Song Wantang lowered her eyes, her voice muffled. "Thank you."
Lu Shaodong didn't say anything, just made his movements even gentler.
After applying it for a while, he put down the ice pack, twisted open the ointment, and squeezed a bit onto his fingertip.
"It might feel a little cold."
Song Wantang nodded, not daring to look at him.
The moment the ointment was applied, the cool sensation made her flinch slightly, but it was soon soothed by the warmth of his palm.
His movements were light, very gentle.
"From now on, let the lawyers handle matters concerning the Song Family," Lu Shaodong said as he finished applying the medicine, his tone flat. "You are Mrs. Lu. You don't need to endure this kind of treatment personally."
Song Wantang looked up at him.
He was lowering his head to wipe the ointment off his hands, his profile lines cold and hard, his expression unreadable.
"I—"
"Also," Lu Shaodong interrupted her, looking up with calm, steady eyes, "from now on, no matter who lays a hand on you, tell me immediately."
Song Wantang was stunned.
"There's no reason for the wife of the Lu Family to take a beating and have to bear it herself."
After saying that, he placed the ointment on the low table. "What do you want to eat? I'll have the kitchen make it."
Song Wantang opened her mouth, momentarily not knowing what to say.
But a warm current flowed through her heart.
Little Dumpling was rolling around excitedly in her belly. "Ahhh! Mommy, did you hear that?! Daddy is so cool! He said you're Mrs. Lu! He said he won't let others bully you! Oh my god, I'm going to cry!!"
Song Wantang silently facepalmed in her heart. "........Can you be quiet for a moment?"
"No!" Little Dumpling said with righteous indignation. "Mommy, your ears are red again!! I told you Daddy is concerned about you!!"
Song Wantang subconsciously raised her hand to touch her ear, and sure enough, it was hot again.
She took a deep breath, looked at Lu Shaodong, and said seriously, "Thank you for today. But regarding the shares, I won't back down. There might be some trouble later."
"What trouble?"
"Song Changfeng won't let it go easily. He might think of other ways to pressure me. If it affects the Lu Family..."
"It won't." Lu Shaodong interrupted her again.
Song Wantang was taken aback.
"The Lu Family isn't that fragile." He looked at her, his tone calm but firm. "Just do what you want to do. As for the rest, you don't need to worry about it."
After saying that, he turned and walked out. When he reached the door, he paused.
"From now on, don't call me 'Mr. Lu' anymore."
"...Then what should I call you?"
"Shaodong." He didn't turn around. "Or whatever you like, just don't call me 'sir.' It sounds like I'm an outsider."
The door closed.
Song Wantang sat there, not coming back to her senses for a long while.
It seemed like things had deviated from the track.
Little Dumpling let out a soulful sigh from her belly. "Mommy, I think Daddy really likes you."
"........Shut up."
She wouldn't flatter herself.
Probably it was because she was carrying his child that he was so concerned.
Lu Shaodong walked to the balcony.
In this season, the wind was a bit cool.
But Lu Shaodong still felt very hot. Just now, when he was close to Song Wantang, the tip of his nose was filled with her fresh scent.
She looked exceptionally captivating today, making it hard to look away.
After drinking a few sips of ice water to calm down, he felt much more comfortable.
Then Lu Shaodong took out his mobile phone and dialed Assistant Cheng's number.
He briefly explained the situation.
"I remember the Song Family has been competing for the Sheng Tai bidding project recently."
Sheng Tai was Lu Shaodong's largest investment hotel opened this year, just completed, and was preparing the various interior decorations and soft furnishings. The Song Family was one of the bidding companies and was very likely to win.
Song Changfeng had already spent a lot of effort cultivating connections, and the Song Corporation's product quality was well-regarded in the industry.
Such corporate movements were closely monitored by Assistant Cheng, so he could answer Lu Shaodong without needing to investigate. "Yes, President Lu, do you want to step in and help?"
After all, Madam was a member of the Song Family.
So it was only reasonable for President Lu to help his father-in-law.
But Lu Shaodong had always been very clear about separating public and private matters, never doing such backdoor dealings.
It seemed President Lu truly liked Madam, willing to make an exception for her.
"No." Lu Shaodong denied it outright.
Assistant Cheng was stunned for a moment, somewhat taken aback.
"I want the Song Corporation to lose this bid."
"This..." Assistant Cheng didn't understand. "But given Madam's relationship with the Song Family, is it really okay to do this?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Shaodong's dark eyes deepened. "My wife was wronged in the Song Family. What's wrong with me venting for her?"
Assistant Cheng hung up the phone and stood frozen for several seconds.
He had been by Lu Shaodong's side for five years, and this was the first time he had received such an instruction.
Not to help, but to teach a lesson.
And the target was Madam's maternal home.
So Madam had been wronged.
This Song Family really lacked discernment.
Offending anyone else would have been better, yet they actually offended the God of Wealth.
Assistant Cheng rubbed his temples, not daring to ask more, and immediately set to work.
For this Sheng Tai bid, the Song Family had invested a lot of manpower and resources in the early stages. Song Changfeng had personally run countless errands to build connections, determined to win.
If they were eliminated at this critical juncture...
Assistant Cheng shuddered.
He knew President Lu's methods better than anyone.
.....
Just after Lu Shaodong hung up, Zhou Jin's call came in.
"Brother Dong, what's going on? Why aren't you here? Where did you go?"
Originally, they had agreed to go support him today.
"I have something here, so I won't be going." Lu Shaodong said lightly.
Zhou Jin was silent on the other end for two seconds, then suddenly laughed.
"Alright, I get it."
"What do you get?" Lu Shaodong's tone was indifferent.
"Who else could make the great President Lu stand me up other than the one at home?" Zhou Jin said in a flippant tone. "What, did something happen to sister-in-law?"
Lu Shaodong didn't reply.
Zhou Jin knew he had guessed right. He put away his smile and became a bit more serious. "Is it serious? Need any help?"
"No need." After saying that, Lu Shaodong paused. "Let's meet another day. My treat."
"Alright, you owe me a meal. Bring sister-in-law out then to meet us brothers."
"Yeah, we'll see then."
After hanging up, Lu Shaodong stood on the balcony and took a few more puffs of his cigarette.
.....
Song Family Villa
After Song Wantang left, the atmosphere in the living room hadn't eased much.
Song Changfeng sat on the sofa, his face livid, fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest.
When he had slapped her, he felt a sense of satisfaction.
But after the satisfaction, his heart felt blocked like a stone.
"Dad, don't be angry anymore." Song Yurou walked over holding a teacup, her tone obedient. "Sister... might just be momentarily confused. Once she calms down, she'll understand your good intentions."
Song Changfeng snorted coldly. "Understand? If she could understand, she wouldn't have said such nonsense!"
"Alright, alright," Zhou Huiru interjected at the right moment, her tone gentle and soft. "Yurou is right. Wantang is stubborn. The more you push her, the more she'll go against you. The matter of shares can't be rushed. Discuss it slowly."
"Discuss it slowly? She married into the Lu Family, her wings are stiff now. Will she still listen to me?"
✦✦✦