Chapter Thirteen: Suddenly Wanting to Silence You

Facing Rachel’s greeting, Jingyan Zhang nodded slightly.

Seeing this, Junying Xu took the initiative to ask, “Do you two know each other?”

What a coincidence.

Rachel nodded enthusiastically and explained, “Yes, Mom, and my name sounds exactly the same as Reporter Zhang’s.”

At this, Mengnan Jiang interrupted in surprise, “Same name and surname?”

No sooner had she spoken than she felt a silent kick from Yu Lu.

Curious, Mengnan looked at Lu Yu with a puzzled expression.

This guy showed no emotion, not even a hint with his eyes.

It was as if the kick had nothing to do with him.

Though Lu Yu remained silent, Mengnan’s intuition told her it was best not to pursue the topic further.

Jingyan Zhang denied it gracefully, “Different names, and different surnames.”

Rachel added awkwardly, “But the pronunciation is the same.”

Jingyan fell silent, sipping her tea while watching Lu Tianyu’s reaction from the corner of her eye.

Sensing something unusual, Junying Xu skillfully changed the subject, “Jingyan, you’re an entertainment reporter, right?”

Jingyan looked up at the kindly Junying, feeling uneasy. “Yes.”

Junying leaned in and asked with a smile, “Could you get me Lin Sen’s autograph?”

Jingyan was surprised.

She hadn’t expected Junying to be a fan of actor Lin Sen—

Lu Yu’s rival.

But seeing Junying’s hopeful face, Jingyan couldn’t refuse, “Sure, Mom.”

Lu Tianyu, who had been silent for a while, put down his teacup and said calmly, “If you want an autograph, just ask Lu Yu directly. Why go out of your way?”

Seizing the moment, Junying complained, “If he were willing, why would I trouble Jingyan? They’re in the same company, yet someone is so stingy.”

Mengnan Jiang covered her mouth, struggling to suppress a laugh.

Seeing Mengnan’s shoulders trembling slightly, Lu Yu slammed down his chopsticks in disapproval.

At that moment, Lu Yiqin, who had been watching quietly, spoke up, “I didn’t expect the two younger brothers to be so in sync, both married now. Congratulations on your weddings.”

With that, he raised his glass and stood to toast.

Lu Tianyu ignored him and lowered his gaze to his tea.

Lu Yu hesitated briefly but didn’t stand; he simply tapped the table with his teacup in a symbolic response.

Used to this way of interacting, Lu Yiqin continued, “I wanted to find a suitable match for my brothers, a proper lady from a good family, but it seems I meddled too much.”

The atmosphere froze again.

His words struck both Jingyan Zhang and Mengnan Jiang simultaneously.

Lu Tianyu put down his chopsticks and stood up. “Jingyan and I have things to do; we’ll leave now.”

Without further farewell, he pulled Jingyan Zhang up and strode out with a stern expression.

Without her close friend, and with Lu Yiqin’s endless babbling, Mengnan Jiang grew increasingly uneasy.

Lu Yu picked up a tissue and handed it to Mengnan. “Your lip.”

“Huh?” Mengnan hadn’t quite registered.

The next moment, Lu Yu took the tissue and gently pressed it against her reddened lips.

“Mmm...” The tender gesture stirred something in Mengnan; her eyes widened, her spine stiffened, and she dared not move.

Seeing her nervous, Lu Yu shook his head teasingly. “You’re grown up, yet you eat like a little kitten.”

Mengnan blinked, a blush rising on her cheeks.

The next second, Lu Yu leaned down, his gaze fixed intently on her lips as he carefully wiped them.

Mengnan’s breath quickened, her heart skipping several beats in succession.

Her slender fingers clenched her clothes tightly, and a fleeting, forbidden hope flickered within her.

She looked up at him with affection but accidentally caught a mischievous glint in his eyes.

So it was just an act.

Her heart sank a little.

After all, how could he possibly have feelings for her?

Calming herself, Mengnan gently pushed his hand away. “My lips don’t need that long of a wipe.”

As if she were very untidy.

Receiving her coquettish protest, Lu Yu withdrew his hand with a faint smile. “Not really.”

Staring at her soft lips, he said lingeringly, “I just suddenly wanted to shut you up.”

With that, Mengnan’s mind went blank again.

Listening to Lu Yu’s playful tone, she couldn’t tell if he was sincere or just playing a part.

It wasn’t until someone nearby teased them that Lu Yu retreated and sat back down, and Mengnan regained her composure.

No wonder he’s an acting king—I almost believed him.

Lu Yu wiped his hands. “It’s getting late; let’s go home.”

Standing up, he lowered his eyes and reached out his hand to Mengnan.

She cooperated, placing her hand in his and slowly rising, bowing to say goodbye.

Before she could speak, Lu Yu gently tugged her wrist and led her out of the restaurant.

Back in the car, Mengnan quietly studied Lu Yu, who remained silent.

His expression was exactly the same as when they arrived.

After a moment’s thought, Mengnan couldn’t help but meddle and offer comfort, “Actually, your family atmosphere is pretty good.”

Lu Yu ignored her, lips pressed into a straight line, clearly impatient.

Mengnan sighed and looked out the window. “At least it’s better than my family’s.”

Her tone was low and melancholic, sighing repeatedly, which made Lu Yu avert his gaze to her worried profile.

With a father who took the money from selling the house to squander abroad and left his daughter to pay the debts, the family atmosphere probably wouldn’t improve easily.

Clearing his throat, Lu Yu feigned ignorance. “Don’t try to comfort me.”

Remembering the past, Mengnan wiped the corner of her eye and said angrily, “You lousy man!”

Hearing this, the man beside her said innocently, “Who are you scolding?”

Mengnan snapped back to reality and glanced guiltily at Lu Yu. “Not you.”

Lu Yu sneered and focused on the road ahead.

Silence fell over the car.

The atmosphere gradually grew awkward.

Not knowing what to say, Mengnan tried to fill the silence. “I didn’t expect you and Lu Tianyu to be brothers.”

This time, Lu Yu didn’t show impatience.

It was as if he suddenly had an outlet to confide in and spoke without pressure about his family: “My eldest brother is from my dad’s previous marriage.”

Ah, so his mother was remarried.

Mengnan shrugged casually. “Mine too; my dad had me with his previous wife.”

What a coincidence—her father was also remarried.

Lu Yu glanced sideways at her. “My second brother, Lu Tianyu, is from my mom’s previous husband.”

Mengnan smirked. “My little brother, Jie Liu, is from my stepmother and her previous husband.”

Lu Yu wasn’t about to back down and countered, “My mom’s previous husband is my dad’s brother.”

His sister-in-law remarried his uncle? That’s a twist!

What was once a sad story had turned into a competition.

Mengnan gasped and covered her mouth. “Oh my god.”

Lu Yu looked at her triumphantly.

Who would have thought? Mengnan calmly said, “You know, my stepmother is actually my mom’s own sister.”

Over on her side, it was the melodrama of a brother-in-law in love with his aunt.

After a long bout of one-upmanship, the two reached a stalemate.