Chapter 32
Inside the restaurant, a black stone slab table with subtle patterns is filled with eight dishes, a soup, and a small dessert. The dishes range from home-style stir-fried bok choy to high-end baked lobster with cheese, all served on exquisite bone china plates. The plating was done by artist Ms. Jiang Lan herself, and each dish is a feast for the eyes.
Lu Mingxiao stared in disbelief and whispered to Jiang Huaiyu, "We only slipped for a moment, and you've prepared such a feast? Did you order takeout?"
“These are Dad’s specialties.” Jiang Huaiyu gave him a look that said, “The dishes that take a long time to cook are usually simmered on low heat in the afternoon. Other dishes are prepared in the afternoon and cooked when we get home in the evening. Dad often makes these dishes when he is on vacation at home.”
Song Jingliang took off his apron, placed a pitcher of freshly squeezed juice on the table, and greeted them with a smile: "What are you still whispering about? Come on, sit down and eat. Didn't Xiao Xiao say he was hungry? Eat more."
Lu Mingxiao laughed heartily and generously: "Then I won't stand on ceremony with you."
The family of four sat down, and Jiang Lan served food to the two children, explaining in a soft voice, "We originally thought of taking you two to a restaurant to eat, which would seem more formal, but after thinking about it, we think it's best to have your first meal at home, with some home-cooked dishes and casual conversation."
Lu Mingxiao took a bite of the stir-fried bok choy and immediately looked at Song Jingliang with admiration: "This is really delicious."
Song Jingliang smiled broadly: "Xiao Bao loves to eat this too, so you should eat more."
Both Song Jingliang and Li Qing were very good cooks, each with its own unique flavor. Lu Mingxiao had a large appetite and quickly ordered a second bowl. Moreover, Jiang Huaiyu's appetite had also noticeably increased since their return. Seeing the two young men enjoying their meal, Song Jingliang and Jiang Lan smiled with great satisfaction.
The family ate and chatted about their trip to Norway. Lu Mingxiao also brought up his own life, mentioning Li Qing and Lu Chuan, Li Rui and Liang Jing...
"I was really naughty when I was little..." Lu Mingxiao rubbed his nose sheepishly, "My parents... well, Li Qing's mom and the others worried a lot about me..."
“But he is also very sensible.” Jiang Huaiyu continued his words calmly: “When he was very young, he followed Li Qing’s mother to do chores and try to supplement the family income. He is very smart and has great perseverance. As long as he puts in a little effort, his grades will improve very quickly.”
“It’s normal for boys to be a little mischievous…” Jiang Lan looked at the two children, her beautiful eyes filled with love: “Xiao Bao is very protective of his brother. Seeing how good your relationship is, I feel relieved.”
Lu Mingxiao: ...
Mom, can you please stop emphasizing this? I just want to be Jiang Xiaoyu's sweetheart.
Dinner was a pleasant affair. As it drew to a close, seeing that both children had finished eating, Song Jingliang and Jiang Lan exchanged a glance, and Song Jingliang put down his chopsticks first.
"Mingxiao, Huaiyu, there's something I need to tell you beforehand." Song Jingliang looked at his two equally handsome children and sighed softly. "Your maternal grandfather has publicly revealed within the family that Xiaobao was switched at birth. He originally planned to hold a family banquet the day after tomorrow so that Dabao could meet the elders of the family and be considered... to be recognized by his ancestors."
Jiang Huaiyu's pleasant smile froze.
“I won’t go.” Lu Mingxiao frowned and put down his chopsticks. “I don’t understand what he’s doing. He could have said that Xiaoyu is the Jiang family’s biological child, and that I am also a biological child who was lost and found. That way, there would be no rumors to hurt Jiang Xiaoyu, and the relationship between the grandfather and granddaughter could be preserved. What is he doing now?”
Song Jingliang was somewhat surprised. His deep eyes were fixed on the young and handsome boy in front of him, with a hint of inquiry in his gaze: "Do you really think so? But if your maternal grandfather says this to others, your status will change from the only son of the Jiang family to one of the two young masters of the Jiang family. Aren't you worried that Xiaobao will encroach on the portion of benefits that belong to you?"
“I don’t care.” Lu Mingxiao said clearly, word by word: “Take only what you are capable of. If you force something on me that I can’t carry, it will only fall to the ground and shatter into pieces. Besides…”
A soft light appeared in the boy's eyes, and he turned to wink at Jiang Huaiyu: "What's wrong with giving it to Jiang Huaiyu? We're brothers."
"Good!" Song Jingliang nodded with satisfaction: "He is indeed my son. He sees things so clearly at such a young age."
Jiang Lan was clearly extremely dissatisfied with her father's behavior, and her beautiful face showed a hint of gloom: "Your father and I think the same as you, Da Bao. Neither of you needs to go to the family banquet. Some people in the collateral branches have been relying on the main family's influence all these years, living like parasites, taking the dividends that your grandfather squeezed out of his fingernails. They are the best at flattering the powerful and belittling the weak. I don't want you to see their faces."
She gently rubbed Jiang Huaiyu's slightly cool fingertips: "Xiaoyu, don't be sad. Your parents will always be your family. The reason we brought this up is to prepare you mentally. The social circle in Shanghai is only so big. If this news gets out, some ignorant and shallow playboys from small families might use it to mock you. Just fight back. Your parents will always support you."
...
"Oh? Who's this? Isn't this Young Master Jiang?" A tall, chubby boy blocked Jiang Huaiyu's way, his chubby face full of smugness: "You're just a fake, a worthless imposter~ How dare you swagger around like this?"
Jiang Huaiyu: ...
His mother's words are sometimes really accurate. For example, when Lu Mingxiao said there would be an aurora, there really was an aurora to see. When his mother said there would be an idiot, the idiot actually appeared. Can being good at saying things be inherited?
This is a high-end equestrian club in Shanghai. Jiang Huaiyu has been learning equestrianism here since she was a child. After being away for half a year, she really missed the two racehorses she raised here, so she brought Lu Mingxiao, who was equally excited, to the club early this morning.
At that moment, he was wearing a professional riding outfit that allowed for easy movement, standing outside the changing room. Looking at the bloated fat man in front of him, he tried to remember who he was, and after thinking for a long time, he finally asked, "Excuse me, who are you?"
This enraged the fat man even more, who shouted, "You don't know me? I'm also surnamed Jiang! I'm the real young master Jiang's cousin!"
The real "Young Master Jiang" peeked out from the dressing room, his ears burning red, and asked, "Jiang Xiaoyu, I don't understand the straps on these pants..."
Jiang Huaiyu nodded: "I'll tie you up..."
Although his mother said to just fight back, Jiang Huaiyu's upbringing didn't allow him to fight with people casually. This person in front of him was completely unknown to him; such an insignificant piece of trash was simply...
"Damn? Where did this country bumpkin come from? Can't even put on his pants?" The fat man greeted his dear cousin affectionately, "Jiang Huaiyu, this isn't some poor relative from your poor parents' side, is he?"
Lu Mingxiao, who had just poked his head out and was immediately insulted: ???
"Yes, yes, yes..." Lu Mingxiao said, "I'm a country bumpkin, unlike this fat young master with such noble taste. His legs are tied up like a braised pork hock for the New Year. The way he's tied them up is so authentic. Did the pressure cooker not close properly and let you escape?"
Jiang Huaiyu chuckled.
Why did you provoke him?
Fatty Jiang's face turned a purplish-blue, and he gritted his teeth: "You two just wait..."
“I’m waiting for you.” Lu Mingxiao gave him the middle finger: “What are you doing, calling people back? If you call back less than five people, then don’t bother calling anymore. It’s not enough for me to fill my teeth.”
Just then, five or six teenagers entered the changing room in a large group.
Lu Mingxiao: ...
It doesn't have to be that effective.
Fatty Jiang was initially somewhat wary of Lu Mingxiao's tall and imposing figure, but upon seeing the newcomer, his small eyes lit up immediately: "Young Master He!"
He ran over like a possessed ham hock, pointing at Jiang Huaiyu and Lu Mingxiao and complaining, "My old man said that Jiang Huaiyu is a fake who was switched at birth. Our Jiang family doesn't acknowledge him at all. What right does he have to come to your club? You should get rid of him immediately..."
He Yan glanced at him impatiently: "Who are you?"
Without even glancing at the pig-headed beast whose face had turned a deep purplish-red, he strode towards Jiang Huaiyu: "Huaiyu, how have you been lately? We've heard about what happened to your family. Are you alright?"
Jiang Huaiyu was slightly taken aback, then nodded politely: "I'm fine, everything is fine at home."
Lu Mingxiao narrowed his eyes.
After the incident with Fu Yucheng, Lu Mingxiao's "foundation-identifying radar" suddenly became exceptionally sensitive. He looked the wild boar charging towards his "cabbage" up and down, alarm bells ringing in his mind. Then, upon seeing He Yan's appearance, he immediately felt that his "cabbage" was safe, but the boar was of poor quality.
He Yan is not particularly good-looking, and he is half a head shorter than Jiang Huaiyu. To be honest, his features are rather plain, and he takes after his father. It is really a disservice to his mother, a big star who married into a wealthy family. However, the He family's strength is comparable to that of the Jiang family. With such a halo, He Yan naturally receives praise wherever he goes.
When he was a child, he did think he was handsome and dashing. He even grew his hair out and braided it into dreadlocks to stand out from the crowd. It wasn't until he met Jiang Huaiyu that he realized everyone around him was a liar. He wasn't handsome and dashing at all; he was just a crazy, eccentric person.
The two companies often collaborated, and over time, he and Jiang Huaiyu became friends, a friendship that has lasted for five or six years.
Hearing Jiang Huaiyu say that everything was fine, he still couldn't help but frown: "How could everything be fine? But don't take this kind of person to heart..."
He glanced sideways at the pork hock connoisseur: "Short-sighted idiot. My dad already said I should continue to be friends with you. Your abilities, Jiang Huaiyu, speak for themselves. Even if you're not the young master of the Jiang family, you're still worth befriending. As for that real young master who just returned to the wealthy family, we don't know what his situation is yet. What if he's just a poor guy who's become rich and gone mad? With such a spendthrift son, the Jiang family's days are numbered..."
Jiang Huaiyu was somewhat embarrassed: "Ahem..."
"What's wrong? Are you feeling hot? Have you caught a cold?" He Yan reached out to pat Jiang Huaiyu's back, but before his fingers even touched him, a hand quickly reached out from the side, grabbed his hand, and shook it.
He Yan was stunned: "Huaiyu, who is this?"
"Hello." Lu Mingxiao smiled politely. "I'm the spendthrift son the Jiang family just found. Nice to meet you."
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