Chapter 219 Surely You Won’t Refuse Me a Meal, Right?

Song Jingmo reached out and took his hand.

“Mr. Yang Jiang once said something: We used to long so desperately for the waves of fate, only to realize in the end that the most beautiful scenery in life is actually the calm and composure of one’s heart.”

“We used to yearn so much for recognition from the outside world, only to find out in the end that the world belongs to oneself and has nothing to do with others.”

In the dim light, Song Jingmo’s eyes looked especially deep. “Your mother has lived too long by the judgments of others, so long that she’s forgotten the world actually belongs to herself.”

“But you’re different. You’re even more clear-headed than I imagined.”

Lu Er’s nose tingled. “Doctor Song, everyone understands these truths, but that doesn’t mean life is any easier to live.”

“Sometimes I think, if I were my mom, standing in her position, experiencing everything she went through, I might not have done any better than she did.”

“Like the book says, no one can ever truly understand another person unless you put on their shoes and walk their path, see things from their perspective. But even walking the roads they’ve walked, you’ll still feel sad along the way.”

“I’ve resented her before, but not anymore. Now, I just hope… tomorrow you’ll suffer a little less.”

Song Jingmo looked at him and suddenly smiled.

It was a gentle smile, like the wind on a spring night.

“Er’er,” Song Jingmo’s voice was soft, “do you know what your greatest quality is?”

“What?”

“You always put other people’s feelings before your own.”

He leaned closer and kissed him lightly on the forehead. “But you don’t have to worry about me. I’m your boyfriend. Facing things with you is my responsibility—and also my privilege.”

Lu Er’s eyes moistened. “Doctor Song…”

“I’d be even happier if you called me husband.”

Song Jingmo corrected him with a hint of a smile. “Too many people call me Doctor Song. I like something unique.”

Lu Er wiped away his tears and laughed. “So from now on, in private, I can call you husband?”

In the bedroom:

Lu Er leaned on Song Jingmo’s shoulder and said, “If my mom says something particularly nasty tomorrow, just look at me. I’ll take you away, okay?”

“Okay.”

Song Jingmo answered decisively.

“If she throws things…”

“Your husband isn’t a machine—he’ll dodge.”

“If she tells you to leave…”

“I’ll follow your command.”

“Husband, why are you so good?”

“Because it’s you.”

He kissed him. “If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t have this patience.”

In the darkness, they cuddled together.

Lu Er buried his head in Song Jingmo’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat until he drifted off to sleep.

At seven in the morning, Lu Er turned over and found the bed empty.

The sound of water came from the bathroom.

He sat up, ran his hands through his messy hair, and stared blankly for a moment.

Suddenly remembering what he had to do today, he jumped out of bed barefoot and rushed into the bathroom.

Song Jingmo was shaving. Seeing his flustered expression in the mirror, he didn’t stop his movements. “Awake?”

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

Grabbing his toothbrush, Lu Er asked, “What time is it? When do we leave? Did we check the gifts?”

“What will you wear? My mom doesn’t like black—it feels depressing. Wear something bright; it looks festive.”

After talking nonstop, he realized Song Jingmo was leaning against the sink, watching him with a faint smile.

“What are you smiling at?”

Mouth full of toothpaste, he mumbled.

“Smiling at you.”

He wiped his chin and faced him. “Shouldn’t I be the one nervous? How are you more flustered than me?”

Lu Er rinsed his mouth and wiped the foam away. “You don’t understand—Mrs. Leng’s combat power is beyond imagination.”

“I’m just strategically respecting my opponent.”

He ruffled his messy hair. “Relax. I’ve got everything under control.”

Despite his words, Lu Er spent the whole morning on high alert.

He checked the gifts three times, confirming there were no dents, even adjusting the bows several times.

Then he opened the wardrobe and compared outfits, holding them up for Song Jingmo’s opinion.

“How about this light blue one? Too plain?”

“Want to wear a suit instead? Looks more formal.”

Song Jingmo leaned against the wardrobe, watching him spread clothes over the bed, finally saying, “Er’er.”

“Hm?”

“We’re going to meet your mother…”

Holding a dark blue shirt, Lu Er pouted. “You don’t understand—Mrs. Leng is very particular about details.”

“When I was little, I went to a banquet once. My tie didn’t match my suit, and she scolded me the whole way.”

Song Jingmo took the light blue shirt, pairing it with beige trousers. “Wear this. Colors are calm but not dull, not too deliberate.”

Lu Er nodded. “Okay.”

After changing, Lu Er fussed over Song Jingmo’s hair for a long time before he finally pulled him out.

“If we keep this up, we’ll be late.”

“Being late is fine. Lunchtime is still early.”

In the car, Lu Er fastened his seatbelt and pulled out his phone.

“Looking at what?”

“The restaurants nearby.”

He didn’t lift his head. “There are a few good private kitchens nearby. I’m seeing which is better.”

Song Jingmo raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t we eating at your place?”

“Just in case. If we get kicked out, I can’t have you starving, can I?”

Song Jingmo chuckled. “Surely they won’t refuse us a meal?”

“They might.”

Lu Er put his phone down. “When I was little and mischievous, if I used her limited-edition bag as a canvas or her lipstick as a paintbrush, she never hit or scolded me.”

“How did she punish you then?”

“First meal, nothing. Second meal, porridge and pickles in front of a table full of food.”

Song Jingmo: “…”

After a pause, he said, “How did you survive her punishments…”

Lu Er shrugged. “Tough.”

Song Jingmo added teasingly, “And stubborn~”

His tension eased with his joking. He gritted his teeth. “Hurry up and empty all the dirty thoughts from your brain…”

Song Jingmo spoke gently: “No matter what happens today, I’ll be with you. Even if we get kicked out, scolded, or denied a meal—I’ll stay with you.”

Half an hour later, the car drove into A City’s famous villa district.

French sycamores lined the avenue, their canopies forming a green dome overhead.

Villas of various styles peeked through the greenery, so quiet the birdsong could be heard.

The Lu family mansion was at the deepest part—a three-story Chinese-style villa with white walls and black tiles, flying eaves, and stone lions at the entrance.

The courtyard was large, full of blooming flowers, a riot of colors this season.

Song Jingmo parked at the front.

They got out and carried the gifts from the trunk.

Lu Er rang the doorbell.

After a moment, the door opened.

Luo Bingbing, in casual homewear, brightened at Lu Er’s sight. “Xiao Er? You’re back?”

She froze when she saw Song Jingmo behind her.

“Sis-in-law,” Lu Er said first. “Is my mom home?”

“Yes, yes,” Luo Bingbing recovered and stepped aside. “Come in. Mom’s in the study; I’ll call her.”

Song Jingmo nodded slightly. “Sorry to bother you.”

“Sit first. I’ll call your brother.”

At Lu Group headquarters, conference room:

Lu Chen wore a dark gray suit, sitting at the head of the long table, serious as he looked at the data on the projector screen.

Executives sat upright below, no one dared speak.

Then, the phone on the table vibrated.

“Husband, come back quickly.”

Luo Bingbing’s voice was urgent. “Xiao Er is back, and he brought Song Jingmo.”

Lu Chen: “Mom?”

“She’s in the study. I just told her. She didn’t look happy.”

Luo Bingbing said, “Come back quickly. I’m worried…”

“I’ll be back immediately. Hold things down, don’t let Mom say anything too harsh.”

“Take over the rest of the meeting.” Lu Chen pushed his laptop to his assistant. “I have urgent matters at home.”