Chapter 106 All Softened?

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the wide floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling onto the clean and tidy kitchen.

Song Jingmo had his sleeves rolled up, revealing smooth, well-defined forearms, and he moved with precision as he washed the dishes.

Lu Er lounged on the soft sofa like a lazy cat, black hair gently falling across his forehead, fingers scrolling swiftly across his phone screen.

“Mmm… imported chips, tomato flavor, barbecue flavor, cucumber flavor… and this brand of chocolate, I heard it’s really good…”

“Need to stock a few kinds of drinks too—juice, soda, mineral water… oh, right, sugar-free too, to consider those watching their sugar…”

After a flurry of activity, he looked up and called toward the kitchen, “Brother Jingmo, what snacks does Dr. Zhang from your department like?”

“And Nurse Li—she’s dieting, right? Can I get some low-cal ones?”

“And Dr. Wang’s kid is coming too, I heard. I’ll buy some cartoon cookies and jelly that kids like.”

Song Jingmo turned off the faucet, dried his hands with a clean towel, and walked out of the kitchen.

Seeing the little “family emperor” on the sofa who could almost empty the entire supermarket for the team-building event, a gentle smile appeared in his eyes.

He walked over and sat beside him on the sofa, naturally pulling him into his arms so Lu Er could comfortably lean against him.

“No need to make it so complicated.”

Song Jingmo’s chin brushed lightly against the top of his soft hair. “Just you showing up makes everyone happy.”

“All of these things are probably already prepared at the villa. You just need to have fun yourself; no need to specially cater to anyone.”

“How can that be?”

Lu Er wriggled in Song Jingmo’s arms to find a more comfortable position, lifting his phone to show him the shopping cart. “It’s my first time attending your department’s event as family, so I have to make a good impression.”

“This is called strategic investment. I have to let them know that my Song Jingmo’s boyfriend is absolutely reliable and thoughtful!”

Song Jingmo had no choice but to look down at the overfilled shopping cart, all filled with high-quality imported snacks.

Sweet, sour, salty, spicy—all flavors were covered, and even options for kids and possible sugar-watchers were thoughtfully included. It was truly considerate.

“Finished shopping?” Song Jingmo asked, his arm around Lu Er’s waist.

“Mm-hmm, almost done!” Lu Er replied, feeling delighted.

Song Jingmo reached for Lu Er’s phone and linked his own bank card.

“Hey? What are you doing? I have my own money.” Lu Er reached out to grab it.

Song Jingmo casually avoided his hand, completed the operation, and returned the phone. “Use this for payments from now on.”

Lu Er tapped his bank card details, intending to check the balance, but his eyes widened at the long string of zeros displayed.

Counting carefully, it was twenty million.

“All your savings?”

“Mm.”

Song Jingmo’s expression remained unchanged. “During those years abroad, aside from basic expenses, what I saved and earned from some investments is pretty much all here.”

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside Lu Er—he felt touched, yet a little heartache too.

“I think you should keep it. I have my own money; I don’t need you to support me,” he said earnestly.

Song Jingmo couldn’t resist nudging his nose with his own, chuckling softly. “Our Lu, the top influencer earning a fortune every day, I wouldn’t even be able to support you at my current ability.”

He paused, looking into his eyes, his tone serious yet gentle. “Giving you this card isn’t about supporting you. Submitting savings and salary cards is just proper procedure.”

Song Jingmo’s eyes were full of affection and indulgence. “From now on, the household finances are yours. Me… I’ll just rely on Lu’s generosity to give me pocket money.”

Lu Er lifted his chin proudly, like a cat being petted and now flicking its tail in satisfaction.

“Hmph, that’s more like it. Song Jingmo, you’d better behave from now on.”

“Don’t bully me, or… hmph, I won’t give you pocket money.”

Song Jingmo nodded obediently, leaning close to his ear, his hot breath low. “Fine. But… mischief in bed is exempt.”

Lu Er’s face instantly turned crimson. “Song Jingmo! Why… why is your mind always filled with these things?!”

Song Jingmo looked perfectly innocent, even slightly aggrieved, stating the truth matter-of-factly: “Too long without self-restraint, stockpile too big, understand?”

Lu Er gave in completely, burying his burning face into his neck, deciding not to argue with this increasingly shameless person for the moment.

On the day of the team-building event, Song Jingmo drove them to a hot-spring villa on the outskirts of the city.

To avoid interruptions from fans or paparazzi, Lu Er generously rented the entire villa.

By 10 a.m., the orthopedic doctors and nurses arrived one by one with their families.

Seeing this, everyone was first shocked, then pleasantly surprised, and their admiration for Lu Er skyrocketed.

They first rested in the pre-booked hotel rooms.

By noon, they gathered at a rustic farmhouse-style restaurant within the villa for lunch.

Lu Er showed none of the airs of a top influencer, chatting easily with everyone.

He quickly blended into the group, winning everyone’s affection.

After lunch, under the perfect sunlight, everyone gathered on the spacious lawn behind the villa for some small games.

The lawn was bordered by lush mountains and a gently flowing stream—an extremely pleasant environment.

The games were hosted by the head nurse. After a few ice-breaker games, the atmosphere grew lively.

The last game was a riddle.

The rules: the host poses a question, and everyone guesses in order of seating.

Wrong guesses must accept a penalty: a small cup of beer, then the next person continues.

If someone answers correctly, they become the new host in turn.

The first host was Nurse Liu Yuan.

Clearing her throat, Liu Yuan smiled mysteriously and mischievously: “What is hard before putting it in, and soft and squishy when held after heating?”

At once, the lawn went silent for a second, then a chorus of suppressed coughs and muffled laughter broke out.

All adults present couldn’t help but think in a naughty way.

Everyone glanced at each other with various expressions; a few young nurses blushed and lowered their heads.

Some spectators couldn’t help but glance at Song Jingmo and Lu Er.

Lu Er, sitting next to Song Jingmo, eyes lit up the moment he heard the question.

He knew this one!

Confidently raising his hand, afraid someone else would answer first, he shouted: “I know! Every man has it, right?”

“Pfft! Hahaha!”

“Little Lu, you’re bold!”

“Hahaha! That’s our boy!”

Everyone laughed at his blunt yet spirited answer.

Even Song Jingmo couldn’t help but facepalm, corner of his mouth twitching, helpless yet indulgent as he watched this little “family emperor” seeking praise.

The host doubled over laughing, shaking her hands repeatedly: “No, no! Your thought process is dangerous!”

Lu Er looked confused.

Suppressing her laughter, Liu Yuan gave a hint: “Think again. It’s something very common that everyone likes to eat.”

Wrong guesses meant penalties.

Lu Er didn’t hesitate, picked up his small beer cup, and downed it in one gulp, then eagerly waited to see who would go next.

Yin Siyao furrowed his perfectly shaped brows, thinking carefully, and tentatively asked: “Is it a popsicle?”

“Hard when it goes in your mouth, soft after taking it out?”

This answer seemed much more reasonable, and everyone thought it was likely correct.

However, Liu Yuan still shook her head, smiling.

Winking, she gave a clearer hint: “No, Dr. Yin! It’s not that one part softens—it’s another part. All of it softens!”

“All of it softens?”