Unit 2, Third Floor.
Sang Changfeng opened the door, his face lit up with surprise and delight.
"You're back, sweetheart? Why didn’t you give us a heads-up?"
Lin Yueyin peeked out in astonishment. "Lu’s home?"
"Wanted to surprise you," Sang Lu beamed, lifting the bags of gifts in her hands.
Sang Changfeng’s smile vanished instantly, his brows furrowing. "You didn’t need to bring anything! Since when are you a guest in your own home?"
Sang Lu immediately pouted, turning to her mother for backup.
"Mom, Dad’s being mean to me again!"
Lin Yueyin walked over, shooting her husband a glare. "She just got home, and you’re already scolding her? Must you always have the last word?"
"…" Sang Changfeng fell silent, dutifully taking the gift bags to put them away.
Sang Lu clung to her mom, cooing, "I missed you so much~~~"
Then, turning her head with playful diplomacy, she added, "…and of course, I missed Dad too—" a pause, "—especially his crispy fried fish."
Sang Changfeng’s hopeful grin morphed into exasperation. "…"
What could he do?
She was his daughter.
Spoiling her was non-negotiable.
After graduating, Sang Lu had rented an apartment near the TV station where she worked, only returning to her parents’ place during holidays.
Every homecoming felt like a throwback to her carefree student days—like she’d never quite grown up.
This time, she’d brought her mom a full skincare set tailored to her complexion, and for "Old Sang," liver supplements and fish oil.
Sang Lu pinched pennies elsewhere—sipping 9.9-yuan Luckin coffee, cross-checking food delivery apps for the best deals.
But when it came to her parents?
No expense spared. Only the best would do.
As mother and daughter chatted in the living room, Sang Changfeng washed fruit in the kitchen.
When he emerged with a plate of sliced oranges, he overheard his wife launching into her usual lecture.
"An old saying goes, ‘Hide your blessings, lest envy follows,’" Lin Yueyin patted Sang Lu’s hand earnestly. "Marrying into wealth means staying low-key. Don’t let others take advantage, but don’t flaunt it either."
"Another old saying," Sang Changfeng interjected, setting the fruit plate before them, "‘To return wealthy but unseen is like wearing finery in the dark.’"
Lin Yueyin: "…"
Sang Lu: "…"
Sang Changfeng pressed on, "Why all the secrecy? Our girl’s marriage was arranged since childhood—it’s not like she’s climbing the social ladder. Why can’t we shout it from the rooftops?"
Lin Yueyin frowned. "You’ve got the subtlety of a sledgehammer."
Truthfully, she’d once agreed with her husband.
Why hide it?
But after catching him quietly helping distant relatives one too many times, she’d grown wary.
If word got out about their daughter’s high-society marriage, the vultures would circle.
Loans, favors, endless hassles—all dumped at Sang Lu’s feet. How could she handle that?
"Fine, fine, I’ll bow to your wisdom," Sang Changfeng raised his hands in surrender.
"My expertise begins and ends at keeping you two well-fed. Deal?"
Lin Yueyin smirked. "That’s more like it."
Sang Lu watched their banter with a grin, popping an orange slice into her mouth.
She knew her mom meant well—and that her dad was a soft touch.
Her eyes flicked to the wall clock.
13:45
Right on schedule…
Soon, the doorbell would ring, heralding the arrival of Auntie Big, Auntie Small, Uncle Cousin, Little Uncle, and—her personal nightmare—Uncle Zhuang.
"Ding-dong—"
The chime sounded.
Before her parents could react, Sang Lu was already at the door.
"Old Sang! Let’s grab drinks tonight," Uncle Zhuang boomed, then blinked upon seeing Sang Lu. "Oh? Sang Lu’s home?"
She flashed a customer-service smile.
Behind him, Auntie Big and Auntie Small’s families trooped in—having "coincidentally" run into Uncle Zhuang downstairs.
In the past, Sang Lu would vanish during these visits—hiding in her room or outright fleeing the house.
Today, she broke pattern.
For three solid hours, she sat primly on the sofa, listening like it was a college lecture.
With a younger relative present, the conversation inevitably zeroed in on her.
Auntie Big: "Sang Lu’s even prettier now! How’s work at the TV station? Still grueling?"
Sang Lu: "Manageable."
Auntie Big’s eyes gleamed. "Speaking of—any pay cuts? Heard lots of companies are slashing salaries. Bet the station’s no exception?"
Sang Lu speared an orange slice. "Actually, we got a raise."
Remembering Auntie Big’s habit of smug comparisons, she added airily,
"Probably outpaced your pension bump."
Auntie Big froze, momentarily speechless. "…"
Uncle Zhuang seized the baton. "If I recall, Sang Lu and our Xiao are the same age? Twenty-five this year?"
(Xiao being his daughter, Zhuang Xiao.)
"Mm," Sang Lu nodded absently.
"No boyfriend yet? Let me set you up! There’s this divorced guy at my office—decent fellow, real honest type."
Sang Changfeng’s face darkened.
The audacity!
He opened his mouth to declare his daughter was already married—no meddling needed—when a sharp kick under the table silenced him.
Sang Lu shot him a warning look, miming a zipper across her lips.
"…" He swallowed his words, settling for glowering at Uncle Zhuang.
"No need," Sang Lu said sweetly. "Save him for Cousin Xiao~"
"Oh, Xiao doesn’t require assistance—"
Uncle Zhuang pounced on the chance to brag:
"—She’s got a steady boyfriend now. Treats her like royalty—designer bags, a new car… truly top-tier."
"No worries, Uncle," Sang Lu chirped. "Keep him on standby. In case Cousin Xiao goes single again, he’ll be ready."
She capped this with an angelic smile.
Her doll-like features made even sarcasm sound innocently impulsive.
Uncle Zhuang stiffened. "Still the joker, I see."
Eager to reclaim pride, he whipped out his phone.
"Let me call Xiao—she can drive you home later. Her new Mercedes is buttery smooth."
Sang Lu waved him off. "Really, that’s—"
"Perfect chance for you to test-drive it!" he barreled on. "Get a taste, so when you can afford one someday—"
"…Absolutely unnecessary," Sang Lu deadpanned.
Uncle Zhuang pretended not to hear, already dialing.
"Xiao? Where are you?"
"After shopping, swing by Unit 2. Sang Lu wants a ride in your new car."
Sang Lu: ?
Since when?!
Zero to fabrication in record time. Impressive.
