Chapter 118 What Does That Girl Do?

Half a month later, one evening at the old Lu family mansion, after finishing her meal at a leisurely pace, Leng Qinghua wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

Suddenly, she spoke up with a suggestion: “This weekend at noon, I’d like to invite that boy, Jingmo, over for a meal. Xiaocheng, Bingbing, what do you think?”

Luo Bingbing immediately put down her spoon and nodded obediently. “Mom, whatever you arrange is fine. I have no objections.”

Lu Cheng felt a jolt in his chest but kept a neutral expression on his face. He tried to gently discourage the idea: “Jingmo is now the head of his department and quite busy. He might have to work over the weekend… I’m not sure if he’ll have time…”

Leng Qinghua didn’t even lift her eyelids and spoke with a nostalgic tone: “No matter how busy he is, there’s always time for a meal. I haven’t seen that boy in a long time—I really want to meet him. That’s settled.”

Lu Cheng silently swallowed the rest of his words, knowing that once his mother made a decision, it was hard to change.

On the morning of the weekend, Lu Er was curled up on the sofa, frowning while studying the script for his new drama, when his phone rang.

Seeing the caller ID, he lazily answered: “Hello, Mom?”

On the other end, Leng Qinghua’s voice came through: “Xiao Er, you invite Jingmo over for lunch on Sunday, and I’ve asked the kitchen to prepare plenty of dishes he likes. Back in school, thanks to Jingmo urging you to study, you didn’t go astray. Otherwise, just by yourself, you probably wouldn’t have made it into A University. Not even the vocational college in the neighboring city. I really have to thank him properly.”

Lu Er: “……”

It was true, but somehow, hearing it from his mother’s mouth made it sound unpleasant.

Lu Er muttered a vague reply: “Got it. I’ll see if he’s available.”

After hanging up, Lu Er tossed the script aside, collapsed into the sofa, and felt utterly defeated.

That evening, when Lu Er mentioned this, Song Jingmo paused slightly while taking off his coat, a faint, almost imperceptible trace of nervousness flashing across his face.

Although he could stay calm in the operating room facing all kinds of emergencies, standing before the imposing Mrs. Leng—especially since he had “stolen” her precious son—made it hard not to feel nervous.

Seeing Song Jingmo’s overly cautious expression, Lu Er couldn’t help but chuckle. He leaned over and poked him in the waist: “Doctor Song, relax a bit. It’s not like you’re visiting as a fiancée yet.”

“My mom just wants to thank you for giving me a second chance back then. It’s not a formal family introduction.”

Song Jingmo smiled helplessly at his teasing. That evening, they went to pick out some health supplements and teas.

On Sunday at noon, Lu Er drove and brought Song Jingmo, carrying the gifts, back to the old Lu family mansion.

Leng Qinghua had prepared an extremely lavish spread, comparable to a New Year’s Eve feast.

“Auntie, long time no see. You’re too kind.”

Song Jingmo handed the gifts to the servants, greeted politely, and maintained perfect posture—flawless in every way.

Leng Qinghua’s face carried a rare gentle smile: “Jingmo, you’re here, come sit. Don’t be so polite—it’s just a simple meal.”

Everyone took their seats, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Midway through the meal, Leng Qinghua seemed to recall something. She put down her chopsticks and asked: “Jingmo, back then you were doing so well in A City, why did you suddenly decide to go abroad?”

Luo Bingbing paused mid-air with her spoon, curious as well, glancing at Song Jingmo. She vaguely heard from Lu Cheng that it had something to do with Lu Er.

Song Jingmo’s hand tightened imperceptibly on his chopsticks, but he kept a composed, polite smile.
“Aunt Leng, medicine develops rapidly and learning never stops. I went abroad mainly to study and train on a more advanced platform, to broaden my horizons.”

“I heard from your uncle that conditions abroad were good and you were gone for six years. Why did you decide to come back?”

Song Jingmo’s voice remained steady: “I believe personal development should resonate with national progress. After learning abroad, I wanted to return and contribute to my country.”

His words sounded dignified, and Leng Qinghua’s face brightened with satisfaction. She nodded appreciatively: “Good, very good. You truly are a child raised by capable parents—your awareness is high. Ambitious and responsible.”

She glanced at Lu Er, who was busy gnawing on a chicken wing, with a mix of frustration and exasperation: “Unlike our child here, who ignores important matters and only messes around in the entertainment industry.”

Luo Bingbing blinked repeatedly. She clearly remembered her husband saying that Song Jingmo went abroad because he had a romantic dispute with Lu Er.

Why was this story different from what she’d been told?

She looked at Lu Er in confusion.

Lu Er mischievously blinked, took out his phone, and quickly typed:

[Song Jingmo official statement: Went abroad to further my studies.]
[Lu Er real-time translation: Had a fight with his wife and ran off in a huff.]

Luo Bingbing: “!!!”

She nearly choked on her saliva and hurriedly covered her mouth.

At this moment, Leng Qinghua asked a few more questions about life abroad. Song Jingmo answered carefully, one by one.

[Song Jingmo official statement: The research environment abroad is indeed good, but my heart has always been with my country.]
[Lu Er real-time translation: The outside world is fun, but at the end of the day, home and my wife matter more.]

[Song Jingmo official statement: I returned to contribute more to medical progress.]
[Lu Er real-time translation: Six years away and I realized I couldn’t forget my wife, so I hurried back to chase him.]

Watching Lu Er’s “translation” update on her phone screen, Luo Bingbing tried to stifle her laughter, shoulders shaking, face turning red.

She couldn’t help but admire this couple: one delivering a dignified report on stage, the other tearing it apart with hilarious commentary below.

Leng Qinghua noticed the small antics of Luo Bingbing and Lu Er and furrowed her brows:
“What are you two whispering about down there?”

Lu Er immediately put down the phone, sat upright, and wore a completely serious expression:
“Mom, we are reflecting deeply, and discussing how to learn from Brother Jingmo’s great vision for the country and his noble aspirations.”

Song Jingmo watched Lu Er’s exaggerated act and couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Taking over the conversation, he spoke sincerely: “Auntie, don’t speak like that about Lu Er. He’s contributing to our country’s cultural and entertainment industry. He has also earned quite a few prestigious awards through his own effort. Lu Er is smart and hardworking. In my view, he has always been outstanding.”

His words praised Lu Er while remaining perfectly appropriate, without any flattery.

Leng Qinghua was delighted, and even her opinion of her seemingly unworthy youngest son improved considerably.

She nodded, smiling: “Yes, yes, you’re all good kids.”

The atmosphere was just right when Leng Qinghua, smiling warmly, asked: “Jingmo, Lu Er mentioned last time that you’re dating? When you have time, bring her over for Auntie to see. I’ll help you check her out.”

Song Jingmo: “……”

Leng Qinghua’s tone was warm, filled with elder concern: “Tell Auntie, what does that girl do? What’s her personality like? How’s her family…”

“Cough cough!” Lu Er suddenly coughed violently, almost choking on the soup.