Chapter 33: Xie Wantang: Big Brother, you really don't need to PUA me like that

Lu Yanshen was alone; the dog-plaster-like Pei Xiao didn't follow.

Lu Yanshen approached the two, naturally patted Xie Wantang's shoulder, gesturing for her to sit inside and make room for him.

Xie Wantang didn't want to cooperate, but Lu Yanshen was thick-skinned, smiling at her shamelessly.

Xie Wantang didn't want to affect her mood.

Her mother is the inheritor of Xie Family Traditional Chinese Medicine, so she still knows a bit of medical common sense.

For example, during pregnancy one should maintain a good mindset and not constantly be angry.

Xie Wantang picked up the delicious food in front of her, stood up, and sat inside.

Lu Yanshen then placed her milk in front of her, and, taking the opportunity, sat in the seat she had just vacated, facing Lu Yanze.

"Big Brother, how do you have time to come here today?" Lu Yanshen said in a calm tone, listening carefully, even with a hint of flattery.

Xie Wantang most despised how Lu Yanshen had no temper at all in front of his elder brother Lu Yanze.

They are both members of the Lu Family, brothers by blood—why should Lu Yanze be the local emperor while Lu Yanshen has to fight for him and kowtow to him?

Just because Lu Yanze's health is poor?

Does being weak make one right?

"Last night I came home after overtime work, and Mother complained to me that you two have driven away all the servants and want to renovate the house; she meant for me to come persuade you."

Lu Yanze said this while, behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his pair of cold eyes scrutinized the two people before him, missing no detail.

Before Lu Yanshen could speak, Xie Wantang quickly swallowed the food in her mouth and replied, "If that's the case, then Big Brother, you don't need to persuade me—I'm the one who drove away the people, and I'm the one who wants to tear down the house."

Xie Wantang boldly took all the responsibility upon herself.

She knew Lu Yanshen didn't dare speak to his elder brother the way she did.

Lu Yanze withdrew his gaze from Lu Yanshen and placed it on Xie Wantang's face: "Xie Wantang, Big Brother still remembers the scene three years ago when you first married Yanshen; these three years, thanks to your care for Yanshen, he has been able to stand again."

"Big Brother wants to thank Yanshen through you; these three years we all feel you are sensible, tolerant, and aware of the bigger picture—you wouldn't cause trouble for Yanshen or the Lu Family. You should know Grandfather's health isn't good; if we break ground now……"

Lu Yanze didn't finish the rest of his words, leaving the couple to figure it out themselves.

"Big Brother." At the moment of being PUA'd, Xie Wantang lost her appetite; she put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth with a tissue, and spoke frankly: "You really don't need to PUA me like this—Grandma already agreed to let me break ground."

"If you and your mother-in-law really aren't willing, go tell Grandma; if she changes her mind, you need to act quickly—there's still time to stop it now."

Lu Yanze's face, which had just been soft, immediately changed when he heard Xie Wantang so bluntly tell him not to PUA her.

He struggled to keep control, otherwise he would have knocked over the coffee on the table.

"Yanshen, what's your opinion?" Lu Yanze turned to face Lu Yanshen; this time his voice was cold, hardly restraining his dissatisfaction.

Xie Wantang isn't stupid; she can tell, but she simply doesn't care about Lu Yanze's emotions.

She isn't Lu Yanze's mother or wife, so why should she have to curry favor with such a moody person?

However, the trouble she caused will make Lu Yanshen take the blame.

It just depends on how Lu Yanshen shoulders it.

Xie Wantang acted as if it were none of her business, calmly picking up her milk and drinking.

Strangely, as Lu Yanze became angry and unhappy, her mood improved and her appetite returned.

Lu Yanshen glanced at the nearby Xie Wantang, who had made Lu Yanze angry enough to snap, then politely said: "Big Brother, didn't you previously tell me that spouses should communicate well? You also hinted that I should step back, and I've been listening to you on this."

Just like that, out of the blue, Lu Yanshen directly placed the blame on Lu Yanze's head.

Lu Yanze: "……"

Lu Yanshen's shameless behavior and twisting of his original intent almost made Lu Yanze explode with anger.

That's right, he did say that; as the elder brother, seeing his younger brother's couple argue, he naturally wanted to mediate.

Words of persuasion amount to nothing more than mutual tolerance and concession—if a step back is called for, take it.

But he didn't have Lu Yanshen step back in deference to Xie Wantang.

This isn't concession at all—it's outright indulgence.

He is indulging Xie Wantang's lawless behavior.

"I heard Grandma say your recent groundbreaking is for preparing for pregnancy?" Lu Yanze changed the subject.

"It's been over three years of marriage, so it's about time to have a child; however, the marriage itself already preempted the elder brother, and having a child would be better handled by the elder brother and his wife."

Lu Yanshen replied without changing his expression.

Lu Yanze was now satisfied, his mood considerably relaxed: "Since there's no rush, Xie Wantang, is your coaxing Grandma considered lying?"

Xie Wantang bluntly replied: "No, it's not— I said preparing for pregnancy, not directly getting pregnant; besides, the master said that breaking ground helps with pregnancy preparation and has a positive promoting effect."

"Big Brother isn't young either; he should have had a child with his wife long ago. Our groundbreaking will take a few months, which should be enough time for Big Brother and his wife to prepare for pregnancy."

"……"

Lu Yanze was left speechless by the retort.

Before, he rarely paid attention to Xie Wantang; even if she followed Lu Yanshen to the old residence, he never regarded this country woman seriously.

Now, after their first exchange, he discovered she actually had such a sharp, eloquent tongue.

How impressive.

Lu Yanze's driver-cum-assistant timely put the call through, and Lu Yanze took the opportunity to leave.

After Xie Wantang had eaten her fill and rose to leave, Lu Yanshen deliberately pulled his chair back, preventing her from exiting.

Xie Wantang frowned: "Mr. Lu, what do you mean?"

"Sit down." Lu Yanshen lifted his chin, gesturing for her to sit.

"I'm full, I want to go back to my room." Without Lu Yanze present, Xie Wantang no longer pretended to be deeply affectionate with him as a couple.

"Fine, then go back to your room."

Lu Yanshen just drank a cup of coffee and ate a few slices of whole-wheat bread.

He wasn't full, but it didn't matter.

He and Xie Wantang went back to their room together.

After entering the room, Lu Yanshen pressed Xie Wantang against the door, leaving her speechless.

She struggled, but Lu Yanze easily restrained her flailing limbs with just one hand.

This let Xie Wantang truly feel the vast difference in power between them.

Xie Wantang glared at him with her eyes; after staring too long, her eyes hurt, so she withdrew her gaze.

Lu Yanshen, however, relentlessly lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Xie Wantang, let it go for today; remember what I said—from now on, don't provoke Lu Yanze."

"Me provoke Lu Yanze? Lu Yanshen, are you crazy? Which of your eyes saw me provoking him?"

"……"

"Oh, you mean those sharp words I said to him? How come? You want me to reply to what he said? He's made it clear he won't let the house be torn down—are you expecting me to go along with him? Fine, big brother, I'll do as you say—is that what you mean?"

"……"