Although the future son-in-law didn’t show much respect to his father-in-law, Lu Guoan was still overjoyed to be able to form a marriage alliance with the Mo family.
After Lu Qiao’s refusal to marry, the Lu family had been treading carefully, fearing that Mo Hanzhou might be angry. Even after Lu Qiao began to win Mo Hanzhou’s favor, they dared not publicize it too much, worried that the other party might take offense. Now, they finally felt a sense of relief and began preparing for the wedding with great fanfare.
The Mo family was undoubtedly a wealthy and influential clan, and this long-awaited high-society wedding instantly caused a sensation. People in the upper-class circles eagerly inquired about the details, while the media churned out one sensational headline after another. For a time, the entire city of Pingcheng was buzzing with excitement.
Amidst the external clamor, the newlyweds were steadily progressing in their relationship.
Mo Hanzhou was not the type to marry someone and then leave them at home to languish. Although he was not particularly eloquent and was indeed busy, given his status, he didn’t need to do things personally. A single instruction was enough to make his attitude clear to the outside world.
Since the two officially confirmed their wedding, gifts had been delivered to Lu Qiao almost every day. Regardless of their value, they were at least a sincere gesture.
During a break in an afternoon meeting, an assistant presented Mo Hanzhou with a list of items to be auctioned at a charity gala on Friday evening. Mo Hanzhou glanced through it casually and pointed at a few photos, saying, “Just these few.”
“Yes, sir.”
After the assistant left, Mo Hanzhou returned to his seat and opened his phone. Lu Qiao had just sent him a video. Having received so many gifts that his hands were practically full, Lu Qiao, aside from sending thank-you gifts, would also share unboxing videos and photos of him trying out the presents with Mo Hanzhou as a way to express his gratitude. Mo Hanzhou would occasionally comment, helping to deepen their bond.
In the video, the boy chattered away while clumsily tearing open the gift box. Inside was a flawless string of white pearls. Lu Qiao picked up the necklace, his face filled with admiration and affection, repeatedly exclaiming how beautiful it was. In the end, he seemed to realize that the necklace wasn’t quite suitable for him to wear, so he simply wrapped it around his wrist and proudly showed it off to the camera a couple of times.
This pearl necklace was actually meant as a gift from Mo Hanzhou for Lu Qiao to give to an older female relative. But looking at Lu Qiao’s silly expression, it was clear he hadn’t thought of that at all.
Amused, Mo Hanzhou couldn’t help but send a video call invitation. Lu Qiao answered almost immediately.
The camera shook a bit as the boy adjusted the angle several times before finally stabilizing the phone. The lens was tilted slightly upward from below, capturing Lu Qiao’s delicate face in full view, his pale pink lips curved in a happy smile.
Mo Hanzhou asked, “Do you know what that pearl necklace in your hand is for?”
Lu Qiao glanced down at the necklace wrapped around his wrist and shook his head honestly. “No.”
“I don’t know, but I really like it.”
Mo Hanzhou looked at his silly smile and couldn’t help but shake his head. What a little fool.
“It’s for you to give to an older female relative. Since they’ve given you gifts, you should remember to return the favor.”
“So, does this count as a gift from us, the newlywed couple?”
The boy replied slyly. While he could be timid at times, he also had a bold side. Here he was, already teasing Mo Hanzhou and referring to them as a “newlywed couple.”
Mo Hanzhou pretended to ponder for a moment before saying.
“It seems we can’t quite be considered husbands yet.”
“That’s alright, we can visit the elders after we get married.”
“But then they’d have to give so many gifts they might suspect you’re deliberately trying to swindle them.”
“In that case, I’ll just write ‘No gifts, only blessings’ on my clothes.”
“…”
Lu Qiao’s whimsical ideas always managed to stump Mo Hanzhou. With work still on his plate, Mo Hanzhou only chatted for a few more moments before ending the call. He set his phone aside, shook his head with a smile, and said to Fang Zhongbai:
“In a couple of days, the silver jade carvings from the London Geonis Art Association will be delivered to the main residence. Pick out a few of the more unique pieces and send them to Lu Qiao.”
“Understood.”
After receiving his boss’s instructions, Fang Zhongbai left the office. His expression suddenly relaxed a little, and a thought flashed through his mind:
Let’s see who the real fool is.
Time quickly flew by to the final week before the wedding. Both the Mo and Lu families were swamped with preparations, yet the two grooms-to-be were the most idle of all. These days, Lu Qiao’s only real tasks were trying on clothes and memorizing the wedding banquet procedures. Though he was inherently laid-back, even he found this level of boredom excessive.
As for the other groom, despite his busy work schedule, he had also invested virtually no effort into the wedding preparations.
Unlike Lu Qiao, however, he had friends.
“Hey, Hanzhou, you’re about to get married. When are you going to introduce your better half to us?” The voice on the other end of the line sounded lazy.
Mo Hanzhou’s mind flashed with an image of the young man, and he chuckled softly. “That’s not a bad idea.”
And so, that afternoon, Lu Qiao received a call from Mo Hanzhou. The man got straight to the point:
“Are you free tonight, A’Qiao? I have a few friends I’d like you to meet.”
Lu Qiao was so excited he sat bolt upright in bed.
Was this the legendary step of introducing each other’s friends? This was even more significant than officially confirming the relationship it signified the other person’s tacit approval of you entering their life.
Lu Qiao immediately exclaimed, “I’m free!”
“Good.” Mo Hanzhou was amused by his earnest response and said gently, “Then I’ll arrange for someone to pick you up tonight. It’s just a few friends, no need to be too formal.”
“Mm, mm.”
Around five in the evening, the car arranged by Mo Hanzhou arrived. It dropped him off at the entrance of a club, where Mo Hanzhou was already waiting for him.
After work, Mo Hanzhou had changed into more casual attire. Though he was still wearing a suit, the cut was softer, lacking the sternness he carried during work hours.
Seeing Mo Hanzhou, Lu Qiao’s face broke into a smile, and he jogged over.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“Not at all, just a little while. Let’s go in.”
“Okay!”
This club was also opened by a wealthy second-generation heir within their circle. It was an exclusive, high-end establishment accessible only to a limited number of members, making it exceptionally quiet inside. The air was lightly scented with the fragrance of bellflowers, which was quite pleasant.
Lu Qiao and Mo Hanzhou walked through the corridor into a room. Calling it a room was an understatement it was more like a presidential hotel suite, complete with sofas, a bar, a movie screen, and a full array of entertainment facilities.
After the two entered, everyone in the room stood up. Mo Hanzhou didn’t have many friends at least, only six people were close enough to be invited out individually to meet his soon-to-be “wife.”
These five men and one woman were all exceptional individuals, which showed that someone of Mo Hanzhou’s status naturally befriended people of similar standing. Lu Qiao recognized several faces he had seen in financial news.
Mo Hanzhou introduced them one by one.
“This is Chen Zhanquan, Wen Jingrui, and Qin Shi. We grew up together.”
“This is Zhanquan’s fiancée, Shen Xiarong.”
“Hello, I’m Shen Xiarong.”
“Hello, I’m Lu Qiao.”
Lu Qiao greeted each of them in turn.
“And this is Pei Jizhi.” Mo Hanzhou led him to a handsome man with a gentle demeanor.
Pei Jizhi extended his hand. “Hello, I’m Pei Jizhi.”
Lu Qiao looked at him hesitantly. “I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
Pei Jizhi replied generously, “Perhaps in a movie or on an advertisement.”
“Ah, I remember now. You’re that movie star, the one who’s won several Best Actor awards.”
Pei Jizhi blinked playfully. “Thanks to the audience’s support.”
Lu Qiao was somewhat surprised to find a celebrity among Mo Hanzhou’s friends.
The last person was a young man who looked significantly younger, about the same age as Lu Qiao himself, with a rather defiant gaze.
“This is Chen Deng, Zhanquan’s younger brother. He’s been playing with us since childhood.”
Chen Deng opened his mouth expressionlessly. “Hello.”
“Hello.”
Lu Qiao tilted his head. Was this younger brother naturally this aloof, or did he simply not like him?
Mo Hanzhou’s friends were quite easy to remember. Pei Jizhi’s celebrity face was hard to mistake. Chen Deng was the youngest. The one who was intimate and inseparable with Shen Xiarong was Chen Zhanquan.
As for the other two men, the one with glasses, handsome features, and an air of refined mischief was Wen Jingrui just associate his surname with his appearance.
The other, with regular features and a serious demeanor, whose name was equally proper, was Qin Shi.
Each had a distinct image, eliminating any possibility of mistaking one for another.
The group chatted and laughed freely, without restraint. Chen Zhanquan, Wen Jingrui, and Qin Shi were Mo Hanzhou’s childhood friends, with Chen Zhanquan and Wen Jingrui taking the lead. They recounted amusing stories from Mo Hanzhou’s student days in an exaggerated tone. They were clearly skilled storytellers, able to turn even the simplest incidents into entertaining tales.
After a while, everyone grew more familiar and no longer stayed in one tight group. Wen Jingrui and Qin Shi went to play billiards, accompanied by the Chen-Shen couple, occasionally turning back to chat with Mo Hanzhou.
Pei Jizhi noticed that Lu Qiao’s gaze often lingered on him. That wasn’t surprising after all, he was an actor and a major star. Young Master Lu Qiao seemed quite young, so it was natural for him to be curious about the entertainment industry.
Just as Pei Jizhi was about to approach him, Lu Qiao walked over.
The boy, still young with a hint of baby fat and a somewhat naive student-like face, asked, “Excuse me, do you know Shen Yiyi?”
Pei Jizhi instinctively put on his celebrity smile as Lu Qiao approached, but upon hearing the question, his smile froze abruptly.
Wait, was he here to ask about another actor?
Pei Jizhi’s pride as a top-tier celebrity took a slight hit, but he quickly ran through all the female stars he knew in the entertainment industry in his mind and still couldn’t figure out who this “Shen Yiyi” was.
“Who is Shen Yiyi?”
“Shen Yiyi is the actress who plays the female lead in the drama True Love Unlimited. In the show, no matter how many times she gets hurt even if she’s hit by a car she always manages to stand back up and forgive those who hurt her. I really admire her broad-mindedness.”
Although Pei Jizhi hadn’t watched True Love Unlimited, he could guess the plot from the title and Lu Qiao’s description. Hearing such an absurd and melodramatic storyline while looking at the boy’s earnest expression, he couldn’t tell if it was sarcasm or something else.
He could only reply with difficulty, “I’ll ask my agent about it when I get back.”
“Actually, it’s not necessary. I was just asking casually. If you don’t know, it’s fine.”
“Oh, I see.” Perhaps because the boy’s initial question was so unexpected that Pei Jizhi found it hard to handle, he actually became interested in chatting with him.
“What kind of TV shows or movies do you usually watch?”
“Horror films, or action-packed gunfight and martial arts movies. Occasionally, I also watch idol dramas.”
“You like idol dramas too?”
The first two genres were understandable, but the last one didn’t seem to fit. Don’t get him wrong as a professional in the arts, he had no prejudice against any genre of film or television… Okay, fine, he did have a bias against those idol dramas filled with melodramatic misunderstandings, where a plot that could be wrapped up in one episode dragged on for three or five, and the acting and production quality were often subpar.
But as an award-winning actor, what’s wrong with having a little bias?
In just over ten seconds, Pei Jizhi completed a round of self-reflection and acceptance.
Of course, Lu Qiao had no idea about his dramatic inner monologue. He answered honestly, “Yes, because idol dramas are full of surprises. They often break through societal class barriers and rules, using true love to complete seemingly impossible stories. Isn’t that more interesting than reality?”
Damn, he made a good point!
Pei Jizhi almost felt tempted to try acting in an idol drama himself. He quickly dismissed the dangerous thought and changed the subject.
“Do you watch art films? I recently starred in one that just came out. You could check it out.”
“What’s it about?”
“Well, it’s about a middle-aged couple worn down by life, who lose their love for each other but gradually rediscover it through seemingly ordinary events.”
Lu Qiao frowned and asked, “Are there any thrilling plot twists or major turning points?”
Pei Jizhi: “Uh… no. The director wanted to convey that people should rediscover their true selves in the trivialities of life, and even ordinary days should be lived with care.”
Lu Qiao: “Then what do the audience watch?”
“It’s about the director’s ability to make everyday moments feel fresh through cinematography, along with subtle storytelling and acting.”
“…”
Lu Qiao fell silent for a moment before asking sincerely, “So, does it have high box office earnings?”
It doesn’t!
Pei Jizhi felt a pang of pain inside. What could he do? The director just loved making this kind of film!
Wen Jingrui, forced into a halftime break due to a poor season, saw Pei Jizhi walking back looking utterly dejected and couldn’t help asking:
“What’s wrong?”
Pei Jizhi gave him a distant, hollow look.
“Nothing, just suffered some psychological trauma.”
Wen Jingrui: ??
Watching Pei Jizhi walk away in a daze, Lu Qiao tilted his head in confusion. What’s up with young people these days? Can’t they handle the truth? Just as he turned back, a voice sounded in his ear:
“Hmph!”
Brother Chen looked at him with a defiant expression, eyes full of mockery.
“What’s wrong, little brother?”
Chen Deng immediately bristled: “Don’t call me ‘little brother’! We’re the same age, and I’m even a few months older than you!”
He even knows my birthdate? That’s so touching.
“I’m just following Mr. Mo’s lead in calling you that. You wouldn’t want Mr. Mo to start calling you ‘Brother Chen Deng’ after me, would you?”
Lu Qiao spoke with genuine sincerity, but Chen Deng only found it annoying. He snapped fiercely:
“Don’t act like you can speak for my brother! He just married you, that’s all!”
Just married? Is that all?
Lu Qiao watched Chen Deng stomp away angrily, his eyes filled with bewilderment. Chen Zhanquan, who had been watching from the side, chuckled and leaned over:
“Don’t mind him. He grew up playing with me and Hanzhou and is Hanzhou’s number one fanboy. He thinks Hanzhou is the best in the world and no one is good enough for him.”
Lu Qiao: Got it. What fanboy would ever approve of their idol’s spouse?
After playing for a while, everyone sat down again. The others were drinking alcohol, while only Mo Hanzhou and Lu Qiao were having tea and milk tea, respectively. Naturally, Chen Deng thought his idol was perfect in every way there was nothing wrong with drinking tea. But the other person was another story.
Chen Deng looked disdainfully at the milky-scented drink in Lu Qiao’s hand:
“You’re acting like a kid.”
“Really?” Lu Qiao looked at him in confusion, then turned to Mo Hanzhou:
“I’m not even drinking very sweet milk tea. Try it, Mr. Mo is it too sweet?”
Mo Hanzhou suppressed a laugh and took a small sip.
“It’s fine, not too sweet.”
“See?”
Lu Qiao happily took a big gulp and said to Chen Deng:
“It’s not too sweet. Adults can drink it too.”
Chen Deng: I never said anything about the milk tea being sweet or not!