Chapter 9 is difficult.

Lu's mother hurried forward, first glancing worriedly at Lu Zhao's swollen cheek, her heart aching with heartache. Then she turned to Ling Wei, her face filled with apology and helplessness, and took Ling Wei's hand, deliberately avoiding the one that had just hit her.

"Xiao Ling, I'm so sorry about today, I made you suffer." She gently patted Ling Wei's hand.

“We’ve spoiled Ah Zhao. He doesn’t think before he speaks or acts, and he’s quick to say whatever comes to mind when he gets angry. I sincerely apologize to you on his behalf, please don’t take it to heart. He’s not a bad person at heart, it’s just… sigh, he’s easily influenced, and he foolishly thinks he’s upholding justice.”

He knows his own son well. If he's only surprised that Ling Wei and Su Yuqing look alike, his first reaction would be: "Wow, Yuqing is a twin too?!"

It's true that Su Yuqing has been kind to the Lu family, but if it weren't for her instigation, this farce with its clear target today would not have caused such intense hostility from their foolish son.

Lu's mother concealed the deep thought in her eyes and said no more.

Ling Wei simply nodded slightly, said nothing more, and handed the reins over to the people around her.

At this moment, Lu Yan, who had been silent all along, stepped forward.

He didn't look at Lu Zhao, but calmly looked at his parents:

"Mom, it's not appropriate for you to apologize when the people who should apologize are not saying it."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the speechless Lu Zhao, and continued, "No matter the reason, Weiwei is my girlfriend. Today, he targeted Weiwei and said those baseless and extremely insulting things, which shows that he did not consider my position and did not give my girlfriend the most basic respect."

"It seems this meal can't continue in a pleasant manner." Lu Yan said, bowing slightly to Li's parents, "Uncle Li, Aunt Li, I'm sorry to spoil everyone's fun. Please excuse us."

After saying that, he took Ling Wei's hand very naturally, took her old canvas bag with his other hand, and said to her in a soft voice, "Let's go."

Ling Wei nodded obediently, and led by him, she and Lu Yan left the private room side by side, leaving behind a room full of silence and their own complicated thoughts.

You could still faintly hear her soft complaint: "Ayan, my hand hurts so much, and your brother's face is so hard..."

Li Man watched the two figures leave, then looked at Lu Zhao, who stood there with a look of annoyance but pride, and Lu's father, who was politely saying goodbye to his parents but whose hand was already on his belt.

I couldn't help but whistle in my heart; this meal was definitely worth it.

==========

Stepping out of the restaurant, the late summer evening breeze carried a hint of coolness.

Lu Yan was the first to let go, and Ling Wei also stood up straight, her delicate appearance in the private room completely gone.

"Mr. Lu, I'm sorry, I lost control just now," she said somewhat embarrassed.

But Lu Yan was no longer fooled by her appearance; he had been quite fierce when he slapped her.

Especially the first blow, his face also hurt.

This is not visual pain, but rather a strange empathy between the twins, especially during periods of intense emotional fluctuation.

As a child, he didn't understand why, until he was recognized by the Lu family. Lu Zhao also asked hesitantly, and the two confirmed this almost magical connection.

He can control himself quite well now, but one of the more emotional guys is clearly still lacking something.

The more intense the emotional fluctuations, the clearer the feelings they convey.

When he first punched Lu Zhao, he only felt a slight pain. But when Ling Wei slapped him first, the burning realness of the blow stunned him for a moment.

He was about to speak when he was interrupted by a clear "gurgle."

Ling Wei immediately covered her face: "No, no, you didn't hear anything."

She was just a little exhausted from hitting someone.

Looking at her attempt to cover up her misunderstanding, Lu Yan finally let out a genuine smile in his usually overly composed eyes.

"Let's go, let's fill our stomachs first. What do you want to eat?"

Half an hour later, they arrived at the back street of the university town.

This place is a completely different world from upscale restaurants. It's brightly lit, bustling with people, and filled with the enticing aromas of various foods, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere.

The two parked their electric scooter under a tree.

"I didn't expect Mr. Lu to know about this kind of place?" Ling Wei looked around curiously.

“Just call me by my name.” He led her towards a barbecue stand. “I used to work here.”

He led her to a thriving barbecue stall.

The stall owner looked up and saw him, and a simple smile immediately spread across his face: "Xiao Yan! Oh, it's been so long since I've seen you!"

The man continued working, asking with concern, "How did things go with your grandma? Did she have the surgery? Do you have enough money?"

Lu Yan nodded, the dim light softening the lines of his face: "Yes, we've collected enough. The surgery was a success, and he's back in his hometown recuperating. He's recovering quite well."

"That's wonderful! It's truly a blessing from heaven!"

The older man was genuinely happy for him, and only then did he notice Ling Wei beside him. "You brought your girlfriend? Come and sit down, it's on me today!"

While waiting for the skewers, Ling Wei held a cup of warm water and asked softly, "So, can I ask you about what your brother said?"

She looked at Lu Yan and added, "You don't have to say if you don't want to; I'm just curious."

Ling Wei had heard the system mention Lu Yan being switched at birth, but theoretically she was unaware of it.

Therefore, she was bound to ask about what happened at the dinner table.

Lu Yan's gaze fell on her, and he smiled: "Regarding this, I do owe you an explanation."

So, in front of the bustling stall, he briefly recounted that misplaced part of his life.

However, he brushed aside the fact that he had been switched at birth, without any resentment or emotional fluctuation.

Ling Wei listened attentively. When the topic of Su Yuqing lending him money for surgery came up, she didn't press Su Yuqing about it. Instead, her eyes crinkled slightly as she genuinely rejoiced for him, saying, "That's wonderful! Grandma must love you very much."

Lu Yan's gaze softened: "She was a very strong-willed old lady. Back then, I would work until very late every day, and when I got home, I would always see her waiting under the lamp, saying she would heat up a late-night snack for me."

"It must have been tough back then, right?"

"It's alright." Lu Yan looked up at the busy barbecue stall. "At least here, everyone is nice. The uncle often grills an extra pancake for me, and the aunt at the fruit stall next door always saves some cheap fruit for me."

Ling Wei listened quietly, the light from the charcoal fire dancing in her eyes.

"Do I... really look that much like her?" she asked softly.

Lu Yan was silent for a moment, then his voice lowered: "It looks a lot like her... When I first met you, I thought you were her."

"About what happened today... I apologize to you on their behalf. They must have misunderstood something about you pretending to be my girlfriend. I didn't handle the situation well."

Ugh, that's why I find these principled, rational types the most annoying.

It's true that he defended her at the dinner party, and it's also true that he knew Su Yuqing was making underhanded moves behind his back, but that still didn't shake his stance.

A simple apology on their behalf inadvertently drew opposing camps, rendering her entire night's work futile.