AAWOMAHI Chapter18

After Lu Shiran dropped Xiao Youzi back with her parents, he thought about it and still felt he hadn’t been mistaken. Although he had only met Lu Xingmian once, he wouldn’t forget that slender figure; he had clearly seen it just now.

 

At the banquet, there were always people gossiping. Lu Shiran overheard a few people discussing that four people from the Lu family had arrived and the Lu couple had finally brought their biological son to the banquet, remarking on how good-looking the Lu family’s young master was.

 

The Lu clan manor was huge, so the banquet venue was naturally spacious. Then, Lu Shiran found Lu Xingmian in a corner. He was quietly sitting there, quietly eating. It was indeed the same boy who had mistakenly gotten into his car that day.

 

The ill-fitting formal wear made him look even thinner. Lu Xingmian was eating quite fast, and Lu Shiran guessed he must have been working on assignments all day and was dragged here by the Lu family before he could even eat. Having talked with Lu Xingmian for so long, Lu Shiran knew that Lu Xingmian always skipped meals during holidays.

 

Lu Xingmian sat obediently in the corner, like a little elf who had stumbled into the human world—beautiful and frail, yet very resilient, making one want to protect him.

 

Then, Lu Shiran saw three boys approach Lu Xingmian, speaking disrespectfully to him. Lu Shiran immediately found Butler Hou. As soon as Butler Hou appeared, the three boys didn’t dare to bother Lu Xingmian anymore.

 

Lu Shiran asked Butler Hou, “Uncle Hou, is that child from the Lu family?”

 

Butler Hou knew a thing or two about the circles in Yancheng as well: “Yes, that child’s name is Lu Xingmian.”

 

Based on the bits of information from before, combined with what he had heard from his sister-in-law, Lu Shiran understood why Lu Xingmian suffered from insomnia, why he lived alone, and why he could only turn to a stranger when he was sick. After all his calculations, Lu Shiran never imagined that Lu Xingmian had gone through so much, his voice was always cheerful, and he had never once heard him complain.

 

Lu Shiran recalled how he had once deleted Lu Xingmian’s WeChat and felt a wave of guilt. Then he noticed Lu Xingmian staring blankly at the empty plate in front of him, a dazed look in his eyes, and Lu Shiran realized: he hadn’t eaten enough.

 

After Lu Xingmian finished the food on the second plate, he still felt a bit hungry. Although he had taken a lot of different foods, each portion was small, so he wasn’t full at all, especially since he hadn’t eaten anything all day. He wished he could have another bowl of rice with some potato and beef stew.

 

But he figured a banquet like this wouldn’t have rice. Lu Xingmian thought about having braised beef instant noodles when he got home.

 

Just as he was thinking this, the uncle from earlier returned, carrying a bowl of rice and a plate of potato and beef stew. Butler Hou placed the food in front of Lu Xingmian. “Try this.”

 

Lu Xingmian was surprised. “There’s rice here?”

 

Butler Hou smiled, “Of course there is. Whatever you want to eat, we have it.”

 

Lu Xingmian said, “Thank you, Uncle.”

 

Butler Hou replied, “You’re welcome. Eat it while it’s hot.”

 

From the reaction of those three boys earlier, they were clearly scared of this uncle. This uncle must be from the Lu family, Lu Xingmian thought, but he was so kind to him, helping him out and even bringing him rice.

 

Butler Hou asked him, “How is it? Is it delicious?”

 

“Delicious,” Lu Xingmian swallowed the food in his mouth. “The rice is delicious, the potatoes are delicious, and the beef is super delicious.”

 

Butler Hou said, “Then eat slowly. I’ll get back to work now.”

 

Lu Xingmian: “Thank you, Uncle. Goodbye, Uncle.”

 

From a distance, Lu Shiran felt relieved seeing Lu Xingmian eat happily. It wasn’t the right time to meet Lu Xingmian yet.

 

After finishing the bowl of rice, Lu Xingmian finally felt full.

 

–

 

While Lu Xingmian was eating, Lu Sihang waited impatiently on the other side, finally spotting his three friends.

 

He had told his usual crew to teach Lu Xingmian a lesson. Since they’d been gone for quite a while, he assumed they must’ve roughed him up pretty well.

 

Lu Xingmian knew no one here, so after a beating, he wouldn’t know where to find help, making the assault pointless for him to report. Plus, Lu Xingmian surely wouldn’t realize those people knew him, so he wouldn’t suspect Lu Sihang. Even if he did, his parents definitely wouldn’t bother with Lu Xingmian’s affairs.

 

Anxiously waiting, Lu Sihang finally saw his friends and quickly went up to them, asking, “Well, how was it? Did you guys teach him a lesson?”

 

Teach Lu Xingmian a lesson? They were the ones who got lectured. They briefly recounted what happened, mentioning they had encountered Butler Hou. Lu Sihang was stunned to hear about Butler Hou’s involvement. Why would Butler Hou help Lu Xingmian? He shouldn’t know Lu Xingmian, and it was even more unlikely that Lu Xingmian knew Butler Hou.

 

Lu Sihang asked, “So, you didn’t get the phone either?”

 

Lu Sihang had planned to get Lu Xingmian’s phone and throw it away, thus disposing of the recording. But with Butler Hou involved, Lu Sihang had to give up.

 

From Lu Xingmian’s demeanor, it seemed that as long as he didn’t bother him, Lu Xingmian probably wouldn’t play the recording for their parents. Of course, even if his parents found out, he also had ways to make them feel sorry for him.

 

Lu Sihang didn’t know that when those three boys went home that day, their parents severely disciplined them, stopping their allowance for a month. For that entire month, they weren’t allowed to leave the house except for school. For the three of them, a month without going out to play and no allowance was truly a painful ordeal.

 

–

 

At ten o’clock that night, this time Lu Xingmian wasn’t forgotten; Lu Yan and the others called him when they were leaving. They had arrived together, so naturally, they should leave together.

 

The banquet hall was cozy and warm, but the moment one stepped outside, a biting wind, sharp as a blade, rushed in, catching people off guard with its sudden chill.

 

Just as they stepped out, Lu Sihang suddenly clutched his stomach, claiming pain and discomfort. Xia Yuefang grew terribly worried. She quickly got into the car to head home, telling Lu Xingmian to take a taxi back by himself. No sooner had she spoken than the car door closed, and the vehicle sped away.

 

Lu Xingmian was left standing alone.

 

It was a deep night, the coldest time in Yancheng. Fortunately, Lu Xingmian had worn a thick down jacket when he arrived. However, getting a taxi here seemed difficult; he waited for nearly ten minutes without a single car accepting his ride request. Seeing luxurious cars drive past him one after another, Lu Xingmian thought that if no driver accepted his request in another ten minutes, he would flag down a car and ask them to take him out of this area. Once on a main road, he should be able to get a taxi home.

 

Five minutes passed, and still no driver accepted his request. The night temperature was truly frigid, and Lu Xingmian’s hands and feet were starting to feel numb from the cold.

 

He saw a car approaching him. Before Lu Xingmian could flag it down, the luxury car slowly stopped beside him. The car window rolled down, revealing a familiar face, it was the uncle from earlier.

 

Butler Hou asked him, “Where are you going? I’ll give you a ride.”

 

Lu Xingmian felt incredibly lucky today: “Uncle, could you drop me off outside? It’s hard to get a taxi here.”

 

Butler Hou said, “Get in first, then tell me. It’s too cold outside.”

 

Lu Xingmian got into the car, which was warm and comfortable. Butler Hou asked him, “Where are you going? I’ll give you a ride.”

 

Lu Xingmian quickly waved his hand. “No, no, Uncle, just dropping me outside is fine.”

 

Butler Hou said, “It’s no problem, I’ll take you back.”

 

Lu Xingmian explained, “The place I’m going is very, very far from here. You really don’t need to.”

 

“Then all the more reason to take you back,” Butler Hou said. “You’re leaving from the Lu clan, and I’d be even more uneasy if you went back alone this late.”

 

Lu Xingmian had no choice but to say he lived in the suburbs of Yancheng, quite far from there, with a round trip taking four hours. He said it in hopes that the uncle would hear and stop insisting on giving him a ride.

 

Butler Hou, without a second thought, immediately instructed the driver to head towards SS City.

 

Lu Xingmian: “……” This uncle really is going to drive him back.

 

Lu Xingmian: “Thank you, Uncle.” This uncle is truly kind.

 

Butler Hou: “You’re welcome.”

 

Then, Lu Xingmian realized that he actually didn’t get motion sickness in this car. The driver drove very smoothly; Lu Xingmian felt nothing during braking, accelerating, or turning, so he naturally didn’t feel nauseous. He checked the time and figured he’d be home around midnight.

 

So, he texted Lu Ge, saying he might be a bit late tonight, and Lu Ge replied that it was fine, he’d wait up to tell him a story no matter how late. Lu Xingmian looked at the uncle in front and then told Lu Ge that he had met a kind uncle today.

 

However, Lu Xingmian still kept his guard up.

 

Lu Xingmian: [Lu Ge, can you call me in a bit and ask for the car’s license plate number?]

 

Receiving the message, Lu Shiran immediately understood Lu Xingmian’s intention, which greatly pleased him; Lu Xingmian was very alert.

 

Lu Shiran: [Okay.]

 

Less than a minute after the message was sent, Lu Shiran called.

 

Lu Xingmian answered, “Lu Ge.”

 

Lu Shiran asked him, “Are you home now?”

 

Lu Xingmian said, “On my way home. A kind uncle is driving me.”

 

Lu Shiran said, “Oh, it’s so late, I’m worried about you going home alone. Can you tell me the license plate number?”

 

Lu Xingmian: “En, okay, just a moment.”

 

Lu Xingmian explained to the uncle in front, “Uncle, my friend called. He’s worried about me and asked for the car’s license plate number. Do you mind?”

 

Butler Hou smiled: “Not at all.” He had heard Lu Shiran’s voice.

 

So, Lu Xingmian relayed the license plate number to Lu Ge. After hanging up, Lu Xingmian still felt Lu Ge’s voice sounded better because it wasn’t so cold.

 

Just before midnight, Butler Hou safely dropped Lu Xingmian off downstairs. Lu Xingmian repeatedly thanked him and the driver. Watching Lu Xingmian go upstairs, Butler Hou got back in the car and made a call.

 

“Young Master Lu has been safely dropped off at home.”