CHEAP TRICK
On Saturday, Hu Lei did not wake up early. After all, she had not been given a lot of notice for attendance. Her weekend plans had involved sleeping and catching up with her favourite novel. Of course, she could cancel and spend her lazy weekend as she willed. However, her desire to see the new family caused her to itch.
Sometime past noon, her rental vehicle drove into one of the lavish neighbourhoods in the city. The driver slowed down and stopped outside a large date at the address sent by her mother. She could not help nodding in approval at her good fortune. At least, she had left them for much higher ground.
An old friend had once told her that the worst that could happen in any relationship is one of the parties leaving for an uglier or poorer person. Though the French idiot often said a lot of questionable things, she could not help agreeing.
The guards at the gate stopped her vehicle and tapped on her window. She lowered the pane and smiled nicely at the bulky man.
"Good afternoon. I am here for the brunch." She said.
"Your invite, please." The man frowned and stared her down.
"There is an invite needed?" Hu Lei could not help blinking in confusion.
Looking at those moist peach blossom eyes, the guard could not help but feel the urge to open all the doors open for her. However, he had seen a lot of white lotuses in his days guarding important persons and homes. He would not be fooled by a cheap trick.
Poor Hu Lei did not know that she had left a poor impression without even trying. She was genuinely confused because her mother had not mentioned anything about official invites. She thought that she was meeting the new family only.
"If you do not have an invitation, you should turn your vehicle before we alert the authorities." The guard said.
Hu Lei felt frustrated and angry at the situation, but she remained calm. She refused to turn away because it would be an admission of guilt. She was not going to give up an opportunity for real life investigation.
"I was invited yesterday by Lu Liang. Please check with her."
The frown on the guard's face deepened.
"If we contacted Madam Murong every time a random person came here, we would have not time for anything else." The response was filled with condescension.
The man was not being malicious. Some relatives and old friends of the new madam of the house did show up periodically, seeking for help from the phoenix. The master of the residence had ordered these people to be turned away to avoid complications.
Hu Lei did not wish to argue with the unreasonable man for longer. He did not look like he would change his mind even if the sky fell and crushed his body into a meat patty. Therefore, she decided to leap over his head by calling the honoured lady of the mansion.
"Madam Murong, it seems that you treat your guests quite poorly." She said with deep mockery.
The short conversation with her mother finally caused the doors to open to her. However, her vehicle was not allowed into the residence. Though the car service was quite high-end, the guards made it clear that public service vehicles were strictly prohibited.
Hu Lei stepped out of the car with resentment. It was complete discrimination. She did not know how to drive, so she could only engage a car service for transportation purposes. She threw a glare at the unpleasant guards as she walked through the towering gates. Fortunately, her shoes were sensible and suitable for walking along the seemingly endless driveway.