AAWOMAHI Chapter15

There was a family dinner at the Lu clan home today. Lu Shiran’s parents, his elder brother, sister-in-law, and Xiao Youzi gathered to eat. Old Mr. and Mrs. Lu had long since handed over the family business to Lu Shiran and Lu Yu, the two brothers. They no longer managed anything and had nothing to worry about, happily enjoying their later years.

 

The only thing they still worried about was their younger son Lu Shiran’s relationship status; even Lu Yu was concerned. However, despite their worries and concerns, they had never interfered. So, based on two clear factors, Lu Yu came to a conclusion.

 

Facing Lu Yu’s wild speculation, Lu Shiran merely glanced at him indifferently. Then he calmly replied, “Do you think that’s possible?”

 

Lu Yu immediately dismissed his own guess. Lu Shiran’s sexual orientation meant that what he had just speculated about was absolutely impossible.

 

But what about the “creditor” Xiao Youzi mentioned? And why did Lu Shiran want Xiao Youzi’s storybooks? Lu Shiran’s explanation was, “To read when I can’t sleep, to relax.”

 

Lu Yu: …Has Lu Shiran suddenly found his inner child? But even if he has, there must be a reason for it. His own younger brother was almost thirty but had never been in a relationship, he didn’t even have a partner. What a waste of such a good-looking face.

 

His younger brother was very cautious and serious when it came to matters of the heart, to the point that Lu Yu wondered if Lu Shiran even knew how to date. With his personality, would he ever meet someone he liked in this lifetime? Lu Yu thought that when Lu Shiran turned thirty, he would definitely still be alone.

 

The Lu clan gathered together, eating happily in a harmonious atmosphere. Xiao Youzi stood by the window watching the fireworks outside.

 

Lu Shiran’s assistant came to inform Mr. Lu that the Lu family was also dining there, right next door, and wanted to come over to offer a toast to the Lu clan.

 

Today was Christmas, and Lu Sihang was clamoring to celebrate, so Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang took him out for the holiday. Unexpectedly, they ran into the Lu clan here; Lu Shiran’s family was also dining at the same place. What a coincidence!

 

So, Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang quickly brought Lu Sihang over to offer a toast to the Lu clan. Don’t be fooled by the fact that the Lu family in Yancheng is also a prominent wealthy family; compared to the Lu clan, the Lu family is like a shrub, while the Lu clan is a hundred-year-old giant tree. Moreover, many future matters would require the Lu clan’s assistance.

 

Xia Yuefang even specifically introduced Lu Sihang to Lu Shiran, making sure Lu Sihang made an appearance in front of him. Lu Sihang called out, “President Lu.” Lu Shiran merely nodded indifferently in response. Lu Sihang stood there awkwardly, his wine glass still unextended, as Lu Shiran didn’t look at him again.

 

Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang were skilled at reading the room. After wishing them “Happy Holidays,” they quickly excused themselves. Of course, they knew that approaching them so abruptly might have been a disturbance, but Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang were simply too eager to forge a connection with the Lu clan, and even more so to have Lu Sihang leave an impression on Lu Shiran. However, Lu Shiran seemed quite displeased, so they quickly departed.

 

After the Lu family left, Lu Yu’s wife sighed, “It seems the rumors about the Lu couple not doting on their biological son are true.” Many people knew about the Lu family’s affairs, and Lu Yu’s wife was among them, but since it was someone else’s business, she hadn’t mentioned it to Lu Yu. She just hadn’t expected to run into the Lu family here today, wondering if it was a coincidence or deliberate.

 

Lu Yu, unaware of the Lu family’s internal matters, was still out of the loop: “What do you mean? From what I just saw, the Lu couple seemed to dote on their son very much.”

 

Meng Xinlei glanced at Lu Yu. “I’m not talking about what you just saw. Lu Sihang isn’t the Lu family’s biological child; their biological son was only found over half a year ago.”

 

Lu Yu also recalled that there was indeed something like that: “Ah? Then why didn’t we see the other child today?”

 

Meng Xinlei replied, “He probably didn’t come. That’s why I said the Lu couple really shows favoritism, especially since that one is the child with their own blood.”

 

“But it seems there’s also a reason. I heard that the biological son who was found wasn’t good to Lu Sihang and kept hurting him, which is why the Lu family sent that child away from their home. However, these are just rumors; only those involved truly know the facts, as none of us witnessed it firsthand.”

 

Lu Yu genuinely knew nothing about these matters, so he was a bit curious: “That child was sent back?”

 

Meng Xinlei relayed the information she had previously heard from other madams: “No, he wasn’t sent back; he was just sent away from the Lu family, out of Yancheng. It seems he was sent to SS City, which is near Yancheng.”

 

That Lu family child hadn’t been seen at many social events, nor was he present today for Christmas, which perfectly illustrated that the child was unwelcome in the Lu family. Meng Xinlei hugged her little Xiao Youzi, growing fond of her with every look. Xiao Youzi was her own flesh and blood, and she couldn’t even love her enough. If it were her, she would feel even more heartache and guilt for that child and would do everything possible to compensate.

 

She wondered what the Lu couple was thinking; wouldn’t it be better to cherish both sons?

 

“Sao-zi[mfn]Sister-in-law[/mfn], do you know what that child’s name is?” Lu Shiran, who had been very quiet until now, suddenly spoke.

 

Meng Xinlei thought for a moment, then shook her head: “I forgot, I can’t remember.”

 

She only knew about the general situation; as for other details, she had heard them from others. She didn’t know the child’s name; perhaps someone had mentioned it, but she just didn’t recall.

 

Lu Shiran didn’t press further; it seemed he had just asked casually, as he usually had no interest in other people’s affairs. However, in that instant, Lu Shiran suddenly thought of Lu Xingmian. He also had the surname Lu. Moreover, Lu Xingmian had been suffering from insomnia for over half a year, and he lived alone in SS City, without his parents by his side.

 

 

There seemed to be many overlapping points.

 

Despite his many doubts, Lu Shiran didn’t bring up the matter that night. He and Lu Xingmian merely had an “employment” relationship, and he didn’t want to get too involved or know too much either.

 

Before Lu Shiran started telling the story, Lu Xingmian asked him, “Lu Ge, are these stories you’re telling me from your little niece’s storybooks?”

 

Lu Shiran confirmed it.

 

So that was it! It made sense. Though it was just a side job, Lu Ge really did prepare a lot of things. No wonder his ratings were so high and so many people liked him, Lu Ge’s voice was genuinely pleasant to listen to. So, Lu Ge must have coaxed others to sleep this way before too, gently and patiently.

 

Lu Shiran was looking for a story to tell Lu Xingmian when Lu Xingmian’s voice on the phone sounded a bit off. “What’s wrong?”

 

Lu Xingmian shook his head. “Nothing, nothing.”

 

What was he just thinking about? This was Lu Ge’s job, after all.

 

Lu Xingmian suddenly said, “Lu Ge, let’s not tell stories today. Can we just chat casually instead?”

 

Although a bit surprised, Lu Shiran still agreed: “Sure, whatever you like. What do you want to talk about?”

 

Lu Xingmian replied, “Just casual chat.”

 

Lu Shiran put away the storybooks. “Alright.”

 

Lying in bed, Lu Xingmian wore headphones, resting on his pillow, it was a very relaxed posture. It was completely different from when he was video-calling Lu Ge for cooking lessons that afternoon; back then, Lu Xingmian was nervous, but now he was very relaxed.

 

Lu Xingmian: “Lu Ge, can I ask you how long you’ve been doing this part-time of lulling people to sleep?”

 

Lu Shiran thought for a moment: “About four years now.” He had taken over the family business at twenty-four, supported the Lu clan, and become its head. Lu Xingmian nodded. So he’d been doing this part-time for so long! No wonder he had so many good reviews.

 

Someone who consistently worked a part-time job for four years would certainly build an excellent reputation.

 

Lu Xingmian: “Then you must have met a lot of people, right?”

 

Lu Shiran: “En, I guess so.”

 

After becoming the family head, Lu Shiran had met all sorts of people. Having spent so many years in the business world and encountering so many situations, he had developed a keen eye for discerning people.

 

He could discern the intentions of anyone approaching him.

 

Lu Xingmian thought for a moment, “Are you always this serious, then?”

 

Lu Shiran pondered, “No, you’re the first.”

 

Lu Xingmian let out a small “ah,” and though his voice wasn’t loud, Lu Shiran detected surprise and disbelief in it. “Is that true?”

 

Lu Shiran replied, “It’s true.”

 

If Lu Xingmian hadn’t stubbornly added him, they might still have no connection whatsoever. Hearing Lu Ge say this made Lu Xingmian happy, and all his previous minor unhappiness vanished.

 

Then, Lu Xingmian told Lu Shiran about school. His teachers and classmates were very kind, and students from Class One always came to him with various problems. Because of this, Lu Xingmian felt he had also made great progress.

 

That night, they talked a lot, and in the end, Lu Xingmian simply fell asleep. When he heard the familiar, even breathing, Lu Shiran knew that the boy on the other end had drifted off.

 

A few days after Christmas came New Year’s Day.

 

The school had a day off for New Year’s. Lu Xingmian spent the entire New Year’s Day at home working on practice tests, writing until the afternoon. When he got hungry, he prepared to cook. Then he received a message from Xia Yuefang, telling him to come back that evening to attend a banquet together.

 

Lu Xingmian thought about it and asked Xia Yuefang if he could not go. He disliked such occasions; various banquets were unfamiliar to him, and Lu Xingmian wasn’t accustomed to them, nor did he like them either.

 

Upon hearing Lu Xingmian say he wouldn’t go, Xia Yuefang’s expression soured. She thought Lu Xingmian simply didn’t want to come back or be close to them. She wasn’t unaware of what outsiders said about their supposed mistreatment of Lu Xingmian. So, Xia Yuefang wanted to reconcile with Lu Xingmian, at least to make it appear to others that they weren’t biased and loved both children equally. Tonight’s banquet was an opportunity, and if Lu Xingmian acted this way, wouldn’t it just confirm the outside rumors were true? Xia Yuefang believed she had not mistreated Lu Xingmian since he returned.

 

Xia Yuefang directly called to inform Lu Xingmian that he absolutely had to return for the banquet. The driver was already on his way to pick him up and would arrive soon; this matter was non-negotiable. And then, there was no “then”; Xia Yuefang simply hung up the phone.

 

Lu Xingmian hadn’t eaten for most of the day. Xia Yuefang said the driver would be there soon, so he didn’t cook. But he waited and waited for an hour before the driver finally appeared downstairs.

 

When Lu Xingmian got into the car, the driver even gave him a glare, complaining that he was too slow getting in. However, in reality, it took Lu Xingmian less than three minutes from receiving the call to going downstairs.

 

The driver took Lu Xingmian straight to Yancheng.