Chapter 307 Eighteen Years Later
After the incident passed, everyone decided to get together for a meal.
Hot pot restaurant.
Inside the private room, the four sat around a table, enjoying a long-lost sense of ease and harmony.
Lu You picked up a piece of tripe, skillfully rolled it in the oil sauce, and put it into Cheng Zhou's bowl next to her.
Cheng Zhou turned his head to look at her, his eyes filled with a tenderness that had been lost and found again, and a hint of barely perceptible guilt.
He gently squeezed Lu You's hand, which was placed under the table.
"Showing off your love while eating? Isn't that cheesy?" Lu Rang raised an eyebrow, but a smile played on his lips.
Shang Wu was carefully blowing on the cooked beef to cool it down when she heard this. She gently patted him, her eyes full of charm and tranquility.
“Mom went abroad to accompany Coco while she studies. She said she won’t be coming back for a while and told us to… live our lives well,” Cheng Zhou said, his voice filled with relief.
Lu You smiled, her eyes bright: "Perfect timing. I also need time to work on my career, and the way things are now is just fine."
She looked at Shang Wu and Lu Rang, "Looking at Xiao Yuwu, I feel that everything is worthwhile."
When their daughter was mentioned, both Shang Wu and Lu Rang's eyes softened.
That tiny baby, as delicate as a glistening dewdrop, was the bond and hope for all of them.
Shang Wu raised her juice glass and said gently, "For the peace we have achieved, for the days to come."
Lu Rang immediately raised his glass and followed suit, while Cheng Zhou and Lu You also raised their glasses with smiles.
The four cups clinked together, making a crisp sound. Lu You sighed, "I really hope that we can continue to be happy like this forever."
As dusk settles outside the window, the streetlights illuminate the warm, inviting atmosphere inside.
The prayers made at this moment are as beautiful as the rising steam from the bottom of a pot, lingering and never dissipating.
Eighteen years later.
Time flies, and it seems to be especially kind to some people.
Shang Wu is no longer the budding designer she once was. Today, she is the founder and chief designer of Freya, a top international jewelry brand, whose name is renowned in the international fashion circle.
She wore a simple off-white long dress, exuding a calm and gentle temperament. Time had only added a radiant glow of composure and wisdom to her eyes.
Lu Rang, standing beside her, was impeccably dressed in a suit, his posture upright and sturdy. He had shed some of the sharpness of his youth, gaining instead the composure and authority of a mature man. His law firm was undoubtedly the top firm in the country, and his renowned lawyers were known throughout the legal community.
At this moment, he was pushing an exquisite suitcase with one hand, but his gaze remained fixed on the two figures in front of him.
Their daughter, Lu Yuwu, has just celebrated her first birthday and is at the most vibrant age of her life.
She inherited her mother Shang Wu's elegant appearance and artistic temperament, while her eyes also showed the openness and confidence of her father Lu Rang. Wearing a simple white dress, with her long hair flowing like a waterfall, she exuded youthful energy, like a newly polished diamond, dazzling and radiant.
A family of three walking through the tree-lined university campus instantly became a beautiful moving scene, attracting countless admiring and envious glances.
Wow, is that a celebrity family?
"No way, is that girl a freshman? She's so pretty!"
"Are those her parents next to her? My god, her parents are so good-looking, how are we supposed to live?!"
"That father... seems to be that very impressive lawyer Lu Rang from TV!"
"Is Mom that jewelry designer Shang Wu? Freya! My idol!"
A faint whisper could be heard, but the three seemed oblivious, already used to it. Lu Yuwu, arm in arm with Shang Wu, excitedly pointed to the library in the distance: "Mom, look! That's the most famous building in our school!"
Shang Wu smiled gently and smoothed her daughter's wind-blown hair: "Yes, you'll have plenty of time to explore later."
Looking at his daughter's joyful expression, Lu Rang's eyes held a tenderness that no outsider had ever seen. He earnestly instructed her, "University life has begun. You must learn to be independent, but don't forget that home is always waiting for you to come back."
Lu Yuwu turned around and gave her father a bright smile: "I know, Attorney Lu! I'll call you and Mom often, so you can't find me annoying."
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, bathing the family of three in a warm, golden glow.
The wish I made at the hot pot restaurant eighteen years ago seems to have truly transformed into a steady stream of happiness over the long years.
Lu Yuwu had just finished talking to her parents when she spotted her friend Luoluo, who was dragging her suitcase and looking around not far away.
"Luo Luo—" She immediately flew over like a happy little bird, and the two girls hugged each other with laughter, jumping and skipping.
Seeing their daughter's lively appearance, Shang Wu and Lu Rang smiled at each other and pushed their suitcases over.
"Hello, Uncle and Aunt!" Luo Luo greeted them politely, her cheeks flushed.
Shang Wu responded gently, took out a delicate little gift box from her bag and handed it to Luo Luo: "Luo Luo, this is a small gift that Auntie prepared for you and Xiao Wu, a pair of small bracelets. I hope you will continue to take care of each other and make progress together in university."
"Thank you, Auntie!" Luo Luo said with delight as she accepted the gift.
Lu Rang looked at the two girls, his tone carrying a father's authority, especially towards his daughter: "Xiao Wu, university is a place to learn knowledge and broaden your horizons. You need to focus on your studies first, don't rush..." He paused, but still finished, "Don't fall in love easily, understand?"
Lu Yuwu and Luoluo exchanged a quick glance, their expressions carrying a hint of unease and guilt. Lu Yuwu immediately flashed a bright smile and took her father's arm: "I know, Dad! I'll definitely study hard and improve every day, so as not to let you down! Dating is such a waste of time, I have no interest in it!"
Luo Luo nodded vigorously beside her, "Uncle, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on Xiao Wu!"
Shang Wu took in the brief exchange of glances between her daughter and her friend, but didn't say anything.
After giving a few more instructions, and watching the two girls walk hand in hand towards the dormitory building, Shang Wu and Lu Rang turned around and returned to the car.
As soon as she sat in the passenger seat, Shang Wu fastened her seatbelt and said thoughtfully, "A-Rang, didn't you think Xiao Wu agreed too readily just now? And the way she and Luo Luo looked at each other... I have a feeling that she might already be in a relationship?"
Lu Rang started the car, his tone certain: "Impossible. In the three months since the college entrance exam ended, she's been home almost every day, either with us or shopping with Luo Luo and her girlfriends. Where would she find the time to date? You're overthinking it."
Shang Wu didn't entirely agree, and pondered, "Perhaps... I have an appointment with Lu You and Madam Fu for afternoon tea this afternoon. Isn't Madam Fu's son, Fu Yan, starting university this year? I might as well ask about his situation."
Mentioning Fu Yan, Lu Rang remembered him: "That boy from the Fu family? Hmm, I heard Brother Fu mention it the other day, saying that the two families know each other well and he wanted to matchmake the two children. I think Fu Yan is a good kid, steady and sensible, and his grades are good too." He paused and added, "However, it still depends on Xiao Wu's own wishes."
Shang Wu nodded: "That's what I think too. Fu Yan is quite outstanding, but you can't force matters of the heart."
On the other side, along the tree-lined path on campus.
"I found out! I found out!" Luo Luo shook Lu Yuwu's arm excitedly. "Fu Yan really is in the same school as us! The business school, a rising star in the making!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Yuwu's pretty face immediately scrunched up, and she rolled her eyes without any politeness: "What bad luck! Why is he everywhere?"
Just then, a deep engine roar came from afar, and an extremely stylish silver sports car made a clean drift and came to a precise stop in front of the school, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
The car door opened like wings, and a tall, slender young man stepped out. He wore a simple white shirt and black trousers, yet exuded an air of refined elegance. In the sunlight, his features were deep and handsome, his jawline smooth, his eyes carrying a hint of aloofness, yet inexplicably captivating. His appearance immediately caused a small stir among the new students, especially the girls, who cast admiring and shy glances at him.
Wow! Who's that? He's so handsome!
"It's Fu Yan! This year's top scorer in the business school!"
"My God, a good family background, handsome, and amazing grades, what a perfect person he is..."
Amidst the whispers, Lu Yuwu curled her lip, tugged at Luo Luo's sleeve, and muttered, "Show-off! What's with all the fuss about driving a sports car? Like he's afraid people won't know his family is rich."
Luo Luo chuckled to herself: "Why are you so resentful? He's the dream lover of so many girls."
Lu Yuwu snorted coldly, grabbed Luo Luo, and turned to leave, her tone full of disdain: "What good is he! Having an ex-boyfriend like that is simply the biggest stain on my life's resume! Let's go, let's go, just looking at him is bad luck!"
As she hurriedly left with her friend, her retreating figure betrayed a clear sense of panic and evasion.
At the school gate, surrounded by the gazes of the crowd, Fu Yan seemed to sense something. He lazily raised his eyes, just in time to catch that familiar, slender figure disappearing around the corner. His deep eyes narrowed slightly, a faint yet playful smile curving his lips, and his whisper dissipated on the wind:
"Lu Yuwu...why are you running?"
...
After Lu Yuwu and Luo Luo finished all the registration procedures for new students, they were discussing which cafeteria to explore when Lu Yuwu's phone rang. The two words "Fu Yan" flashing on the screen made her eyelids twitch.
She walked to the side to answer the call, her tone sharp: "What?"
Fu Yan's low, commanding voice came from the other end of the phone: "Come to the 'corner' coffee shop outside the east gate of the school now."
"You think I'll go just because you tell me to? I don't have time!" Lu Yuwu hung up without even thinking.
“You don’t have to come,” Fu Yan said slowly, “Then I’ll just have to go find Uncle Lu and Aunt Shang and talk about what happened between us…”
"You dare!" Lu Yuwu gritted her teeth. "Just you wait!"
After hanging up the phone, she made up a random excuse to Luo Luo and stormed off toward the east gate.
In a quiet booth at the "Corner" coffee shop, Fu Yan sat leisurely, watching Lu Yuwu rush in like a cat with its fur standing on end and plop down opposite him.
"Fu Yan, I'm warning you!" Lu Yuwu lowered her voice, leaned forward, and said fiercely, "Our past is long gone! You better watch your mouth and stop gossiping! If you interfere with my dating life in college and my chance to find someone new, I'll never forgive you!"
Fu Yan looked at her flushed cheeks, his eyes darkening, and a strange pang of sadness welled up inside him. He didn't speak, his gaze falling on the iced Americano in front of her that she hadn't taken a sip of. He naturally reached out and took it, taking a sip directly from the straw where she might have touched it.
“You…” Lu Yuwu was taken aback by his sudden intimate gesture.
Fu Yan put down his cup, looked up at her with a confident provocation in his eyes, and curled his lips slightly: "With an ex as handsome as me, how could you possibly fall for someone else? Lu Yuwu, when did your taste get so bad?"
Lu Yuwu was so angry at his self-righteous narcissism that she laughed. She suddenly stood up and glared down at him: "Fu Yan, stop being so narcissistic! I got tired of you and dumped you, understand? I was after a new experience. You're like expired canned food to me now, you're disgusting to look at! I'm warning you, stay away from me!"
"Tired of playing around?" Fu Yan's smile vanished instantly, replaced by anger. He abruptly stood up, grabbed Lu Yuwu's wrist, and pulled her close. Their bodies were instantly touching, their breaths mingling. "Lu Yuwu, say that again?"
“Fine, I’ll say it! I am… um!” Before Lu Yuwu could finish speaking, Fu Yan’s face fell down, as if he wanted to shut her up.
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