Chapter 37: He Is Unwilling

Lu Mu's gaze fell on the hand Lu Jingqing was holding Su Yun Jiao's.

She didn't expect Lu Jingqing and Su Yun Jiao's relationship to be this good.

"Son, how did you just fall down the stairs for no reason? Did someone push you on purpose?"

Lu Mu's words, both overt and implied, were all about Lu Jingqing.

She never liked Lu Jingqing, and now, under everyone's gaze, she was all the more eager to smear his character.

What kind of good person would push his own younger brother down the stairs?

By then Lu Jingqing's reputation in Hai Cheng will be ruined—how will he ever hold his head up in this circle?

Seeing Lu Mu so anxiously slandering Lu Jingqing in front of everyone, Su Yun Jiao immediately said, "Lu Chi, how did you just tumble down the stairs for no reason? Jingqing-ge and I both failed to catch you."

Seeing Su Yun Jiao speak up for Lu Jingqing, Lu Chi's face grew darker and darker.

"Yanjiao, did you really see Lu Chi tumble down the stairs by himself?"

Lu Mu furrowed her brows.

No one knows her own son better than she does.

Lu Chi has lived in this house for over ten years—how could he possibly tumble out of his own home?

"Yeah, I saw it with my own eyes."

"It's just a fall down the stairs—no need to make a fuss. Let the family doctor look at Lu Chi later."

Seeing Lu Jingqing say it so lightly,

Lu Mu then turned her gaze to her own son: "Son, did you really tumble down the stairs? Don't be afraid, Mom will make things right for you."

Lu Chi glanced at Lu Jingqing, then at Su Yun Jiao.

In front of all these guests, would he really have to publicly admit that a grown man like him was pushed down the stairs?

Lu Chi's face cold, he said, "I was just careless, that's why I tumbled down the stairs."

Seeing Lu Chi admit it was his own fall, Lu Mu had no reason to blame Lu Jingqing.

She felt a surge of anger stuck in her chest, unable to vent, her face flushing red.

Seeing this, Su Yun Jiao secretly smiled.

Letting this old woman get worked up is actually fine.

So she won't keep putting her mind on improper things.

Lu Jingqing beside her glanced at his watch and said, "Let's leave it at that for today; we have things at home, so we won't stay longer."

Seeing Lu Jingqing intend to take Su Yun Jiao away,

Lu Mu immediately found an excuse: "We're all family, it's already so late—why not stay here? I've already had Su Yun Jiao's room prepared; she grew up in the Lu household, and these past few days she's been staying outside, I'm worried she won't be used to it."

Lu Mu deliberately raised her voice so that everyone around would know Su Yun Jiao had lived in the Lu household since childhood.

Those who came today were all upper‑society ladies and gentlemen, plus many business magnates.

Her purpose in doing this was also to indirectly tell these people that Su Yun Jiao is the Lu family's future daughter‑in‑law.

To keep ill‑intentioned people from having designs on Su Yun Jiao.

Hearing Lu Mu say that, Su Yun Jiao's brows knotted.

She knew Lu Mu had no good intention of letting her go back.

For this birthday banquet, Lu Mu probably just wanted everyone to recall the Lu‑Su marriage pact from years ago.

With Su Yun Jiao's coming‑of‑age ceremony imminent,

Lu Mu could then naturally announce their engagement.

This old witch is really cunning.

"No need—Su Yun Jiao was little when she was raised in the Lu household; now she's about to come of age, so there's no reason for her to keep living there. I've already bought her a place, so you won't have to bother, Lady Lu."

"How could that be? Su Yun Jiao is the Lu family's future daughter‑in‑law; naturally I should be the one to look after her."

Lu Mu took the responsibility upon herself.

At the same time, she publicly announced Su Yun Jiao's status.

How could anyone not know what Lu Mu is thinking?

She merely wants to warn them.

Su Yun Jiao belongs to the Lu family, including the astronomical inheritance behind her.

"Lady Lu, you're joking—the Lu‑Su marriage pact was over ten years ago; we're not in the old era anymore, marriage advocates freedom, and we should also respect Su Yun Jiao and Lu Chi's wishes."

Having said that, Lu Jingqing's gaze fell on Lu Chi: "Lu Chi, what do you think?"

Su Yun Jiao immediately looked at Lu Chi.

Lu Chi surely doesn't want to get engaged to her—he likes Qin Xue, not himself.

Lu Mu, however, disagreed, saying: "Lu Chi has liked Su Yun Jiao since childhood; they get along perfectly, and an engagement would be even better."

Before Lu Mu could finish, Lu Chi said, "I don't want to."

That single "I don't want to" left Lu Mu stunned.

She could hardly believe what she had heard.

"Unwilling?"

"Lu Chi! What nonsense are you spouting? Haven't you always liked Su Yun Jiao?"

Lu Mu lowered her voice and gave Lu Chi a warning look.

She had finally managed to rope in this money‑tree Su Yun Jiao.

And it was all ruined by Lu Chi's single sentence!

"Lady Lu, Lu Chi has already said that—what about this engagement…"

Before Lu Jingqing could finish speaking, Lu Mu immediately put on a smile and said, "It's just kids throwing a tantrum; you two clearly had an argument—don't you have other things to do? Let's go."

Lu Mu was afraid that Lu Jingqing would cancel the engagement between the Su and Lu families today.

So she eagerly had Lu Jingqing take Su Yun Jiao and leave first.

With so many important figures here today, she didn't want Lu Chi and Su Yun Jiao's broken engagement to become tomorrow's tea-time gossip.

After all, when such rumors spread widely, they easily turn into fact.

"Jiao Jiao, let's go."

Lu Jingqing took Su Yun Jiao's hand and walked outside.

Su Yun Jiao didn't expect Lu Jingqing to be able to hit Lu Mu's sore spot so precisely.

A few words were enough to win her over; otherwise Lu Mu would certainly not have let her go so easily today.

Meanwhile, outside the Lu residence—

The driver had already dropped off Liu Ban's classmates and Qin Xue.

Because many people came today, the Lu family's courtyard was full of cars worth tens of millions.

Qin Xue had never been to Lu Chi's home before.

I never expected Lu Chi's home to be so huge.

"Quick! Someone's coming."

One of the Liu Ban boys was a bit shy; they were all ordinary kids who had never seen any important figures.

For a moment, several people hid in the corner like thieves.

Lu Jingqing emerged holding Su Yun Jiao's hand; she wore a white strapless dress, stunning beyond words.

"Heavens, she's so beautiful—who is she? How could she be in Lu Chi's house?"