Chapter 119 The Gift—I’ll Come Personally to Collect It

Song Jingmo immediately put down his chopsticks and leaned over anxiously, gently patting Lu Er’s back to help him breathe, his eyes full of concern.

Leng Qinghua frowned in displeasure and scolded, “Even when eating, you can’t behave properly? No manners at all—how old are you, anyway?”

Luo Bingbing quickly tried to smooth things over, smiling: “Mom, don’t be upset. Xiao Er is just happy for Jingmo.”

Then she turned to Song Jingmo. “Someone worthy of matching with such an outstanding person as Jingmo must have it all—family background, looks, education—truly one in a million.”

Following Luo Bingbing’s words, Song Jingmo’s gaze fell on Lu Er’s face, still glistening with tears, and the corner of his lips curved slightly.

In a tone filled with indescribable warmth, he said, “Bingbing, you flatter me. Her looks are indeed exceptional—delicate and beautiful.”

He deliberately paused on the word beautiful, noticing Lu Er’s ears flush red before continuing: “Many people admire her, and her family background is also excellent. She’s extremely successful in her own career. Sometimes, I even feel a bit insecure, fearing I’m not worthy of her.”

This heartfelt praise piqued Leng Qinghua’s curiosity completely.

Running through all the prominent heiresses in City A in her mind, she frowned. No matter how she thought, she couldn’t figure out which family’s daughter could possibly match Song Jingmo’s description.

Unable to decide, she turned her attention to Lu Er: “Look at how outstanding Jingmo’s partner is. You should strive to marry Yanyan soon too, so I can finally feel at ease.”

Lu Er, drinking from his cup, muttered under his breath, “I don’t even know what you’re thinking, rushing to pack me off like this…”

Leng Qinghua’s face darkened instantly, as if a sore spot had been struck, her tone carrying a faint, barely perceptible mixture of agitation and sadness.

“What kind of thoughts can I have? Isn’t this for your own good? I want someone to be with you, supporting each other.”

“So you can have children, a happy family. When I grow old, you won’t be alone and helpless—I can’t stay with you all my life.”

The mixture of pessimism and urgency in her words made Lu Er’s heart tighten.

Setting down his cup, he looked straight at Leng Qinghua, cutting through the unspoken words:

“Is it that you can’t be with us for life, or that you just don’t want to try to be with us even a little longer?”

“Mom, how long do you plan to keep things from us?”

“Why don’t you want to go to the hospital for proper treatment?”

Clang.

Luo Bingbing’s spoon fell onto the plate with a crisp sound.

Lu Chen closed his eyes, his expression heavy.

The atmosphere at the dining table instantly froze.

The color drained from Leng Qinghua’s face. After a few seconds of silence, she spoke wearily, “Chemotherapy is too painful—losing hair, vomiting… I don’t want that.”

“Aunt Leng, medical technology has advanced greatly. Many drugs now can control and alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy.”

“If caught early, with mature treatment methods, the prognosis is very good. Standard treatment can give a high chance of long-term survival, even clinical cure.”

“If you cooperate fully with treatment, you could watch Lu Chen’s children grow up. You could see Lu Er start a family—you could be with them for a very long time.”

Leng Qinghua listened in a daze, her tightly pressed lips slowly loosening.

After a long while, she sighed softly, her tone much calmer: “I will seriously consider it.”

After dinner, Song Jingmo took his leave and went to visit his uncle next door.

Lu Er was called to the study by Lu Chen to discuss their mother’s illness and follow-up treatment in detail.

Luo Bingbing stayed in the living room, gently persuading, “Mom, medical technology keeps improving, and Jingmo has extensive connections—he can surely reach the best specialists…”

Afternoon, in the study

Leng Qinghua announced her decision: “After the birthday banquet at the end of the month, I’ll officially hand over Leng Group to Xiao Er to manage. Then I’ll go to the hospital and get proper treatment.”

“What? To me?”

Lu Er shook his head vigorously. “I can’t do it. I don’t know how to run a company. It’s better to give it all to my brother—I’ll just take the annual dividends.”

Lu Chen pressed down on his restless younger brother: “Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll help manage the company for now. As for the shares and profits, they’re still Xiao Er’s.”

He looked at Lu Er with a caring elder brother’s gaze. “You’ll eventually start a family. Having money in your own hands gives you confidence.”

Lu Er wanted to say more, but seeing his mother and brother’s determined eyes, he swallowed his words and began planning how to be a hands-off manager in the future.

Evening

Lu Er stayed in his room at the old residence, while Song Jingmo stayed at his uncle’s house.

Separated by a moderate distance, they could only chat by phone.

Lu Er lay on his bed, hugging his phone, typing rapidly:

[Report to Dr. Song: Major progress. Mrs. Leng has relented, agreeing to go to the hospital for treatment after the birthday banquet. [spinning][spinning]]

[Thank you for what you said at the table today. [bow.jpg]]

No sooner had the message been sent than Song Jingmo replied immediately:

[How should I be thanked?]

Lu Er saw the three words and couldn’t help but smile:

[What thank you gift do you want, Dr. Song? I’ll go through fire and water without hesitation. [cute.jpg]]

[You.]

Lu Er looked at the screen, his cheeks burning, heart racing.

This person—how could he be so flirtatious anytime, anywhere?

After a while, he sent a goodnight message, ready to sleep.

Song Jingmo replied immediately:

[I want to hold you while sleeping.]

Lu Er felt a ticklish thrill reading this.

He pushed open the window—the night wind, cool and fresh, blowing in.

He could see the second-floor window of the villa next door, Jingmo’s room, still lit.

A bold, familiar thought popped into his head.

[Wait for me.]

[I’ll show you a special skill. [proud.jpg]]

Lu Er put down his phone, skillfully climbed out the window, and carefully descended along the familiar footholds on the wall.

Using the branches of an old tree in the yard, he nimbly crossed the low wall between the two houses.

Then he climbed silently up the drainpipe to Jingmo’s windowsill and lightly tapped on the glass.

Inside, Song Jingmo, hearing the noise, came to the window.

Pulling back the curtain, he saw Lu Er crouched on the sill, his eyes sparkling and his face lit up with a radiant smile.

The night wind lifted Lu Er’s soft hair, with a sky full of stars behind him.

Song Jingmo’s heart softened completely in an instant.

He quickly opened the window and pulled him into his arms, his damp clothes and the cool night air pressed against him.

“Nonsense.”

Song Jingmo scolded softly, his tone full of indulgence and adoration. “What if you fall?”

Lu Er nestled in his arms, smiling cheekily: “Don’t worry, I’m experienced in this—I climbed a lot in high school.”

Song Jingmo carried him horizontally toward the big bed.

“Tonight, no thoughts of escaping.”

He whispered in his ear, voice laced with dangerous temptation: “The gift—I’ll come personally to collect it.”