Su Mo sat with Ye Qingqiu for a while, but soon Ye Jue pulled her aside.

Ye Jue’s main goal for tonight was to spend some quality time with Mo Mo. It had been several years since they last met, and if it weren’t for introducing Su Mo to these people to ensure they could look out for her when needed, he really wouldn’t have wanted these people here getting in the way.

So, after seeing Su Mo talking to Ye Qingqiu for a bit, he quickly pulled her over, also giving Ye Qingqiu a chance to talk.

Ye Qingqiu had liked Lu Qingze for many years. Back in the day, Lu Qingze had either been in the military or abroad, so they hardly saw each other.

Now that he had finally returned, Ye Qingqiu was already 30 years old, thriving in her career, but her love life hadn’t progressed at all.

Before coming, Ye Qingqiu had been hinting at this, and everyone in the room knew about her feelings for Lu Qingze. So, they were all happy to help her create an opportunity.

As Ye Jue pulled Su Mo aside, Lu Qingze, who seemed to have been ignoring her, suddenly looked over the moment Ye Jue grabbed Su Mo’s hand to pull her up. But it was just a brief glance, and he quickly shifted his gaze away.

When Su Mo, feeling the shift, looked over, his eyes had already moved away from her hand that was being held by Ye Jue.

“My sister is also 30 this year, so our family plans to settle her marriage soon,” Ye Jue whispered in her ear as he noticed where she was looking.

“She’s liked Lu Qingze for 15 years, ever since she was young. Our family has been urging her to get married, but she’s set on Qingze, so we’re trying to create some chances for them.”

Su Mo turned her head sharply and widened her eyes in surprise.

“Qingqiu likes… Mr. Lu? But didn’t Mr. Lu… get married?”

Ye Jue paused for a moment, then smiled, “Who told you that Lu Qingze is married?”

Su Mo replied, “Ke’er said so. She said Mr. Lu is their professor, and she also mentioned that Professor Lu has a son.”

“Heh, she said Qingze has a son?” Ye Jue chuckled.

Su Mo nodded, “Yes.”

Ye Jue suddenly burst into laughter, “Qingze does have a son, but he’s never been married.”

Su Mo stared in shock, “What does that mean? He didn’t divorce, and his wife didn’t… die, but he never married? So, Ning Ning… is he an illegitimate child?”

“Ning Ning showed up unexpectedly. Four years ago, when Lu Qingze retired, he brought a child back with him. No one knew where the child came from. He didn’t say anything, and no one dared to ask.”

“Some things happened during that time, and he was in a really dark place. But when he recovered, Ning Ning had already stayed with the Lu family for a year. The elderly Lu couple treated him like their own, and no one dared ask about Ning Ning’s origins. So, to this day, no one knows where Ning Ning really came from.”

Actually, Ye Jue had his suspicions about whether Ning Ning was truly Lu Qingze’s biological son. After all, someone like Lu Qingze didn’t seem the type to father an illegitimate child. He was more inclined to think that Ning Ning might be the orphaned child of Lu Qingze’s battle comrade.

But he didn’t share this with Su Mo.

Su Mo’s lips parted slightly as she absorbed the shock.

“So… that’s how it is…”

Suppressing her surprise, Su Mo turned her gaze back to the corner. One person was bright and beautiful, the other handsome beyond compare, sitting together, a match made in heaven.

Su Mo quickly looked away and bit her lip, then smiled, “Qingqiu and Professor Lu are really a perfect match.”

“Yes, they’re definitely well-matched,” Ye Jue responded.

Not long after, the atmosphere in the private room became chaotic. The group playing cards were getting more and more excited, shouting and smoking.

Su Mo felt a bit stifled after a while and decided to step out for some fresh air.

“I’ll go with you,” Ye Jue offered.

“No need,” Su Mo smiled. “I just need to step out for a walk. The smoke inside is too much. I’ll be back soon.”

Su Mo got up and left the room.

A moment later.

“I’m going out for a bit.”

Lu Qingze spoke, then stood up and walked toward the door without giving Ye Qingqiu a chance to respond.

Ye Qingqiu watched the man leave, a look of disappointment on her face.

Once Lu Qingze was out, he quickly scanned the noisy lobby and then walked toward the bar.

Today, Ye Lanshan wasn’t working. Su Mo, feeling a bit bored after stepping outside, ordered a juice at the bar. Yet, her mind couldn’t help but wander back to what Ye Jue had just told her.

“Ning Ning’s arrival was so sudden. No one knows where he came from…” She thought, Ning Ning always seemed so cheerful, so he probably didn’t know about his origins. If he did, would he be upset?

Why didn’t Professor Lu bring Ning Ning’s mother back?

And… Professor Lu, he never married?

He never married, never had a wife…

…

In the midst of these jumbled thoughts, a deep voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts. “Why didn’t you mention you were coming here?”

Su Mo jumped in surprise, turning around to face Lu Qingze. “Professor Lu, you’re out too?”

“It’s stuffy inside,” Lu Qingze replied calmly.

Su Mo nodded, looking elsewhere. “Mm, it is stuffy. I didn’t expect people like you to have such chaotic gatherings.”

Lu Qingze raised an eyebrow, not commenting. He then stretched his long legs and sat next to Su Mo at the bar, ordering a drink. After taking a sip, he finally spoke.

“Ning Ning didn’t throw a tantrum, did he?”

“No, he’s pretty well-behaved.”

Lu Qingze gave a barely noticeable smile. “Really? He wasn’t upset when you couldn’t stay with him?”

Su Mo recalled Ning Ning’s expression and smiled softly. “He was a little hard to calm down, but it’s normal for a child to want an adult around. He must be bored staying home alone.”

Lu Qingze nodded. “I’m busy with work, so I don’t have time for him. In the past, my mom and Uncle Zhong took care of him. Now that my dad’s sick and Uncle Zhong has his own matters, there’s no one to look after him. I have no choice but to trouble him for now.”

“Professor Lu, do you come home that late every day?”

“Pretty much. Overtime is normal, and there are rarely days without it, plus most of the time there are social gatherings.”

“Ning Ning really doesn’t get much care when he’s with me. I was thinking of getting him a nanny or part-time help, but he’s been spoiled by my mom since he was little. Aside from Uncle Zhong, he’s only accepted your care so far. I might have to trouble you a bit more for the time being. Uncle Zhong probably won’t be back anytime soon.”

Su Mo frowned for a moment. “Well, how about I pick up Ning Ning every day and take him to my place? Then, whenever you finish work, you can just pick him up. That way, it’ll be more convenient for me to do things.”

“That works,” Lu Qingze replied expressionlessly. “Then Ning Ning will be in your care. Also… if you’re going anywhere or have any plans, call me in advance so I can arrange for someone to pick him up.”

Su Mo agreed, “Okay.”

Author Notes:

Jiu: I really didn’t expect you to be this kind of Uncle Lu, setting traps for Mo Mo again.

Lu: ^_^

Jiu: Acting cute is shameful, but it’s even more shameful for old men to act cute!

Lu: ^_^ I’m very happy, Mo Mo fell into my trap again.

Jiu: ……