Lu Xingmian then noticed that not far from them was a large doll model. It was a cartoon character that most children like. Lu Xingmian guessed that the little girl ran here because she liked the model, only to get separated from her parents.
The little girl had strong narrative skills and told her dad their current location. When the little girl returned the phone to Lu Xingmian, she said, Thank you, Gege.
Lu Xingmian picked up the phone and heard the little girl’s father on the other end saying, “Sir, could you please help us look after our child? We’ll be there immediately, thank you.”
Lu Xingmian said, “You’re welcome,” and after hanging up, he squatted down and waited with the little girl for her parents. He wouldn’t have been at ease letting her wait alone, even if her dad hadn’t asked. Since he had nothing to do, he would only feel relieved after the little girl was picked up by her own parents.
Children are the lifeblood of every family, and parents of a lost child must be very anxious right now. He suddenly wondered what his life would have been like if he hadn’t been switched at birth, but he quickly realized that the question was meaningless now.
But he could help the little girl in front of him wait for her parents.
While they were waiting, the little girl looked at Lu Xingmian. Her big eyes were very cute. Lu Xingmian felt that the little girl was rather strong; even after getting lost, she neither cried nor made a fuss, and she remained highly cautious when strangers spoke to her.
Now the little girl was staring at him eagerly, and Lu Xingmian was amused: “Little sister, is there something on my face? You keep looking at me.”
The little girl said, “No, no, Gege, you are so good-looking.” She had never seen anyone more good-looking than this brother. She had seen many, many brothers, but none were as good-looking as the one in front of her. She thought this brother was even more good-looking than her uncle.
Lu Xingmian was embarrassed by the praise: “Little sister, the next time you go out, you must stay close to your parents and not get separated again, okay?”
The little girl said, “Okay.”
She had run off to see the big doll while her parents weren’t paying attention, but then she forgot the way back. Her parents had told her not to run around if she got lost, so she waited obediently right there, certain her parents would find her quickly.
The more the little girl looked at Lu Xingmian, the more she liked him: “Gege, I think I’ve seen you before.”
Lu Xingmian laughed: “Really? Where?” He thought it was impossible; he seemed to have rarely seen children.
The little girl thought about it, wondering when it was. She was sure she had seen this handsome brother. Her uncle seems to be with her at the time. If her uncle were here, he could definitely tell her where she had seen this handsome brother. When would her uncle be back? She missed her uncle a little.
“I forgot.”
Lu Xingmian smiled, thinking maybe he just had a common face.
The little girl’s gaze was soon drawn to Lu Xingmian’s earring: “Gege, your earring is so beautiful. My uncle has one just like it.”
Lu Xingmian touched his earring and smiled again in embarrassment. He found the little girl to be very lively, which meant she must live in a very happy family.
They continued to chat happily, and just as the little girl was about to say she would introduce her uncle to Lu Xingmian, her parents arrived.
“Xiao Youzi, Mom and Dad were so worried. Why did you run over here? Are you okay?”
The little girl’s mother held her tightly. “You’re not allowed to run off again, understand? Your dad and I were going crazy.”
The little girl hugged her mother’s neck and apologized, “I’m sorry, Mom. I won’t do it again.”
With the family reunited, Lu Xingmian felt relieved and was about to leave when he saw the little girl’s father and was stunned: “President Lu?”
This was the second time Lu Xingmian had seen Lu Yu, the first being on Lu Shiran’s birthday.
During their first meeting, both were shocked. At that time, Lu Xingmian only asked Lu Yu two questions.
“Are you President Lu of the Lu clan?”
“Are Lu Shiran and you brothers?”
They hadn’t seen each other since.
The little girl’s father was Lu Yu? So this was Xiao Youzi? No wonder he thought the little girl’s father’s voice sounded familiar.
Lu Xingmian knew that Lu Shiran had a niece named Xiao Youzi, and Lu Shiran often mentioned her. The storybooks Lu Shiran read to him were mostly given to him by Xiao Youzi.
Lu Yu was also surprised to see Lu Xingmian. He hadn’t expected it was Lu Xingmian who helped them find Xiao Youzi and stayed with her until they arrived.
Lu Yu held Lu Xingmian’s hand and kept thanking him. Xiao Youzi was their family’s life. In the blink of an eye, she was gone, and Lu Yu and his wife had almost gone mad with worry.
Although Lu Yu had already used his connections to have the mall staff seal off all exits to keep Xiao Youzi from leaving and had even pulled up the surveillance footage, a call from an unfamiliar number came through while they were still in a panic.
Lu Yu answered without a second thought. When he heard Xiao Youzi’s voice, he finally felt some relief.
After hanging up, he and his wife rushed over.
From a distance, they saw Xiao Youzi chatting happily with a young man. Xiao Youzi rarely acted this way with a stranger.
The instant Lu Yu laid eyes on Xiao Youzi, his heart finally settled. He was grateful that Xiao Youzi was unharmed, and even more grateful that it was Lu Xingmian who had found her.
Xiao Youzi’s mother clutched her tightly in excitement, while Lu Yu shook Lu Xingmian’s arm with such force it nearly came off, repeatedly voicing their thanks.
Lu Xingmian repeatedly said, “You’re welcome, you’re welcome,” explaining he just happened to be there. He finally managed to pull his hand away; Lu Yu had a very strong grip.
Lu Yu and his wife were immensely grateful. They both knew about his relationship with Lu Shiran, and today Lu Xingmian also watched over Xiao Youzi. Wasn’t that like family? Lu Yu enthusiastically invited Lu Xingmian to dinner at their house on the spot.
Lu Xingmian widened his eyes in shock. Dinner at Lu Yu’s house?
Lu Xingmian quickly said, “No, no, President Lu, you don’t have to be so formal.” He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to go to Lu Yu’s house alone. He was sure he would make many mistake since he didn’t know anything.
Lu Yu said, “You just said not to be so formal. Don’t call me President Lu.” Lu Xingmian was his younger brother’s boyfriend and the person Lu Shiran cherished most. Calling him “President Lu” felt too distant.
Lu Xingmian thought for a moment: “Yu Ge.”
Lu Yu liked Lu Xingmian more and more as he looked at him. He seemed to understand why Lu Shiran was so fond of him.
Lu Yu recalled Lu Shiran’s reminder not to frighten his boyfriend off, so he quickly added that once Lu Shiran came back, he had to bring Lu Xingmian home for dinner.
Lu Xingmian nodded in agreement, afraid that if he didn’t agree, Lu Yu would just drag him home right then and there.
Xiao Youzi said from the side, “Gege, so you’re my uncle’s boyfriend! My uncle’s creditor!”
Her uncle had said he had a very, very cute creditor and that he had to read stories to the creditor brother every day so he could fall asleep.
So this was the handsome brother.
Happily, Xiao Youzi took two storybooks out of her small backpack. “Gege, these two storybooks are new ones I just bought. They’re so good. They’re for you. When my uncle gets back, let him read them to you. He’s a really good storyteller.”
Lu Xingmian could attest to that. He accepted Xiao Youzi’s gift. “Thank you, Xiao Youzi.”
Lu Yu insisted on giving Lu Xingmian a ride home, saying it was on his way.
Lu Xingmian hadn’t expected Lu Yu to be so enthusiastic. He drove him all the way to his building. Before he got out of the car, Xiao Youzi stuffed a lot of snacks into his hands.
“Gege, you have to come back with my uncle to play with me.”
On the way home, Lu Yu learned that Lu Shiran had been borrowing storybooks from Xiao Youzi to read to Lu Xingmian every night.
Lu Yu raised an eyebrow. Lu Shiran actually read stories to Lu Xingmian every day; he truly loved Lu Xingmian.
After they got home, Xiao Youzi’s grandparents also heard that she had nearly gotten lost at the mall and that Lu Xingmian had found her.
Mr. Lu and Mrs. Lu said they should thank Lu Xingmian properly.
Lu Yu quickly told his parents that Lu Shiran was not home and that they shouldn’t rush things and scare Lu Xingmian away. If Lu Xingmian got scared off, Lu Shiran would definitely lose it.
Hearing this, Father and Mother Lu had to give up. When would Lu Shiran finally bring Lu Xingmian home? When would they be able to officially meet Lu Xingmian?
The two of them wondered if Lu Xingmian would be bullied with Lu Shiran’s personality.
That night, Lu Yu told Lu Shiran what had happened. Then Lu Shiran asked about Xiao Youzi.
Lu Yu said Xiao Youzi was fine, that Lu Xingmian had stayed with her, and she wasn’t frightened at all.
Lu Shiran then asked Lu Yu if he had scared Lu Xingmian.
Lu Yu laughed, saying they weren’t monsters and wouldn’t scare Lu Xingmian, and told him not to be so nervous.
Lu Yu asked him when he was coming back.
Lu Shiran: “Two days at the earliest, three days at the latest.”
“It really has to be you.” Lu Yu sincerely admired him. “Only you can quickly deal with those difficult people abroad. If it were me, I’d have to negotiate for several more days.”
Lu Shiran didn’t want to hear Lu Yu ramble on: “I’ve got to go. Talk to you later.”
Lu Yu knew he was probably calling Lu Xingmian, so he hung up without a fuss.
–
Lu Xingmian’s eyes lit up as he gazed at the instant noodles in the supermarket; it felt like ages since he had last eaten them.
When he saw someone eating them at noon, Lu Xingmian felt a pang of nostalgia for the taste.
He thought about it and realized it had been at least half a year since he’d had any, all because Lu Shiran wouldn’t let him.
Now, with Lu Shiran away, he could secretly eat instant noodles. Lu Shiran would never know anyway.
If he wanted to eat it, he would. Lu Xingmian bought a cup of sour and spicy beef noodles and went home.
He’d timed it perfectly. Lu Shiran wouldn’t be back until the day after tomorrow at the earliest. After he finished eating today, he would throw away all the trash, leaving no trace. Lu Shiran would definitely not find out. Hehe.
While boiling water, he sent a message to Lu Shiran saying he had finished eating at the cafeteria.
The water boiled, then he poured it over the noodles, and a few minutes later, a steaming cup of instant noodles was ready.
Lu Xingmian slurped up a large mouthful of noodles, completely oblivious to the sound of the door opening.
The next second, Lu Shiran appeared in the doorway.
Lu Xingmian raised his head from the steaming cup of noodles, his mouth still stuffed with a big bite.
He locked eyes with Lu Shiran, who had just walked in.
Ahhahahahahah BUSTED