Chapter 270 Going to the Cheng Family
Shang Wu was taken aback by Lu Rang's overreaction. Looking at his slightly flushed face and uneasy eyes, she found it both funny and strange.
Lu Rang is really bad at lying or hiding anything.
Especially now that they live together every day, she knows Lu Rang's every micro-expression perfectly.
Shang Wu placed the thermos in an empty corner of the desk and deliberately reached out to touch his forehead.
"What's wrong? Your face is so red. Are you not feeling well? Have you been too tired lately?"
No, no.
Lu Rang subconsciously leaned back to avoid her hand, then realized his reaction was too unusual. "I was just looking at a rather tricky case and got a little engrossed in it."
Lu Rang tried his best to make his expression look natural.
Seeing his forced composure, Shang Wu's doubts deepened.
Her gaze swept over his tightly closed laptop, then at the few documents spread out in front of him that seemed to be just for show. She smiled knowingly, but didn't point it out.
"Alright, alright, don't rush, you haven't eaten yet."
Shang Wu opened the lid of the thermos, and an enticing aroma immediately filled the air.
"No matter how busy you are, remember to eat. I cooked you wontons, eat them while they're hot."
Shang Wu handed over the chopsticks and spoon in a gentle tone.
Looking at the steaming wontons in front of him, Lu Rang took the utensils and said softly, "Thank you."
"Why are you being so polite with me?"
Shang Wu sat down on the armrest of the chair next to him, watched him start eating, and asked casually, "Is the law firm very busy lately? You always seem to be resting very late."
Lu Rang paused slightly as he scooped up the wontons, and replied vaguely, "Um... yes, there's a new case that's rather complicated."
He dared not look Shang Wu in the eye, fearing that he would be unable to keep the secret.
Shang Wu found it particularly amusing to look at his slightly lowered head and his guilty yet trying-to-maintain composure.
She had already guessed seven or eight parts of the truth in her heart. The reason why Lu Rang was so secretive yet secretly excited about his work was probably related to her.
Shang Wu wasn't in a hurry to expose him; instead, she enjoyed watching Lu Rang's clumsy yet adorable reaction when he prepared a surprise for her.
"No matter how busy you are, you must take care of your health."
She reached out and gently handed over the napkin, her gesture natural and affectionate, "I'll wait for you to rest together."
Lu Rang felt the tenderness of her fingertips, his heart warmed, and he looked up to meet her smiling eyes, which also held a hint of knowing slyness.
He suddenly realized that Shang Wu might have already seen through what he was busy with.
But she was willing to cooperate with him and enjoy the anticipation before the surprise arrived.
"Okay," Lu Rang agreed, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "I'll finish as soon as possible."
Shang Wu nodded, got up without disturbing him any further, turned and silently left the study, letting him do as he pleased.
...
On the other side.
In Cheng Zhou's apartment, however, the scene was quite different.
Lu You had just finished showering and was walking out of the bathroom, drying her wet hair.
Cheng Zhou followed closely behind her like a large dog, his eyes sparkling with obvious ingratiation.
"Youyou..." He leaned closer, his voice drawn out, with a hint of coquetry.
Lu You glanced at him and continued drying her hair: "What? Just say what you want to say."
She knew Cheng Zhou too well; whenever he adopted this posture, it meant he wanted something from her.
Cheng Zhou followed her closely into the living room, watched her sit down, and immediately sat down next to her, his arm naturally wrapped around her waist.
He rested his chin on Lu You's damp shoulder: "My mom called again today, you know?"
Lu You paused in drying her hair, her tone unreadable: "Um, and then?"
"She said she wanted to invite you to dinner." Cheng Zhou carefully observed her expression, speaking cautiously. "It's just this weekend at home, a simple home-cooked meal, no one else around."
Lu You paused for a moment.
Although Shang Wu had spoken up for her, and Madam Cheng's attitude had softened considerably, she still had some reservations about the actual meeting.
The Cheng family has high standards, but even Madam Cheng looks down on her, thinking that she is an adopted daughter of the Yu family and not a real rich and beautiful woman.
She dislikes the feeling of being scrutinized and evaluated.
"We'll see," Lu You replied casually, then got up to get the hairdryer.
Cheng Zhou tightened his grip on her arm, preventing her from leaving.
He buried his face in Lu You's neck, nuzzled her, and said in a muffled voice, "Go, Youyou. I've already promised my mom that you'll definitely go."
Cheng Zhou looked up at her with pitiful eyes, like a big dog afraid of being abandoned, "I already made a promise to her, if you don't go, I'll lose face..."
Lu You was both amused and exasperated by his persistent and clingy tactics.
She reached out and pushed his face away, which was too close to hers: "Don't give me that, Cheng Zhou, when did you become so concerned about saving face?"
"I care!"
Cheng Zhou said matter-of-factly, then hugged her tightly again, "I care about the impression my wife makes on my mother!"
"Who's your wife!"
Lu You's face flushed, and she glared at him reproachfully, but a sweet feeling welled up in her heart.
"It's going to happen sooner or later!" Cheng Zhou grinned and started acting like a rogue. "I don't care, just think of it as rescuing me from a fire. You know my mom, if I stand her up this time, she'll definitely think it's because you're unwilling, and who knows how many troubles will arise then."
Just consider it a formality, a show of face, to put her mind at ease, okay?
As he spoke, he shook her arm, his voice so soft it could melt your heart.
"Go ahead, Sister You, I promise, it's just a meal. We'll leave right after we finish. I'll make sure you stay an extra minute. Just watch my signals and I'll cover for you from all the problems."
Lu You watched as he used every trick in the book to get her to agree, from acting cute to making promises—he was just like a clingy, spoiled puppy.
Her initial concerns dissipated considerably after his persistent pleading.
Lu You deliberately put on a stern face and glanced sideways at Cheng Zhou: "Really? You'll leave right after you finish eating? You promise?"
"I promise!" Cheng Zhou immediately raised three fingers as if making a vow, his eyes filled with unwavering sincerity. "If I'm lying to you, may I never be able to eat your breakfast again!"
Lu You finally couldn't help but burst out laughing, reaching out to pinch his cheek: "Alright, alright, stop joking, I promise you."
"Really?" Cheng Zhou's eyes lit up instantly, and he excitedly picked her up and spun her around. "Youyou, you're the best!"
"Put me down! I'm dizzy!" Lu You pounded his shoulder, but couldn't help but smile.
Perhaps facing that small challenge for Cheng Zhou's sake isn't so difficult after all.
Cheng Zhou carefully put her down, but still held her tightly, and lowered his head to kiss her lips heavily, his tone excited.
"I knew you'd agree! I'll talk to my mom tomorrow and tell her to get ready! No, I'll go talk to her right now!"
He said he was about to get his phone.
Lu You quickly grabbed him: "Hey! What's the rush! What time is it!"
Cheng Zhou then realized what was happening, chuckled foolishly, and snuggled back to her side, wrapping his arms around her waist, saying contentedly, "I'm happy."
Seeing his undisguised anticipation, Lu You's last trace of unease vanished.
She leaned against him, feeling the strong heartbeat from his chest, and suddenly realized that meeting his parents wasn't so scary after all.
At least the man who is holding her tightly will always stand by her side.
...
The weekend is almost here.
On the way to the Cheng family's old residence, Cheng Zhou drove, his mood visibly excited, yet tinged with a barely perceptible nervousness.
He would occasionally glance at Lu You in the passenger seat through the rearview mirror.
Lu You appeared very calm, even overly calm.
She had impeccable makeup, wore a white sweater and jeans, and looked elegant and flawless as she calmly gazed out the window.
“Youyou,” Cheng Zhou couldn’t help but speak, trying to ease the inexplicable tension in his heart, “Actually, you don’t need to feel too much pressure. My mom just seems serious and has a lot of things to do, but actually…”
“I’m not under pressure,” Lu You interrupted him, her tone flat and even somewhat nonchalant. “Whether she likes me or not doesn’t matter, anyway…”
She paused, turned her head to look at him, and a slightly provocative smile appeared on her lips.
"It's me with you, not her."
Cheng Zhou was taken aback by her words, and found it amusing.
He knew Lu You's inherent pride and independence, and he understood that she was using this method to build her mental strength.
Or rather, she was giving him a heads-up, making her stance clear.
He reached out to hold her hand, but Lu You gently slapped it away.
"Drive carefully."
Cheng Zhou reluctantly withdrew his hand and muttered, "I was just afraid you'd be nervous."
"What do I have to be nervous about?" Lu You snorted and turned her gaze back to the window, ignoring him.
The car smoothly entered the area where the Cheng family's old house was located, and the surrounding environment became quiet and peaceful.
Just as they were about to reach their destination after another turn, Cheng Zhou slowed down and was about to say something when he heard Lu You suddenly speak.
"Pull over."
"What's wrong?" Cheng Zhou asked, and parked the car under a sycamore tree by the roadside.
Lu You didn't say anything, but simply unbuckled her seatbelt, opened the car door, got out, and walked straight to the back of the car.
Cheng Zhou looked at her actions with suspicion, and then got out of the car as well.
Lu You walked to the back of the car, skillfully pressed the key, and the trunk slowly rose.
Then, Cheng Zhou was stunned.
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