her way, and fawning over her. This was the first time someone had dared stand up to her.
She scrambled up, eyes blazing and truly took a look at her. So young. Too beautiful!
Her milky white skin was tender, eyebrows arched like distant hills, and peachblossom eyes that a man could loose himself in. Her waist was too slender and her proportions were so well endowed, even a girl, Yixuan noticed.
Huo Yixuan's fury mounted "How dare you push me down!" she snapped.
"Feng ge", she called pitifully, "can you please help?"
Tang Feng had seen what had happened - and knew who was in the wrong.
Without comment, he politely helped her up while nodding an apology to Lu Mian. Saying anything outright would mean slapping Yixuan in her face. So Tang Feng took a polite route out.
"But Feng ge - she pushed me! How could you not stand up for me?" Huo Yixuan was upset.
"Excuse me ma'am. I did not push you. I was browsing here and it was you who came up to me." reminded Lu Mian mildly annoyed.
"If you are not convinced, we could check the surveillance footage" she challenged.
Huo Yixuan stiffened. She had planned to bump against this girl and make her break the jade in her hands.
Then this country bumpkin would have to spend money to compensate - and looking at how she was dressed, it was clear she wouldn't be able to afford it.
That would've embarrassed her. And shown Tang Feng who truly matched with him. So what if you have beauty! You have nothing else!
"And why would they listen to you?" she sneered. "A country bumpkin who clearly has no money and cannot afford jade - what do you think you are doing here?" she challenged.
Lu Mian smiled, utterly unmoved. Her confidence had never relied on wealth - it came from a steady heart and clear resolve.
"When the heart is settled," she said softly, "nothing else matters."
She turned the jade once in her palm.
"If it's meant for me, I'll earn it and come back."
Huo Yixuan was not to be outdone. "I think you are just talking nonsense. WAnt to bet - if you cannot come in 3 days.."
"No" interjected Lu mian abruptly. "I will not play silly betting games with a stranger. If you have the time, please find someone as jobless as yourself. I will not accompany you." and turned away.
To someone who stood upright in her own integrity, petty needling from others was no different from a dog barking in the distance
Huo Yixuan was tongue tied and had no reasonable comeback.
"It was indeed our fault today - if miss doesn't mind, please take these jades as a token of apology" intervened Tang Feng politely.
He was reluctant to let her leave - What a wonderful girl! So much fire, so much conviction! He wanted to know her more. He gave a nod to the shopkeeper to have the jade stones parcelled.
"I accept your apology. But buying is too much, thank you" she demurred and immediately left.
Rich people were crazy! Slightly annoyed, Lu Mian made her way back home - ready to start earning. Coding would help pick up her mood!
Lumina: Looking for high-pay work. Risk doesn't matter. Should be clean - good channels.
Littlepiggywenwen: Is our Master short on cash?
Eatingfirecrackers: Try this - Ghost tracing. Easy money.
Heartstopper316: Finally - you want to work for money! I have 5 projects on. Just the person! Boss, please help.
And on it went - her inbox immediately filling up with easy, high paying work.
Lu Mian was touched. She knew her friends could easily finish the job themselves. They directed it to her because she'd asked for help.
Lu Mian didn't realize that they were her friends because of what she gave them - how she treated them. For the past decade she had been silently helping them solve problems, teaching them to code and helping them succeed, without asking for anything in return.
For them, Lumina was god - and they were thrilled to be helping her.
Not wanting to let them down, Lu Mian immediately got to work.
She moved with ruthless efficiency. Tasks that would have taken others days were dismantled and solved in hours.
By the time she finally leaned back, evening had fallen and the sky outside her window was ink-dark.
She checked the new account once.
Three hundred thousand.
Satisfied, she signed off, leaving a brief promise that she'd be back tomorrow. Then, after a moment's thought, she opened a private channel and left one final message. To Ghostwire.
"Thank you for helping my friend. I owe you - tell me if I can help"
Elsewhere, in a tiny apartment building, Lin Ke was monitoring the feed and munching on instant noodles. He saw the notification pop up - and chocked.
His teammates ignored him. Furious, Lin Ke forced himself to finish coughing and said
"It's Lumina - he's online."