She was clearly doing it on purpose. Even if she was really clumsy, she didn't need a cook like him telling her what to do.
Xu Qingqing lowered her eyes and tried hard not to laugh. She had to admit that this master was really honest and not afraid of offending people.
Lu Chuanbai nodded seriously. "Okay, I understand."
The meals were ready, and they were just waiting for Lu Fenglin to arrive.
"It's eight o'clock sharp, Beijing time..."
As soon as eight o'clock struck, the clock in the living room began to chime, ringing eight times.
The older Mr. Lu grew more and more impatient as he waited. He looked up at his stepmother unhappily, barely suppressing his anger. "What's going on? Didn't you tell Lu Fenglin? Why isn't he here yet?"
The stepmother sniffled aggrievedly at the smell on her hands, as if the fumes from the cooking had soaked into her. "I told him. Maybe he forgot the time. That boy always loses track of time when he's working."
"I'll call and remind him again." The stepmother got up and went to the balcony. She called Lu Fenglin again, but just like before, no one answered.
This stupid boy! Why isn't he answering the phone!
The stepmother cursed impatiently in her heart, her face looking extremely ugly.
Could he be trying to stand her up!
If Lu Fenglin really dared to do that, she'd disown him as her son!
"Mommy, I'm so hungry!" Xu An'an rubbed her flat little tummy and looked at Xu Qingqing pitifully.
Xu Qingqing rummaged through the bag, took out a pack of cookies, opened it, and handed it to Xu An'an. "Have a pack of cookies to tide you over first. Uncle hasn't come yet. We'll start dinner when he arrives."
Xu An'an pouted unhappily as she took the cookies. She even broke half of one and offered it to the older Mr. Lu. "Grandpa Lu, do you want a cookie?"
The older Mr. Lu stroked Xu An'an's little head and said kindly, "Let's not wait for him. Since An'an is hungry, let's start eating."
"It's okay. Let's wait a little longer."
The stepmother came back with her phone and lied to the older Mr. Lu. "Lu Fenglin suddenly has some work to do. He'll come a bit later..."
"Don't wait anymore. Come if he wants to, and forget it if he doesn't." The older Mr. Lu picked up a pair of chopsticks and put some mutton into the hot pot to cook.
When the meat was cooked, he picked it up and put it in Xu An'an's bowl, smiling. "Since An'an is hungry, have a piece of meat first!"
"Thank you, Grandpa Lu." Xu An'an couldn't wait to put the meat into her mouth. Her little mouth was scalded by the hot meat, and she opened her mouth and blew continuously. "It's so hot, so hot."
"Eat slowly." Lu Chuanbai quickly poured a glass of water for Xu An'an and fed it to her. "No matter how hungry you are, you should blow on your food before eating it."
Xu An'an chewed the meat. "Okay."
"Here, this piece of meat is cooked too. Yiyi gets some too." The older Mr. Lu picked up the meat from the pot and put it in Xu Yiyi's bowl.
"Thank you, Grandpa Lu." Xu Yiyi ate very gracefully, every move exuding elegance.
The older Mr. Lu looked at Xu Yiyi with satisfaction, admiring in his heart that Xu Yiyi already had the demeanor of a future heir.
The stepmother, sitting across from the older Mr. Lu, felt a sinking feeling in her heart when she saw his look. It was a look of appreciation. Could the older Mr. Lu be planning to train this bastard Xu Yiyi?
No, it can't be!
The future of the Lu family belongs to Lu Fenglin. She would never allow anything to go wrong!
The five of them sat together happily, looking like a family.
Excluding the stepmother, who tried hard to maintain her composure, she dialed Lu Fenglin's number again, but still no one answered.
Fine! Lu Fenglin dared to leave her alone here!
When Lu Fenglin came, she'd teach him a good lesson!
Lu Fenglin's phone was broken, so naturally he had no idea that his mother had been calling him.
The lights in the room were off. Lu Fenglin had been working in the dark room until the streetlights on the road came on, shining into his office.
Originally, the only light in the dim room was the blue light from the computer. With the streetlights, the room took on a touch of warmth.
"Mr. Lu, it's almost nine o'clock. Aren't you going to get off work yet?"
The secretary came to remind Lu Fenglin carefully.
Only then did Lu Fenglin realize. He pinched the bridge of his nose wearily and looked up at the clock. It was almost nine o'clock.
He wondered if the loving family had finished their meal.
A sarcastic smile appeared on Lu Fenglin's face.
It was really disgusting that people who clearly disliked each other still had to be tied together and act out a show!
Seeing the familiar yet strange smile on Lu Fenglin's face, the secretary couldn't help but feel nervous.
Every time his boss showed this smile, it meant he was in a very bad mood!
To avoid getting into trouble, the secretary obediently backed out of the room.
"Wait." Lu Fenglin suddenly spoke up and stopped the secretary.
The secretary was startled. "Mr. Lu, do you have any other instructions?"
"Buy me a phone tomorrow. I don't care what brand it is. Get it reimbursed from the finance department."
Lu Fenglin closed his computer and slowly stood up in the dark. His already gloomy aura took on an even more eerie quality in the darkness.
Lu Fenglin tidied his suit slowly and prepared to go to the appointment.
After dinner, Xu Qingqing started to clean up the leftovers on the table.
Lu Chuanbai helped her.
The stepmother, having eaten to her heart's content, was too lazy to move. But not wanting to be called lazy, she just talked from the side.
"Xu Qingqing, you're really virtuous! Lu Chuanbai is so lucky to have married you."
"Thank you for your compliment, Auntie." Xu Qingqing replied politely.
The older Mr. Lu urged the stepmother. "Don't just sit there. Go and help."
"There's a dishwasher. There's no need for me to help." The stepmother said reluctantly.
The older Mr. Lu didn't say a word. He just stared at her, and after a while, the stepmother couldn't sit still anymore.
"Lu Chuanbai, give them to me." The stepmother got up with a forced smile and helped carry the plates into the kitchen.
The two women went into the kitchen to clean up. The two children were watching TV and playing with toys on one side and didn't notice the father - son pair.
The older Mr. Lu seized the opportunity and asked Lu Chuanbai, "Lu Chuanbai, tell Dad the truth. Are An'an and Yiyi your biological children?"
"Why do you ask?" Lu Chuanbai's eyes never left the two children.
It wasn't that he didn't want to say, but it wasn't the right time yet. At least he had to wait for the two children to recognize him before he could reveal the truth.
The older Mr. Lu's tone was certain. "Just tell me yes or no. Don't lie to me. I found your childhood photos at home. You and Yiyi look exactly the same!"
"Dad..." Lu Chuanbai still wanted to keep it a secret for a while, but looking into his father's mysterious smile, he decided to tell him.
Even if he didn't admit it, his father would find a way to prove the relationship between him and the two children.
Lu Chuanbai admitted helplessly, a smile on his lips and happiness all over his face. "Yiyi and An'an are my children."
The older Mr. Lu had a look of "I knew it" on his face. "When did it start?"
"During the time when my leg was injured and I couldn't walk."
Hearing Lu Chuanbai's words, the older Mr. Lu calculated the time carefully in his mind. It exactly matched the ages of the two children.