Chapter 48: A Strong Mother.

“Here’s five million. Leave my daughter.”

A richly dressed woman flung a bank card at Lu Zhao’s face.

The surrounding crowd sneered, as if mocking his audacity—a sparrow dreaming of becoming a phoenix.

Humiliated, Lu Zhao picked up the card and left the Yu family without looking back.

As for whether Yu Baowei married that guy? He didn’t care.

Have fun playing your games!

—

Yu Baowei noticed Lu Zhao’s increasingly twisted smile and poked his shoulder. “What’re you thinking about? That grin’s… uh…” She didn’t say creepy, but couldn’t find a better word.

Snapped out of his fantasy, he quickly straightened his face. “Nothing, just a happy thought.”

“Didn’t look happy…” she muttered.

Cough. He cleared his throat.

It was a happy thought for him, but he couldn’t let her know.

Liu Yu, quietly listening to their exchange, smiled faintly.

Having raised Yu Baowei, her bond was near motherly. If her miss found true love, she’d be thrilled.

She didn’t like the marriage candidate Madam picked either, but… she had no say.

As for Lu Zhao, he seemed decent so far. A bit young, but easy on the eyes.

Gazing at the passing buildings, Lu Zhao recalled Yan Qingxin’s mentions of her hometown.

He didn’t know much about Bin City, only that it was steeped in history.

The streets showed it—modern skyscrapers stood beside century-old houses.

The car entered a sprawling estate outside the city.

Lu Zhao knew Yu Baowei’s family was wealthy, but this rich?

A slightly rusted iron gate opened, revealing sixteen maids lining the path, their uniforms a step below Liu Yu’s.

The car stopped at the estate’s center. Liu Yu got out to open Yu Baowei’s door, while another maid opened Lu Zhao’s.

He nodded thanks, eyes scanning the surroundings.

They say Granny Liu looked foolish in the Grand View Garden, but who wouldn’t gawk in her shoes?

The stone path was flanked by manicured shrubs and towering trees.

At its end stood a modern European villa with creamy marble walls, sleek lines, and a deep gray sloped roof.

As if sensing his thoughts, Yu Baowei grabbed his hand again.

This time, he didn’t pull away—partly for the act, partly because he was genuinely nervous.

They reached a pristine lawn with a central fountain, grander than the one at the Goose City hotel.

Inside the villa, a vast hall greeted them, marble floors leading to a spiraling staircase.

On it stood a man and a woman.

The woman was stunning, time barely touching her face, with a five-point resemblance to Yu Baowei.

The man was handsome, mature, with a kind expression.

Yu Baowei’s parents, no doubt.

She led Lu Zhao to the base of the stairs.

The hall was silent, tension thick.

Mother and daughter locked eyes—one looking down, the other up—neither yielding.

Finally, Yu Baowei’s mother, chest heaving, spoke. “Not introducing him? I didn’t raise you to be so rude.”

Lu Zhao felt Yu Baowei’s grip tighten.

She glanced at him. “Mom, this is my boyfriend, Lu Zhao.”

“Hi, Auntie.” He smiled cooperatively.

Her mother’s gaze pierced like a blade. After his initial nerves, Lu Zhao adjusted, meeting her eyes with a smile.

This money’s hard-earned. Will she throw cash at my face to leave?

His expert expression management held as he mused.

“Enough staring. Daughter, you hungry? Dad made your favorites. Bring your boyfriend.” Yu Baowei’s father, sensing the standoff, broke in.

Knowing his wife and daughter’s stubbornness, he feared they’d glare all day.

He descended, pulling Yu Baowei with one hand, Lu Zhao with the other, toward the dining room.

Yu Baowei’s mother frowned at her husband. “You spoil her! She’s getting worse.”

She followed, not stopping him.

The meal was lavish, reportedly cooked by Yu Baowei’s father.

The dining setup was as grand as Lu Zhao expected.

A long table: Yu Baowei’s mother at the head, her father to her right, Yu Baowei and Lu Zhao to her left.

Each had a maid to serve dishes out of reach.

Can anyone eat like this?

Lu Zhao kept smiling, though his face ached.

“Eat, Xiao Wei, it’s all your favorites. Little Lu, don’t know what you like—hope this works?” her father asked.

“I’m good with anything. Thanks, Uncle.”

Her mother glanced at him, then at Yu Baowei. “You didn’t just grab some random guy to fool me, did you? I told you to come back, and you found a boyfriend this fast?”

Her blunt words dismissed Lu Zhao entirely. He didn’t care, but Yu Baowei snapped back.

“Mom, what’s that supposed to mean? Random guy? Don’t talk about Lu Zhao like that!”

He glanced at her, unsure how much was genuine.

“Hmph.” Her mother sneered. “Think I don’t know what men want? You’re her student, right? Let me tell you, not just anyone can join the Yu family.”

She all but called him a gold-digger, giving no face.

Bang! Lu Zhao jumped, turning to Yu Baowei.

Her lips trembled, cheeks flushed, brows furrowed, hand slamming the table.

“Mom, don’t you think that’s too much?” Her voice brimmed with suppressed anger.

Her mother leaned back, arms crossed, smirking. “Too much? Want to hear worse?”

“You!”

Her father cut in. “Mulian, she’s finally home. Can’t you ease up?”

Lu Zhao glanced at the quiet father, surprised he spoke up.

Yu Mulian, seeing her husband mediate, didn’t want a full fight and quieted down.

“Daughter, you know your mom’s temper. She didn’t mean it. Sorry, Little Lu. Let’s eat first, talk later.”

The dining room filled with only the clink of dishes.