Chapter 25
With all filming finished for the day, Lu Xiao drove Meng Xueyuan back to their apartment.
Meng Xueyuan received a delivery notification—his large package had been left with the security desk.
It took him a moment to remember: to keep things from Lu Xiao, he’d bought a mahjong table. That way, when the worker bees came over, they’d have a legitimate excuse to gather.
There were fewer guards on duty at the moment. Seeing Meng Xueyuan return, one of them said, “Are you in a hurry? Once Old Liu finishes eating later, we’ll bring it up and install it for you.”
Lu Xiao asked, “You bought it?”
Meng Xueyuan replied, “Yeah.”
Lu Xiao thought to himself that you’d never guess his wife was this deeply into it—buying a fully automatic mahjong table and all. Spotting a small handcart in the guardroom, he said, “We’ll do it ourselves.”
When the elevator doors opened and closed, Lu Xiao wheeled the mahjong table out and suddenly, with a bit of scheming, suggested, “Why don’t we put it in my place? My apartment is more spacious.”
That way, whenever 001 or 002 from Meng Xueyuan’s phone came over to play mahjong, he could keep tabs on things at any time.
Meng Xueyuan refused. “There isn’t much stuff in my place either.”
Left with no choice, Lu Xiao regretfully pushed the mahjong table into the apartment across the hall and began disassembling and assembling it.
The one Meng Xueyuan had bought was the most basic plastic electric table online, costing a little over a thousand yuan. It came with two sets of bright green tiles, and the tabletop was covered in cheap green felt. Because it was so inexpensive, installation wasn’t included—but the apartment’s property management fees were high, and the security guards could handle just about anything.
It was too green. Lu Xiao had seen how wealthy ladies played mahjong—at the very least, their tables had silent shuffling, comfortable enough that you could play eighteen rounds without wanting to move. During the installation, he already knew this table was noisy, clattering away like one in a mahjong parlor. Tomorrow, he’d get his wife an expensive one.
Lu Xiao plugged it in and tried shuffling a round. Buzzing and clattering—the noise was loud enough that he could hear it from next door.
Huh? You could hear it from next door?
Suddenly, Lu Xiao felt very satisfied. That way, if someone secretly came over to Meng Xueyuan’s place in the middle of the night to play mahjong, even if he was asleep, he’d be able to get up and take a look. As long as Meng Xueyuan didn’t close the door, the sound would carry over.
The cheap mahjong table clashed badly with the apartment’s high-end décor. Meng Xueyuan pressed his lips together—1,200 yuan was still expensive, after all. Besides, it was just a prop for hosting tea gatherings.
Lu Xiao showed an appreciative look and knocked on the plastic edge of the table. “The shuffling sound is crisp and smooth. It works well. This motor should last three years.”
Meng Xueyuan brightened. “Really? I just bought the top-selling one.”
Lu Xiao said, “The masses—and your eyes—are both sharp.”
Being praised, Meng Xueyuan’s eyes curved with a smile. He also felt that the mahjong table was pretty good. They could play a few rounds when they had time, even though he’d never played before. “If you want to play, you can come over to my place.”
He could keep Lu Xiao company.
Lu Xiao said, “Sure. It’s about time—let’s change clothes and head out.”
Meng Xueyuan nodded. He’d already thought about what to wear.
Lu Xiao added, “I’ve prepared clothes. Wait a moment.”
Going home to meet the parents—of course they had to wear matching outfits!
Lu Xiao had custom-made a whole series of couple outfits ages ago. He sized up Meng Xueyuan’s waist—no, there was no need to eyeball it; he’d already measured it himself. His wife’s figure hadn’t changed at all from when he’d placed the order back then.
What he took out today was a traditional-style peony series. Between the left shoulder and the third button down the chest, a peony was embroidered. The two outfits were symmetrical, like a groom wearing a flower on his chest. From his observations, Meng Xueyuan liked peonies the most.
Meng Xueyuan said, “Your walk-in closet is huge.”
Lu Xiao guiltily closed the cabinet door. “I just have a lot of clothes.”
Meng Xueyuan asked, “Isn’t this outfit a bit too flashy? Aren’t we supposed to show your dad a calm, steady side?”
Lu Xiao replied, “Just show a loving side. You can do that, right?”
Without waiting for Meng Xueyuan’s answer, Lu Xiao went on, “I can. Just let me handle it—you only need to cooperate.”
At six-thirty, Meng Xueyuan went to the Lu family home for the first time. It was a villa, with an enormous flower garden out front. It was spring; all kinds of flowers were in full bloom—roses, lilies, wild roses, peonies competing in beauty. The garden was meticulously maintained and rarely treated with chemicals; even bees lingered here, reluctant to leave.
Meng Xueyuan really liked the Lu family home.
As he got out of the passenger seat, he lowered his head and saw Lu Xiao extending his hand to him, palm up.
Lu Xiao said, “We’re going in holding hands.”
Meng Xueyuan’s fingers twitched, but he calmly placed his hand into Lu Xiao’s. Even though they’d done things only adults did, in some respects they were still less bold than high school sweethearts.
At least high schoolers knew to hold hands while strolling the streets after school.
Meng Xueyuan’s only experience was Lu Xiao pressing his hand down by the pillow and entering forcefully. So when Lu Xiao suddenly tightened his grip, like a sign of exerting force from above and below at once, Meng Xueyuan reflexively flinched.
Lu Xiao quickly loosened his grip a little. “Sorry. I didn’t control my strength well.”
Meng Xueyuan said, “It’s fine.”
Shen Ning stood at the doorway, watching the two approach—her son, dazzling as if walking down a red carpet, and her son’s legally cohabiting partner. He nudged Lu Fengge and reminded him, “Don’t give it away. This is our family’s first daughter-in—son-in-law. Look a bit nicer.”
Lu Fengge said helplessly, “He got married and didn’t tell the family for two years. Isn’t my expression already nice enough?”
Shen Ning replied, “It’s rare to have a son who married early. You should be genuinely happy.”
Lu Fengge thought to himself: Married for two years and still hasn’t won him over, and I’m supposed to be genuinely happy for Lu Xiao?
Shen Ning adjusted the corners of Lu Fengge’s mouth for him, then walked over with a beaming smile. Stopping on Meng Xueyuan’s side, he said, “Yuan-yuan looks even better in person than on TV.”
Meng Xueyuan said shyly, “You look even better in person than in photos, too.”
That lively charm you saw with your own eyes was something no media could ever perfectly capture.
Lu Xiao said, “Dad, I brought him here today because I’ve decided to spend my life with him. I’ll do everything I can to love him and give him the best life.”
Lu Lou and Lu Yushu had just gotten home from work. Hearing this as they came up from the underground garage to the second floor, they forgot to keep up appearances for a moment and curled their lips in disdain.
You only say confessions when you’re acting. You take it seriously, but your wife doesn’t. Coward.
Meng Xueyuan took in the expressions on the two brothers’ faces and angrily tightened his grip on Lu Xiao’s hand. What—he says he’ll do everything he can, and you still look down on your younger brother? He believed Lu Xiao would definitely astonish them.
Lu Xiao felt the increased pressure of Meng Xueyuan’s hand. Had Meng Xueyuan been moved by his heartfelt words?
Lu Fengge patted his son on the shoulder. “Empty slogans are useless. Prove it to me with your actions.”
Lu Xiao said, “Just wait and see.”
Meng Xueyuan added, “I’ll also support him forever and help as much as I can.”
Lu Xiao nodded, radiant, his bright eyes full of happiness. He blurted out, “Honey, you’re so good to me.”
Meng Xueyuan was startled by the address. “As I should be.”
Shen Ning looked on and felt that the conversation was all over the place. The only thing that was clear was that her son had truly fallen in love.
Although Lu Xiao had changed his name and gone abroad to race cars so he wouldn’t worry—and his two older brothers had even abetted him—Shen Ning had actually watched all of Lu Xiao’s races. The joy he felt when Lu Xiao won that championship was probably no greater than this.
He stayed on Meng Xueyuan’s left, leading him inside. “Let’s go eat. Everyone’s hungry.”
Lu Lou lagged a step behind. Together with Lu Yushu, he pressed a hand on each of Lu Xiao’s shoulders, reminding him, “Don’t get too carried away.”
You’re telling the truth yourself—don’t assume Meng Xueyuan is too. Getting this happy over a single sentence from him—love-brain, terminal case.
Lu Xiao’s face darkened instantly. Nothing was more of a mood-killer than an older brother.
Lu Xiao said, “I’m happy anyway. Aren’t you?”
Lu Yushu smiled. “I’ll be happy when you’re crying about constant business trips and saying you don’t want to do this anymore.”
Lu Lou felt a bad premonition—this really could happen, and wouldn’t the one picking up the slack be the older brothers?
Lu Yushu paused mid-sentence and suddenly couldn’t smile anymore either. Who knew how long Lu Xiao would last this time?
Lu Xiao caught up with Meng Xueyuan in a few strides. “Aunt Ping’s sweet-and-sour lychee pork is really good. You like sweet food—eat more.”
Meng Xueyuan leaned in and whispered, “What did your brothers say again?”
Judging by the looks on the three of them, the conversation had been full of gunpowder.
Lu Xiao lowered his gaze and murmured, “My brothers think we’re acting. Later, let’s kiss so they can see.”
Meng Xueyuan: “Okay!”
Lu Xiao turned the tomato fish dish toward him and picked up a piece of fish for Meng Xueyuan. “This is good too.”
It was Meng Xueyuan’s first visit, and Lu Xiao couldn’t help introducing all the dishes they ate most often. Ideally, the couple’s tastes would align; if Meng Xueyuan disliked any dish, Lu Xiao decided he wouldn’t eat it in the future either.
Yet by the end of the meal, Lu Xiao hadn’t found anything Meng Xueyuan disliked—except boiled eggs.
Lu Xiao quietly showed off. “I can cook all of these.”
Meng Xueyuan said, “You’re amazing.” But why do you always give me boiled eggs—is it because they’re the easiest?
When they were nearly full, Meng Xueyuan took the initiative to ladle himself a bowl of tremella soup to soothe his throat.
Lu Lou and Lu Yushu both ate in silence.
Even though it was a family meal, there were moments when they felt like mere table-sharers. It would’ve been better to eat with their secretaries—they could at least keep discussing meeting proposals.
After dinner, Lu Xiao suggested taking Meng Xueyuan on a tour of the house—especially the large flower garden out front, which Shen Ning had personally designed. The flowers were arranged in varying heights, like a grand floral art installation, different from every angle.
At night, many flowers were half-closed, like Sleeping Beauties. Meng Xueyuan stopped before a cluster of peonies and bent down to smell them.
Lu Xiao came to a stop and pointed to two windows on the third floor. “The left one is my eldest brother’s room. The right one is my second brother’s.”
Meng Xueyuan immediately understood. If either of them were standing by the window right now, they could see the two of them clearly.
“So… should we kiss now?” He had already rinsed his mouth with sweet soup.
Lu Xiao’s expression was natural. “Yes.”
He stepped forward, pulled Meng Xueyuan into his arms, captured his soft, sweet lips, and gently rubbed against them.
Slowly, Meng Xueyuan raised his hands to wrap around Lu Xiao’s neck. Otherwise, he feared that as the kiss went on and Lu Xiao kept encroaching, he’d be forced backward into the flowerbed.
Ruining Uncle Shen’s flowers on their first meeting would definitely leave a terrible impression.
At the same time, in the underground garage, the two older brothers emotionlessly started their cars and drove straight out of the Lu family’s outer walls through the long tunnel.
…
Meng Xueyuan summed it up: he was now a queen bee who had successfully completed his nuptial flight, and was very good at holding hands and very good at kissing.
If Lu Xiao hadn’t lost control halfway through the kiss, Meng Xueyuan thought they could have kissed from the peonies half-closed all the way to the white dew fully dried.
That’s how it was when you’d just tasted meat—whenever they locked eyes on set after filming, Meng Xueyuan knew that Lu Xiao would be ready for some “friendly negotiations” that night.
The only problem was… could he say that he felt Lu Xiao’s skills had gotten worse?
But it didn’t matter.
With one hand gently patting Meng Xueyuan’s smooth, pale back, Lu Xiao opened the CP-fans forum with the other. After upgrading his servers, this lousy forum could not only upload images smoothly but could even upload compressed files now…?
He felt an immediate sense of superiority browsing it.
For no other reason than that he was already several versions ahead of what the forum was shipping.
Late at night, some people grew restless and began sharing resources with their sisters.
[Passed Subject Three, sharing my treasured Snowy Night doi substitute. Will delete in 1 hour. Compressed file.zip]
Lu Xiao scrolled through the replies in confusion before realizing—it was clipped GV footage. The clips didn’t show faces; the body types and hairstyles matched, so it could serve as a “substitute.”
“…There’s even this kind of substitute?? What’s the point?”
Lu Xiao wasn’t interested and was about to exit when he noticed the thread erupting into an argument.
Amid a sea of “Thanks for sharing,” a particularly serious CP fan chimed in, saying that such a gentle, drawn-out doi style couldn’t possibly serve as a substitute. The bottom’s calves were so thick—nothing like Yuan-yuan’s at all. Wasn’t the OP actually a fan of that Thai internet porn star couple, coming here to promote them?
The OP snapped back: If it can’t be a substitute, how did you see it so clearly?
Others joined in, and someone claimed Lu Xiao should be the storm-and-tempest type, posting a screenshot from some smutty flower-market novel about a scummy top in bed, with the character names erased, saying, “I usually substitute with this.”
Someone else retorted: I’m so done with you people swapping heads everywhere. Lu Xiao is a technical god who’s good at everything—his skills couldn’t possibly be as bad as that scummy top’s. P.S. what’s the fic called?
Lu Xiao: How bad could it be?
The topic gradually turned explicit, and Lu Xiao sensed the thread was about to get locked.
Before it did, he opened the image.
“…”
Lu Xiao’s smile froze as he looked in the mirror.
Why was the scummy top’s routine of messing around with a small celebrity in bed exactly the same as his?
Unwilling to believe it, Lu Xiao registered a throwaway account and replied to that comment: “Is this really considered very bad technique?”
[Very bad.]
Lu Xiao defended himself: “I wasn’t like this before.”
[? There are actually gay guys shipping CPs?]
[Why are you even chatting along with them? And someone’s got the nerve to rub shoulders with a Flower Market scummy top? Even if he’s scummy, he’s still top-tier by Flower Market standards, okay?]
When it came to gay men, some CP fans were more than happy to play mentor. They said, “So you’re gradually getting more and more out of hand—doesn’t your partner have any objections?”
Lu Xiao: “He hasn’t said anything.”
[Damn, even bedroom skills can be spoiled. A virtuous wife makes a scummy top!]
[Your wife really dotes on you!]
Lu Xiao felt like he’d been struck on the head. When he refreshed again, the post was gone, and his account had been banned.
