Chapter 220 It’s Not You Who Can’t Lay Eggs

Soft footsteps came from the stairs.

Lu Er immediately sprang up from the sofa, and Song Jingmo put down his teacup. He stood up, his gaze following the direction of the stairs.

Leng Qinghua wasn’t wearing her usual exquisite makeup. Her face was bare, simple and natural. Her hair was pulled back loosely and secured with a jade hairpin.

She wore a danqing-colored qipao, with only simple trailing floral patterns embroidered on the collar and sleeves, and a white silk shawl draped over her shoulders.

Her eyes lingered for a moment on the two people sitting on the living room sofa, then quickly moved away.

Lu Er felt his throat tighten. “Mom.”

Leng Qinghua sat down on the single-seater at the head of the room. Luo Bingbing hurriedly poured her a cup of tea.

“You still remember you have a mom,”

Leng Qinghua said, her voice low. “You even remember to come home. I thought you were going to change your surname to Song.”

Lu Er’s face paled slightly.

“Auntie,” Song Jingmo said respectfully, “Er Er has always wanted to come home, but filming kept him busy, and he was afraid of upsetting you, so he didn’t dare return sooner.”

“He finished shooting the new drama yesterday. He only got back to A City at three in the morning and came to see you first thing today.”

Song Jingmo spoke sincerely, his eyes fixed on Leng Qinghua without a hint of evasion.

Leng Qinghua’s gaze shifted to Song Jingmo, appraising him from head to toe. “All that just from saying a few words, and you’re already acting so heartbroken?”

Luo Bingbing sensed the tension and quickly tried to smooth things over. “Mom, the drama Er Er was filming this time is a tribute production. He’s been shooting for more than half a year with no time to rest.”

Lu Er whispered, “Mom, I’m sorry… for not coming back to see you for so long.”

Leng Qinghua didn’t respond. She just took another sip of tea.

Setting the cup down, she glanced at Luo Bingbing. “Have you arranged lunch?”

The three people in the living room froze for a moment.

Luo Bingbing was the first to react. “Not yet. I’ll take care of it right away.”

Leng Qinghua nodded and no longer looked at Lu Er or Song Jingmo.

She wanted them to stay for lunch…

Lu Er’s heart lifted, nearly betraying his joy on his face.

Turning to Luo Bingbing, his voice lightened slightly, “Sister-in-law, Jingmo likes steamed egg custard. Make it mild.”

Lu Er’s eyes sparkled, a bright smile lighting his face.

But in the next moment, Leng Qinghua’s voice cut in coldly: “The rooster doesn’t lay eggs. Why eat eggs?”

Lu Er’s smile froze.

Luo Bingbing awkwardly stood there, glancing between Leng Qinghua and Lu Er.

Leng Qinghua’s eyes were icy. “I’ve raised you for over twenty years and never once heard you say what I liked. And now? You act like you’re racing to please me. Isn’t that embarrassing?”

Lu Er’s face turned red, then pale again.

Song Jingmo looked at Leng Qinghua, his tone still gentle. “Aunt Leng, thank you for letting us stay for lunch. If you don’t like steamed egg custard, that’s fine—I can eat anything.”

Luo Bingbing felt a huge relief and hurriedly said, “Then I’ll get it arranged. Mom, what would you like for lunch?”

Without lifting her head, Leng Qinghua replied, “The same as usual, just add a few mild dishes.”

“Okay.”

Everyone in the family loved spicy food, so the few mild dishes were clearly meant for someone specific.

Lu Er stole a glance at the person sitting on the sofa.

Leng Qinghua sat there, holding her teacup. The sunlight highlighted the side of her face clearly.

Her bare face showed the marks of time: fine lines around the eyes, faint lines at the mouth, and a few subtle strands of white hair at the temples.

This strong woman… had actually grown older.

The realization made Lu Er’s chest ache.

“Mom, I’m sorry.”

He lifted his head, eyes slightly red. “I know you’re angry with me—for embarrassing you, for making you the laughingstock of your circle…”

“But Mom, I’m living well now. Jingmo treats me very well, and I enjoy acting. I know you care about me, but I…”

Leng Qinghua’s hand holding the magazine trembled slightly. After a long pause, she said, “Finished?”

Lu Er: “…”

Leng Qinghua set down her teacup. “After eating, take the person away. Don’t linger and be an eyesore here.”

Lu Er: “…”

A car horn sounded outside.

Lu Chen pushed the door open, taking off his coat and handing it to the servant who came forward.

“Mom.”

He greeted Leng Qinghua first, then looked at Lu Er and Song Jingmo, nodding. “Er Er and Jingmo are here. So many people—it’s lively.”

Leng Qinghua’s expression softened slightly. She looked at Lu Chen. “Handled the company matters?”

“Yeah. I heard Er Er was back, so I rushed home.”

Lunch was soon ready.

The table was filled with dishes, abundant and mostly spicy dishes the family loved, with a few mild dishes.

Steamed bass, vermicelli scallops, boiled shrimp, steamed pork ribs with taro, garlic stir-fried greens, and cordyceps chicken soup.

Not a single egg dish in sight.

At the table, Lu Chen chatted occasionally with Song Jingmo, keeping the atmosphere fairly harmonious.

After more than half an hour, the meal ended.

Leng Qinghua put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and stood up.

“I’m tired. Do as you please.”

Saying that, she turned and went upstairs.

Lu Chen sighed. “Jingmo, don’t take it personally. Mom just needs time to adjust. You know how our family is…”

Song Jingmo held Lu Er’s hand. “I understand. It’s fine. I won’t mind.”

As they left the Lu family’s old residence, the sunlight was perfect.

Lu Er looked back at the villa. The curtains on the third-floor window moved slightly, then returned to stillness.

In the car, Song Jingmo gently put his arm around his shoulder. “Feeling hurt inside?”

Lu Er looked up, eyes red. “A little… my mom…”

Song Jingmo stroked his hair. “Being allowed to stay for lunch is already a big step forward.”

“Your mom said some harsh things, but in the end, she still had the kitchen make several mild dishes for me, didn’t she?”

Lu Er pouted. “But… she told us to leave quickly after eating.”

Song Jingmo: “Getting someone to admit their mistakes is hard, especially someone as strong-willed as your mom.”

“Besides, from a mother’s perspective, wanting to see her child married and with children isn’t wrong—just a bit extreme in method.”

Lu Er nuzzled against Song Jingmo’s chest, replying softly.

He patted his head. “Take it slow. I believe that someday, even if I, this rooster, don’t lay eggs, your mom will still be willing to make egg custard.”

Lu Er blushed. “It’s not you who can’t lay eggs…”