Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Lu Yao was truly terrible at acting coy. He had never once feigned intimacy with Fu Yanhuai, making Fu Yanhuai’s accusation utterly baseless.

Lu Yao protested weakly, "You're talking nonsense."

Fu Yanhuai’s hand, loosely resting at Lu Yao’s waist, tightened slightly. It seemed his husband wasn’t as timid as he thought—daring to talk back now.

"Shh, someone’s coming."

Lu Yao looked up at the sound and indeed saw Lu Qianxing standing at the entrance, his expression unreadable.

The tension in Lu Yao’s body betrayed his nervousness. Fu Yanhuai didn’t recognize every member of the Lu family—though he had met them all, none had left an impression. Fu Yanhuai never cared about who was around when he wanted to do something. He simply found it amusing to tease Lu Yao like this.

"Brother Fu."

Lu Qianxing stepped forward first, tilting his head up with a sweet smile. "You’re here."

Fu Yanhuai’s expression remained unchanged. Far too many people tried to cozy up to him, and he couldn’t be bothered to spare them even a glance.

With a faint glance toward the door, Fu Yanhuai lowered his head and said to Lu Yao, "Let’s go in first."

It didn’t matter that it was Lu Qianxing standing there. If Fu Yanhuai said they were going in, no one would dare object. The youngest corporate leader in the capital, the S-class alpha of the Fu family—no one would dare defy him.

Lu Yao nodded obediently, but just as they reached the door, Lu Zhongguang and Guan Qinglu hurried over. "President Fu!"

Lu Zhongguang’s forced smile was greasy, his flattery so genuine it bordered on grotesque. "Please, come in! We didn’t expect you to visit today. Our humble home is truly honored, hahaha!"

His behavior embarrassed Guan Qinglu. On top of that, she hadn’t expected Fu Yanhuai to actually come today, making her smile appear strained.

"President Fu, thank you for taking the time—"

"It’s fine."

Fu Yanhuai cut her off. "I canceled a meeting to accompany Lu Yao. We’ll leave before two."

Guan Qinglu’s smile grew even more forced. Though they shared the same parents, there was always a favorite. Now that Lu Yao had grown capable enough to lure Fu Yanhuai to the Lu household, what about her precious Lu Qianxing?

Fu Yanhuai’s attitude was far too casual, showing not the slightest regard for the Lu family. His words were blunt, but Lu Zhongguang didn’t dare get angry. In his rage, he chose to swallow his pride and keep grinning.

Besides, no matter what, Lu Yao was still his child. In the end, Lu Zhongguang still benefited.

Lu Yao was utterly bewildered. Fu Yanhuai had canceled a meeting to accompany him for a meal at the Lu family? Fu Yanhuai earned money by the second—the value of this meal couldn’t compare to an hour-long meeting.

Lu Qianxing’s gaze was complicated. Lu Yao didn’t realize that, in the eyes of the three Lu family members, he had already become a cunning, scheming beta. He wanted to ask if Fu Yanhuai had really delayed official business for him, but he couldn’t find the right moment, so he stole occasional glances at Fu Yanhuai instead.

Lu Qianxing stepped in front of Fu Yanhuai from behind, deliberately pitching his voice sweetly. "Brother Fu, the food is ready. Dad, Mom, why don’t you take Brother Fu inside to sit? Lu Yao, didn’t you say you were going to make a dessert?"

He looked at Lu Yao. "I’ll go with you to the kitchen."

It seemed Lu Qianxing had something to say. After a brief pause, Lu Yao turned to Fu Yanhuai. "I’ll go to the kitchen for a bit? I’ll be back soon."

Fu Yanhuai released his hand. "Mm."

Guan Qinglu quickly interjected, "President Fu, this way, please."

Lu Qianxing dragged him to the kitchen, only letting go once he was sure Fu Yanhuai couldn’t hear them from the living room.

"Why did Brother Fu come today?" Lu Qianxing demanded bluntly. "What did you do? Did you seduce him?"

The question was absurd. Lu Yao felt a flicker of irritation. "Didn’t you and Mom ask me to bring President Fu for dinner?"

Lu Qianxing raised his voice slightly. "Of course I know that! I’m asking why Brother Fu agreed to come with you!"

Lu Qianxing was actually jealous that Lu Yao had married Fu Yanhuai. He wanted Lu Yao to extract tangible benefits from Fu Yanhuai to help the Lu family, but he also didn’t want Lu Yao to actually catch Fu Yanhuai’s eye.

Lu Yao didn’t want to engage. "I don’t know either."

Lu Qianxing flared up instantly. "Lu Yao, you’ve really grown bold, haven’t you? Daring to give me attitude now?!"

Lu Yao pressed his lips together, suppressing his temper. "His thoughts aren’t something you can just guess. He knows all about the Lu family’s little schemes. You should really think about why he came today."

Lu Yao’s restraint stemmed from respect and hope for his family, but right now, he had no desire to keep arguing over meaningless things with Lu Qianxing. After saying this, he turned and walked out, leaving Lu Qianxing fuming behind him.

Guan Qinglu clearly hadn’t expected Fu Yanhuai to come today. The so-called "family dinner" on the table was half-hearted, a far cry from the Fu family’s standards.

When Lu Yao stepped out of the kitchen, Lu Zhongguang was desperately trying to make conversation with Fu Yanhuai, while Guan Qinglu kept glancing uneasily toward the kitchen.

Seeing Lu Yao return alone, she instinctively looked behind him for Lu Qianxing. When she didn’t see him, her expression darkened.

If Fu Yanhuai hadn’t been present, Guan Qinglu would’ve scolded Lu Yao on the spot. But with Fu Yanhuai sitting right there, she could only shoot Lu Yao a reproachful glare.

Lu Yao pretended not to notice and silently took his seat beside Fu Yanhuai.

Even at the Lu family’s dining table, Fu Yanhuai carried himself no differently than if he were at the head of a conference room. He listened with half-lidded eyes as Lu Zhongguang strained to promote himself, not even bothering to offer a perfunctory "mm" in response.

Hearing movement beside him, Fu Yanhuai glanced up. He didn’t miss the array of expressions on Lu Zhongguang and Guan Qinglu’s faces as Lu Yao approached.

A flicker of interest stirred in Fu Yanhuai. He knew there hadn’t been enough time to prepare a dessert, but he still turned to Lu Yao and asked deliberately, "What did you make?"

Still unsettled, Lu Yao stammered, "I made, uh—"

Nothing. Lu Qianxing had just used it as an excuse to pull him away. The chef would’ve prepared dessert, but Lu Yao hadn’t noticed what it was.

Fu Yanhuai watched him leisurely, and Lu Yao flushed again, squirming as he scrambled for an excuse. Just then, Lu Qianxing approached with a delicate small plate.

"Brother Fu," he said eagerly, "macarons. Though I’m not sure if the flavor will suit your taste."

Out of the entire table, only this single small plate was placed before him. Fu Yanhuai had probably never encountered such a pitiful display in his life.

Fu Yanhuai arched a brow. He had no real interest in tasting it, but perhaps Lu Yao had helped with the final steps.

Lu Yao had made desserts for him a few times before, and they’d been surprisingly palatable. But Fu Yanhuai didn’t like sweets—he’d try them if he was in a good mood, but if not, both the dessert and Lu Yao would be ignored.

Right now, Fu Yanhuai’s patience was still intact. He took a small bite.

Under Lu Qianxing’s expectant gaze, Fu Yanhuai elegantly wiped his mouth with a napkin—without swallowing.

It was an incredibly rude gesture. Fu Yanhuai tossed the napkin aside carelessly, not even looking at Lu Qianxing as he remarked idly, "No wonder you couldn’t say anything. Little liar."

Lu Yao had now been accused of both "being good at acting coy" and "being a little liar." If this had been in bed, he would’ve been reduced to tears from embarrassment. But here, he could only try to steady himself and say, "I’ll make it again when we get home, Fu—"

Fu Yanhuai knew exactly how thin-skinned Lu Yao was. He waited patiently for him to continue.

Feeling Fu Yanhuai’s gaze, Lu Yao nearly bit his tongue and hastily corrected himself. "H-Husband?"

Fu Yanhuai was surprised. He’d expected Lu Yao to just say his name.

The moment the word left Lu Yao’s lips, the entire table froze. Fu Yanhuai felt a strange sense of amusement, but since he’d agreed to it himself, he silently accepted the address.

The interaction between Fu Yanhuai and Lu Yao was so unaware of anyone else that it made Lu Qianxing, standing to the side, look like some waiter serving dishes. He shook with anger but dared not say a word.

Guan Qinglu, seeing her beloved younger son wronged, was heartbroken. She quickly spoke up to smooth things over, "Qianxing, come here. Brother Fu never liked these things anyway. Look at you, child."

Lu Qianxing sat down beside her, aggrieved. Guan Qinglu chided him lightly but was clearly concerned. Though Lu Zhongguang looked awkward, it was obvious Fu Yanhuai favored Lu Yao, so he soon perked back up, urging, "Eat, everyone, eat."

Fu Yanhuai wasn’t interested in eating. His fussiness and high standards were evident in every aspect of life. Lu Yao didn’t mind, but he knew Fu Yanhuai wouldn’t like the food at the Lu family’s table.

Lu Zhongguang kept pushing the Fu family’s new project. "This is a major project, and the Xu family is involved too, right? Mr. Fu, given our relationship, shouldn’t we—"

Lu Yao frowned and interrupted, "Dad, let’s eat first."

Lu Zhongguang didn’t dare push Fu Yanhuai, but he instinctively snapped at Lu Yao, "I’m speaking with Mr. Fu. What’s it to you?"

Guan Qinglu added calmly, "You don’t understand business matters, Lu Yao. Take Qianxing upstairs first."

Lu Qianxing spitefully whined, "Didn’t Brother Fu want to eat the dessert you made? Perfect—go to the kitchen then."

Fu Yanhuai saw exactly how things were with Lu Yao’s family. Lu Yao, accustomed to such scenes, calmly reminded, "I may not understand, but I know projects have requirements. You can apply through the proper channels."

Lu Zhongguang’s expression darkened instantly. "Lu Yao!"

Fu Yanhuai tapped the table twice with his knuckles. The sound wasn’t loud, but Lu Zhongguang immediately fell silent. Guan Qinglu and Lu Qianxing both looked at Fu Yanhuai expectantly.

"If I recall correctly," Fu Yanhuai said casually, glancing around the villa, "this was a wedding gift I gave to Lu Yao."

Lu Zhongguang clammed up immediately. To put it bluntly, he had snagged it under the guise of Lu Yao’s marriage to Fu Yanhuai. Fu Yanhuai was indeed generous—unfortunately, the Lu family didn’t realize his generosity was only for certain people.

"The project requires funding, which you can’t provide. The only thing you could offer was Lu Yao, wasn’t it?"

Guan Qinglu looked humiliated, and even Lu Zhongguang couldn’t maintain his smile. "Mr. Fu, your words—"

Fu Yanhuai stood up. "Given your status, you really can only call me Mr. Fu."

This remark was a clear dig at Lu Qianxing. As an A-grade omega, he had been doted on by his parents since childhood and had never suffered such humiliation. His ears buzzed, and for a moment, he wanted to stand up and demand an explanation.

"Lu Yao! Was it you? Did you say something to Brother Fu—"

Lu Yao didn’t hear the rest of the sentence because Fu Yanhuai slipped an arm around his waist and pulled him up.

"Who taught you to call me 'husband,' hmm?"