Chapter 49: Classic Door-Opening Benefits.

Lu Zhao didn’t know how the food tasted—probably good.

After dinner, Yu Baowei’s mother called him to the study alone. Yu Baowei objected, and as the two nearly argued again, Lu Zhao volunteered to go, following her under Yu Baowei’s apologetic gaze.

The house was spotless—those maids worked hard.

Yu Baowei’s mother sat behind a desk, gesturing for him to take an armchair.

She held no real hostility toward him; her sharp words stemmed from frustration with her defiant daughter.

The faint scent of sandalwood mingled with the inky smell of books.

Ceiling lights cast a glow on her slightly weary face.

“Auntie Yu, what did you want to discuss?” Lu Zhao got straight to the point.

Surprised by his calm, she studied him. “I… can call you Little Lu, right? I was a bit rude earlier.”

He smiled, shaking his head. “Of course. It’s fine, I didn’t take it to heart.”

Her fatigue puzzled him. Just because of Yu Baowei’s rebellion?

Probably not. This marriage thing had layers.

“How did you and Xiao Wei meet?”

Yu Mulian’s smile was kind, asking the classic meet-the-parents question.

Lu Zhao was ready.

Lowering his head, feigning shyness, he said, “I liked Teacher Yu the moment I saw her.”

“Oh? Didn’t think my daughter had that kind of charm.” She squinted, lips curving.

“Yeah, she was in a professional outfit, and… I don’t know, my heart raced. I pursued her.”

Holding his breath to redden his face, he fidgeted with his hands, looking every bit the shy boy.

“Do you understand her?” she pressed.

“Not fully yet, but we’ll get there.” His answers flowed smoothly.

She propped her chin, staring silently.

Thirty seconds passed, then she said, “Little Lu, isn’t holding your breath uncomfortable?”

His red eyes met hers. “Huff…”

Resuming breathing, his flushed face faded.

He’d planned to ease out of it, but she’d just stopped talking.

Their gazes met, silence brief.

“When did you figure it out, Auntie?”

His act was busted, but he couldn’t spot his mistake—his performance should’ve been flawless.

Her lips curved playfully. “I didn’t. I… did the same thing as Xiao Wei once.”

“The same… thing?” He frowned, then asked, incredulous, “Uncle, he…?”

“Yes.” Her eyes held nostalgia. “To dodge my family’s marriage push, I hired your uncle. My mom loved him, and we married soon after.”

Lu Zhao sucked in a breath, wincing.

What a coincidence. Like mother, like daughter?

“So I knew you were fake from the start. But you’re better than him in one way.”

“Huh?”

“You’re way calmer. He nearly fainted meeting my mom.”

“…Ha… ha.” He laughed dryly.

Now what? Exposed, who was he acting for?

But since the jig was up, some things were easier to say.

“Auntie, why insist Xiao Wei marry this Muliang? She says he’s… not exactly proper.”

“You call her that usually?” she asked, intrigued.

He raised a brow. Is this the time for that? Are you even listening?

“Yes, we’re employer-employee.”

“Oh.” She paused. “I was supposed to marry into the Mu family too, but you know how that turned out.”

What, it’s hereditary?

Seeing his confusion, she explained, “It’s an old debt. The Mu family helped ours back then, so a marriage was promised.”

“I didn’t fulfill it, so my daughter has to. I know Muliang’s no good, but… some debts linger if unpaid. It’s messy.”

She looked conflicted. Money solved most things for her, but not debts of favor.

Lu Zhao’s gaze sharpened. “Auntie, have you considered if this is fair to Xiao Wei?”

She froze. No one—especially a man—had ever questioned her like that.

Her instinct was to snap, but his words sank in.

Fair? Was it fair to Xiao Wei?

Making her daughter pay her debt—was that just?

Lu Zhao seemed calm, but his palms sweated. Her fleeting anger had startled him.

He wasn’t defending Yu Baowei—just, as an outsider, this felt off.

Was marriage really the only way? He couldn’t grasp these rich folks’ logic.

Yu Mulian rubbed her temple, as if to cool off.

After a moment, she asked, “Would you… marry Xiao Wei?”

Lu Zhao: “???”

I can’t follow you rich people. Was that my point?

Do you have a thing for picking husbands for your family this way?

You did it, and now you want your daughter to?

Questions swirled, leaving him speechless.

Cough. She seemed to realize her bluntness. “Uh, rest here tonight. I’ll think it over.”

She rang a bell, and Liu Yu entered, escorting Lu Zhao out.

As the door closed, Yu Mulian murmured, “Nice kid. If he married in, it wouldn’t be bad.”

Lu Zhao followed Liu Yu silently, still baffled by her mother’s parting words.

Before he knew it, they reached a room.

Liu Yu smiled. “Young Master Lu, you’ll rest here tonight.”

“Oh, thanks. Just call me Lu Zhao—‘Young Master’ feels weird.”

“Very well, Young Master Lu.” Agreeing was one thing; doing it, another—her first lesson as a housekeeper.

“…” Rich people’s staff sure have personality.

Shaking his head, he opened the door—and froze at the sight of a naked woman staring back, shocked.