The amusement park had a fireworks show at nine o'clock, and Shu Qingqing and the other two waited until it was over before heading back.
Lu Xun was exceptionally excited today, chattering away non-stop on the way home. After getting out of the car, he even insisted that Shu Qingqing and Lu Yu each hold one of his hands.
Lu Bochuang was sitting on the sofa. Hearing the door open, he looked up just in time to see the three of them walking in a line, not even letting go of each other's hands as they changed their shoes.
What a picture-perfect happy family of three.
Lu Bochuang paused for a few seconds before averting his gaze.
Shu Qingqing was a bit surprised to see him sitting on the sofa.
Normally at this time, Lu Bochuang would either be working overtime at the company or in his study. Why was he so free today?
Seeing him, Lu Xun skipped over. "Daddy, Mommy and Big Brother went to the games with me today! Big Brother was so amazing; he beat all the other kids' dads every single time and won me so many prizes! I want Big Brother to go with me next time too!"
Shu Qingqing placed Lu Xun’s spoils on the coffee table and slumped into an armchair. "Lu Xun, go let Nanny Li give you a bath and then get to bed. You have kindergarten tomorrow."
Noticing her rubbing her arms, Lu Bochuang asked, "Are you very tired?"
"Exhausted. You have no idea how hard those parents were trying today. I didn't dare stop for a second. Especially that ball-bouncing game; it made my arms so sore. That’s the kind of thing dads should be doing..." As Shu Qingqing was speaking, she suddenly heard Lu Bochuang ask—
"Then why didn't you ask me to go?"
Shu Qingqing replied casually, "Aren't you always busy with a million things? I didn't want to bother you. Besides, even though Lu Yu is young, he’s surprisingly strong..."
Shu Qingqing went on and on praising Lu Xun, but Lu Bochuang kept his eyes downcast, not really listening at all.
Then, without any warning, he stood up and headed upstairs without saying a word.
Wait, weren't they in the middle of a conversation? Why did he just leave?
"Hey, you're being very rude!" Shu Qingqing shouted at his back, but his pace didn't falter for a second.
Nanny Li was just about to go upstairs to bathe Lu Xun when she witnessed this scene.
Only after Lu Bochuang disappeared around the stairs did she walk over. "Ma'am, Sir seems a bit unhappy today."
Shu Qingqing said, "Who cares if he's happy or not?"
Nanny Li said, "I heard from the driver, Xiao Liu, that Sir specifically canceled a dinner meeting to come home for dinner today. But when he got back, the house was empty. Later, when he heard you took the young master to a family event, his expression turned sour. He didn't even eat dinner; he just sat on the sofa waiting for you all to return."
Initially, Nanny Li thought she had said something wrong to upset him. It was only after bumping into Xiao Liu on her way back to the side wing and hearing him mention it that she realized Sir might be angry because he hadn't been able to attend the family event.
In the past, the relationship between the Master and Madam wasn't very good, but since Sir returned this time, she could clearly feel that something was different between them.
"You mean... Lu Bochuang has been sitting on the sofa waiting for us to come home?"
"I believe so. A busy man like Sir... I've never seen him just sit in the living room doing absolutely nothing."
Shu Qingqing frowned and checked her phone. Only then did she notice that Lu Bochuang had actually called her several times.
What Nanny Li said seemed to make sense.
He had indeed just asked her why she hadn't invited him.
She had indeed been presumptive, assuming Lu Bochuang wouldn't have the time and thus not even asking him.
Their relationship had softened quite a bit lately. As partners raising children together, they really should discuss things concerning the kids. If Lu Bochuang was truly angry about this, then it was indeed a lapse in consideration on her part.
And since he was her "financial backer," she really ought to go soothe him.
After a moment's thought, Shu Qingqing stood up and went to the kitchen.
Twenty minutes later, she knocked on the study door, carrying a bowl of vegetable noodles.
"Something the matter?" Lu Bochuang looked up, his gaze cold and distant.
Looking at that sour face, he was definitely sulking.
The smile on Shu Qingqing's face vanished at his expression.
"Heh, never mind." Shu Qingqing's voice was even colder than his as she turned to leave.
Eat? Forget it. He can just stay hungry.
But as she reached the door, she thought, Whatever, I'll just leave the food here. Consider it feeding a dog.
Shu Qingqing turned back.
Lu Bochuang had somehow walked over at some point.
Shu Qingqing arched an eyebrow. What, did he realize his attitude was bad and come to stop her?
If his attitude was sincere enough, she might just be able to accept it.
With that thought, she saw Lu Bochuang purse his lips. "Is this bowl of noodles for me?"
Shu Qingqing sneered inwardly, It's for a dog.
Lu Bochuang silently took the bowl and chopsticks from her hands and sat on the sofa to eat.
The thin, soft noodles were delicious. Even though they were only seasoned with salt, they were quite good.
Lu Bochuang finished them in a few bites. "The taste is very good."
"It doesn't seem like Chef Li's cooking."
"Did you make it yourself?"
Shu Qingqing simply refused to speak.
Lu Bochuan remained silent for a few seconds before suddenly standing up and pulling her toward the sofa. "My attitude earlier... it wasn't right," he admitted as he guided her to sit down.
Shu Qingqing’s expression softened slightly, and she spoke with an air of feigned magnanimity. "Nanny Li mentioned you've been waiting for us all evening?"
Lu Bochuan paused for a moment. "Yeah."
Still acting a bit haughty, Shu Qingqing added, "It’s true that I didn't think things through today..."
Lu Bochuan’s expression turned awkward for a heartbeat. He was about to say it was fine when he heard Shu Qingqing click her tongue.
"But then again, are you completely blameless? If you wanted to come home early to eat with us, you should have just said so! How were we supposed to know if you didn't say anything? Besides, you're always so busy with a million things—home one day, gone the next. Who knows when you're actually planning to have dinner at home? It's not like we're concubines in your harem, waiting around every day for you to grace us with your presence."
Lu Bochuan: ...
After her rapid-fire verbal assault, Shu Qingqing suddenly realized she’d overstepped. Wasn't she supposed to be... making amends? How did this turn into a roast?
She had accidentally let her true thoughts slip.
Thinking fast, she scrambled to fix it. "But then again—again—I know you only acted that way because you care about the kid. Don't worry, next time Lu Xun has an event at his kindergarten, I'll be the first to let you know! I won't let you miss out on any more of those precious family moments."
Lu Bochuan: ...
"Lu Bochuan, why aren't you saying anything?"
...Had she stunned him into silence?
"I'll report my schedule in advance from now on," Lu Bochuan said, looking up at her and speaking softly.
"Huh?"
"I'll do my best to come home and have dinner with you every night. Even if I can't make it, I'll let you know beforehand."
...Lu Bochuan seemed to have misunderstood something.
Thinking back on what she’d just said, Shu Qingqing realized she sounded a bit like a neglected, resentful wife...
Would Lu Bochuan think she was complaining again, or worse, begging for his attention?
Whatever. At least she’d managed to pacify him.
"Alright then, just make sure you actually do it." Not daring to linger a moment longer, Shu Qingqing made a hasty retreat.
After showering and getting into bed, a message popped up on her phone.
It was a weekly schedule sent by Zhou Zheng.
Confused, Shu Qingqing replied with a string of question marks.
[Zhou Zheng: Hello, Madam. This is Mr. Lu’s schedule for the week. Please rest assured, I will be reporting Mr. Lu’s daily itinerary to you from now on.]
Shu Qingqing: ...
Well, no need to guess anymore. Lu Bochuan had definitely misunderstood her. :)
