This is the renowned young talent of Rong City, Lu Jingming, president of the Lu Group.
Xu Yanxia politely greeted him, "Good morning, President Lu."
He nodded courteously in return, though his gaze didn't linger on her. He only said to Mrs. Lu, "Mom, I'm catching a flight to Shencheng, so I won't join you for breakfast."
As he spoke, he deftly fastened the buttons on his shirt cuffs and headed for the door.
Mrs. Lu had to tell Xu Yanxia beside her, "Xiao Xu, pack some sandwiches for him."
"Alright."
Xu Yanxia hurried back to the kitchen to get a bag. By the time she had the sandwiches packed, the man was already in the courtyard, about to get into the car.
"President Lu, your sandwiches."
She chased after him to the car. Lu Jingming was already seated in the back. He reached out to take the bag she offered and politely said, "Thank you."
The interior light was dim, only revealing his clean jawline. His fingers were pale and slender, and his voice was low yet clear.
This image would undoubtedly make him a top-tier star in the entertainment industry.
Xu Yanxia also politely replied that it was no trouble, just as the car door closed and the black luxury vehicle drove straight out of the gate.
...
"First, stop by the company to pick someone up, then head to the airport."
In the quiet car, Lu Jingming instructed Uncle Li, the driver, while casually placing the sandwich bag to the side and opening a document on his phone to review.
Uncle Li acknowledged and, gripping the steering wheel, caught a faint, enticing aroma wafting from the back seat.
He considered reminding him to eat his breakfast while it was warm, but seeing his focused expression in the rearview mirror, he swallowed his words.
Having been with the Lu family for sixteen years, he had watched Lu Jingming grow from a teenager into a composed and capable president, and knew his temperament well.
Calm, gentle, but very much his own man.
Twenty minutes later, the car arrived at the Lu Group building downtown. A young man around Lu Jingming's age, with fair skin and wearing black-rimmed glasses, got in. It was his executive assistant, Wen Jiajun.
"Morning, workaholic president."
Wen Jiajun and Lu Jingming were classmates during their master's studies. Although they were superior and subordinate at work, they got along very well, so their conversation was more casual than most.
These past few days had been a whirlwind for the new project in Shencheng. He had stayed late at the office with him until after 10 pm last night, and now they were rushing to catch an early flight for a meeting. A little complaint was inevitable.
Lu Jingming wasn't bothered at all. He returned the morning greeting and asked, "I just reviewed the Finance Department's budget. Is the Project Department's Phase One report revised?"
"I finished reviewing it five minutes ago,"
Wen Jiajun tapped on his phone a few times. "No major issues. I'll forward it to you now."
As soon as he finished speaking, a notification sound for a received file chimed on Lu Jingming's phone. He opened it to check, while Wen Jiajun asked, "What's that delicious smell? Did you bring breakfast?"
Lu Jingming picked up the bag beside him. "Sandwiches. Want one?"
"Of course I do!"
Wen Jiajun sounded rather aggrieved. "I went home last night and worked another two hours. This morning, I rushed to the company and reviewed three documents back-to-back. No time for food."
"Hard work."
Lu Jingming smiled, comforting him. "I'll approve two days off for you once the project wraps up."
There were two sandwiches in the bag. As he spoke, he handed one over and shifted his attention back to the report.
Completely missing the starry-eyed, ravenous way Wen Jiajun devoured the sandwich in the front passenger seat.
"Where did you buy these sandwiches? They're amazing! The chicken cutlet is so tender, the egg is cooked just how I like it! And this salmon sauce? Perfect!"
"Someone my mom asked prepared them."
Lu Jingming replied offhandedly, his eyes still on his phone screen.
Soon, he finished reviewing the report; it was indeed fine.
In the front seat, an entire sandwich had already disappeared into Wen Jiajun's stomach.
"Haven't had a sandwich this good in ages!"
Assistant Wen, still craving more, asked, "Any left?"
Lu Jingming picked up the bag. "One more."
"Are you eating it? If not, give it to me."
Assistant Wen, freshly returned from the hell of hunger, was eager.
Uncle Li, driving, couldn't help but remind them, "President Lu hasn't had breakfast either."
"I'm not hungry yet."
Lu Jingming generously handed over the sandwich. "I'll eat something on the plane later."
He never cared much about food.
Food was just for maintaining health; one thing was pretty much the same as another.
Wen Jiajun, however, didn't share this view. As a high-level corporate workhorse, good food could at the very least soothe the soul and offset the dull drudgery of office life.
So, without ceremony, he took the sandwich and continued eating heartily, not forgetting to add, "Remember to ask where they're from later. I need to stock up too."
Lu Jingming gave a noncommittal hum and went back to his documents.
...
By the time President Lu's car reached the airport, back at the Lu family mansion, his mother, Mrs. Shen Zhiping, was leisurely finishing her breakfast.
Today's breakfast was very much to her liking. Mrs. Shen enjoyed a bowl of small wontons, half a sandwich, and a plate of salad before rising from the table, satisfied.
The life of a wealthy socialite was full. Today held a charity event and a gathering with friends.
Soon, the assistant arranged by the company arrived on time. After an hour of preparation, a radiant Mrs. Shen was ready to go out.
Before getting in the car, Mrs. Shen turned her gaze to Xu Yanxia. "Xiao Xu, Jingyao is coming back from school this afternoon. Make him a proper meal. Don't let him eat all that messy takeout from outside."
"Of course."
Xu Yanxia nodded quickly.
It was Friday. The Lu family's third son was coming home.
The meat and vegetables from yesterday were still in the fridge, and fresh ones had just been delivered this morning. She had been wondering how to use them all up. Finally, someone was coming home for dinner.
...
In the evening, Lu Jingyao drove a Porsche into the family home.
A young man in his early twenties, a somewhat well-known ice hockey player, standing over six feet tall with fluffy, clean hair, bright, expressive eyes, and a smile that revealed a pair of dimples—he was the epitome of a sporty heartthrob.
After parking the car in the garage, he strode into the living room and greeted Housekeeper Zhang with familiar ease. "Auntie, I'm back."
Housekeeper Zhang relayed Mrs. Lu's message. "The Madam asked you to have dinner at home tonight, not takeout from outside."
Housekeeper Zhang had watched all the Lu children grow up, and they were close to her.
Lu Jingyao complained with a look of resignation. "You think I want to eat out? I've been eating it for a week straight. I'm sick of it."
"Huh? What's that amazing smell?"
A tantalizing aroma suddenly reached his nose. Lu Jingyao followed it to the dining table and saw Xu Yanxia setting out dishes.
He was curious. "And who is this?"
Housekeeper Zhang introduced her. "This is the new chef, Xiao Xu. Her cooking is excellent. The Madam has praised it too."
Xu Yanxia also greeted him. "Hello, Third Young Master. I'm Xu Yanxia. For dinner tonight, I've prepared grilled Wagyu beef, crispy potato croquettes, scallion-braised seafood duo, crispy fried fish slices in sweet and sour sauce, and osmanthus plum juice."
"Wow, such a feast! Thank you for your hard work, Sister Xia."
Lu Jingyao greeted her with a smile and immediately sat down at the table to start eating.
After tasting each of the dishes, even this young master, accustomed since childhood to rare delicacies and exquisite feasts, couldn't help but show a look of pleasant surprise.
"This grilled beef is excellent—crispy and fragrant on the outside, yet still so juicy inside!"
"Wow, the fish slices are incredibly tender too!"
"These fritters are actually made from potato? Crispy on the outside, soft and glutinous inside—delicious!"
After taking a sip of the osmanthus and dark plum drink, Lu Jingyao's eyes lit up as he asked Xu Yanxia, "Sister Yanxia, what brand is this dark plum drink? I've never tasted anything like it before."
"I made it myself,"
Xu Yanxia replied with a smile. "Do you like it?"
