Chapter 14: It Turns Out She Did It

For several consecutive days, Lu Yanfeng left early and returned late. Each time he came home, he noticed a thermos cup placed on the table.

Lu Yanfeng saw that it contained stewed snow pears, and gradually his sore throat began to improve.

Today, Lu Yanfeng returned home earlier than usual. As soon as he stepped inside and glanced around, the living room was empty.

“Where is Ning Lu?” Lu Yanfeng paused and turned his head to look at the butler behind him.

“Miss Ning might be resting in her room,” the butler replied hesitantly. He was not particularly concerned about Ning Lu and was a little surprised when the old master asked about her.

“Go check where she is,” Lu Yanfeng said calmly.

“Yes, sir!” The butler gave a meaningful look to one of the servants, signaling him to hurry and find her.

Lu Yanfeng sat on the sofa, waiting for news. He lowered his head to reply to work emails, his brows furrowing slightly.

At that moment, Ning Lu was busy in the kitchen. With practiced hands, she peeled and cut the snow pears into pieces.

Sister Yu passed by the kitchen, noticed Ning Lu there, and quickly came in, grabbing her arm.

“The master is looking for you,” Sister Yu said hurriedly.

“Hmm? Uncle Feng is back?” Ning Lu calmly turned off the stove, her expression composed.

“Yes, you should go to the living room,” Sister Yu nodded.

“All right,” Ning Lu replied but continued with her task.

She wiped the water droplets from the stew pot and carefully placed it on the tray.

A flicker of something unusual appeared in Sister Yu’s eyes as she realized that Ning Lu had been stewing the snow pears these past few days not for herself, but for Lu Yanfeng.

Ning Lu walked out of the living room slowly, her face calm, ignoring the glances cast her way.

The sound of international news played quietly on the television in the living room, while the butler reported the recent household matters to Lu Yanfeng in great detail.

Lu Yanfeng occasionally offered a few comments. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a figure appearing in the hallway.

He turned to look and saw Ning Lu dressed in pale white loungewear, her hair tied in a ponytail, radiating youthful vitality.

A trace of something unusual flashed in Lu Yanfeng’s eyes. He couldn’t tear his gaze away; the more he looked, the more Ning Lu resembled the person he had in mind.

“Uncle Feng,” Ning Lu called out obediently as she gently placed the tray on the coffee table.

“What’s this?” Lu Yanfeng asked curiously, glancing at the stew pot.

“Stewed snow pears,” Ning Lu said softly, reaching out to lift the lid.

A sweet fragrance wafted up, surrounding them. Lu Yanfeng recognized the familiar scent of stewed snow pears.

He recalled how every day when he returned to his room, there was a pot of stewed snow pears waiting for him. He had thought the servants made it, never expecting Ning Lu herself was the one cooking.

“You made this?” Lu Yanfeng asked in surprise.

“Yes. I heard that with the seasonal change, you’ve been coughing a bit. I remembered that stewed snow pears can soothe the throat...” Ning Lu explained, handing him a gold-rimmed spoon.

“Your cooking skills are excellent,” Lu Yanfeng said with a slight smile as he took the spoon.

“In the past, when the seasons changed and family members occasionally coughed, I would prepare stewed snow pears for them,” Ning Lu added, her eyes sparkling with a gentle smile, her tone softening.

“I didn’t know you were so talented!” Lu Yanfeng said, taking a bite, his lips curving upwards.

Having experienced countless storms and with enough wealth to buy an entire pear orchard, Lu Yanfeng was the type to dare meddle only if it was Ning Lu’s own handiwork.

Delicious stewed snow pears required great effort—not only the finest pears but also precise control over heat and water quantity.

“Eat more,” Ning Lu said softly.

A warmth passed through Lu Yanfeng’s chest as he looked at Ning Lu’s obedient and considerate demeanor.

Thinking of those two rascals upstairs, Lu Yanfeng felt a bit irked.

Someone came down from upstairs and witnessed the scene. Lu Sui watched Lu Yanfeng and Ning Lu chatting and laughing together, an inexplicable irritation rising within him.

He deliberately made noise, his footsteps heavy, and coughed loudly on purpose.

Lu Sui’s arrival interrupted the conversation between Lu Yanfeng and Ning Lu.

“Dad, you’re home so early today?” Lu Sui plopped down beside Lu Yanfeng without even glancing at Ning Lu.

Ning Lu sensed Lu Sui’s exclusion of her, yet remained calm and composed, sitting there unperturbed.

“Did you finish the task I assigned you?” Lu Yanfeng asked with displeasure.

Several matters flashed through Lu Sui’s mind, but he couldn’t tell which one his father referred to.

“I’m handling it...” Lu Sui shrugged, “Aren’t you still worried?”

“Do you think I can trust you with the task?” Lu Yanfeng retorted with a raised lip, skepticism in his eyes.

“Don’t forget last time with Lu Hongyu’s mess—it was me who cleaned it up. Without me, he would’ve been arrested long ago.”

Lu Sui couldn’t help but complain, subtly putting down Lu Hongyu.

As he spoke, Lu Sui observed Ning Lu’s expression, curious about her reaction to Lu Hongyu.

Ning Lu remained composed, as if she hadn’t heard a thing. Upon hearing the name Lu Hongyu, no subtle change appeared on her face.

“Isn’t Lu Hongyu’s mess enough for you to clean up?” Lu Yanfeng said, displeasing Lu Sui.

“So you’re saying you’re biased towards him?” Lu Sui muttered unhappily.

Lu Yanfeng was about to respond but, seeing Ning Lu sitting there, swallowed his words.

“Ning Lu, what do you want for dinner tonight? Crab or lobster?” Lu Yanfeng asked gently.

“I don’t mind. Let’s see what the second young master wants,” Ning Lu said, consciously deferring the choice to Lu Sui.

“Let him eat or not,” Lu Yanfeng said expressionlessly.

Ning Lu chuckled softly. She noticed how Lu Yanfeng sometimes looked down on Lu Sui, but since he was his son, no matter the complaints, he still cared deeply.

“What are you laughing at!” Lu Sui glared at Ning Lu.

“Nothing...” Ning Lu lowered her voice a little. “My parents passed away when I was young. Seeing you quarrel reminded me of a happy family. I envy that a bit.”

Her words softened Lu Yanfeng’s heart. He thought of how Ning Lu, without parents, was forced to grow up so mature at such a young age.

His affection for Ning Lu deepened; he always felt sorry for the hardships the young girl endured.

Lu Sui frowned, watching Ning Lu speak as if she were pitiful.

“From now on, just consider this your home,” Lu Yanfeng said earnestly to Ning Lu.

“Whose home?” A deep male voice interrupted their conversation.

A flicker of surprise passed through Ning Lu’s eyes, but she feigned calm and refrained from turning around.

Lu Sui’s lips curled into a mischievous smile upon seeing Lu Hongyu arrive.

“Dad wants Ning Lu to consider this her home...” Lu Sui looked up at Lu Hongyu. “You’ve even gained a stepmother—you’re quite lucky.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Lu Yanfeng shot Lu Sui a glare.

“My brother really likes his stepmother. Last time, the two of them went for a candlelit dinner. It’s the first time I’ve heard of my brother taking a woman out to eat,” Lu Sui said cheerfully, casting a meaningful glance at Lu Hongyu before shifting his gaze to Ning Lu.