AAWOMAHI Chapter6

Today wasn’t a special occasion; the Lu family simply called Lu Xingmian back for a meal.

 

For about half a month since Lu Xingmian left, Xia Yuefang and Lu Yan hadn’t checked on him. Sometimes, they even forgot they had a son named Lu Xingmian.

 

The reason for calling Lu Xingmian back was that at a recent banquet, everyone was curious why they hadn’t seen the other young master. Where was the true young master of the Lu family? Xia Yuefang smiled and said that Lu Xingmian was ill and wasn’t used to such events, so he didn’t come.

 

Two ladies nearby even remarked that Lu Xingmian was very handsome and clearly inherited the excellent genes of Ms. Xia and Mr. Lu.

 

Lu Sihang, who was standing nearby, clenched his fists in anger.

 

Why were people still bringing up Lu Xingmian even after he had left? Wasn’t mentioning him implying that he himself wasn’t the true young master of the Lu family? What was Lu Xingmian anyway? He was the one who grew up in the Lu family since childhood.

 

After the two ladies left, Xia Yuefang quickly comforted Lu Sihang, assuring him that their affection for him would never change.

 

Xia Yuefang and Lu Yan had meticulously dressed their son today, hoping to forge a connection with the prominent figure from the Lu family, but unfortunately, the important person didn’t even glance at them.

 

However, those two ladies had also reminded Xia Yuefang that they couldn’t neglect Lu Xingmian too much, or people would gossip behind their backs.

 

Good news travels slowly, but bad news spreads far and wide. So, Xia Yuefang decided to call Lu Xingmian back for dinner on the weekend, at least to maintain appearances, preventing others from saying the Lu family favored one son over the other and mistreated their biological son.

 

But even knowing Lu Xingmian was their biological son, they simply felt no affection for him.

 

They had previously considered trying to slowly build a relationship with Lu Xingmian, but his various actions had repeatedly broken their hearts.

 

They believed they hadn’t mistreated Lu Xingmian, they paid for his living expenses and tuition and even let him live in a large villa, a villa that ordinary people might never be able to afford in their lifetime.

 

The driver drove aggressively the entire way, and Lu Xingmian felt carsick by the time he arrived at the Lu family home. Lu Xingmian could tell that the driver had something against him, though he couldn’t understand why, as they had barely spoken.

 

When Lu Sihang saw Lu Xingmian, he enthusiastically stepped forward to greet him: “Lu Xingmian, you’re back! Mom and Dad made a lot of your favorite dishes today. You should eat a lot later.”

 

In front of his parents, Lu Sihang acted very warmly towards Lu Xingmian. This made Xia Yuefang and Lu Yan feel that Lu Sihang was truly their precious darling; even after Lu Xingmian hurt him so many times, Lu Sihang held no grudge. Lu Sihang was just that kind-hearted.

 

Faced with Lu Sihang’s enthusiasm, Lu Xingmian responded indifferently. He wondered if Lu Sihang ever got tired of acting. While Lu Sihang wanted to put on a show, Lu Xingmian had no intention of playing along; he found it too exhausting.

 

When a person reaches a certain level of disappointment and sadness, they simply stop caring.

 

When he called “Mom and Dad,” Lu Xingmian’s eyes held a glimmer of hope, but it was overlooked by Xia Yuefang and Lu Yan because they were doting on Lu Sihang, and their attention was solely on him.

 

Lu Xingmian silently sat on a nearby sofa.

 

Lu Sihang then said he had too much merchandise in his room and wanted to convert Lu Xingmian’s room into a dedicated space for his collection. Xia Yuefang thought about it; there were other rooms, and after all, that was the room Lu Xingmian used to live in, and they had carefully decorated it.

 

But Lu Sihang hugged her arm and cajoled, “That room is spacious and bright, I just love that room! Besides, Lu Xingmian doesn’t live in that room anymore. Please, Mom, please, okay?”

 

Since childhood, Lu Sihang had a secret weapon: as long as he acted spoiled with his parents, no matter what he wanted, his parents would usually agree.

 

Xia Yuefang was quite pleased with Lu Sihang’s pampered demeanor. This son knew how to make them happy. Then she looked at Lu Xingmian, who hadn’t cajoled or shown affection since returning. They couldn’t be blamed for favoring Lu Sihang more.

 

Xia Yuefang said dotingly, “Okay.” Then she looked at Lu Xingmian. “Is that alright?”

 

Although she was asking for Lu Xingmian’s opinion, Xia Yuefang had already agreed before asking. This “question” was more of a notification, just like tonight’s dinner.

 

Lu Xingmian hummed in response. Xia Yuefang looked at him, thinking, why can’t he be like Lu Sihang, cajoling her and admitting his mistakes?

 

Lu Sihang, having easily taken over Lu Xingmian’s room and further cut off his chances of returning, looked triumphantly at Lu Xingmian.

 

Lu Yan, sitting nearby, then realized he might have neglected Lu Xingmian. So, he asked him how things were at his new school. Lu Xingmian answered whatever he was asked. Just as they exchanged a couple of sentences, Lu Sihang came over: “Dad, didn’t you say your shoulder was a bit sore this morning? I’ll massage it for you. I guarantee you’ll feel better right away.”

 

Lu Yan immediately forgot about talking to Lu Xingmian.

 

Although they claimed to have prepared dishes that Lu Xingmian liked, in reality, they were all dishes that Lu Sihang enjoyed. At the dinner table, Lu Sihang, Lu Yan, and Xia Yuefang, the family of three, were enjoying themselves.

 

Lu Sihang chatted with his parents about interesting things that happened at school, like how a classmate today wore a pair of limited-edition sneakers, and he wanted them too. Xia Yuefang said it was no problem and that she would arrange for someone to buy a pair tomorrow. If others had it, their precious son should have it too.

 

Lu Sihang mentioned that the family’s piano was old and he wanted a new one, specifically a certain brand that cost over 800,000 yuan. Lu Yan said it was no problem and they would replace it tomorrow.

 

Lu Sihang had been learning piano since he was young, and his parents had hired many famous teachers to guide him.

 

Lu Sihang looked at Lu Xingmian: “Lu Xingmian, can you play the piano? How about we give you the old one when we replace it?”

 

Lu Xingmian: “No need, I don’t play the piano.”

 

Xia Yuefang frowned slightly. He can’t even play basic piano? This is why she disliked interacting with common folk; they simply had nothing in common. How could someone who couldn’t even play the piano enter high society?

 

Throughout the meal, Lu Xingmian felt like an outsider.

 

Xia Yuefang looked at Lu Xingmian’s silent demeanor and felt a bit angry. Although Lu Xingmian inherited her and Lu Yan’s looks, his temperament was nothing like theirs, completely lacking any aristocratic air.

 

Forget it, she thought; whatever happens, happens. Lu Xingmian will be an adult soon. They can’t change his personality now, and they don’t expect him to be close to them anyway. Fortunately, Lu Sihang would always be their dearest child.

 

After dinner, Lu Xingmian left the Lu family home. This time, there wasn’t even a driver to take him back, as Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang simply wouldn’t remember such a detail. Lu Xingmian’s place was nearly two hours away.

 

As Lu Xingmian waited for a car by the roadside, Lu Sihang walked over. “Lu Xingmian, I really didn’t think you’d actually come back. But it’s good you did. You should understand clearly now, right? Mom and Dad love me.”

 

By the time he returned to his own complex, two hours had passed, and Lu Xingmian was hungry. He had barely eaten anything at the Lu family home. He remembered a rice noodle shop nearby, so he went and had a bowl. By the time he finished and got home, it was past nine o’clock.

 

This day felt very tiring. Lu Xingmian lay on his bed, his heart heavy, like a sky filled with dark clouds, there was no sunshine, no rain, just an oppressive feeling.

 

His sleep-coaxer seemed very busy these past two days. It made sense; being a sleep-coaxer was probably just a part-time job for the other party.

 

Oh, right, he still didn’t know his sleep-coaxer’s last name. He could ask next time.

 

Lu Xingmian decided to take a few melatonin tablets. He wanted to sleep, and when he fell asleep, he wouldn’t have to think about anything.

 

Tomorrow was Sunday, so it wouldn’t matter if he had a headache or felt uncomfortable; he could just endure it.

 

Just as he was about to put the melatonin tablets in his mouth, his phone rang.

 

Sleep-aid provider: [I have time today.]

 

Lu Xingmian immediately put the melatonin tablets back into the bottle.

 

Lu Shiran had indeed been busy these past few days. When he saw Xiao Youzi’s bedtime storybooks, he remembered the insomniac boy. After telling him he was busy two days ago, the boy had been well-behaved and hadn’t messaged him again.

 

Looking at the 20,000 yuan in his WeChat wallet, Lu Shiran felt a little guilty, wondering if the boy was still suffering from insomnia.

 

Had the boy placed too much trust in him? He hadn’t contacted him for days, yet he didn’t seem afraid that Lu Shiran would block him and run off.

 

Not long after he sent the message, the boy replied.

 

After connecting the voice call, Lu Shiran noticed the boy’s voice sounded a bit low.

 

“Are you in a bad mood today?”

 

Lu Xingmian didn’t expect this person to suddenly show concern for him, even noticing he was in a bad mood.

 

Lu Xingmian: “A little, but I’m fine now.”

 

Lu Shiran hummed. The boy didn’t want to talk about it, so he wouldn’t press either. He wasn’t a nosy person.

 

Although he had encountered unpleasant things today, upon hearing the sleep-aid provider’s voice, Lu Xingmian felt his heart wasn’t quite so sad anymore. At least there was someone willing to tell him stories and chat with him.

 

A ray of light shone through a tiny crack in the cloud-covered sky.

 

After Lu Shiran told a story, Lu Xingmian asked him, “Oh, right, I still don’t know your last name. My name is Lu Xingmian.”

 

Lu Shiran raised an eyebrow, the same last name as him.

 

Lu Xingmian chuckled, “Lu, as in the ‘Lu’ from ‘road’.”

 

Lu Shiran: “My last name is Lu.”

 

Lu Xingmian was a little surprised: “Is it the same last name as mine?”

 

Lu Shiran: “Lu, as in the ‘Lu’ from ‘land’.”

 

“They’re pretty similar. I’m ‘road,’ and you’re ‘land’,” Lu Xingmian said. “Then I’ll call you Lu Ge[mfn]Brother Lu[/mfn] from now on.”

 

Having failed to sleep these past few days, hearing Lu Ge’s voice today meant Lu Xingmian could naturally get a good night’s sleep again.

 

Before falling into a deep slumber, Lu Xingmian’s voice was soft: “Thank you, Lu Ge…”

 

Then he fell asleep.