Chapter 11: A Different Attitude

Lu Hongyu returned to his room to rest, tossing his suit jacket aside. Ajiu brought him a cup of sobering tea, and he chuckled softly a few times.

Lu Hongyu looked at Ajiu, who seemed almost foolish with his constant cheerful smile. Sometimes, he just couldn’t understand why Ajiu was always so carefree.

“Did you take care of what I asked?” Lu Hongyu asked coldly.

“Young master, how could I ever slack off on your orders?” Ajiu patted his chest confidently. “You can rest assured that I’ve handled everything.”

Lu Hongyu truly trusted Ajiu. Over the years, Ajiu had been by his side, unwaveringly loyal. Ajiu was willing to sacrifice himself for Lu Hongyu, truly seeing him as a lifesaver.

“The old man is very anxious about that batch of goods. We must keep a close eye on it,” Lu Hongyu reminded in a low voice.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll oversee the entire shipment process,” Ajiu nodded.

“Hm,” Lu Hongyu replied lightly.

“By the way, the second young master still wants to poach Wei An’s business, but I heard General Ding refused him,” Ajiu reported seriously, keeping a close watch on Lu Sui’s activities.

Since childhood, Lu Hongyu and Lu Sui had secretly competed over many things, with Lu Sui usually losing. Occasionally, when Lu Hongyu secretly withheld efforts, Lu Sui fancied himself as having surpassed him.

“Lu Sui is still naive,” Lu Hongyu said, lighting a cigarette and exhaling gently.

“Yeah, the second young man wears his thoughts on his face. I think he just came out of the old man’s room,” Ajiu added, which reminded Lu Hongyu to check the time on the wall.

If Lu Sui was visiting Lu Yanfeng late at night, it must be something important. Lu Hongyu suspected it wasn’t good news—perhaps a complaint.

“What’s that kid been busy with lately?” Lu Hongyu asked irritably.

“Lu Sui is still as carefree as ever. But Yi Wei is very attentive to the business Lu Sui manages; she supervises every step personally,” Ajiu said as he lounged on the sofa, crossing his legs and resting his hands behind his head.

“Yi Wei?” A flicker of coldness passed through Lu Hongyu’s eyes.

“Yeah, do you think Yi Wei is blind, falling for Lu Sui? She’s so capable; how could she love a second-generation heir?” Ajiu puzzled, shaking his head helplessly.

Yi Wei was one of the most capable young members of the Yi family and the most cherished granddaughter of the family’s eldest son.

Yi Wei’s talents far outmatched Lu Sui’s; it was a widely acknowledged fact.

“Lu Sui saved her when they were young, so she fell for him,” Lu Hongyu said coldly.

“Well, that’s true. Hero saving a beauty is quite romantic,” Ajiu shrugged.

“Yi Wei isn’t a fool…” Lu Hongyu shook his head. He never thought of Yi Wei as naive.

“True, Yi Wei easily controls Lu Sui—she’s basically controlling his business,” Ajiu smiled. “That woman looks innocent but has a lot of scheming behind the scenes.”

Lu Hongyu said nothing, his mind lingering on Ajiu’s words, conjuring an image of innocence.

Ning Lu appeared young and pure, but Lu Hongyu didn’t believe she was so simple.

That night, Ning Lu slept poorly, waking up with soreness in her body. Bruises had appeared between her legs, making walking slightly painful.

A servant knocked, reminding Ning Lu to have breakfast. Lu Yanfeng was already waiting on the terrace.

Ning Lu hurriedly got ready and stepped out in a white dress.

From afar, she saw Lu Yanfeng sitting on the terrace eating breakfast, reading the newspaper, with the butler standing nearby brewing tea.

Seeing Lu Yanfeng alone eased some of her unease.

“Uncle Feng,” Ning Lu called out obediently.

Lu Yanfeng looked up from the newspaper at Ning Lu’s sweet, smiling face, softening his heart.

“Sit down,” Lu Yanfeng said, putting the paper aside and pulling out a chair for her.

“Thank you,” Ning Lu said with a smile as she sat.

The servant brought breakfast and a cup of warm milk, the subtle aroma filling the air.

Ning Lu ate a soup dumpling; the juicy filling made her want another bite.

“Delicious?” Lu Yanfeng asked, noticing her taking two bites.

“Delicious,” Ning Lu nodded. “It’s the best soup dumpling I’ve ever had.”

“I specially had a chef fly here to make these. He’s inherited the craft from his father; their family’s restaurant has been a century-old establishment,” Lu Yanfeng said with a warm smile.

Ning Lu blinked, realizing the Lu family was even wealthier and more powerful than she had imagined. They even hired specialists for soup dumplings—a life she never dared to dream of.

“Dad!” a male voice interrupted her thoughts.

Ning Lu looked up slowly and saw Lu Sui pulling out a chair opposite her.

Lu Sui glanced at Ning Lu with a look of disdain, surveying her from head to toe.

“What are you doing sitting here?” Lu Yanfeng asked Lu Sui with a hint of displeasure.

“I’m having breakfast,” Lu Sui replied quietly, suppressing his irritation.

“Didn’t you see I’m with Ning Lu?”

Lu Yanfeng’s words nearly infuriated Lu Sui, who was already angered just looking at Ning Lu.

“I need to talk to you about business...” Lu Sui turned to Ning Lu, adding, “This can’t be overheard by outsiders.”

He deliberately excluded Ning Lu by emphasizing she was an outsider.

“Ning Lu is not an outsider,” Lu Yanfeng interrupted.

Lu Sui stared wide-eyed at his father, frowning. This woman had only been here a few days and was already not considered an outsider.

Recalling Yi Wei’s advice not to clash with Lu Yanfeng, Lu Sui forced down his anger.

“I want to talk business with you. Ning Lu won’t understand...” he offered as an excuse.

“She can listen to her own business. What’s the problem?” Lu Yanfeng said irritably.

Lu Sui was surprised again by Lu Yanfeng’s attitude toward Ning Lu. He sensed something was off.

Lu Yanfeng had never brought women home before, and now not only did he bring Ning Lu back, but he also claimed she wasn’t an outsider.

Lu Sui began to suspect Ning Lu had bewitched his father or drugged him somehow.

Ning Lu could tell Lu Sui disliked her, but she wasn’t shameless—if he didn’t want to listen, she wouldn’t force it.

“I’ve eaten enough,” Ning Lu smiled at Lu Yanfeng. “I want to go upstairs and read a book.”

Lu Yanfeng gave Lu Sui a cold look, then turned to Ning Lu with a softer expression.

“Then have someone bring the books here. The weather’s nice today; you can read and have coffee out here,” Lu Yanfeng said gently, instructing the butler to bring some newly released books.

Lu Sui felt the unfairness keenly, clenching his spoon tightly.

Who, after all, was truly Lu Yanfeng’s own child?