It was Mo Hanzhou who broke the silence, though even he wore a somewhat odd expression:
“Ahem, let’s go.”
Lu Qiao followed him out of the restaurant. Only when they reached a spot where the restaurant staff couldn’t see them did Lu Qiao timidly ask, “Sir, are you angry?”
“No.”
“…”
Such a significant matter, and all he said was a simple “no” it seemed a bit excessive. Mo Hanzhou held back for a moment but couldn’t resist lecturing:
“Don’t do something like this again in the future. If someone misunderstands your intentions, things won’t be resolved so easily.”
In fact, the moment he saw the surveillance footage, he had genuinely thought he’d encountered some kind of corporate spy. He never expected it to be a romantic drama, leaving him both annoyed and amused.
“I didn’t want it to be like this either,” the boy said pitifully. “I’m not usually like this.”
Mo Hanzhou’s mind wandered for a moment, thinking: Your level of proficiency says otherwise.
“And, and ultimately, it’s because you refused to marry me that I ended up like this!”
He actually started blaming him. Mo Hanzhou looked at him, amused:
“So it’s my fault now?”
“Of course it’s not your fault, sir,” Lu Qiao lowered his head, looking utterly dejected. “It’s all because I’m too foolish, uneducated, and not clever enough that you look down on me.”
Weren’t you quite clever and agile just now?
Mo Hanzhou thought to himself that if he said this out loud, the already crestfallen boy in front of him might burst into tears. Suppressing a laugh, he kept a stern face and said seriously:
“Anyway, no matter the reason, you can’t do something like this. It’s illegal.”
“I understand. I won’t dare to do it again.”
Seeing the boy so utterly dispirited, Mo Hanzhou couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him. He cleared his throat and said:
“As for the marriage matter, I truly was negligent. Once I finish my work this week, I’ll go speak to Uncle Lu about it.”
Lu Qiao’s eyes suddenly lit up:
“Really?”
Now he was full of energy again.
“Of course it’s true. Would I lie to you?”
“Of course not! Sir is the gentlest and most sincere person in the world. You would never lie!”
Lu Qiao wore a sweet, ingratiating smile as he flattered him.
Having received the promise, Lu Qiao cheered up again, fluttering around Mo Hanzhou like a butterfly. Since neither of them had eaten properly at noon, they first found a place to have a meal.
Lu Qiao returned to his obedient nature or perhaps his act eating sweetly and well-behaved. Whatever Mo Hanzhou served him, he ate, even finishing the decorative cherry tomatoes and perilla leaves on the side. He polished off a whole large bowl of white rice, not leaving a single grain at the bottom.
He was so well-behaved that Mo Hanzhou was reminded of the seven- or eight-year-old children from relatives’ families during the New Year. Perhaps appetite was influenced by others, too watching him, Mo Hanzhou couldn’t help but eat a few more bites himself.
Once he finished:
“Full?”
“Yes, I’m full.” The clean-looking boy gave him a silly smile.
Unable to resist, Mo Hanzhou reached out and ruffled his fluffy head.
“I have work to attend to next, so I can’t stay with you.”
“That’s fine,” Lu Qiao said, exceptionally understanding. “Your work is more important.”
“What, learning to be a considerate and understanding Mrs. Mo even before we’re married?” Mo Hanzhou teased him on purpose.
“No,” the boy replied honestly.
“I was afraid that if I said ‘you’re not allowed to go,’ you might change your mind about marrying me.”
Mo Hanzhou: “…”
So when flirting, you really shouldn’t tell the truth.
Both were novices in matters of the heart, lacking many flirting techniques. After the meal, it was time to part ways, and Shan Luqiao still clung to Mo Hanzhou, reluctant to say goodbye.
He widened his clear eyes, speaking with genuine reluctance and sincerity:
“Sir, remember to come to my home to propose as soon as possible.”
“I’ll be waiting for you.”
Mo Hanzhou felt a mix of emotions. How desperate must a man be to marry himself off like this!
Since they had already decided to marry, the attitude between the engaged couple could become more intimate. Mo Hanzhou beckoned gently and left a kiss on the boy’s forehead.
“I will.”
Lu Qiao jumped back like a startled rabbit, the movement so sudden and exaggerated. His large eyes were filled with both shyness and excitement, and he blurted out, “Then hurry up,” before darting into the car.
He didn’t even roll down the window again.
Mo Hanzhou couldn’t help but laugh. “What a little fool. You see, Zhongbai, arranged marriages aren’t all bad.”
Assistant Fang, who had watched the entire scene unfold from start to finish: Hmm, as long as you’re happy.
Lu Qiao had turned misfortune into fortune, successfully rising in status, and returned home happily. By the time he arrived, it was almost evening. Yu Muqing had picked up her two children from school and was playing with Yu Jiadong in the hallway.
Did anyone really think Yu Muqing could secure her position as the lady of the Lu family just by relying on Yu Jiadong? That would require true love.
After marrying Lu Guoan, Yu Muqing had given birth to two children. The eldest, Lu Siyin, was 16 years old and attended a prestigious boarding high school, returning home only once a weekand not necessarily to this house. Yu Muqing had another property in the city, ostensibly for the convenience of taking care of the two children.
The younger one, Lu Pan, was 7 years old the age of a little troublemaker. At home, he was the boss, fearless and unafraid of Lu Qiao, after all, Lu Qiao held the lowest status, just a notch above the servants.
The three of them were chatting and laughing in the hallway when Lu Qiao went upstairs and ran into them head-on. Ever since Lu Guoan had decided to arrange a marriage between Lu Qiao and Mo Hanzhou, Lu Qiao’s status in the family had skyrocketed. Moreover, for some reason, he had recently become less easy to bully than before. Yu Muqing had even privately reminded her children several times to “respect” their older brother.
However, while Lu Siyin, who was old enough to understand, took this to heart, how could Lu Pan possibly grasp it? As soon as he saw Lu Qiao, his muscle memory kicked in. Waving the toy in his hand, he charged forward, shouting:
“Waste, take this!”
Before Lu Qiao could even react, merely lifting his eyelids, Yu Jiadong on the side jolted into action. He rushed forward in a flash, wrapped his arms around Lu Pan’s waist, and, ignoring the boy’s unrestrained yelling, stuffed him into the neighboring room and shut the door.
Leaning against the door, Yu Jiadong smiled ingratiatingly at Lu Qiao:
“Kids don’t know any better.”
Lu Siyin beside him: “…” What on earth?
Lu Qiao looked at Yu Jiadong blocking the door and thought to himself, quite the brotherly love.
Hearing her son’s shouts, Yu Muqing walked over, muttering:
“What’s wrong, what’s wrong? Do you want chicken legs? The auntie is making them.”
She suddenly caught sight of Lu Qiao, paused in her steps, and immediately replaced her expression with an enthusiastic smile.
“Ah Qiao, you’re back. Where did you go today? I haven’t seen you all day.”
After Yu Jiadong returned, he didn’t mention that he had gone out with Lu Qiao. This wasn’t because he had any ill intentions he just didn’t know how to bring it up or whether he should. Truth be told, he was a little afraid of Lu Qiao now.
Lu Qiao stretched lazily and ambled toward his room.
“I went to see Mo Hanzhou. And he agreed to the marriage alliance. He’ll come to propose in a few days.”
Yu Muqing’s eyes lit up instantly, and she immediately called out loudly, “Guoan, Guoan! Lu Qiao says Mo Hanzhou has agreed to the marriage alliance…”
Behind him, a chorus of joyful exclamations erupted. Lu Qiao walked into his room and closed the door.
Lu Qiao spent his days happily under the title of “Mo Family Head’s Fiancé.” Then, one day a week later, the Lu family mansion welcomed a distinguished guest.
Mo Hanzhou was dressed in a deep blue formal suit, exuding an elegant and noble aura. Though not yet thirty, his presence alone made the other two in the room scarcely dare to breathe. Truly, he lived up to his reputation as the heir of the family standing at the pinnacle of Pingcheng’s business circle.
His gaze rested calmly on the man and woman seated on the sofa as he spoke in a composed tone:
“After spending some time together, I find Lu Qiao to be excellent and very suitable for me. If possible, I hope we can marry as soon as possible.”
Overjoyed by this unexpected fortune, Lu Guoan couldn’t hide the wrinkles of delight on his face and eagerly replied:
“Great, marriage is wonderful! But marriage is a significant matter and still requires time to prepare. How about next month? Ah, but the marriage certificate can be obtained a bit earlier.”
Mo Hanzhou didn’t make an immediate decision. Instead, he turned his gentle gaze toward Lu Qiao, who was sitting on the other sofa, and asked softly, “What do you think?”
Lu Qiao’s expression was resolute, and his words carried weight:
“I think next week would be perfect. If possible, tomorrow wouldn’t be out of the question”
Mo Hanzhou turned back to Lu Guoan. “Alright, let’s set it for next month. The certificate can be obtained a day or two before the wedding banquet. We’ll work out the specific dates later.”
“Great, great, great.” Lu Guoan naturally wouldn’t say anything to dampen the mood.
Mo Hanzhou had little to discuss with Lu Guoan; he seemed more like he was there to inform them of the matter. Once the formalities were settled, Mo Hanzhou looked at Lu Qiao again, his gaze softening slightly.
“It’s my first time at the Lu residence. Would you accompany me for a stroll?”
“Of course!”
Lu Qiao stood up briskly and led Mo Hanzhou around the vicinity of the house. Compared to the Mo mansion, the Lu family villa was rather unremarkable, including the scenery of the garden outside. It was merely a small courtyard separating the Lu villa from the others, a far cry from the genuine garden of the Mo family.
Yet Lu Qiao didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed by this. Like a cheerful little oriole, he narrated stories about every corner for Mo Hanzhou. Through his words, Mo Hanzhou learned about the changing seasons here—spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
After touring the outside, Mo Hanzhou went up to the second floor to see Lu Qiao’s room. For moving heavy items, the Lu residence also had an elevator, which was quite convenient. Entering the room, Mo Hanzhou surveyed the furnishings inside.
It’s often said that a person’s room reflects their personality, but in Mo Hanzhou’s eyes, all he saw was “simplicity.” Apart from the essential furniture, there was almost nothing in the room that could be called Lu Qiao’s personal belongings. Even the pen holder on the desk contained only three pens red, black, and a pencil.
Utterly devoid of character.
Although Mo Hanzhou had long known that Lu Qiao didn’t have an easy life in the Lu family, seeing it firsthand still left him dissatisfied.
“Sir, look!”
Lu Qiao pulled a clumsy-looking lion plush from the bed. The toy looked cheap at a glance, its facial expression even appearing dull and foolish due to the maker’s lack of skill like a fool who wouldn’t know how to fight back even when bullied.
The boy grinned widely:
“This is what I grabbed at the mall after dinner that day I was so excited! Isn’t it cute!”
Mo Hanzhou took the plush and gave it a squeeze:
“Not cute. It’s silly.”
Lu Qiao looked at him blankly.
“You, you wouldn’t even know if you were being bullied.”
“Was I?”
Mo Hanzhou didn’t want to talk to him anymore.
He went downstairs. Lu Guoan noticed he was leaving and immediately stepped forward to see him off.
The smile on Mo Hanzhou’s face was much fainter than when he had first arrived. He looked at Lu Guoan, and his demeanor had unknowingly taken on a cold, stern air reminiscent of his presence at the conference table, imposing and intimidating:
“Lu Qiao will be my lawful partner. I hope he can become the happiest little prince in the world. I trust Mr. Lu understands.”
He didn’t even address him as “Uncle” anymore. Cold sweat dripped down Lu Guoan’s back as he repeatedly agreed.
Only then did Mo Hanzhou turn to Lu Qiao: “Well, A-Qiao, we’ll meet again next time.”
Lu Qiao cheerfully extended his hand, seemingly oblivious: “Goodbye, sir!”
After seeing Mo Hanzhou off, Lu Guoan hesitated for a moment before finally walking over to Lu Qiao, wearing a kindly expression:
“A-Qiao, you’re getting married soon. If you need anything, just tell your dad.”
Lu Qiao let out a light laugh.
“No need. Keeping things as they are is fine.”
What he wanted, he would obtain himself. He didn’t need others to give it to him except for what his husband gave, of course.