Recently, Luo Yao had noticed some changes at home.
Although Lu Yunze had not been running out during the weekends for the past two weeks, for some reason, his smile had visibly changed ever since he started going out during the day and returning at night a few days ago.
While he still smiled at everyone he met, one could tell that the expression was forced, as if he were hiding some inner burden.
Luo Yao tried to ask him directly, but Lu Yunze obviously would not tell the truth.
In the past 6 months, the little secrets he had been keeping from her had been increasing.
‘I have a feeling that this isn’t good… Should I…’
Just as Luo Yao was thinking this, a servant walked over.
“Miss, the Old Master wants to see you.”
“Father?”
Luo Yao paused for a moment but immediately got up to head to the library.
Luo Tianyu worked away from home all year round; when he was back, he spent more time in the library than in the bedroom, and some even joked that he might as well put a bed in the library.
Arriving at the door, Luo Yao composed herself before knocking.
“Is that you, Yao’er?”
“It is.”
“Come in.”
As she pushed the door open, the library, which felt both familiar and strange, came into view.
This library had been with Luo Tianyu for over 10 years, and many of the books within it were long out of print and impossible to find on the market. During the Birthday Banquet that night, the library had been nearly burned down by Kong Yang; although it had been renovated at great cost, those lost books could never be replaced.
“Father, did you call for me?”
Luo Tianyu stood by the tea table and smiled when he saw his daughter.
“Yao’er, do you know how to play board games?”
“Go or Chess?”
“Go.”
“Then I know a little.”
Her childhood tutor had mostly spent time with her playing Go.
The father and daughter sat down across from each other, Luo Yao taking the white stones and Luo Tianyu the black.
The game began.
“How have you been feeling lately? Ever since you and Lu Yunze came home, I haven’t really paid attention to the two of you.”
“Everything is fine, Father,” Luo Yao nodded. “It’s just that Brother Lu has been… not coming home at night quite often lately.”
“Oh?”
Luo Tianyu’s lips curled up slightly.
“He wouldn’t be spending the night out with other women, would he?”
“That… I don’t think so.”
There was no air conditioning in the library, and combined with the complexity of the match, light beads of sweat began to form on Luo Yao’s forehead.
“If that were really happening, you wouldn’t be this calm.”
“Father…” Luo Yao blushed, feeling a bit annoyed.
“It is normal for young people to want to venture out.”
Luo Tianyu continued.
“Besides, I’ve said it before: Lu Yunze is no ordinary person.”
“Yes, I have kept that in mind.”
In the Luo Family, aside from Luo Tianyu, Luo Yao was the one who valued Lu Yunze the most.
“His reputation has been growing lately, and I occasionally hear his name when I talk to friends.”
“People have mentioned him at the tea parties I host as well.”
“Many people used to think he wasn’t good enough for you, but those voices will become fewer and fewer.”
“That is the strength Brother Lu should have.”
As she spoke, Luo Yao pondered for a moment before placing a white stone down.
“Don’t fall behind, or you will be left in the dust.”
“By then, it will be others saying you aren’t good enough for him.”
“Father, stop teasing me.”
Luo Yao pouted.
“Only someone like Second Brother would be willing to fall behind.”
As a representative of the younger generation of the Luo Family, she had never lowered her own standards.
The game began to spiral out of control, and Luo Yao’s expression grew grim.
When Luo Tianyu placed his final stone, the victory was decided.
Luo Yao let out a sigh of relief.
“You were chasing my stones the entire time,” Luo Tianyu chuckled. “As long as I set a trap, you would fall right into it.”
“You cannot just look at the surface of things; you must fathom the opponent’s intentions.”
“I understand, Father.”
Luo Yao cupped her hands and bowed her head.
Luo Tianyu’s tone suddenly turned cold.
“Now, answer me truthfully.”
“How far have things progressed between you and Lu Yunze?”
—
Meanwhile.
Jiang Sui had long noticed that Lu Yunze was in a bad mood.
He looked strong, but he was actually at his most fragile during times like this.
It was her best opportunity.
Only… how was she supposed to comfort him?
If she were to sneak into his bedroom like she had in the past, it would likely backfire.
Jiang Sui sought advice from the Black Cat.
“You are actually troubled by something like this?”
“Do you have any ideas, Senior?”
The Black Cat spoke casually while eating cat food:
“That is simple. Just head over when he is lying down and kiss him directly.”
Jiang Sui’s expression soured instantly.
“Senior, are you serious?”
“Have you not kissed yet?”
“No.”
“I thought you two had already progressed that far.”
“…Is there a more normal method?”
The Black Cat shrugged.
“I have no experience in dating.”
“So you are a single cat, then.”
“Don’t bring up the past.”
Helpless, Jiang Sui had to think of a way on her own.
At dinner, she told her mother about the situation.
Xia Youqing immediately brightened up.
“You should definitely ask me about this!”
“You?”
“I have the experience of being married!”
“Are you talking about the experience of being over 1 million in debt?”
“Ahem… that was an accident.”
“Get to the point.”
“It’s simple. Take him out somewhere.”
“Huh?”
“When a man has something on his mind, he won’t talk about it at home, but it is different when he is outside.”
“That is how your father was.”
“…Are you starting to tell your love story again?”
Jiang Sui was speechless.
However, she felt this method was decent enough.
And so—
The next day, she went to find Lu Yunze.
“Will you come out with me?”
Lu Yunze was stunned.
“Is something the matter?”
“No, can I not spend time with you?”
“…Day after tomorrow, I can.”
He had been practicing the piano lately and had a Piano Competition to attend.
“Alright, the day after tomorrow, then.”
“Yes.”
“I knew the Young Master wouldn’t refuse.”
Jiang Sui smiled sweetly.
“Can you leave now?”
“Are you actually chasing me away, Young Master?”
Lu Yunze was speechless.
“We are in the bathroom right now.”
He was taking a bath and had forgotten to bring his clothes inside.
As it turned out, the one who came to deliver them was Jiang Sui.
Through the glass door, she could see inside at any moment.
“I thought you might invite me in, Young Master.”
“How could that be!”
Lu Yunze was clearly flustered.
Jiang Sui left then.
But she did not truly go far.
After Lu Yunze came out, she was still lingering nearby.
Just then—
Luo Yao walked over as well.
“Brother Lu.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Come out with me the day after tomorrow.”
“…Huh?”
The air went silent instantly.
Jiang Sui and Lu Yunze were both stunned.