After a Top Idol Married the Sickly Young Master of a Wealthy Family to Bring Him Good Luck - Chapter 24

The next afternoon, at the Ling family’s ancestral residence.

Ling Suiyao blew away a few eraser crumbs from his hand-drawn sketch, looking satisfied with the drawing. He took a photo and uploaded it to Weibo.

Suisui’s Little Rice Cake V: “Forgot to bring my computer and drawing tablet, so I could only draw this with a pencil. Haven’t done hand-drawing for a long time, feels like my level has regressed, go easy on me [Image].”

“Suiyao!”

Ling Suiyao hurriedly hid the sketch under a pile of books, casually flipping open a book and pretending to be engrossed in reading.

Ling Shu knocked and entered, holding two tickets in her hand, and naturally lay down on the sofa. “I went shopping with my friends yesterday and saw Jiang Yan. He was quite attentive and even gave me two admission tickets to the Louis dinner party.”

Ling Suiyao asked, “Is that the one in your hand?”

“I am the prestigious eldest daughter of the Ling family, an internationally renowned fashion designer. Do I need him to send tickets to me? This is an invitation letter from the General Manager of Louis Asia Pacific.” Ling Shu’s tone was slightly arrogant as she handed an invitation to Ling Suiyao to look at, intentionally wanting to make him feel envious.

“By the way, I’m here to find Auntie. We agreed to do styling and pick outfits at two o’clock for the banquet tonight. But where is she?”

Ling Suiyao showed difficulty, whispering, “Auntie’s husband was caught cheating. Auntie was so angry she cried all night and almost got admitted to the hospital. My mother went to accompany her last night to discuss how to make Uncle-in-law leave with nothing. I estimate she probably won’t be able to go to the banquet tonight.”

Such gossip was common in wealthy families. Ling Suiyao’s parents, who respected each other and were faithful in marriage, were rare examples instead. Ling Shu was not surprised, “Well then, I wondered why Auntie didn’t pick up my call.”

Ling Suiyao looked at the invitation letter, with a gilded font and a style that was simple yet high-end.

He pointed to the invitation: “Cousin, this… can I go?”

Ling Shu playfully patted his face, laughing out loud: “Baby, you are the young master of the Ling family, of course, you can go. But the question is, can you attend that kind of occasion?”

Despite having grown up, Ling Suiyao had never attended such a dinner party. He really wanted to go once, to find inspiration for his new novel… His new novel was of the modern fantasy genre, and needed a description of a luxurious banquet. Although he had heard his eldest and second-oldest brothers talk about it, it was always best to experience it personally.

As for the possibility of triggering allergies and such, well, he would make preparations in advance.

Yang Xing and Xiao He brought the air-freighted haute couture suits to the Pingye Residence to do styling for Pei Xinglu.

“Although tonight is a private itinerary, the Louis organizers will arrange for media coverage. Just pay more attention then.”

Pei Xinglu nodded faintly, a slight greenish tint under his eyes; he didn’t sleep well again last night.

Xiao He started applying concealer to the dark circles, wondering, “This Young Master Ling isn’t even home, why does the Ling family insist on you returning to A City overnight, Pei-ge? To guard the house?”

“…” Left speechless, Pei Xinglu casually browsed through Weibo on his tablet.

Xiao He talked to herself: “Thinking back, when Young Master Ling was with the crew, his temper was really quite good. He didn’t seem like an unreasonable person either. And he’s your fan, eyes always starry, hahaha. I guess it must be that President Ling from Wheat Ear Media who did it!”

Pei Xinglu: “…Mn.”

He clicked into Suisui’s Little Rice Cake’s Weibo space.

Half an hour ago, Ling Suiyao posted a Weibo update.

With the tag for Pei Xinglu, coupled with his current resounding reputation in the fan circle, in a short amount of time, there were already thousands of retweets and comments.

【Ah ah ah I declare! The handsomest Pei-ge in the world exists in Pei-ge’s own eyes and Teacher Rice Cake’s drawings!】

【So handsome, another day of kneeling before Teacher Rice Cake [Siha Siha.jpg]】

【Being a fan of the same star as Teacher Rice Cake, every day feels like a festival. The quality of the content produced by Teacher Rice Cake is too high!】

…

Xiao He pretended to take a brush, secretly sneaking a peek, and immediately had an indescribable expression.

When did Pei-ge become so narcissistic?

To actually enlarge his own hand-drawn picture, looking at it repeatedly, as if appreciating some piece of art. His expression even seemed a bit secretly pleased.

Emm, although indeed, he really is very handsome.

Pei Xinglu openly gave a “Like”.

Then continued to watch, enlarging, from left to right, down to the details.

In Pei Xinglu’s view, as an outsider who didn’t understand painting, hand-drawing, and digital painting were different. The latter required a computer, connecting tools, and always having something in between. Whereas the former involved holding a pen and tracing on paper, outlines, facial features, and clothing all seemed very close, as if the person was right before his eyes. And with a swipe of the finger, one could touch the genuine lines, touching the scenery or person delineated by the lines.

Then he couldn’t help but think, when Ling Suiyao was drawing, would he also brush over the drawing paper like this?

Pei Xinglu’s ears turned slightly red, clearing his throat uncomfortably. Yeesh, that little pervert Ling Suiyao!

Xiao He looked stunned, mouth open wide: “Pei-ge, are you okay?”

Just looking at his own picture, yet both secretly pleased and awkward, what did that mean?

Previously a cold, cool, and handsome tough guy, is he now adding a narcissistic element as well…

Pei Xinglu looked bewildered. “What could be wrong?”

Xiao He smiled forcedly. Her intuition told her that if she said it out loud, she would definitely be threatened with a bonus deduction. So she laughed out loud: “Nothing, nothing. It’s just that I was critically hit by Pei-ge’s handsome and elegant appearance. How can anyone be this handsome? No wonder he can even enchant the young master of A City’s top-tier wealthy Ling family.”

“…” Pei Xinglu was speechless, though it sounded very pleasing to the ear. “This month’s bonus will double.”

Xiao He: “! Ah ah ah Pei-ge, you are the handsomest! I super love you! I want to be your assistant for a lifetime!”

“Not necessary, you can go out first. Inform Sister Yang that I’ll rest a bit before changing clothes to depart, around half an hour.”

Xiao He nodded vigorously like a storm: “Okay-ge! Just instruct if you have any demands, on-call anytime!

After the person left, Pei Xinglu faced the mirror, looking at his dark circles.

A private message notification sound rang.

As if understanding tacitly, Pei Xinglu looked at the phone, and sure enough, on the other end was Ling Suiyao’s alternate account.

【Suisui’s Little Rice Cake: Pei-ge gave me another ‘Like’!】

Pei Xinglu raised his eyebrows, suddenly feeling a bit mischievous, typing:

【Just a ‘Like’ makes you this happy?】

Ling Suiyao declined the suit offered by his cousin, deciding to wear something casual.

Seeing this message, he hurriedly ran back to his room.

【Suisui’s Little Rice Cake: Happy happy happy [Little bunny spinning scattering flowers.jpg]】

Pei Xinglu made a clicking sound, taking the iced orange juice from the table.

The orange juice had been out of the fridge for some time, with sparkling, fine water droplets covering the glass bottle. Palm and fingers were slightly cool, quite comfortable on this hot summer day.

He exited the private message interface, clicked the avatar, and retweeted that Weibo.

Ling Suiyao received a notification.

Special, following Pei Xinglu retweeted and commented on your Weibo.

Pei Xinglu V: Looks good.

Simultaneously, Ling Suiyao bounced up from the sofa, taking off like a rocket.

Received another private message.

【Pei Xinglu: Now?】

【Suisui’s Little Rice Cake: Even happier! So happy I don’t know what to say [Shy.jpg]】

Pathetic, being this happy over just this small matter. After all, he’s also a wealthy young master who grew up in the lap of luxury, yet so easily satisfied. Mm, feels like he would be very easy to deceive.

Pei Xinglu took a sip of orange juice, his long legs crossed on the coffee table, swinging leisurely.

【Pei Xinglu: Your drawing indeed looks very good. Have you learned it since childhood?】

Quite multi-talented, knows how to write novels, draw, and edit.

【Suisui’s Little Rice Cake: Ah, yes! Started learning at six years old.】

【Pei Xinglu: So excellent, no wonder they all call you a boss.】

【Pei Xinglu: Teacher Rice Cake, Great Deity Rice Cake? Can I call you that?】

Ling Suiyao’s face turned hot.

Why does Pei-ge seem not quite right?

【Suisui’s Little Rice Cake: Too exaggerated and strange QAQ】

Even acting cute.

Pei Xinglu took another sip of orange juice.

【Pei Xinglu: Then call you Little Rice Cake, or Suisui?】

Startled, Ling Suiyao immediately stood up, rubbing his burning ears.

This style is not Pei Xinglu at all. Has the account been hacked?! Pei-ge clearly follows the cold, tough guy route. Why did his character setting suddenly fall off?

A flash of inspiration struck him, and he rapidly scrolled back to yesterday’s private message records.

Pei Xinglu withdrew a message and said it was sent by mistake. Ling Suiyao saw it later. The timing fit perfectly, as if Pei Xinglu had also just appeared at Pingye Residence around then. His tablet, randomly placed beside the bookshelf, chimed, and then…

Ling Suiyao gasped, feeling that possibly, maybe, probably, should… Did Pei Xinglu discover something…

“Suiyao, have you finished changing clothes? We can depart now.”

Ling Shu knocked.

“Soon!”

Nervously and worriedly, Ling Suiyao changed into a short-sleeved shirt and long trousers, casually taking a jacket from the walk-in closet to put on after arriving at the banquet venue, to avoid catching a cold due to the air conditioning being set too low inside.

Pei Xinglu put down the orange juice, taking a tissue to wipe his hands.

【Suisui’s Little Rice Cake: E-either is fine!】

Pei Xinglu couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Why did he seem to have gotten nervous instead?

He faced the mirror, fixed his hair, then changed into the chosen haute couture suit.

Louis is an internationally famous luxury brand with high status and prestige. Pei Xinglu is the spokesperson for the entire line in the Asian region and is deeply favored by the brand’s top executives. He is also the only internal entertainment star invited to participate in the dinner party.

The banquet was held at A City’s most luxurious Lakeside Villa Hotel. The lights were brilliant, the setting magnificent and eye-catching, filled with the vanity of high society.

Pei Xinglu met and exchanged pleasantries with Louis Asia Pacific’s president and several general managers, raising champagne toasts to each other. They chatted about recent fashion trends, talking fluidly, and watched the new clothing runway show together. The inner venue lights, sometimes bright and sometimes dim, shone on his dimensioned, cool face. With a third of a smile, he navigated the field of fame and fortune with ease.

But internally, Pei Xinglu did not like this kind of occasion, finding it constrained and exhausting.

He used the restroom as an excuse, washed his face, and slowly let out a breath.

In the wide mirror, a man suddenly appeared.

Dressed in expensive clothes, worth a fortune. His features couldn’t be called proper, with a bit of evil roguishness.

Having six to seven parts of similarity with Jiang Qiang.

The name Jiang Yan popped up in Pei Xinglu’s mind.

By ethics, it’s his half-brother from the same father.

Pei Xinglu shook his hands, saying nothing.

“Turns out this is the big star, indeed fine clothes make the man, fine feathers make fine birds, even mud can become jade. Wearing a suit also appears human.”

Jiang Yan sized Pei Xinglu up from head to toe, his gaze contemptuous. Intense hatred and looking down were like smoke from a fire, covering the heavens and spreading widely.

“The big star surely paid many prices to walk all the way here, right?” Jiang Yan cold-sneered, “Don’t know how many sugar daddies you had to serve to enter this dinner party venue. Oh, that’s not right. Serving men or women should be no problem for you, proficient at it, after all, the lowliness is inherited from the same line.”

Pei Xinglu raised his eyes, fixing them on the mirror.

Jiang Yan was full of malice, “What? Isn’t what I said correct? Aren’t you the son of a mistress?”

Pei Xinglu expressionlessly took a tissue to wipe his hands.

He is an illegitimate son. The person opposite him naturally possesses the right to criticize, scold, and even curse him to death. With this layer of constraint, he will always be inferior to others. Born with original sin, Pei Xinglu was speechless and would just accept it.

Anyway, he had heard many such words growing up, and even more unpleasant, explicitly direct ones, he had heard countless times.

Long accustomed to it.

Pei Xinglu wiped his fingers clean, stepped sideways, and said indifferently: “Please let me pass.”

Anger arose in Jiang Yan’s heart, “What do you think you are now? Really treat yourself as a big star pursued by thousands? Just a lowly actor! Isn’t it just relying on attaching yourself to the Ling family to bring good luck to that sickling Ling Suiyao? What’s so great, daring to show off your power before me?”

Pei Xinglu was unmoved, “Nothing great. Just that my ‘Eight Characters’ matched better than Young Master Jiang’s, that’s all.”

Back when the Ling family was choosing a person to bring good luck, for Jiang Qiang to get connected with the Ling family, he had sent the ‘Eight Characters’ of all the children in the Jiang family over, which included Jiang Yan’s. Later, when Jiang Qiang called him, he had also inadvertently revealed sourly that this opportunity was also something Jiang Yan strove very hard for, yet in the end, it fell into his hands.

Jiang Yan’s face immediately turned dark. “What did you say?”

“Nothing. Please let me pass.”

Jiang Yan glared dead at him.

Pei Xinglu just acted as if he didn’t see, walking away without turning his eyes, turning once out of the restroom, yet clashing directly with Ling Suiyao’s helpless gaze.

The front of his jacket and his hands were stained with some fruit juice; he should have come to the restroom to clean up.

Inadvertently heard the conversation.

Pei Xinglu stiffened, his blood trembling coldly from being blown by the air conditioning.

Never had he expected to see Ling Suiyao here, on this kind of occasion.