Chapter 9: You have to do it in front of me?
They exchanged a glance.
“Your friend?”
Lu Zhao shook his head. He couldn’t think of anyone who’d knock on his door.
“I’ll go check. You rest a bit.”
“Okay.”
Lu Zhao threw on shorts and a shirt, heading to the door. Peering through the peephole, he saw who it was.
Why’s she here?
Opening the door, he asked, “Miss Yu, what’s up?”
Yu Baowei opened her mouth but froze, struck by how alluring Lu Zhao looked.
Damp hair, flushed handsome face, slightly rapid breathing, a shirt revealing much of his chest, and… noticeably tight shorts.
This… he wasn’t…?
Imagining the scene, Yu Baowei’s cheeks flushed.
“You… I…”
Her stammering confused Lu Zhao. He didn’t know why she was here, but leaving her at the door seemed impolite.
“Why don’t you come in and talk?”
“!”
He’s inviting me in? Could it be? Is my springtime finally here?!
Wait, doesn’t he have a girlfriend? Did they break up? Otherwise, why would he be… handling things himself?
So handsome, great at cooking—not a bad deal.
Hah, a homebody’s fantasy moment.
In the time it took Lu Zhao to turn around, she was already imagining their wedding.
Letting her in so easily was, of course, because Yan Qingxin was here.
Safety wasn’t an issue, and rather than being secretive, it was better to be open. He’d tell Yan Qingxin this was his neighbor with some business—straightforward and honest.
Lu Zhao asked her to wait and stepped back to the bedroom.
Yu Baowei sat stiffly on the sofa, nervous as hell.
She’d barely interacted with men growing up, and thinking about what she wanted to ask him made her even more embarrassed.
Soon, the bedroom door opened. Yu Baowei started to speak but clamped her mouth shut when a woman walked out.
“Auntie Yu?”
Lu Zhao: “Huh?”
Yu Baowei: “Hm?”
Yan Qingxin hurried over, studying her closely, confirming she wasn’t mistaken.
“It’s really you, Auntie Yu! It’s been ages, hasn’t it?” Yan Qingxin sat beside a bewildered Yu Baowei.
Seeing her confusion, she added, “It’s me, Qingxin.”
Yu Baowei paused, then it clicked.
“Oh! Qingxin! It really has been a while.”
It seemed like a happy reunion, but Lu Zhao noticed something off about his neighbor’s expression.
There was joy in seeing an old acquaintance, sure.
But also unease, like she hadn’t expected—or didn’t want—to see Yan Qingxin.
Oblivious Yan Qingxin didn’t notice, still brimming with enthusiasm.
“Auntie Yu, you used to hold me when I was little, sneaking me snacks behind Mom’s back.”
“Haha… yeah. Didn’t think you’d remember.”
“Of course, how could I forget?”
Facing Yan Qingxin’s warmth, Yu Baowei shot Lu Zhao a pleading look.
Making things awkward wasn’t ideal. “Ahem, Qingxin, shouldn’t you introduce us?”
“Oh, right, I forgot.” Yan Qingxin stood, grabbing Lu Zhao’s hand.
“Auntie Yu, this is my boyfriend, Lu Zhao.”
At those words, Lu Zhao saw a flash of disappointment on Yu Baowei’s face, quickly masked.
She stood, addressing Yan Qingxin. “Didn’t expect to run into you here. It’s nothing big—just moved in next door, thought I’d say hi. I won’t bother you lovebirds.”
Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow. Only Yan Qingxin would buy that.
“No, Auntie Yu, stay a bit! It’s been so long.”
She moved to stop Yu Baowei, but Lu Zhao, reading the room, intervened.
“Qingxin, don’t we have plans soon? We can catch up another time.”
Yu Baowei gave Lu Zhao a grateful glance. “Yeah, Qingxin, now you know where I live. We’ll hang out later. I won’t intrude.”
“Alright then.” Yan Qingxin’s face showed clear regret.
Lu Zhao could tell his foodie girlfriend really liked this auntie, but why did Yu Baowei seem reluctant to see her?
He’d need to find out later—anything involving his girlfriend, he wanted to understand.
After Yu Baowei left, they sat on the sofa, and Lu Zhao asked about her.
Turns out, Yan Ruyue’s family and Yu Baowei’s were close. With a small age gap, they spent a lot of time together when Yan Qingxin was young.
They stayed close until Yan Qingxin started elementary school. Then, with Yan Ruyue’s busy career and Yan Qingxin attending a different school, they drifted apart.
“Didn’t expect to see Auntie Yu here. She was so good to me back then. Mom never let me have snacks, but she’d sneak me some.”
It was a small thing, but Lu Zhao had other thoughts.
Knowing Yan Ruyue’s controlling nature, would she tolerate someone going against her?
Yu Baowei must know Yan Ruyue well, yet she still secretly gave Yan Qingxin snacks. Did that mean she really liked her?
Maybe not—she didn’t seem that enthusiastic earlier.
There’s more to this.
Lu Zhao patted his girlfriend’s head. This silly girl—your mom was right, you’re so oblivious.
“What? Touching my head again? Want another round?”
“…Haha.” Lu Zhao just laughed, saying nothing.
They didn’t go again. After a steamy shared shower, they headed to Yan Qingxin’s place.
“Mom, I’m back! You home?”
Lu Zhao hadn’t been here often and never entered Yan Ruyue’s room. Usually, when Yan Ruyue stayed over, Yan Qingxin didn’t bring him.
Seeing the white sandals in the shoe rack, he knew Yan Ruyue was likely home.
Yan Qingxin headed toward her mother’s room, calling, “Mom, Lu Zhao’s here. When are we leaving?”
Right after, a thud came from the quiet room, followed by the sound of a door locking.
Yan Qingxin stood at the door, puzzled. “Mom, what’re you doing? Why’d you lock the door?”
After a pause, a low, husky voice answered, “Mom’s fine, just changing. You didn’t say Little Lu was coming.”
“Forgot, hehe.”
Lu Zhao caught the hoarseness in her voice—she’d probably been crying hard.
“Let’s wait a bit. I need to change too. Come on~”
Yan Qingxin pulled him to her room, her sultry demeanor suggesting she wanted to put on a changing show.
Hearing the living room quiet down, Yan Ruyue cracked her door open.
She wasn’t avoiding Lu Zhao—she just didn’t want him or her daughter to see her like this.
The usually flawless beauty was now haggard, eyes red and swollen from crying.
Perfect Yan Ruyue would never let anyone see her this way.
“Oh… baby, don’t, not there… Mom’s still here, mm~”
“You started it.”
Yan Ruyue froze, listening to the sounds from the other room, her eyes filled with bitter pain.
Lu Zhao knew she’d overhear. He was doing it on purpose, making his stance clear.
Yan Ruyue knew it too, but she could only bite her lip, fingers gripping the doorframe, staring at the opposite door.
Damn you, Lu Zhao, doing this right in front of me!