MTY chapter 19

Before entering the Lu household, Lin Yu had mentally prepared himself, adopting the posture of attending an international negotiation—meticulous and vigilant.

When Lu Ziqing mentioned the “old house,” Lin Yu imagined the kind of ancient, deep Chinese courtyard seen in TV dramas, sprawling over thousands of square meters, with pavilions and corridors intertwined, and expensive osmanthus and banana trees planted in the yard.

Though he had always been the CEO’s assistant, President Lu had clear boundaries between family and work, never bringing business associates home.

Lin Yu had only seen President Lu’s temporary residence in the city center—a two-bedroom apartment in a high-end community, used as a place to rest when work was hectic.

However, as the car drove further and further away, out of the city, it finally stopped at the entrance of a rural courtyard.

The courtyard was the most ordinary kind of rural yard, with a two-story building and a flat house serving as the kitchen. Chickens and ducks roamed the yard, and corn was drying on the ground at the door. The house seemed to have been renovated, looking brand new, but the furnishings and scale still bore traces of another era.

From the outside, it wasn’t even as upscale as the agritourism spot the company booked for team-building.

…

Lin Yu was a bit stunned.

Was this really the Lu family’s old house?

Before he could ask Lu Ziqing anything, a loud voice called from the yard, “They’re here!!”

Lin Yu stood at the door, at a loss, as a chubby auntie came out, eagerly taking the items from Lu Ziqing’s hands.

“You should’ve called me to help. Why are you doing it yourself, child!”

Lu Ziqing smiled: “It’s okay, it’s not heavy.”

He introduced Lin Yu: “This is Aunt Hong, she usually helps take care of my grandparents.”

Aunt Hong smiled at Lin Yu: “The old folks have been talking since last night about meeting their grandson-in-law today. Early this morning, they were killing chickens and geese—everything’s the freshest, all for you.”

Lin Yu still felt something was not quite right but responded politely: “Thank you for the trouble.”

Lin Yu met President Lu inside the house.

The usually sharp and decisive CEO, who dominated the business world, was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, playing cards with the elderly couple.

Lin Yu’s professional instincts kicked in the moment he saw his boss. He immediately straightened his posture and greeted respectfully: “President Lu.”

Lu Zhaolin tossed a peanut into his mouth, slapped his thigh, and said: “Perfect timing! We need a fourth! Come on.”

Lin Yu was a bit dumbfounded: “You want me to… play cards with you?”

This was an unexpected development.

It had been a while since they last met, but in front of his boss, Lin Yu still maintained his habitual respect and caution.

Lu Ziqing said nonchalantly: “It’s his first time here. No need for cards. I’ll show him around.”

The grandparents immediately abandoned the game, happily holding Lin Yu’s hands and chatting about everyday things.

Lu Zhaolin, seeing the card game dissolve, leaned against the sofa, half-heartedly watching them chat.

Lin Yu felt a strange sensation.

It was clearly a warm family scene, yet he and President Lu both knew this was all a performance, just to entertain the elders.

Dutifully playing the role of a well-behaved and obedient “grandson-in-law,” convincing the elderly that he and Lu Ziqing truly had deep feelings for each other and would spend the rest of their lives together.

He wasn’t good at lying and felt quite guilty, but he had no choice but to continue acting.

Grandpa, midway through the conversation, seemed doubtful. He frowned and asked Lu Ziqing: “Why did you get the marriage certificate before holding a wedding? That’s not right.”

Lu Ziqing grinned: “There were always some random people asking for my contact information. So, we just got the marriage certificate to shut them down.”

Grandpa snorted, “So young, yet so bold with your boasting.”

Lu Ziqing: “It’s true! If you don’t believe me, ask Dad.”

Grandma, always protective of her grandson, said, “What’s so unbelievable about that? Our Ziqing has been handsome and smart since he was a child. It’s only natural that he’s well-liked.”

Lu Zhaolin also coughed lightly and said, “Yes, Dad, it’s true. The Rong family and the Li family have asked several times, hoping to introduce their daughters to him. I’ve turned them all down.”

Grandpa’s eyebrows shot up. “But you can’t just keep delaying the wedding. What does that look like!”

Lu Zhaolin coaxed, “We will, we will. Who said we wouldn’t? It’s just that the company has been busy lately. Once the peak season is over, we’ll start preparing. It’ll be a grand event. I only have one son—how could I not take it seriously?”

Only then did Grandpa seem somewhat satisfied.

Grandma grabbed Lin Yu’s hand. “Come, let me show you the garlic sprouts growing in the yard.”

The old lady had quite a strong grip.

Lin Yu, who had spent most of his time working indoors, had fair and delicate skin. He keenly felt the rough calluses on Grandma’s fingers, which rubbed against his arm like sandpaper.

And Grandpa, wearing a blue cloth jacket, with dark skin and a sturdy build, spoke with a heavy southern accent.

The two elders didn’t seem like they came from a scholarly family at all. Instead, they seemed more like…

Lin Yu glanced at Lu Ziqing.

Lu Ziqing remained composed. “What are you looking at me for? You’ll get the wedding you deserve, don’t worry.”

Lin Yu was speechless.

His suspicions only grew, but he still obediently followed the grandparents out, listening to them enthusiastically introduce the fruits and vegetables they had grown.

Having had no experience with crops since childhood, he barely understood what was growing in the ground. However, his humble attitude and positive responses delighted the elderly couple.

…

When they were about to leave in the afternoon, Grandpa and Grandma insisted on packing the trunk full of fresh fruits and vegetables for them to take back to the city.

The luxury car was filled with the strong smell of garlic. Lu Ziqing rubbed his forehead in frustration. “I could’ve just bought all of this at the market…”

Grandpa glared at him. “How can the ones from the city compare? Those are all out-of-season and grown in greenhouses. Eating them will make you sick!”

Grandma held Lin Yu’s hand, her eyes crinkled in a smile. “We grew all of these ourselves—no pesticides. Try them when you get back. If you like them, come back and pick more!”

Lu Zhaolin shot Lin Yu a look.

Lin Yu understood and gently said to the elders, “Got it. Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma.”

The two of them drove back to the city with a carload of produce.

Once they were a bit farther away, Lu Ziqing complained, “It’s like this every time. The whole car smells of garlic, and the cost of cleaning the car is enough to buy several loads of vegetables.”

There was no response from the passenger seat.

Lu Ziqing turned his head slightly and saw Lin Yu staring at him in silence.

He was puzzled. “…What?”

“You lied to me,” Lin Yu said. “Grandpa doesn’t even know calligraphy, let alone own any inkstones. He said he barely went to school and has been farming his whole life.”

Lu Ziqing showed no sign of embarrassment at being exposed.

“That’s it? I thought it was something serious.” Lu Ziqing said lazily, “You know my parents started from scratch, right? After they became successful, people from the old hometown kept asking for money. Some even came directly to our house. So, my parents brought my grandparents to the city. But they couldn’t adjust to city life, so my parents bought a piece of land in the suburbs and built a replica of their old house, giving them a place to grow vegetables and raise chickens to keep them busy.”

It was just as Lin Yu had guessed.

Lin Yu: “Then why did you lie to me this morning?”

He had been nervous for nothing.

Lu Ziqing answered straightforwardly, “Because it was fun.”

Lin Yu: “…”

How could someone be so mischievous?

“And you took my inkstone… Give it back.”

He reached out angrily.

This was the first time Lin Yu had shown anything resembling “anger” in front of him.

Lu Ziqing found it fascinating, watching him for a long time. “So, you can get mad, huh.”

Lin Yu looked adorable when he was angry.

His cheeks puffed up, his eyes wide and round. His fair skin was tinged with a bit of an indignant pink, like a soft, pink peach.

A strange sense of possessiveness welled up in Lu Ziqing.

He just wanted to tease Lin Yu, to see him get mad, to watch him flustered and at a loss.

These were sides of Lin Yu he wouldn’t show to others.

Lin Yu: “You… You stop changing the subject. Give me back my inkstone.”

But Lu Ziqing asked, “Why should I give it back to you?”

Lin Yu: “?”

Lu Ziqing: “You couldn’t show up empty-handed to meet my grandparents, right? You had to bring a gift. They couldn’t use the inkstone you brought, and it was all thanks to me that I said the fruit was from both of us. Otherwise, wouldn’t you have felt awkward? Look, I shared half of the fruit with you—do you know how expensive imported fruit is, my friend…? It’s only fair that you leave something with me as collateral. You wouldn’t expect to freeload, would you?”

Lin Yu: “…”

It did seem to make sense.

But… something still felt off.

Lin Yu, defeated and annoyed, sat quietly in his seat.

“But to be fair, you acted quite naturally in front of my grandparents today,” Lu Ziqing said with a smirk, “You were so considerate, even peeling grapes for me. Why don’t you treat me like that normally?”

Lin Yu just stared blankly ahead.

Lu Ziqing glanced at him.

Then glanced again.

Oh, great. Here we go again.

So, all that warmth and care at the grandparents’ house was just an act for work. In front of Lu Zhaolin, Lin Yu had pretended to be so good to him, played the part of a gentle, virtuous little spouse.

The moment they left the house, his true colors showed—he treated Lu Ziqing like he was nothing.

Young Master Lu’s temper began to rise again.

“Hey,” he said, pouting, “I’m talking to you…”

Lin Yu suddenly interrupted him: “Do you smell something?”

Lu Ziqing: “?”

Lin Yu: “A strange smell, getting stronger, right in the car…”

Lu Ziqing was speechless: “Garlic smell, obviously.”

“No,” Lin Yu frowned slightly. “Not garlic. It’s a bit strong, a bit pungent, and kind of hot…”

Lu Ziqing furrowed his brows, thought for a moment, and then cursed, “Shit.”

“…I’m entering my susceptibility period.”