Chapter 24 You’re Just Biased, Treating People Differently

Half an hour later, a black Aston Martin smoothly drove into the western villa where Lu Er lived.

The early spring sunlight fell on the meticulously trimmed trees, casting a golden glow over this upscale villa district.

When the two of them entered the villa, Bai Zhi had already arranged the luggage neatly.

Lu Er’s eyes lit up at the sight of the suitcases in the middle of the living room. He tugged at Song Jingmo’s sleeve: “I want you to see the gifts I brought for you.”

Excitedly, Lu Er opened one of the suitcases and pulled out two exquisitely wrapped gift boxes from the very back.

“Both of these are for me?” Song Jingmo raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.

Lu Er handed the boxes over, his eyes sparkling: “Good things come in pairs! Open them and see if you like them.”

Under Lu Er’s expectant gaze, Song Jingmo elegantly unwrapped the first box.

On a bed of black velvet lay a finely crafted fountain pen, its light gray body gleaming gracefully under the light.

Picking up the pen, Song Jingmo noticed two small, clear characters engraved on it: “Jingmo.”

Lu Er proudly explained, “This is a custom-made handcrafted fountain pen, just for you.”

“You doctors always like to borrow each other’s pens and often lose them. This pen is too valuable—too precious to be taken away by someone else. I thought I’d engrave your name on it so it could be returned easily.”

Song Jingmo found himself both amused and slightly exasperated at this reasoning.

How could he ever casually lend out a gift from Lu Er?

Over the years, he had carefully kept every gift Lu Er had ever given him, even a small box of handmade cards.

“Hm, you’re very clever,” Song Jingmo said, gently rubbing the engraved name on the pen. Warmth spread through his chest.

“There’s another one,” Lu Er urged expectantly. “Hurry up and open it.”

Song Jingmo opened the second box. Inside was a pair of exquisite cufflinks.

Their design was unique—a rare blue eucalyptus flower—and they shimmered with understated luxury under the light.

“Blue eucalyptus cufflinks?” Song Jingmo said in mild surprise.

Lu Er’s eyes curved with a mischievous smile: “I saw them in an antique store in Paris.”

“When I saw these, I immediately thought of your online nickname, so I bought them. Do you like them?”

“They’re beautiful. I really like them,” Song Jingmo said, his smile genuine and warm.

Lu Er felt a sense of satisfaction, thinking that the Paris trip had been well worth it.

Even all the little troubles Li Xinghua had caused could be forgiven along with it.

After a bit of fussing, it was almost 9:30.

Seeing that Lu Er looked a little tired, Song Jingmo softly advised, “Go take a nap and adjust to the time difference.”

Lu Er shook his head: “I’m not that sleepy. Don’t you have to go to work?”

“I have a day off today.”

Lu Er’s eyes lit up: “Perfect! Stay and eat, then. I’ll have Aunt Wang come over to cook.”

Usually, Aunt Wang only helped feed Lu Er’s girlfriend; she only came to the villa to cook when necessary.

Song Jingmo guided him upstairs: “Don’t trouble Aunt Wang. You go rest. I’ll cook.”

Lu Er’s face lit up. He hadn’t expected that giving a gift could get Song Jingmo to cook. Suddenly, he felt this deal was extremely worth it.

“I want sweet and sour ribs, steamed bass, and braised lion’s head meatballs…”

“Go to sleep first,” Song Jingmo interrupted, helpless. “You’ll eat after you wake up.”

Satisfied, Lu Er went upstairs for a nap.

At 12:30 p.m., Lu Er was woken up. Groggy, he went downstairs and immediately perked up at the aroma coming from the dining room.

On the table were four dishes and a soup: sweet and sour ribs, steamed bass, garlic broccoli, braised lion’s head meatballs, and a steaming pot of lotus root and pork rib soup. Each dish looked delicious and tempting.

Unable to wait, Lu Er sat down and picked up a rib, closing his eyes in satisfaction: “Even better than Aunt Wang’s cooking.”

“After living abroad for so many years, these are essential skills,” Song Jingmo said.

Lu Er felt a pang in his heart. He knew how bad food abroad could be.

Song Jingmo, who had clearly been a clueless young master, had spent six years turning into a capable chef.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Lu Er opened the door to find Yin Siyao supporting a pale Leng Keyan.

“What happened?” Lu Er stepped aside quickly to let them in.

Yin Siyao helped Leng Keyan sit on the sofa: “He caught a cold with a fever. I already got him IV treatment at the hospital. I brought him home to rest.”

“I’ll leave him in your care and go back to work.”

“Thanks, we appreciate it.”

Song Jingmo came over and touched Leng Keyan’s forehead: “Still a low fever. Have you eaten?”

Leng Keyan shook his head weakly.

“Perfect, let’s eat together.” Song Jingmo went to the kitchen to bring another set of dishes.

Even sick, Leng Keyan perked up a bit when seeing the table full of food and managed to eat a few bites.

While eating, he asked Lu Er: “Uncle, did you bring me a gift from Paris?”

Lu Er pointed to the suitcase in the living room: “It’s in the suitcase. Grab the black box yourself.”

Leng Keyan lost all appetite and ran to the suitcase. But when he opened it, his expression instantly fell.

Inside was a small, plain gold pig.

He picked it up in disbelief: “You brought me back a piece of gold from Paris?”

Next to it on the coffee table were two obviously more exquisite gift boxes—the custom pen and the blue eucalyptus cufflinks. He was infuriated.

Holding the small gold pig, he stomped back to the table: “Why give Teacher Song such beautiful gifts, but just a piece of gold for me?”

“Aren’t I still your nephew?”

Lu Er calmly continued eating: “I couldn’t find a gift suitable for you, so I went all the way to buy some gold. A small gift with deep affection.”

“You keep making excuses,” Leng Keyan snapped, unimpressed. “You custom-made a pen for Teacher Song. Why didn’t you make one for me too?”

Lu Er replied matter-of-factly: “Giving the same gift lacks sincerity. I’m not running a wholesale business in Yiwu.”

This argument made Leng Keyan fume for a long time before finally saying, “You’re just biased.”

Lu Er countered: “The thought behind a gift is what matters. Don’t you think gold is more practical? When you get married, it’ll come in handy. Your uncle is thinking long-term and being considerate.”

“Then why didn’t you bring gold for Teacher Song?”

“Teacher Song is refined and elegant; gold would be too vulgar.”

“Uncle means I, the humble rural guy, am most suited for gold.”

“Uh… I didn’t say it like that,” Lu Er said, adding some food to Leng Keyan’s bowl. “Eat my food, wear my clothes, use my stuff, and still complain. You’re spoiled.”

Leng Keyan snorted and fell silent, gnawing angrily on the ribs in his bowl.

Song Jingmo quietly ate, a small smile lingering at the corner of his mouth the whole time.

After the meal, Lu Er lazily reclined on the sofa, satisfied, rubbing his full stomach.

Song Jingmo tidied up and glanced at him: “Don’t lie down immediately. Go for a walk after you’re full.”

Reluctantly, Lu Er sat up. Watching Song Jingmo busy in the kitchen, he asked, “Were you secretly happy at the table just now?”

Song Jingmo admitted honestly: “Yes.”

No one can resist favoritism.

Especially when it’s someone who has been a joy since youth.

Lu Er lay back on the sofa. Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, warm, just like the mood in his heart.