Chapter 110 "I've let it go a long time ago."
The carved iron gate of the Lu family's old house slowly opened. Lin Che looked through the car window and saw a familiar figure standing on the steps in front of the main building, looking eagerly.
Six-year-old Lu Yu'an has lost his baby fat. He is wearing a well-tailored suit and his hair is combed meticulously. He looks like a little gentleman.
"Uncle!" As soon as Lu Yu'an saw Lin Che getting out of the car, his eyes lit up instantly, like two sparkling obsidians.
His facial features vaguely resembled Jiang Tingyun - his peach blossom eyes were particularly similar, but his gaze was pure and bright, without a hint of gloom.
Before Lin Che could react, Lu Yu'an rushed over like a little leopard. His running posture was graceful and agile, obviously he had received good etiquette training.
Just as the little guy was about to jump into Lin Che's arms, a slender hand suddenly came across and grabbed the back of his collar.
"Lu Yu'an." Lu Yu's voice was neither hurried nor slow, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty. "Do you still think you're a little brat?"
Lu Yuan kicked his legs in mid-air, turned his head with a pout, and said, "Uncle..."
Only then did Lin Che get a clear look at the little guy. Six-year-old Lu Yu'an had grown to Lu Yu's waist, with skin so white it was almost transparent, a high nose bridge, and beautifully shaped lips. He looked like a miniature version of Jiang Tingyun.
But the bright light flashing in those eyes reminded people of Lu Yu's appearance when he was young.
"An An has grown so tall." Lin Che squatted down and looked at the little boy who had already begun to take on the outline of a teenager. He reached out to ruffle Lu Yu'an's hair, but was stopped by Lu Yu.
"He's very particular about his hairstyle now." Lu Yu explained in a low voice, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes, "He spent half an hour combing his hair this morning."
Lu Yu'an straightened his back and stretched out his hand like a little adult: "Professor Lin, welcome home." His voice was crisp and pleasant, with the youthfulness unique to his age, but he deliberately imitated the tone of an adult.
Lin Che couldn't help but laugh as she held the soft little hand. "Thank you, Young Master Lu."
Lu Yu'an suddenly came closer and said in a low voice: "There is a photo of you in my uncle's study. I wipe the frame every day." After saying this, he blinked slyly, completely losing his previous mature look.
Lu Yu coughed lightly, and the little guy immediately stood up straight, but he couldn't hide the smile on the corner of his mouth.
Sunlight streamed through the ginkgo trees in the courtyard, casting dappled shadows on his delicate features. This little boy, who inherited Jiang Tingyun's handsome features and the Lu family's noble temperament, was like a carefully crafted work of art.
"Come in." Lu Yu put one hand in his pocket and put the other hand naturally on Lin Che's waist. "Jinshu has been waiting for a long time."
Lu Yu'an immediately ran to Lin Che's other side and imitated his uncle's movements, putting his short hands on Lin Che's waist. This funny and cute gesture made Lin Che burst out laughing.
"Professor Lin," Lu Yu'an raised his little face and suddenly asked seriously, "Will you stay and help me with my homework? My uncle said you're the smartest."
Lin Che looked at Lu Yu, who nodded slightly, his eyes filled with a gentle smile.
"Of course," Lin Che replied softly, ruffling Lu Yu'an's meticulously combed hair. This time, Lu Yu didn't stop him. "I'm not leaving this time."
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"You kid, I...I..." Song Wanzhi raised her hand but couldn't bear to land the palm on Lin Che.
Song Wanzhi's hand hovered in mid-air, her well-maintained fingers trembling slightly. The usually elegant and composed Lu family mistress now had red eyes, her carefully applied eye makeup smudged.
"Cheche..." She called out with a sob, her voice filled with the longing and heartache that had been suppressed for three years.
Lin Che took the initiative to step forward, gently grasped Song Wanzhi's hand, which was suspended in mid-air, and pressed it to her cheek. This intimate gesture made Song Wanzhi unable to hold back any longer, and tears instantly flowed out of her eyes.
"I'm back, Mom." Lin Che said softly, opening his arms and embracing Song Wanzhi.
Song Wanzhi trembled, her carefully styled bun she'd worn down to a few loose strands. She clutched the fabric of Lin Che's back tightly. "Three years...three whole years without even coming back to see me..."
"Alright, alright. If you keep hugging me, my wife will starve to death." Lu Yu stretched out a hand and pulled Lin Che out of Song Wanzhi's arms, saying incoherently.
"You kid—" Song Wanzhi didn't want to slap Lin Che, so she slapped Lu Yu's arm instead.
"Aunt Qu asked you to go to the kitchen, please go and help." Lu Yu pushed Song Wanzhi's shoulder and walked towards the kitchen.
Lu Jinshu slowly walked down the spiral staircase, her neatly cropped hair accentuating her delicate features. She wore a simple white shirt and jeans, but her natural, carefree demeanor couldn't be concealed.
Lu Jinshu sat down on the single sofa, his eyes flicking between Lin Che and Lu Yu, the corners of his lips curling up slightly. "Looks like my brother finally got her back?"
Lu Yu'an clung to Lin Che's arms, refusing to get down, his little hands playing with the buttons on Lin Che's shirt. Lin Che protected the child from falling and glanced at Lu Jinshu, "I heard from Mom that you recently invested in a new store?"
"Yeah, it's still under renovation." Lu Jinshu took a sip from his teacup, his expression indifferent. "Life is just like this, so boring."
Lin Che smiled and picked up a lychee from the fruit bowl and handed it to Lu Yu beside her. "How can I make it more delicious?"
Lu Jinshu's gaze swirled between the two of them, finally settling on Lu Yu's slender fingers peeling lychees. He said slowly, "Like you guys."
Without even looking up, Lu Yu passed the peeled lychee to Lin Che's lips. "Don't set your sights on her. She has very poor taste."
Lin Che opened her mouth and took a bite of the lychee, mumbling, "Do you need me to introduce it to you?"
Lu Jinshu sneered: "Come on, I don't want to..."
Lin Che naturally took a lychee and handed it to Lu Yu, "Whatever? Don't you want to meet someone like Jiang Tingyun?"
Lin Che's words were so blunt that both Lu Jinshu and Lu Yu were stunned for two seconds.
In fact, Lu Jinshu has always avoided mentioning Jiang Tingyun in front of Lin Che. Jiang Tingyun did make a big mistake three years ago.
The living room suddenly fell silent, leaving only the gentle sounds of Lu Yu'an fiddling with his toys. Lu Jinshu's fingers unconsciously stroked the rim of the teacup, her gaze fixed on the soft crown of her son's head.
Lin Che ate the second lychee that Lu Yu had peeled and said calmly, "Have you ever thought about getting back together with Jiang Tingyun?"
"No." Lu Jinshu's voice was soft, yet remarkably clear. She looked down at Lu Yu'an in Lin Che's arms, her fingers unconsciously combing through her son's soft hair. "It's not appropriate."
Lin Che didn't look away: "Why?"
Lu Jinshu took a deep breath and pulled Lu Yu'an from Lin Che's arms, as if this would give her strength: "The impulsive love of our youth is nothing to think about now."
Her voice was calm, as if she were stating a fact that had nothing to do with her. "Back then, I thought love could conquer everything. How naive I was."
"Don't you feel regretful?" Lin Che asked softly.
Lu Jinshu's fingers suddenly froze.
She raised her head, a hint of fragility flashing in her eyes that Lin Che had never seen before: "Regret?"
She repeated the word, a bitter arc appeared on the corner of her mouth, "Actually... yes."
This time, Lin Che didn't rush to answer. Instead, she picked up the third lychee and handed it to Lu Yu beside her. "Here, I want more."
Lu Yu turned around and looked at Lin Che's arrogant expression. He curled his lips, stopped wiping his hands, and took the third lychee. "The last one. Eating too many lychees will cause internal heat."
Lu Jinshu looked down at Lu Yu'an in her arms. The little guy was looking up at her curiously with his peach blossom eyes, which were exactly the same as Jiang Tingyun's.
"Mom?" Lu Yu'an stretched out her little hand and touched Lu Jinshu's cheek. "Are you unhappy?"
Lu Jinshu held her son's hand and shook her head gently: "No, Mom was just thinking about something."
Lin Che took the lychee that Lu Yu had peeled and took a slow, measured bite. "Jinshu, you know what? Sometimes the biggest regret isn't doing something wrong, but not having the courage to even try."
Lu Jinshu's fingers tightened slightly, creating tiny ripples on the surface of the teacup. Sunlight streamed in through the French windows, highlighting the faint ring mark on her ring finger.
"I tried," she finally said, her voice almost inaudible. "When he came to see me three years ago, I tried." She looked up, her eyes glistening. "But... it seems some things... can't be undone."
"Do you know why I ask you these questions?" Lin Che's gaze fell on Lu Jinshu, and his left hand naturally stretched out to Lu Yu's side. The next second, Lu Yu's hand naturally clasped his fingers together.
Lin Che's eyes were gentle yet firm. He gently held Lu Yu's hand. "Jinshu, don't feel wronged because of me. I've let it go long ago."
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