Volume One, Chapter 19: A Kiss Upon Her Palm

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Lu Miao put down the soup spoon and curiously walked to the door, wondering who could be knocking so late. She opened the video intercom and saw Lu Guoxun standing outside. Alarm bells rang in her mind. Why was Lu Guoxun at her house?

Lu Miao thought about pretending she wasn’t home, but Lu Guoxun took out his phone and called her. The phone was on the shoe cabinet by the door, and the ringtone echoed through the quiet room and beyond the front door.

Frowning at the ringtone, Lu Guoxun knocked louder. “Lu Miao, I know you’re home. Open the door now!”

Lu Miao quickly hung up and stepped back two paces, clutching the phone. Suddenly, a sound came from behind her. She turned to see a man coming out of the room, wiping water droplets from his hands.

“The valve under the water pipe was broken. I fixed it temporarily with something; it’s still usable for now, but the part needs replacing...” Fu Shiyue hadn’t finished when Lu Miao dashed over to him and covered his mouth with her hand.

“Shh, don’t speak. My uncle’s here.”

His lips were suddenly covered by a small hand, and Fu Shiyue froze, lowering his gaze to Lu Miao’s nervous face. The girl’s hand was soft, carrying the sweet scent of lily of the valley. Lu Miao gripped tightly, staring at the door, while Fu Shiyue stared at her. His lips brushed against her palm.

His eyes darkened slightly as he gently pulled her hand away and said in a low voice, “He’s here. Why should I hide?”

Lu Miao rolled her eyes. “Look at the time. If Lu Guoxun sees me with a man this late, he’ll want to know his name, age, and address. He’d probably strip the guy naked to make him understand that a man being at my house at this hour would drive him crazy and send people to drag me back to the Lu family immediately.”

Fu Shiyue laughed and pulled her aside. “Then let me see how Lu Guoxun plans to strip my pants off.”

Fu Shiyue had guardianship over Lu Miao and lived at her house on legitimate grounds. Even without that, Lu Guoxun would have to bow respectfully when he saw him.

“Wait, where are you going?”

“To tell Lu Guoxun that you’re under my supervision now.”

Lu Miao grabbed his arm in panic. “Do you think he’ll believe that? If you go out now, he’ll see you as the man I’m messing around with!”

Fu Shiyue was stunned, shocked by the words that came from her mouth.

The knocking continued, and Lu Guoxun’s patience waned.

Lu Miao grabbed Fu Shiyue’s arm and pushed him into the room. “Stay in my room for a while. I’ll send him away before you come out.”

With that, she closed the door.

Fu Shiyue stopped by the door, raised an eyebrow, and chuckled lightly.

Fixing her water pipe was one thing, but being mistaken for her lover and hiding in a room? Ridiculous.

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He turned around and examined Lu Miao’s room.

The girl’s chamber smelled faintly sweet, dominated by white tones, pure and unspoiled.

In Fu Shiyue’s principles, things too clean were untouchable, something he wouldn’t dare to ruin.

Yet this pure haven was something he wanted to protect.

Lu Miao smoothed her skirt and paced to the door.

Lu Guoxun was still knocking and even threatened, “Lu Miao, I’ll count to three. If you don’t open the door, I’ll tell your grandfather about your misbehavior at school...”

The door swung open with a “whoosh,” nearly hitting Lu Guoxun’s face.

“Uncle?!” Lu Miao feigned surprise. “What brings you here?”

Lu Guoxun was still startled.

Lu Miao quickly apologized, “Sorry, I was sleeping in my room and didn’t hear you knock.”

Though he knew she was deliberately not answering, Lu Guoxun had no temper to vent.

He entered with a dark expression and pointed to the tea table. “You weren’t sleeping. The food is still steaming.”

Lu Miao smiled wryly. “I only ate a few bites before I got sleepy.”

“Stop eating takeout! Those junk foods aren’t clean!”

Lu Miao thought to herself, that wasn’t takeout, and replied casually, “Okay, got it.”

Lu Guoxun sat down and noticed a paper bag on the couch that seemed to contain men’s clothes. His face immediately darkened.

“Miao Miao, why are there men’s clothes here? Did you bring a man home?”

Lu Miao’s mind went blank as she hurriedly tossed the bag aside. “These are things Lu Yan needs for his business trip. His assistant sent them over.”

She then poured a glass of water for Lu Guoxun. “Uncle, why are you visiting so late?”

Frowning, Lu Guoxun looked at her seriously. “Lu Yan went abroad and left you alone, neglecting his duty to care for you. You’re associating with some unsavory people.”

Lu Miao was stunned, not quite catching his meaning.

Lu Guoxun’s tone softened as he said earnestly, “Miao Miao, if you’re short on pocket money, just tell me. A girl should be more cautious and not do anything that lowers her dignity.”

His words were gentle, meant to spare her feelings.

Lu Miao was confused. “What did I do that made you think I lowered myself?”

Lu Guoxun’s face darkened as he called her bluff. “I heard from Qingcheng that you’re involved with a much older man.”

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Oh, so that was it. It turned out Lu Qingcheng had exaggerated and tattled to Lu Guoxun.

“Miao Miao, I don’t oppose you dating, but at least find someone your own age. Those men just use money to trick young girls. If you need money, tell me. Being with such a man will only make you suffer.”

Lu Miao laughed. “Uncle, don’t you know Lu Qingcheng’s personality by now? I just said hello to an old man from the neighborhood, and she accused me of having a father complex.”

How could she say such things about her own daughter in front of her real father?

Lu Guoxun cleared his throat. “So you mean you have no relationship with that man?”

“Of course not!”

Lu Miao feared he wouldn’t believe her. “He’s so old and ugly, like a French pot-bellied pig. How could I possibly like him?”

The man insulted as a pot-bellied pig was expressionless, nearly opening the door to prove just how old and ugly he was.

Now Lu Guoxun believed her, since Lu Miao had high standards for looks.

He nodded. “Good if it’s nothing serious. Pack up. I’m taking you home tonight.”

Lu Miao’s brow twitched. “Uncle, are you serious? I’m fine here. Why should I go back?”

“Lu Yan left you alone abroad irresponsibly. Why are you still following him? Pack up and come back with me to the Lu family.”

When Lu Yan gained custody of Lu Miao, he signed an agreement with Lu Guoxun to stay by her side and care for her until she was twenty.

Since Lu Yan breached the contract, Lu Guoxun intended to take Lu Miao back.

Lu Miao stubbornly refused. “I’m not going back. This is my home!”

No one in the Lu family liked her except her grandfather. She didn’t want to go back and be despised.

“If you won’t come with me, I’ll stay here with you.”

“What?!” Lu Miao thought he’d lost his mind. “Uncle, you have a home. Why stay here with me?”

“I’m worried about you being alone. When you change your mind, I’ll take you home.”

Was he planning to camp out here indefinitely?

Lu Miao couldn’t get rid of him and felt exasperated. “Fine, you just sit here. I’m going back to my room to sleep!”

She got up and returned to her room, leaving Lu Guoxun fuming.

Lu Miao closed the door and looked at the man before her, pouting in grievance.