Lu Youze returned home and didn’t see anyone else in the living room. He went straight to the dining room where a full spread of dishes was laid out, yet no one was there.

This felt odd to him. After thinking for a moment, Lu Youze headed straight to Lu Lihai’s study.

“I’ve told you many times, I don’t agree.”

Before Lu Youze even reached the door of Lu Lihai’s room, he heard his angry voice. He quickly quickened his pace, and sure enough, he saw the entire Lu family gathered in the room.

Lu Lihai stood in front of his desk, trembling with anger. Lu Youxi stood two steps away from him, maintaining a cold demeanor, his eyes locked in a stare with Lu Lihai, showing no intention of compromising.

Uncle Lu and Aunt Qiao stood anxiously beside them, wanting to mediate but unable to get a word in.

Lu Youze arrived at the door. The argument inside was so intense that no one noticed his presence. He didn’t intend to enter immediately; he wanted to understand what the conflict between father and son was all about.

“Did you misunderstand something? I’m not here to ask for your approval,” Lu Youxi said coldly. “I’m just informing you of my decision.”

“If you really dare to do this, I’ll immediately issue a statement severing our father-son relationship,” Lu Lihai said firmly, and from his expression, it was clear he wasn’t joking.

Lu Youxi looked at Lu Lihai in disbelief, a complex mix of emotions in his eyes. His body instinctively took two steps back. Though he quickly regained his cold expression, Lu Youze could tell he was indeed hurt by Lu Lihai’s words.

Even Lu Youze was startled.

“If Lu Youze can, why can’t I?” Lu Youxi glared at Lu Lihai and asked. Before Lu Lihai could respond, he coldly added, “Do whatever you want. Since you don’t want me as your son, I don’t want to be in your way anymore.”

Upon hearing Lu Youxi’s words, Lu Lihai collapsed into his chair, as if he had aged several years in an instant.

Lu Youxi didn’t want to stay there any longer. As he turned to leave, he saw Lu Youze at the door.

He paused for a moment, then gave a self-mocking smile, “Lu Youze, congratulations. You’ve won.”

With that, he left without looking back.

“Youxi,” Lu Youze reached out and grabbed Lu Youxi. “Don’t leave yet.”

When there’s a misunderstanding or conflict, it has to be resolved immediately. Letting it linger would only make things worse. This was something Lu Youze had learned over the years of working in the entertainment industry. Besides, he couldn’t just let Lu Youxi leave. He still didn’t know the full nature of the relationship between Youxi and Yu Li. If it was the same as in the novel, wasn’t this just pushing him closer to Yu Li?

“Let go of me!” Lu Youxi, still angry, said coldly, with a hint of fury. He tried to shake off Lu Youze’s hand, but Lu Youze gripped him tighter. After several failed attempts to break free, Lu Youxi could only glare at him in frustration and anger.

Seeing that Lu Youze didn’t let go of Lu Youxi, Lu Lihai visibly sighed with relief.

“Dad, what’s going on between you and Youxi?” Lu Youze asked, his expression turning serious. “Why are you two fighting so badly, to the point of severing your father-son relationship? Even if you’re angry, you shouldn’t say such things.”

Lu Lihai turned his head away, silent with anger. Seeing his reaction, Lu Youxi’s expression became even colder.

Lu Youze was truly baffled by this father-son duo. They clearly weren’t without feelings for each other, so why did they have to make their relationship so strained?

Seeing them like this, Lu Youze didn’t expect them to tell him the truth. Instead, he turned his attention to Uncle Lu.

“Uncle Lu, please tell me.”

Uncle Lu glanced at the still-sulking Lu Lihai, sighed helplessly, and said, “The second young master wants to be like you.”

Uncle Lu didn’t state it outright, and at first, Lu Youze didn’t get it. But soon, he understood.

After Uncle Lu explained the situation, Lu Youxi’s body stiffened slightly. He had been subtly watching Lu Youze’s reaction with his peripheral vision.

“Hmph.” As if afraid that Lu Youze would say something harsh, Lu Youxi spoke first. He looked at Lu Youze coldly and said, “Lu Youze, you think I’m not good enough, don’t you? Let me tell you, whether I’m good enough or not is not for you to decide. Look at you now, what qualifications do you have to say that I’m not good enough?”

Lu Youxi deliberately hit Lu Youze’s sore spot. But Lu Youze wasn’t angry. In fact, he thought his younger brother was being a bit pretentious.

The entertainment industry was a competitive arena. Anyone could get in, but success depended on one’s own abilities. There was no such thing as being good enough or not. Lu Youxi had an advantage in looks. Besides, Youxi wanting to be an actor was far better than him wanting to be a CEO and occasionally stabbing him in the back like in the novel.

But Lu Lihai’s strong opposition must have its reasons, and now, Lu Youze’s task was to figure out what those reasons were.

Hearing Lu Youxi’s words, Lu Lihai wanted to say something, but in the end, he chose to remain silent.

“I don’t think you’re not good enough. If this was something I said before I lost my memory, then please forget it,” Lu Youze said seriously and sincerely. “Youxi, why do you want to join the entertainment industry? Do you want to be an actor or a singer?”

Lu Youxi didn’t expect this kind of response from Lu Youze. His cold eyes showed a look of disbelief. He was reluctant to answer Lu Youze’s question, but Lu Youze’s gaze told him that if he didn’t answer, Lu Youze would keep staring at him.

Lu Youxi stepped back, gritted his teeth, and reluctantly said, “I just want to be a good actor.”

“Well, that’s great!” Lu Youze smiled upon hearing this. “I just got a new project today, and the cast hasn’t been finalized yet. I saw a role in the script that suits you perfectly. But Youxi, being an actor isn’t easy. Later, let’s go back and try some lines. If you’re suitable, I’ll talk to the production team.”

Lu Youxi never expected to hear these words from Lu Youze.

“Lu Youze!” Lu Lihai’s furious voice almost shattered the entire study. He stood up, glaring at his eldest son in anger. “You two brothers must have made a pact to drive me to my grave today, right? You want to make me so angry that I end up in the hospital, right? You lost your memory and forgot everything, but let me tell you, your stupid brother wants to join the entertainment industry for a real reason. Also, who allowed you to take on more roles? Don’t you know your current situation? Moreover, you’ve got a burden inside you.”

As expected, as soon as Lu Lihai finished speaking, his anger shifted to Lu Youze. His reaction confirmed what Lu Youze had suspected earlier.

Whether it’s the way Uncle Lu and the others treat Lu Youxi or the reason why Lu Lihai opposes Lu Youze entering the entertainment industry, everything seems to be related to him.

Lu Youze had a strong feeling that if this matter could be handled well, not only could it ease the relationship between Lu Lihai and Lu Youxi, but it could also increase Lu Youxi’s favor towards him.

“Dad,” Lu Youze said seriously as he looked at Lu Lihai. “From the way everyone is acting, it seems these are things that will make everyone unhappy. Since I’ve already forgotten, why should I be reminded of it again?”

“You!” Lu Lihai was momentarily at a loss for words. Finally, he shook his hand and turned his body away, standing his ground, “Fine, I won’t bring up the past. But…”

“Why not bring it up?” Lu Youxi’s sarcastic and cold voice cut in at the wrong time. He had freed himself from Lu Youze’s grasp when Lu Youze was speaking to Lu Lihai, and now stood two steps away from him, arms crossed, watching the scene like it had nothing to do with him. “I still want to hear how you see me as a crazy person.”

Lu Youze frowned. This was the second time he had heard Lu Youxi mention the word “crazy,” and each time, his expression carried some self-mockery. What was going on between father and son?

“You, you, you—” Lu Lihai kept repeating the word “you,” and his fingers trembled with anger. “Get out, get out of here!”

Lu Youze was worried that Lu Lihai might really have a breakdown, so he quickly ran forward, placing his hand on his father’s chest to help calm him down. “Dad, calm down. I’ll talk to Youxi properly.”

Saying that, he went up to Lu Youxi and pulled him out of the room. Before closing the door, he gave Uncle Lu a look, and the latter nodded in understanding.