Chapter 247 Uninvited Guest
Lu You was enraged by Cheng Zhou's attitude.
She raised her voice: "Who I meet with my parents! How long I've known them! What business is it of yours?! Cheng Zhou, what right do you have to question me now? A former suitor? Or someone else's boyfriend?!"
"I……"
Cheng Zhou was speechless, choked by her words. Yes, what was his status now?
A failed former suitor?
He has long since lost the right to say anything.
Seeing him instantly speechless, Lu You felt a surge of pleasure, but mostly felt a dense, persistent pain.
She slammed the door shut, her voice icy: "Get out of the way!"
Cheng Zhou's hand was still blocking the door, as if he was completely unaware of it.
Miss Zhao, who was behind him, finally couldn't stand it anymore. She stepped forward and gently tugged at him, her voice soft but with a hint of warning: "The elevator doors are about to close."
Cheng Zhou seemed to suddenly come to his senses, looking at Lu You's cold and ruthless eyes in the elevator, and his fingers loosened weakly one by one.
The elevator doors slowly closed, completely cutting off his view.
Cheng Zhou stood there, utterly dejected, as if all his strength had been drained away.
Miss Zhao stood beside him, looking at him like this, and sighed softly, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
"I think you should think carefully about what you really want."
Cheng Zhou pursed his lips and remained silent.
Inside the elevator, Lu You leaned against the cold wall, slowly closed her eyes, but her fingers trembled slightly uncontrollably.
The composure and indifference I had just been putting on crumbled instantly.
My heart is throbbing with pain.
Lu You drove back to the villa with some trepidation.
All the way, she was rehearsing how her father might scold her for leaving the Yu family and messing around outside, and he might even interrogate her about her messy affairs with Cheng Zhou.
However, when she walked in, the atmosphere was unusually harmonious.
Lu Zheng sat in the living room, his face still stern, but his eyes kept drifting to Shang Wu's stomach.
The expected storm did not materialize.
Lu Zheng merely glanced at her, his tone flat and even gentle: "You're back?"
Lu You was taken aback, somewhat flattered: "...Dad."
"Hmm." Lu Zheng responded, his gaze sweeping over her, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he only asked, "I heard from Shang Wu that you've been seeing someone surnamed Fu recently? How's it going? Are you serious about it?"
Lu You's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously glanced at Shang Wu and Lu Rang beside her.
She hadn't expected her father to ask so directly, especially in this kind of atmosphere.
Lu You took a deep breath and almost blurted out, "No, we just met as ordinary friends, but I felt it wasn't a good fit, so I let it go. I'm single now."
Upon hearing this, Shang Wu and Lu Rang both looked at her in surprise.
She was at the mall this afternoon declaring that she was going to bring her boyfriend to meet her parents, but how did she suddenly become single?
Lu Zheng was visibly taken aback, his brows furrowing slightly, clearly unable to understand what his daughter was thinking all day long.
He hummed in agreement and didn't ask any further questions, seemingly too lazy to delve into matters of the heart as long as she didn't cause any major trouble.
Especially when you're happy to have grandchildren.
The atmosphere at dinner was surprisingly peaceful.
Although Lu Zheng didn't talk much, he didn't put on airs and even showed some concern for Shang Wu's health and Lu Rang's work.
Lu You kept a low profile throughout, focusing on her meal and trying to minimize her presence.
While Lu Zheng and Lu Rang were discussing a project, Shang Wu quietly nudged Lu You beside her.
She lowered her voice and asked, "Sister You, why didn't you mention Mr. Fu? Wasn't he still..."
Lu You paused, her chopsticks in her hand, her eyes flickered, and she mumbled, "I suddenly feel bored. Let's eat."
She was clearly avoiding the topic.
Seeing that she didn't want to say more, Shang Wu didn't press her further, but she became even more certain that Lu You and Fu Mingyuan were probably just a shield she used to compete with Cheng Zhou.
Just as dinner was drawing to a close and the maids were clearing away the dishes, the doorbell rang abruptly again.
Who could it be so late?
Everyone was somewhat puzzled.
Lu Rang got up to open the door.
Standing outside the door was none other than Cheng Zhou.
He was carrying several more boxes of what looked like even more expensive tonics, and his face wore an impeccably polite smile.
“Uncle Lu, I heard you came to Yecheng. My father specifically asked me to come and see you on his behalf. I have prepared a small gift as a token of my respect.”
Cheng Zhou's voice was gentle and refined, and his manners were impeccable, showing no trace of the lapse in composure he had displayed at the mall elevator entrance just a few hours earlier.
Lu Rang looked at him with a cold gaze, but because his father was present, he still stepped aside to let him in.
Lu Zheng wasn't surprised to see Cheng Zhou and nodded, "Thank you for your kindness. Please thank your father for me."
Cheng Zhou smiled and agreed, placing the tonic aside. His gaze politely swept across the room, but when he met Lu You's eyes, it was as if he were seeing a stranger; he instantly and naturally looked away without lingering for a moment.
He then continued chatting with Lu Zheng, the conversation revolving around the two families' businesses and the development of Yecheng.
Lu You tensed up the moment he entered the room, lowering his head and pretending to focus on drinking the soup, but the fingers holding the soup spoon turned slightly white.
She could feel the indifference in that gaze as it swept over her, and her heart felt like it had been pricked by a fine needle, a mixture of sourness, bitterness, and a strange sense of frustration.
He acted quite well!
Lu Zheng was extremely astute. Although Cheng Zhou's performance was flawless and Lu You tried his best to conceal it, he still keenly sensed the unusual aura between the two.
That deliberate avoidance and stiffness speaks volumes more than direct interaction.
He put down his teacup, his gaze sweeping between Cheng Zhou and Lu You, before suddenly speaking with a hint of scrutiny and confusion: "I remember you two used to be so insistent on being together, how come you're acting like you don't know each other anymore?"
The question was so direct and sudden that the air in the living room froze instantly.
Lu You suddenly looked up, her cheeks flushed red, both ashamed and angry: "Dad, what nonsense are you talking about! That's ancient history!"
Cheng Zhou's perfect smile froze for a moment.
He looked at Lu Zheng, then quickly glanced at Lu You, who was so angry she was practically fuming, a fleeting, complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He suddenly sighed, his expression turning somewhat helpless and aggrieved, and his tone towards Lu Zheng carried a hint of complaining.
"Uncle Lu, please stop teasing me. It's not that I've changed, it's just that Sister You has found someone better and doesn't want me anymore. I can't keep pestering her, can I?"
He said this so innocently, which also confirmed that Lu You did indeed have a new relationship.
Lu You could hardly believe her ears.
That bastard Cheng Zhou, he actually accused me first!
They even tried to trip her up in front of her father!
"Cheng Zhou, what nonsense are you spouting!"
Lu You was so angry that she stood up abruptly, no longer caring about her image.
She pointed at Cheng Zhou, "Who found a better match? You're the one who went for the arranged marriage! Who wants to get involved in the mess your Cheng family is making? I was just cutting my losses!"
"Oh? Was I the one who arranged the marriage first?"
Cheng Zhou stood up, not to be outdone. Although his tone was still relatively restrained, his eyes had turned cold.
"Wasn't it you, Miss Lu, who blocked and deleted me first, and then rushed into Mr. Fu's arms, even wanting to take him home to meet your parents? How come it's my fault now?"
"you!"
Lu You was so angry that she trembled and blurted out, "What's wrong with Fu Mingyuan? At least his family is clean and honest, without so much messy and scandalous stuff! Unlike some families, what else can they do besides cause trouble!"
"Yes, the Fu family is good, everything about the Fu family is good." Cheng Zhou sneered, his sourness almost overflowing. "Then I wish you a speedy marriage into the Fu family as their daughter-in-law!"
"Cheng Zhou!"
"Enough!"
Just as the two were about to start arguing in front of their elders, Lu Zheng slammed his hand on the table, his face turning ashen.
"What's all this noise about! What kind of behavior is this!"
He finally understood: the two of them hadn't completely broken off their relationship.
Instead, it's like they're competing, stabbing each other in the back, each one more stubborn than the last!
Lu Zheng felt a splitting headache, and his good mood, which had come because of his grandson, was completely ruined.
He rubbed his temples wearily, looked at the two bickering lovers in front of him, and said irritably, "I can't be bothered with your business! I can't control it either! Do whatever you want! Figure it out yourselves!"
After saying that, he stood up and said to Lu Rang and Shang Wu, "I'm tired. I'll go back to the hotel to rest first and come back tomorrow."
Lu Zheng didn't even glance at Cheng Zhou and Lu You, and walked straight towards the door.
Seeing this, Cheng Zhou quickly followed, saying, "Uncle Lu, let me see you off."
Lu Zheng waved his hand, refusing.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the living room froze.
Shang Wu quickly gave Lu a wink.
Lu Rang understood, and without saying a word, he stepped forward and picked Shang Wu up in his arms, whispering, "You're tired, let's go upstairs to rest."
Shang Wu obediently wrapped her arms around his neck and was carried upstairs by him.
As she passed by Lu You, she playfully winked at her and mouthed, "Let's have a good chat."
As soon as she entered the bedroom, Shang Wu immediately signaled Lu Rang to put her down and pressed her ear tightly against the door, preparing to eavesdrop on the sounds downstairs.
Lu Rang looked at her gossipy little face and felt both amused and helpless.
He walked over, wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, rested his chin on her shoulder, and chuckled softly, "Awu, eavesdropping isn't a good habit."
"Shh!" Shang Wu held up a finger, her eyes sparkling. "Don't make a sound, this is a crucial moment!"
Lu Rang shook his head, his eyes full of doting affection.
He didn't stop her; instead, he reached out and gently opened the door a crack.
This way, the sounds downstairs can be heard more clearly.
Shang Wu turned to look at him in surprise, but Lu Rang just raised an eyebrow at her, giving her an expression that said, "This is all I can do for you."
Shang Wu couldn't help but chuckle, giving him a kiss as a reward before quickly focusing her attention back on the crack in the door.
Downstairs, however, there was complete silence.
Cheng Zhou walked over, closed the living room door, and looked down to arrange the tonics on the table, not knowing what to say.
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