Vol2 Chapter 8: Grow Up

Lu Gucheng scratched his head, watching his nephew bolt out of his room, neck red as if allergic.
If you’re allergic, why run to the kitchen for water instead of the hospital?
Is something in there?

But he didn’t barge in to check.
It was his nephew’s room, not his—kids needed their space.

He leisurely lit a cigarette, about to spark it, when Bai Ci emerged.
Her hair was messy, clothes askew, face flushed, chest heaving, slightly panting…

He looked away, flicked his lighter, and took a deep drag, exhaling a smoke ring as if he’d seen nothing.

Lu Mingfei’s grown up.

Lu Mingfei came out, face freshly washed.
Lu Gucheng approached, slapped a heavy hand on his head, and hooked an arm around his shoulders like a carefree buddy.
His other hand slipped 500 yuan into Lu Mingfei’s pocket.

“Not bad, kid.
Don’t let that girl down.
Go on, don’t keep her waiting.”

Lu Mingfei felt the crumpled bills.
This boastful, timid, wife-fearing man scrimped every cent, barely buying good cigarettes, yet he’d casually given him 500 yuan…

“Don’t forget, this is your home.
You’re a Lu, after all.
Don’t stoop to arguing with women,” he whispered, eyes darting like a guilty thief.

Home… huh?

Lu Mingfei suddenly understood why he feared his aunt so much.
His uncle, aunt, and this house were his home.
Unlike others at Cassell, he didn’t want to be alone—fancy “sorrow of blood” didn’t suit him.
He just wanted a place to return to, even if only for summer break…

He tugged Bai Ci, grabbed his suitcase, and headed out.
Downstairs, he glanced up.
His uncle waved from the window.

He suddenly wanted to cry.
Really…

“Let’s go,” Bai Ci prompted.

“Yeah.”

A black BMW 7 Series waited at the complex gate, a uniformed driver with white gloves opening the door.
“Mr. Caesar Gattuso arranged this through the Mint Club to take you to tonight’s dinner.”

Lu Mingfei stayed silent the whole ride.
Bai Ci didn’t speak either—she didn’t know where the car was headed; she just wanted to stick with him.

At the destination, Lu Mingfei thought Caesar and Chu Zihang had pranked him.
The building was pitch-black, like it was closed.
As the car stopped, he saw a single light by the door.
A waiter, holding an umbrella in the rain, bowed.
“Tonight, Aspasia is reserved.”

“Heh, sorry to intrude—”

As Lu Mingfei turned to leave, the waiter opened the door behind him.
“Mr. Lu, rest assured, no one will disturb you and Miss Chen’s dinner.
This lady is…?”

Miss Chen?

Bai Ci glanced at Lu Mingfei.
Chen Motong?
Impossible—she was at Cassell with a boyfriend.
Caesar wouldn’t gift his girlfriend to Lu Mingfei for his birthday unless he was insane.

Then… Chen Wenwen?

Her again?

What was so great about her?

Bai Ci bit her lip, exhaled, and squinted with a smile at the waiter.
“I’m Mr. Lu’s assistant.”

“Mr. Lu, should we send her back?
We offer complimentary transport.”

“No, no need.”
Lu Mingfei shrank guiltily.

“Very well, Assistant, please follow me.
Don’t disturb Mr. Lu’s dinner.”

Lu Mingfei wanted to protest, but Bai Ci pinched his waist, making him wince in pain.

Ouch…

Inside, the waiter gave him new clothes—brand unknown but clearly expensive.
Once dressed, they led him to the restaurant’s center.
Chen Wenwen sat there in her familiar white dress, nearly transparent, with white lace socks and black flats, candlelight casting a warm glow over her.

Lu Mingfei had never eaten so formally.
Back straight like a rolling pin was lodged in it, elbows hovering, fork left, knife right, cutting lamb chops with textbook precision.
Half was thanks to the pricey suit—probably a perk from boss Caesar to his underling.
Wrinkling such an expensive outfit would be a crime.
No one showed them a menu; they just asked about dietary restrictions, served 1997 Margaux wine, and dishes appeared silently.

The other half was his bad feeling—like eyes were boring into his back, but he couldn’t see anyone.
The waiter rambled on; Lu Mingfei barely heard, nodding absently.
His former crush, Chen Wenwen, sat in front; his current crush, Bai Ci, lurked somewhere behind.
This romantic scene felt like an execution.

Seeing his grim face, Chen Wenwen said softly, “You okay?
Feeling sick?”

“No, just… thinking of someone…”
Lu Mingfei snapped back, forcing a smile.

“A girl, right?”
She tucked her hair behind her ear, pursed her lips, and said gently, “Congrats, Mingfei…”

Her smile was as radiant as ever, still fairy-like.

Chen Wenwen was inches away, within reach.
But his heart didn’t stir—her place had long been overtaken by another girl.

“I used to really like you…”

“I know, no need to say it.”
Her smile faded, head lowering softly.

“I knew back then, too, but pretended I didn’t…
Sorry for letting you down,” she said quietly.

Lu Mingfei looked at her, taking a deep breath.
“Before I met you, I didn’t know what liking a girl felt like.
You taught me.
High school was rough for me.
Compared to everyone else, you were like an angel.
Who doesn’t love an angel?
When you fluttered over with your white wings, you were dazzling.
I felt your light, your warmth, and realized someone in this world noticed me, even if that girl didn’t love me…”

“As for pretending not to know… heh, I really wasn’t good enough for you back then.
You gave me warmth, and I still wanted to take more.
Liking someone needs a reason, right?
What reason did I have to win your heart?”

He gave a self-deprecating smile.
“I was so dumb back then.
With nothing to my name, I thought my passion alone would make you say yes…”

“Thanks.
I know you don’t like me anymore,” Chen Wenwen said softly.
“But still, thank you…
I didn’t like you either—not in that way.”

“Mm-hmm.”
Lu Mingfei nodded vaguely.

“When I said you’ve changed, I didn’t mean money or style…
You’ve grown up,” she said, tucking hair behind her ear.

“Grown up?
Maybe… just trying to be a bit more ambitious…”

He glanced into the darkness behind him and smiled.

Dear childhood friend, thanks for sticking with weird old me…

“Assistant, you’ve broken 32 spoons.
Can you stop?”
The waiter looked at Bai Ci, biting her lip, exasperated.

She couldn’t hear what they were saying…

So annoying.

They were both smiling, all warm and friendly.

Even more annoying!