Chapter 87: Master Lu

Xu Xiaoqi watched as Qin Miaoyu stepped out of the same luxury car from yesterday and approached, immediately teasing her, “So, is there something going on with your contract husband again?”

Compared to Pei Yixue, who wasn’t very familiar with the inside story, Xu Xiaoqi, who had known Qin Miaoyu longer, had a better grasp of the situation between the two—at least she knew they had once been in a relationship.

Qin Miaoyu didn’t think there was anything going on and explained Lu Qi’an’s request to Xu Xiaoqi.

Xu Xiaoqi’s lips curled with a cryptic smile. “Why do I feel that President Lu’s motives are far from simple? Perhaps he’s hoping to rekindle a spark of love?”

“So what if he is?” Qin Miaoyu certainly noticed Lu Qi’an’s ulterior motives, but she didn’t believe they could end up together. If they couldn’t, then they simply couldn’t.

Seeing Qin Miaoyu’s attitude, Xu Xiaoqi didn’t push further and instead brought up Mrs. Wang’s matter from the previous day.

“The wedding will be held on the lawn behind the Wang family’s villa. Mrs. Wang wants a Western-style wedding for her son. Yixue has already discussed some of the specifics with her,” Xu said.

Qin Miaoyu frowned slightly. “Is Mrs. Wang coming alone?”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Let’s wait a moment. I’ll check with Miss Li about the situation.”

Qin Miaoyu had previously encountered a troublesome case involving a mother and daughter. The mother had the habit of making decisions for her daughter, so she set the wedding style and arrangements herself. However, the daughter also had her own ideas about her wedding, and the two nearly quarreled over it.

This time, with Mrs. Wang, it was a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law dynamic. It was Mrs. Wang’s son getting married to his fiancée. If the future daughter-in-law was difficult, and they didn’t clarify things in advance, it could turn into a mess.

As anticipated, after some delicate inquiry, Qin Miaoyu learned that Mrs. Wang’s son and his fiancée were entering a business marriage, with both families being of similar status. The fiancée herself was doted on as a precious only child.

This would make things more complicated. To avoid trouble later, Qin Miaoyu and Xu Xiaoqi decided it was essential to get in touch with Mrs. Wang’s future daughter-in-law and ensure everything was clear from the start.

For this, they needed someone with influence—there was no one better than Miss Pei.

Qin Miaoyu and Xu Xiaoqi noticed Pei Yixue and Chen Xuanyu together again and exchanged a knowing glance, then headed over in tacit agreement.

Chen Xuanyu was telling jokes to amuse Pei Yixue. Spotting Qin Miaoyu and Xu Xiaoqi suddenly, he immediately sensed trouble.

Sure enough, Xu Xiaoqi said, “Yixue, Miaoyu and I have something to discuss with you. Chen Xuanyu, please return to your workstation for now. If you need anything, wait until Yixue is free.”

He could only watch helplessly as Pei Yixue followed the two of them away.

In the office, Qin Miaoyu and Xu Xiaoqi explained the situation.

Pei Yixue instantly assured them, “Don’t worry, leave it to me!”

Qin Miaoyu and Xu Xiaoqi were at ease about this, but they were uneasy about another matter.

Xu Xiaoqi, playing the strict one, asked, “I’ve heard you’ve been spending a lot of time with Chen Xuanyu lately?”

Pei Yixue looked puzzled. “Is there a problem?”

“He keeps coming over from Administration to our office. That’s not appropriate. If he’s a studio employee, he should focus on his own work, not wander around. Otherwise, isn’t the salary I pay him going to waste?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to talk to him,” Pei Yixue promised.

Qin Miaoyu added earnestly, “I know you’re close with Chen Xuanyu, but if he keeps coming to see you during work hours, doesn’t that affect his work?”

Pei Yixue nodded. “That’s true. He does seem to come looking for me during work a lot lately. I’ll tell him not to anymore.”

Qin Miaoyu and Xu Xiaoqi nodded their approval.

After work, Pei Yixue would either return to the Pei residence or go out for fun with her circle of girlfriends, so it would be harder for her to run into Chen Xuanyu.

On Friday afternoon, Lu Qi’an came to pick up Qin Miaoyu.

He got out of the car and walked right up to her and her colleagues, greeting them all.

“Hello, I’m Miaoyu’s—”

“I know, you’re Miaoyu’s contract husband!” Pei Yixue interjected.

“Miss Pei, long time no see. I heard Uncle Pei is arranging some matchmaking for you?”

Lu Qi’an’s words immediately drew the attention of Qin Miaoyu and Xu Xiaoqi.

Pei Yixue quickly explained, “There’s nothing definite yet, so I didn’t mention it. I was going to wait until something was settled.”

Qin Miaoyu bid farewell to her friends and got into the car with Lu Qi’an.

“I’ve prepared an inkstone for Grandfather. He’s obsessed with calligraphy these days, so it’s something he’ll both use and enjoy.”

“And?”

“And later, we’ll need to act a bit more affectionate. If we can get Grandfather’s approval in one go, he won’t be so suspicious in the future. If he still has doubts, we might need to keep up appearances a few more times. If my family stops pressuring me about marriage, I’ll be able to relax.”

A bit more affectionate...

Though they’d been close before, it had been some time since they last saw each other, and their feelings had shifted. It was inevitably a little awkward.

Qin Miaoyu could only say, “I’ll do my best.”

The car soon arrived at the Lu family’s old residence.

It was Qin Miaoyu’s first time there, and she couldn’t help but marvel at the Lu family’s status in Jing City.

The Liang family’s old house was already impressive, but the Lu residence truly revealed a depth of heritage that was extraordinary.

The Lu family’s butler came out to greet them. “Young Master, you’re finally back. The Old Master has been waiting for you. This must be Young Madam. I’m the butler here, my surname is Fu.”

“Miaoyu, you can just call him Uncle Fu. He’s been with the family for over twenty years.”

Qin Miaoyu gave him a gentle smile. “Uncle Fu, nice to meet you. I’m Qin Miaoyu.”

“Young Madam, you’re too polite. The Old Master is waiting for you inside.”

Entering the Lu family’s sitting room, Qin Miaoyu saw the Old Master.

She’d met him once before, but hadn’t formed a deep impression. Now, he looked robust and energetic, his eyes sharp and discerning.

“Grandfather, I brought Miaoyu home to see you,” Lu Qi’an announced.

The Old Master said nothing, merely studying Qin Miaoyu.

Following Lu Qi’an’s lead, Qin Miaoyu greeted him. “Grandfather, is there something on my face?”

The Old Master withdrew his gaze, his manner a bit cold. “Nothing.”

“That’s good. Qi’an picked out this inkstone especially for you,” Qin Miaoyu said, presenting the gift that Lu Qi’an had handed her before they got out of the car.

Just from the packaging, the Old Master could tell it was a rare and valuable inkstone. A faint smile finally appeared on his face.