MTY chapter 17

In front of Lu Zhaolin and the grandparents, Lin Yu was exceptionally polite, gentle, and well-mannered.

Meanwhile, Lu Ziqing stood coldly by the side, looking on with nothing to do.

Mainly, he was in shock.

Anyone who witnessed Lin Yu’s split-second change of expression would marvel at this top-tier career brain’s professionalism.

The grandparents asked eagerly:

“How old are you?”
“Which school did you graduate from?”
“Where’s your hometown?”
“Isn’t it worrying for your family that you’re working so far away?”
“How did you meet Ziqing?”

Lin Yu responded clearly and smoothly to each question.

The grandparents were absolutely delighted.

Elderly people are naturally concerned about their grandchildren’s marriage prospects, and Lin Yu, with his fair and clean appearance, high education, strong capabilities, and sweet, well-behaved demeanor, was a perfect fit.

Lu Ziqing pursed his lips, silently cursing at the hypocrisy.

“What kind of expression is that?” Lu Zhaolin scolded upon seeing his son’s face. “It’s Lin Yu’s first time meeting your grandparents, and you’re just standing there like a wooden post instead of helping with introductions.”

Lu Ziqing: “I was just afraid of interrupting their conversation.”

Lu Zhaolin: “If you have nothing to say, then get out of the way.”

“Fine,” Lu Ziqing took three large steps back, neatly exiting the video frame. “The newcomer smiles while the old one cries. I see I’m just extra here. I won’t interrupt your cheerful chat then.”

Lu Zhaolin couldn’t even signal him with a glare. After the video call ended, he sent Lu Ziqing several WeChat messages, warning him to behave, especially in front of the elders. He must not let anyone see through them, or he would face severe consequences—at best, kneeling at the ancestral hall, at worst, having his bank card frozen.

Lu Ziqing felt the urge to curse.

Is it my fault for not cooperating? It’s this capable subordinate of yours who is all fake compliance and insists on keeping a distance from me!

…Forget it.

With Lin Yu being so favored, even if he told his dad, he wouldn’t believe it. He’d just think he was slandering Lin Yu.

As soon as the video call ended, Lin Yu returned to his usual calm demeanor.

His posture straightened as well, no longer leaning close to Lu Ziqing with that intentionally intimate attitude.

Lu Ziqing felt the air beside him cool: “Wow, done with work, and now you can’t wait to put distance between us?”

Lin Yu looked up at him calmly: “There are only twenty minutes left before work starts. If we don’t leave now, we’ll really be late.”

Lu Ziqing: “…Is work the only thing on your mind?”

“There are other things,” Lin Yu said evenly. “Before I started working here, President Lu also assigned me other tasks, like supervising you to ensure you clock in on time every day and don’t leave early. Otherwise, I have to report immediately.”

Lu Ziqing: “…”

Lu Ziqing had never been so blatantly disliked in his life.

You don’t want to be around me?

Fine.

Just as well, he didn’t want to, either.

Lu Ziqing’s temper flared.

Though he usually seemed laid-back and talkative, he had been pampered since childhood. Deep down, he still had the temperament of a spoiled young master, and he wasn’t used to this kind of treatment.

Once his temper rose, not only did he treat Lin Yu like a stranger at the company, but at home, he also pretended not to know him. He’d shut his door, play games, and watch movies, just like a couple whose relationship had broken down.

If Lin Yu worked late, he wouldn’t care. He’d brush his teeth, wash up, and go to bed on time.

Lin Yu noticed his sulking, but he probably didn’t quite understand why he was so angry. Several times, he looked over at him, his eyes hesitant as if he wanted to say something.

….

On Friday evening, after finishing a week’s work, Lin Yu finally came home early for once.

At 8 p.m., he knocked on Lu Ziqing’s door: “Uh, are you asleep?”

The house was exceptionally quiet, with the gentle evening breeze blowing through the window. The only sound was the ticking of the dark gray wall clock.

Lu Ziqing lay on his bed, scrolling through the news. After a dozen seconds, he said, “If you’ve got something to say, say it.”

Lin Yu held up a bowl of soup: “Uh, I made some rice cake red bean soup. Would you like to try it?”

Lu Ziqing: “I hate sweet things.”

Lin Yu: “But didn’t you and Mi Lan eat egg tarts in the office yesterday at noon?”

Lu Ziqing still wore a sullen expression, but his demeanor shifted slightly: “How did you know we ate egg tarts? Were you spying?”

Lin Yu: “Zhou Youyu reported it to me.”

Lu Ziqing got up and opened the door, folding his arms and looking at Lin Yu: “He specifically told you that?”

Lin Yu looked up at him slightly: “Yes, when he was reporting work, he pretended to mention it casually, saying that you and Mi Lan worked so hard, drawing while eating egg tarts to keep up the energy—he probably wanted me to think that you two weren’t taking your work seriously, just goofing off.”

Lu Ziqing snorted.

Lin Yu continued, “I told him at the time that lunchtime is free time, and no one needs to report to me what they eat.”

Lu Ziqing was somewhat surprised.

He was used to Zhou Youyu’s little antics and didn’t particularly care about them.

What surprised him was that Lin Yu would actually speak up for him.

Lu Ziqing said coldly, “We’re not even close. Why are you speaking up for me?”

Lin Yu said softly, “I never wanted to distance myself from you… Even if we aren’t a real couple, I’ve considered you a good friend all this time.”

He flatteringly held up a bowl of soup and said, “I’ve simmered this for over an hour. It’s fragrant, soft, and not too sweet.”

Lu Ziqing lowered his eyes, looking at the rich, sweet soup with an indifferent expression.

“Lin Yu,” he suddenly said, “Is it really worth it to go this far for work?”

He couldn’t understand Lin Yu.

Indeed, Lin Yu’s job offered a good salary, but this essentially meant working around the clock, dealing with company matters while also managing him, the troublesome “Young Master Lu,” trying his best to strike a balance between the two…

Wasn’t he tired?

Lin Yu, however, seemed not to understand his meaning. He said earnestly, “This bowl of soup is not for work; it’s to make you happy.”

“I know you’re angry, but for the sake of work, I can only stick to my approach. I’m sorry.”

Lin Yu’s apology was sincere, and faced with such a humble attitude, Lu Ziqing found himself unable to maintain his stern demeanor.

He snatched the soup bowl from Lin Yu’s hands with a fierce expression.

Lin Yu smiled happily. “If you like it, I’ll make it for you again tomorrow.”

Lu Ziqing didn’t want to forgive him so easily.

“Hey,” he stared into his eyes, “If you’re so dedicated to your work, if one day, for work purposes, we needed to kiss in public, would you agree?”

Lin Yu: “I don’t think there would be such a strange requirement…”

Lu Ziqing: “Never mind that, just answer me.”

Lin Yu thought for a moment and cautiously replied, “If we exchange medical reports in advance to ensure neither of us has hepatitis B or Helicobacter pylori, then okay.”

Lu Ziqing: “…”

Lin Yu: “If you’re unwilling, you can put the blame on me. Just say I have bad breath and you couldn’t bring yourself to do it.”

Lin Yu’s expression was very serious, without a hint of joking.

Lu Ziqing: “…Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” Lin Yu said, “We signed a contract in black and white; this is what I should do.”