Volume One, Chapter 28: Old Man, Tone It Down!

After Elder Lu finished speaking, the silence in the room was so profound one could hear a pin drop.

Lu Miao stared at the man striding into the room, her mind momentarily blank.

The others present were also sizing up Fu Shiyue with astonishment.

"He certainly looks the part, though he seems quite a bit older than Lu Miao. Hmph, Lu Miao has such unique taste—does she have a thing for older men?"

The relatives, each harboring their own agendas, began whispering among themselves. Some were resentful, others mocking, while some were simply stunned.

"I think Miao's boyfriend is quite handsome. He’s tall and upright—he looked just like a model walking in. He has such an excellent demeanor. What does he do for a living?"

Someone scoffed, "Could he be a butcher? Look at his eyes; they carry quite a murderous glint."

"Are you crazy? Someone this handsome as a butcher? That would be a complete waste of talent. With his looks and physique, he could sit anywhere and have countless wealthy women fighting over him."

The man’s eyes were aggressive, though he deliberately masked the underlying menace in his aura. He was dressed in dark colors—somber, low-key, and restrained—with an air of mystery and asceticism.

"Hmph, I don't think much of him." The second aunt spoke with disdain, voicing her sarcasm. "A pretty face is useless. I’ve seen plenty of his type—they just swindle young girls. He’s probably just after the Lu family fortune."

Lu Guoxun, holding his teacup, issued a well-intentioned warning: "Sister-in-law, if you're ignorant of the world, keep your mouth shut. Don't blame me if your family's project gets shut down."

"Oh? Does he have that kind of power?"

Lu Guoxun chuckled, saying lightly, "Isn't there a batch of materials held up at your husband's construction site? It just so happens that the chief inspector is his aunt."

The second aunt froze for a moment before the realization hit. She looked at Fu Shiyue in disbelief. "What did you say?! You mean he is..."

"Right, I forgot to introduce him." Elder Lu stepped in, gesturing toward Fu Shiyue as he introduced him to everyone. "He is the eldest grandson most highly regarded by Director Fu of the Beijing Fu family."

The room collectively gasped. The Beijing Fu family? Weren't they the preeminent power in both business and politics? Looking at his understated attire, they never expected him to hail from such a prestigious lineage.

"You’ve heard of the Fu family, but you likely don't know him," the elder said, his face glowing with pride. "He is the youngest commander in history, decorated with the highest honors in the Air, Land, and Sea elite special forces."

Everyone held their breath, looking at Fu Shiyue in sheer shock.

The legendary, formidable Commander Fu—it was him?!

They had encountered many wealthy elites and powerful figures, but mostly within the middle-class spectrum. This was their first time sitting at the same table as a top-tier figure of national renown! And they owed it all to Lu Miao.

The second aunt felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.

Lu Guoxun glanced at the second branch of the family and sneered, "Truly, a wild boar knows nothing of the value of fine bran."

Blind as bats.

The second branch, insulted as boars, looked as though they had just swallowed a fly.

The elder greeted him warmly, "Shiyue, sit down, please. I specifically saved a seat for you next to Miao."

"You are too kind, Elder Lu." Fu Shiyue didn't look at anyone else, but his attitude toward the elder was extremely humble.

He glanced at Lu Miao beside him, the corners of his mouth curling up inadvertently.

Lu Miao’s ears turned pink, and she lowered her head, pretending to sip her red wine. However, as the man sat down, his arm brushed against her elbow, and she shuddered as if struck by electricity.

As the wine sloshed in her glass, Fu Shiyue quickly caught her wrist, steadying the tipping glass. "Be careful."

His deep, calm voice resonated beside her ear. Lu Miao blushed as the man’s palm held her fingers, taking the glass from her hand.

A few drops had spilled, landing on Lu Miao's white knit sweater, a stark red stain.

"Miao, why are you so careless? Go and wipe it off," the elder said with concern.

The butler immediately brought a towel, and Fu Shiyue took it quite naturally. "I'll handle it."

The man leaned over, his imposing aura retracted, and carefully wiped the wine stain from her sweater. It was as if he had done this for her countless times—natural and attentive. His gentle care for her was the envy of everyone present.

Lu Miao’s cheeks burned. She let out a small huff; the man was doing this on purpose. But with so many people watching, she didn't resist.

She quietly studied his profile, illuminated by the lights. She had known this man for only a few days; she only knew his surname was Fu, that he had served in the military, hung out with her uncle, and had some family wealth. Other than that, she hadn't thought much about it, nor did she care about his background.

Only now, after her grandfather’s detailed introduction, did she realize his status was so formidable.

Lu Miao mused to herself: she had truly outdone herself. The hidden prince of the Beijing social circle was being bossed around by her, even serving her tea and water.

But so what? She wasn't Lu Qingcheng, whose eyes had been glued to this man ever since he appeared. Lu Qingcheng gazed longingly at Fu Shiyue, yet couldn't earn a single glance in return.

"Why are you here?" Lu Miao asked in a low voice.

She had a small damp patch below her chest, in a rather awkward spot. The man, his expression unruffled, carefully avoided her sensitive areas. "After you left the house, your grandfather called me."

After ending the call with Lu Guoxun, the elder had immediately sought out Fu Shiyue’s contact information to invite him to dinner. Fu Shiyue had initially been weighing whether coming to the Lu residence so abruptly would be good or bad. Once the elder mentioned that Lu Miao would be there, he had agreed immediately.

Lu Miao frowned unhappily. "Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

"I called you, but you told me not to bother you."

Lu Miao bit her lip, embarrassed. Fu Shiyue tossed the towel aside and pinched her cute, dainty nose. "Three strikes, and that's it. Next time you hang up on me, I’m coming to drag you away myself."

Lu Miao wasn't afraid of his warning. He said "three strikes," but he had indeed called her three times. She hadn't answered the first two, and by the third, she had been annoyed enough to yell at him and hang up.

Lu Miao slapped his hand away, her tone spoiled. "Can you be more restrained with my family here!"

Elder Lu laughed heartily. "Young people have such energy. This display of affection is enough to make an old man like me blush. Alright, enough commotion—everyone, let's start eating."

The Lu family banquet began. As soon as Fu Shiyue sat down, the atmosphere at the table shifted. It was so quiet that no one made a sound, everyone curiously sizing him up. Those who had mocked Lu Miao earlier were still feeling quite resentful.

Someone tried to stir up trouble. "Sister-in-law, weren't we just talking about Qingcheng's boyfriend? Since Miao's boyfriend is here tonight, why not have Qingcheng invite the young master of the Ling family? It would be a double celebration, right?"

Everyone snickered. A double celebration? Invite him over just to be humiliated?

Lu Qingcheng was furious. How could Lu Miao possibly have hooked a man like Fu Shiyue!

Knowing her daughter was unhappy, the eldest aunt patted Lu Qingcheng's leg under the table to signal her to keep her composure. She smiled at everyone, unfazed. "How can we call someone over now that we've already started eating? It wouldn't be proper etiquette. Let's do it another time."

Ginger is indeed spicier when old; she smoothed things over just like that.

"Today's braised pork is tender and not greasy at all," the eldest aunt said, standing up to pick up a piece. "Miao, here, have the best piece."

Before Lu Miao could refuse, a piece of greasy braised pork landed in her bowl. Lu Miao’s brows knit together. This was "not greasy"? It was the fattest piece in the bowl.

Lu Qingcheng watched Lu Miao with a smug expression. *Hah, trying to mess with me?* If she didn't eat it, it would be seen as disrespecting the eldest aunt.

Lu Miao relaxed her brows, picked up the meat, and with a "plop," dropped it into Fu Shiyue’s bowl.

Fu Shiyue, who had been conversing with Elder Lu, was surprised by the sudden addition of fatty meat to his bowl. His brow twitched; he stopped talking and turned to the young woman beside him.

She winked at him playfully. "This is the eldest aunt's kind intention. You have to finish it, okay?"