Chapter 25 If Anyone Gets Married, It Should Be You First

Lu Er was scrolling through his phone, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Song Jingmo, having washed the dishes, sat on the other side of the sofa, quietly browsing a medical journal on his phone. A serene, warm calm hung between them.

The phone rang, displaying “Big Brother Lu Chen” as the caller.

“Hey, bro?” Lu Er answered. “Calling me in the middle of the day—what’s up?”

On the other end, Lu Chen’s voice was steady: “Come home tonight. Mom requested it.”

Lu Er sat up straight and glanced at Song Jingmo beside him, clearly unwilling: “I already have plans tonight.”

Song Jingmo had finally gotten a day off. He was hoping they could go out for dinner and maybe play some basketball in the evening.

“Cut the excuses,” Lu Chen’s voice turned serious. “Mom arranged a matchmaking meeting for you. The girl is Fu Heyu, the daughter of the Fu Group.”

“Matchmaking?” Lu Er’s face darkened. “I’m only 26. Why would I need to get matched?”

Next to him, Song Jingmo’s hand holding the phone trembled slightly.

“I was already married at 26, and now my kid is a year old,” Lu Chen said with an unshakable authority. “What are you thinking?”

“You studied medicine halfway through, then ran off to that chaotic entertainment world, and now you’re almost thirty with nothing to show for it. Is there something wrong with your health, or your brain?”

His words hit hard, even Song Jingmo lifted his head, worriedly looking at Lu Er.

Lu Er’s temper flared: “I just haven’t met someone I like. I don’t want to marry casually.”

Lu Chen sneered: “Mom said you must come home tonight. Dare to defy her, and just try it.”

“I won’t go back.”

“Lu Er,” Lu Chen’s voice turned icy, “if you’re not afraid of making headlines and embarrassing yourself, then be ready to be dragged back.”

The call ended. Frustrated, Lu Er tossed his phone onto the sofa.

“Going back for a matchmaking meeting?” Song Jingmo asked softly.

Lu Er didn’t hide it: “The family is forcing it. I’ll go back tonight.”

Song Jingmo’s gaze flickered, his fingers gripping the phone turning pale at the joints.

After a moment, he steadied his thoughts and spoke calmly: “Since it’s a family matter, then go back.”

Lu Er didn’t notice the subtle change in Song Jingmo, lost as he was in his own irritation.

He couldn’t help complaining: “My mom is so annoying. I’m barely this old, and she’s already pushing me to marry.”

Song Jingmo was silent for a long moment before gently advising: “You really should consider marriage.”

Lu Er didn’t like hearing that. He glared at Song Jingmo: “You’re two years older than me, and you’re still not married. If anyone’s going to marry first, it should be you.”

“I will never marry in my life. Don’t follow my example,” Song Jingmo said with an unprecedented seriousness. “At least in this matter, you mustn’t be influenced by me.”

He liked Lu Er. If Lu Er liked him in return, that would be perfect.

But Lu Er didn’t feel the same, and Song Jingmo would never force someone for selfish reasons.

Lu Er was so good that he couldn’t bring himself to do anything that might hurt him.

He wouldn’t resent the bright moon for shining on others and not him.

He only wished the moon to shine, regardless of whether it shone on him.

Lu Er was startled by Song Jingmo’s sudden seriousness and asked softly: “You’re a lifelong bachelor?”

“Yes.”

“But at the last alumni gathering, you had an ideal type. That should mean you want to marry, right?”

Song Jingmo replied: “Having an ideal type doesn’t mean I must marry. If it’s not someone I truly like, I’d rather stay single. Better to be lonely than compromise. Better to have regrets than settle.”

“Oh, so you won’t marry. When you’re old, you can come live at my house,” Lu Er said earnestly. “My child will take care of you like I take care of them, so you won’t be alone.”

“I should thank you for that in advance?” Song Jingmo found it both infuriating and amusing.

“No need to thank me! Who told you we’re this close?”

The Lu Family Estate

Song Jingmo watched Lu Er drive away, emotions complicated and difficult to read, a sharp, indescribable ache spreading through his heart.

The Lu family’s old estate was in the most expensive villa district of City A, grand and imposing.

As soon as the car passed through the gate, the butler greeted them: “Second Young Master, Madam is waiting in the living room.”

Lu Er adjusted his expression before entering.

Leng Qinghua sat upright at the main seat in a Dior outfit, radiating noble elegance. Beside her, Lu Chen’s expression was serious.

“Mom, bro,” Lu Er greeted and sat on the sofa nearby.

Leng Qinghua sized him up, frowning slightly: “Recently, rumors about you and Cong Jinyue have been circulating online. What’s going on?”

Lu Er relaxed: “He’s just stirring up traffic. I have nothing to do with him.”

“Good,” Leng Qinghua snorted coldly. “The meeting with Miss Fu at 3 p.m. tomorrow has already been arranged.”

Lu Er refused: “I don’t want a matchmaking meeting.”

“Why are you resisting so much?” Leng Qinghua’s voice rose sharply. “Look at what kind of shape you’re in! Halfway through studying medicine, you run off to become an actor, playing in those messy dual-lead dramas. Have you lost your mind, or your orientation?”

Her words cut straight to Lu Er’s heart.

“I’m perfectly normal! I like long-legged beauties and would never turn into a scumbag like Dad.”

Mentioning his father instantly turned the living room atmosphere tense.

Leng Qinghua’s face darkened: “If you dare come out, I’ll break your legs!”

Lu Er sneered: “Don’t worry. I’m not interested in men, and I never will be.”

Though his words were firm, Song Jingmo’s image flashed in his mind for some reason, leaving an inexplicable unease in his heart.

“Good,” Leng Qinghua softened her tone. “Miss Fu is from a prestigious family. She’s more than suitable for you.”

Lu Er knew arguing would be futile. Fuming, he turned and went upstairs.

Family Background

In City A’s high society, Lu family affairs were rarely discussed. Lu Er’s father was gay.

Back then, the Lu and Leng families arranged a marriage for business purposes. After marriage, Leng Qinghua had Lu Chen and Lu Er via artificial insemination.

This marriage of convenience lasted five years before ending in divorce.

The obedient Lu Chen stayed with his mother, while the rebellious Lu Er was left with his father.

Ironically, Lu Zeming was indifferent to both children. He left when Lu Er was four, only for Leng Qinghua to bring him back three days later after he nearly fainted from hunger.

Five years of marriage transformed Leng Qinghua from a naive rich girl into a decisive, independent businesswoman.

Her failed marriage made her extremely wary of nonconformity, particularly regarding her children’s orientation.

This was partly why Lu Chen married and had a child early—to prove his normalcy to his mother.

Back in his room, Lu Er stared at the city lights, feeling a swirl of emotions.

Meanwhile, Song Jingmo returned home to his study.

But all the professional terms and charts on his computer couldn’t penetrate his mind.

Lu Er was going home for a matchmaking meeting, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

This sense of helplessness had always followed him since realizing he liked Lu Er, and tonight it felt particularly sharp, particularly painful.