Chapter 7: She’s Very Obedient

Song Jihe and Lu Zhenqi also turned to look at Lu Yan. Their son had been engaged to the Jiang family’s daughter since childhood.

The Jiang family was a powerful political clan in Haicheng, with deep roots in officialdom. Jiang Xueyao’s grandfather was the commander of the Haicheng Military District. For decades, the Jiang family had held immense sway in the region.

However, in Jiang Xueyao’s generation, she was the only daughter. To preserve their standing, the Jiang family had no choice but to align themselves with Haicheng’s wealthiest family—the Lu’s—through marriage. In business, as in war, such alliances were often crucial. The Lu family also needed the Jiang family’s influence to maintain their dominance. It was a mutually beneficial union between two titans.

Jiang Xueyao was two years younger than Lu Yan. Originally, both families had agreed that the two children would get engaged after graduating from university.

But Lu Yan insisted on waiting until he completed his master’s degree. Once that was done, Song Jihe brought up the engagement again, and this time, Lu Yan said he wanted to pursue a PhD. After they painstakingly waited until he finished his doctorate, he then said he wanted to go on a scientific expedition to Antarctica.

This time, Song Jihe put her foot down. After all, he was their only son, and he would eventually have to take over the Lu family business. He couldn’t just live as he pleased forever.

The final compromise was this: they would grant him two years of freedom, after which he would return to take over the family business. As for the engagement with Jiang Xueyao, it would happen a year after he officially took the reins of the company.

Left with no other choice, Lu Yan’s parents eventually agreed to his terms.

As for Jiang Xueyao, she had always been devoted to Lu Yan. Over the years, she had quietly and patiently waited for him.

“There’s still a year left, isn’t there? What’s the rush?” Lu Yan said expressionlessly. He had no intention of being shackled by marriage so early.

“You’re already 27—not exactly young anymore. What difference does one year make?” Song Jihe snapped.

She couldn’t wait for her son to settle down. For one, it would further solidify the Lu family’s power. And secondly, she could finally have a grandchild to dote on.

At every social gathering among the wealthy ladies, Madam Shen and Madam Wei would gush about how adorable their grandchildren were. She often found herself unable to join in those conversations.

“Well, if there’s no difference between now and next year, then let’s go with next year~” Lu Yan quipped, his tone annoyingly cheeky.

“You brat!” Song Jihe was fuming.

“Stop making your mother angry,” Lu Zhenqi chimed in with a stern voice. “My health hasn’t been great these past two years. Since you’ve had your fun, it’s time for you to report to the company tomorrow. Get familiar with the business as soon as possible. Only then can I feel confident handing Fengze Group over to you.”

Lu Yan gave a reluctant nod. Then he turned to Lu Yu.

“Lu Yu, you’re not a kid anymore either. You’re in your senior year, right? Got a girlfriend yet?” Lu Yan deflected the pressure by redirecting the spotlight.

“That’s right, Xiaoyu,” Song Jihe jumped in, eager for someone to push. “You’re graduating soon, and it’s the perfect time to settle down. Don’t end up an old bachelor like your cousin. Find a good girl and get engaged early so I can have another grandchild!”

People their age were all obsessed with grandchildren—whoever could be pushed into it, would be.

Lu Yu lowered his head and said shyly,
“Auntie, I already have someone I like~”

“Oh? Whose daughter is she?” Song Jihe asked excitedly.

This child was far more sensible than Lu Yan, already talking about a girlfriend at this age.

“She’s not some heiress or anything,” Lu Yu said proudly. “She’s a year below me—a junior. She’s beautiful and talented, and she’s won the top scholarship at our university for several years in a row.”

Just then, Li Qingqing happened to come over carrying the dessert.

Lu Yu looked up and, the moment he saw her, his eyes lit up with shock and joy.

“Qingqing? Is that you? What are you doing here?”

He was so focused on her face that he didn’t notice she was wearing an apron and holding a tray.

“I…”

Li Qingqing hadn’t expected the Lu family’s guest today to be Lu Yu.

Lu Yu was a year above Li Qingqing. He had pursued her before—handsome, sunny, and cheerful like a golden retriever, with a kind and straightforward personality.

But Li Qingqing had never had any interest in dating, so she turned him down several times.

She never imagined they’d meet again at the Lu residence—under such humiliating circumstances, no less, with her working as a domestic helper.

In that moment, Li Qingqing felt like she wanted to disappear. The tiny bit of superiority she once felt in front of Lu Yu was completely shattered.

She stood frozen, not knowing what to say.

“She’s just doing a part-time job to support herself—earning a bit of extra money,” Lu Yan spoke up to ease the awkwardness.

Seeing Li Qingqing at a loss, Lu Yan could tell she must be feeling embarrassed. He’d only known that both she and Lu Yu attended Haihua University—he hadn’t expected the two of them to actually know each other.

At that moment, Lu Mingyi added, “She’s your classmate, isn’t she? Look at how hardworking and diligent she is. Then look at yourself—idle and aimless every day.”

As he spoke, he knocked Lu Yu on the head with his chopsticks.

“Ow—can you not embarrass me in front of my junior?” Lu Yu winced, frowning in protest.

Meanwhile, Li Qingqing was still awkwardly standing to the side.

Lu Yu ignored the full table of elders, set down his chopsticks, and said, “I’m full. You all take your time.”

With that, he stood up and walked over to Li Qingqing, his eyes filled with a playful glint.

“Qingqing, come with me—I’ve got something good to give you.”

He grabbed her arm and started leading her upstairs. Li Qingqing, eager to escape this minefield of a situation, didn’t resist and let him pull her along.

Seeing the intimate gesture between the two, Lu Yan’s expression darkened slightly.

Could it be that the person Lu Yu mentioned liking earlier… was Li Qingqing?

He stood up and nodded politely to the elders. “You all carry on. I’m done as well.”

Then he headed upstairs too.

The remaining elders exchanged confused glances, baffled as to what was going on with the younger generation.

---

Lu Yu brought Li Qingqing into one of the second-floor guest rooms, where he pulled out a small box from his pocket with a look of exaggerated mystery.

“Qingqing, I feel like it’s fate that we’ve run into each other twice in just a few days. Honestly, after you turned me down last time, I was ready to give up. I didn’t even get a chance to give you this gift. I ended up carrying it with me everywhere, thinking that if we ever met again, I’d confess to you one last time.”

“Qingqing, I really like you. Will you go out with me?”

Faced with Lu Yu’s heartfelt confession, Li Qingqing was at a complete loss. In her current situation, she really didn’t deserve to be in a relationship.

“Lu Yu, I…”

Just as she was about to politely turn him down, Lu Yan pushed the door open.

“Middle of the day, door closed—what are you two doing? Sneaking around like you’re having an affair?” Lu Yan said, his gaze sharp and condescending.

“…”

Li Qingqing was speechless. Why did this man’s every word sound like an explosion?

Lu Yu, however, wasn’t the least bit annoyed by his brother’s arrival.

“Hey, bro! Come in—I was just about to introduce you. This is Li Qingqing, my junior. Cute, right? Doesn’t she look super sweet and innocent?”

He beamed as if proudly showing off a long-treasured gem.

Lu Yan gave a cold, mocking smile as his gaze slowly swept over Li Qingqing.

“So obedient,” he said, his voice low and knowing.

Especially in bed.

Looking at the messy strands of hair framing her face, Lu Yan couldn’t help but remember how he had ravaged her last night in the attic.

His heart stirred again with that familiar heat.