That evening, Shu Qingqing indeed brought up the dinner planned for the next night with Ouyang Hua's family.
When Shu Qingqing brought her family to the private room, Ouyang Hua and her family of three had already arrived.
Seeing Lu Zhaoyan in Lu Xun's arms, Ouyang Hua immediately walked over. Oh my, Lu Yu's daughter is already this big? She's so pretty. Come here, let Auntie give you a hug.
After saying that, Ouyang Hua chuckled to herself. Oh dear, listen to me calling myself Auntie. She should really be calling me Grandma.
Shu Qingqing also laughed. Exactly. I can't believe we've reached the age to be grandmothers.
Ouyang Hua said, Tell me about it. Time spares no one. We're both forty now.
Shu Qingqing also grew sentimental. Sigh, we already have one foot in the grave. When I looked in the mirror yesterday and saw the wrinkles at the corners of my eyes, I was so upset I almost cried.
Ouyang Hua added, I found a white hair a few days ago. It was absolutely terrifying!
Speaking of this topic, the two of them suddenly started sighing with emotion, even looking as though they were about to hold each other and weep.
Lu Xun remained silent for a moment before saying, Mom, Auntie Huahua, you two aren't old at all. If you walked out right now and said you were twenty-eight, people would believe it.
Ouyang Hua burst into laughter. Oh my, Lu Xun is getting better and better with his words. Not like when he was little—the first time he saw our Yinyin, he even called her ugly.
Lu Xun was speechless.
Great. Every time their two families got together, this incident would be brought up. That was exactly why Pei Jiayin had spoken about him like that behind his back yesterday.
Thinking of this, Lu Xun turned his head and, sure enough, saw Pei Jiayin looking at him with a fake smile.
Lu Xun was speechless again.
When they were almost done eating, Shu Qingqing and Ouyang Hua sat on the sofa and started chatting. Lu Bochuan and Pei Yu sat nearby, listening. Lu Yu was holding Lu Zhaoyan, looking at his phone, and discussing something unknown with Yan Zhuxi.
Only Lu Xun and Pei Jiayin were left at the dining table.
Pei Jiayin sat blankly for a while, then suddenly said she wanted to go outside to buy some milk tea.
Hearing this, Shu Qingqing said, Lu Xun, you go with Yinyin.
Lu Xun gave a grunt of agreement and followed Pei Jiayin out.
Just a few steps out the door, Pei Jiayin suddenly stopped. I can go by myself. Don't follow me.
Lu Xun paused. There are a lot of people out for the New Year, and you're still young. I'll go with you.
Pei Jiayin shot him a sidelong glance. No need. I'm ugly. Even if there are human traffickers, they wouldn't kidnap me.
Lu Xun was speechless.
Lu Xun rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. Yinyin... I only said that back then because you were all wrinkled right after you were born. I was little too, and I didn't know that all newborn babies look like that. You are very pretty now, really.
Pei Jiayin huffed. My mom says never to easily trust a boy's words.
Lu Xun thought for a moment. How about this? I'll search for some pictures of newborn babies online. Once you see them, you'll know if I'm telling the truth.
Pei Jiayin raised her chin, signaling her agreement.
Lu Xun was amused by her arrogant little expression but quickly hid his smile. He took out his phone, searched up a few pictures, and handed it to her. Look.
Pei Jiayin looked down at the screen and immediately frowned. Why are they so ugly?
Lu Xun said, So now you believe I wasn't lying, right? All newborn babies look like this.
Pei Jiayin raised an eyebrow. Then you must have been very ugly when you were born too.
Lu Xun paused. ...Probably.
Pei Jiayin retorted, What do you mean 'probably'?
Lu Xun replied, ...Yeah, I was also very ugly when I was born.
Only then was Pei Jiayin satisfied. Let's go. I'll allow you to accompany me to buy milk tea.
After this incident, whenever the two families had dinner together, Pei Jiayin no longer gave him the cold shoulder.
However, a few years later, Ouyang Yuanfeng's health deteriorated, making it difficult for him to travel. Because of this, Ouyang Hua's family stopped coming back for the New Year.
Meanwhile, Lu Xun barely scraped into a good high school and then barely scraped into a first-tier university, which was considered quite a perfect accomplishment for him.
Upon learning that Lu Xun had gotten into college, Shu Qingqing immediately dragged Lu Bochuan off on a trip around the world.
As for the company, it was naturally handed over to Lu Yu.
Lu Yu certainly did not disappoint. Within just three years of taking over, he doubled the company's market value and became the undisputed richest man.
When Shu Qingqing found out that Lu Yu had become the richest man, she happily bought five designer bags to celebrate.
As for Lu Xun...
Lu Xun failed another class.
Since his brother was already so capable, it wouldn't matter if he slacked off a bit, right? After all, earning credits was too hard, and he didn't want to go to class anyway.
When he saw the notice that he had failed, he did not panic in the slightest. Instead, he immediately booked a flight to Antarctica.
Taking a trip around Antarctica and then heading to the Arctic would be absolutely perfect.
However, after playing in Antarctica for over half a month and preparing to leave for the Arctic, he discovered that his credit cards had been frozen.
Then, he received a message from his brother: Come back, immediately.
Lu Xun had no choice but to head back.
Just as he walked out of the airport and prepared to go home, he saw his brother's driver already waiting outside.
Young Master, President Lu asked me to take you to the company.
Lu Xun twitched the corners of his mouth. Fine, it seemed his brother couldn't wait to lecture him.
Sure enough, as soon as he stepped into his brother's office, a flying book was thrown straight at him.
His brother's voice carried an imposing authority even without outright anger. Lu Xun, you actually failed another class. Do you just not plan on getting your degree?
Lu Xun raised a hand and caught the object his brother had thrown. Don't be mad, brother. You know my university is just average anyway. It doesn't really matter whether I get the degree or not.
A trace of anger finally colored Lu Yu's face. If it doesn't matter, then why did you work so hard to get in in the first place!
Lu Xun fell silent. It was true that he had chosen to test into this university himself; his brother hadn't forced him.
Seeing him like this, Lu Yu softened his tone. I know you love to have fun, but no matter how much you love to play, you have to wait until you get your degree before going back out there. I've stopped your cards. For the next year, you are going to go back to school and attend your classes properly. Whenever you get your degree, that's when I'll unfreeze your cards.
Lu Xun knew his brother was serious this time, so he had no choice but to stay home quietly and wait for school to start in September.
The first day of school arrived quickly.
Lu Xun hadn't been to campus in so long that he had almost forgotten where his dorm was. He was just about to find someone to ask when he suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
He walked over to take a look, and sure enough, it was Pei Jiayin.
Yinyin, why are you here? Lu Xun walked up to her.
Pei Jiayin replied, My parents are planning to move back to the country, so I tested into a domestic university. It's right next door. This is my friend Linlin; she goes to this university.
The two exchanged a few brief pleasantries before parting ways.
Lu Xun had only taken a few steps when he heard the girl named Linlin exclaim, Oh my god, you actually know our campus heartthrob, Lu Xun? Although he's super handsome, he's been failing his classes for the past two years and still hasn't graduated!
Pei Jiayin's voice sounded just as surprised. Really?
Lu Xun froze. After failing classes for so long, this was the first time he actually felt a bit ashamed.
