"There are snacks here; both young ladies may help yourselves."
As the voice fell, a small refrigerator opened up in the space between the front and back seats.
"Thank you, Grandpa Guan."
Lu Li thanked him very politely, while Gu Xiao casually took out two bags of snacks and shoved them into Lu Li's hands.
While Lu Li was still stunned, Gu Xiao had already ripped open a package and was pouring it into her mouth.
Guan Heqing, who was driving in the front, saw Gu Xiao's series of actions in the rearview mirror and was slightly taken aback. This didn't seem like something the Third Young Master would do.
But then he thought of the Madam's strict discipline and the Second Young Lady's two-faced demeanor, and he immediately felt relieved.
Even the Eldest Young Master had a rebellious phase back then, but the Third Young Master never displayed any improper behavior.
He had previously thought the Third Young Master was simply steady and highly tolerant; turns out, this was just a release in a different form.
Inside the hovercar, Lu Li was leaning against the window, looking outside.
Because Lu Yong was always busy and never had time to take Lu Li out to play, this was Lu Li's first time leaving Yunqi City.
The Central District was clearly much more prosperous than other areas of Tianyuan City. High-rise buildings stood everywhere, and skyscrapers of wildly different architectural styles pierced the clouds. The crystal glass on the buildings reflected colorful light under the sun.
In the sky above, various hovercars, flying vehicles, and aerial rail trains traveled back and forth.
The various types of equipment were much more advanced than those in Yunqi City; the sheer number of flying vehicles in the sky was enough to generally estimate the gap between the two places.
In an Ecological Park far away, a huge cylinder reached straight up to the sky. At its very top was a massive Canopy densely covered with fine Nano Solar Panels used to absorb the sun's energy.
There were many such solar-powered ecological parks in the Central District, and the Solar Energy they collected was one of the Central District's major energy sources.
On a tall building to the right of the hovercar, there was a huge Virtual Stage where a woman with exquisite, stunning looks and a perfectly proportioned, graceful figure was performing.
The Number One Songstress of the Cosmos, Shangguan Yurou.
She was extremely popular not just within the Human Alliance but throughout the entire Interstellar Federation, and she was the dream of countless youths across the Interstellar Federation.
"She's so beautiful."
Lu Li said, looking at Shangguan Yurou on the Virtual Stage, who was filled with sunny confidence and radiating light.
"I think you, Lu Li, are better looking than her."
In terms of Appearance, Lu Li was certainly no worse than Shangguan Yurou. It should be said that when comparing beauties of this caliber, you couldn't use "who is better looking"; you could only say that each possessed a unique charm.
If this were before, Lu Li might have lacked slightly in temperament compared to Shangguan Yurou, but ever since she awakened the Saintess Class, the aura she exuded was in no way inferior to Shangguan Yurou's.
"It's not as exaggerated as you make it sound, Xiao Xiao."
Having been praised by Gu Xiao so suddenly, and in front of others, Lu Li spoke with sudden shyness.
"How is it exaggerated? I'm just telling the truth."
Seeing Lu Li's shy expression, Gu Xiao's tone became a bit livelier.
In the driver's seat, Guan Heqing listened to the interaction between the two behind him, a look of heartfelt gratification spreading across his face.
Their Young Master has finally wised up.
Guan Heqing clearly subconsciously ignored the fact that Gu Xiao (Jing Yuan) had been The Girl for over a decade; this was merely a normal interaction between friends.
After driving into the Central District for about an hour and a half, the hovercar slowly reduced its speed and finally arrived at a Parking Lot.
"Young Ladies, we have arrived."
The three got out of the hovercar. Just two steps after they exited the vehicle, a burst of icy blue light suddenly shone in the west where the hovercar had been parked.
A small, glowing aerial rail emerged from the ground, extending to the Aerial Parking Lot a hundred meters away.
Two Light-Rail Pulleys appeared at the point where the aerial rail connected with the Sky-Walker, pulling the Sky-Walker toward the Aerial Parking Lot.
That was the Jing Family's private Aerial Parking Lot. The value of the hovercars parked there alone amounted to tens of billions of credit points, exceeding the price of half a minimum-class Space Battleship.
"Young Ladies, please follow me."
After the hovercar was parked, Guan Heqing led the two toward the Jing Family's Architectural Complex.
This sentence was mainly directed at Lu Li, as Gu Xiao would know the way even without his guidance.
After traversing a short Mountain Path, crossing a small bridge, and passing through a dense Forest, the three finally arrived outside the main gate of the Jing Family.
Standing not far from the gate, Lu Li looked at the building ahead with a shocked expression; a sense of historical gravitas washed over her.
Tall and imposing—that was Lu Li's first impression of the Grand Residence before her.
A Plaque was hung on the central eaves of the Grand Residence, bearing two vigorous, powerful golden characters: "Jing Residence."
For a moment, Lu Li felt as if she had somehow traveled outside the residence of a Noble Family from the Medieval Era.
Before Guan Heqing could step forward to open the door, the residence gate opened from the inside, and Pei Lingyi walked out, accompanied by Jing Yuan and Jing Hanshuang.
"Madam, Second Young Lady, Third Young Master."
Seeing the three emerge, Guan Heqing bowed slightly and greeted them.
"Uncle Guan, how many times have I told you, there's no need for such formality between us."
Guan Heqing didn't just watch Jing Yuan's generation grow up; he was the Butler for the Jing Family's Old Master, Jing Potian, and Jing Dongfeng's generation also grew up under his watch.
"The Madam is right."
Guan Heqing agreed with a chuckle, though he knew he would continue to do things the same way whenever they met in the future.
Pei Lingyi also knew Guan Heqing's personality, so she didn't say anything more, turning instead to look at Gu Xiao and Lu Li, who were standing behind him.
"This must be Xiao Xiao. The last time I saw you, you were just this tiny; now you're so tall."
Pei Lingyi walked up to the two and naturally took Gu Xiao's hand. Her tone and demeanor truly made it seem as if she hadn't seen Gu Xiao in years.
As a dominant figure in Tianyuan City's Socialite Circle, this level of acting was effortless for her.
"Aunt Pei, long time no see."
Gu Xiao also smiled brightly, appearing slightly shy, like a Junior Relative whom she hadn't seen in years.
"I didn't realize, Little Yuanyuan, that you were such a good actor."
Seeing the mother and "daughter" playing along with each other not far away, Jing Hanshuang lightly nudged Jing Yuan, who was standing beside her, with her elbow.
"Did you practice all that on Older Sister?"
"I have never lied to Older Sister."
"Heh, doesn't your conscience hurt when you say that?"
After speaking, Jing Hanshuang also walked toward Gu Xiao and Lu Li, with Jing Yuan following closely behind.
"Aunt Pei, this is Lu Li, my Childhood Friend."
"Lu Li, this is Aunt Pei, who is also the City Lord's Madam of Tianyuan City."
Gu Xiao turned around and introduced Lu Li and Pei Lingyi to each other.
"Huh?"
Upon hearing the words "City Lord's Madam," Lu Li finally looked confused.
My best friend's background... is it really this powerful?