It's over!

Su Qingli was almost driven to despair, but Lu Zhensheng chuckled softly.

Based on what Lu Han had just said, it was clear that his precious son wasn't a fool.

How could this proud father not be pleased?

"Dad, Brother, you two really shouldn't."

Lu Xue, being the most considerate, stepped in to ease Su Qingli's discomfort. "Sister Qingli has come all the way here, why do you keep bringing up things that make her unhappy?"

Su Qingli felt like she was about to cry with gratitude. Just for this sentence, even if she and the "dog man" were to part ways in two years, she would still acknowledge this sister-in-law.

"You silly girl, we're only speaking so frankly because we don't treat Qingli as an outsider," Lu Zhensheng said, lowering his eyelids. "Honest advice may be harsh, but it's given out of genuine care. If we didn't care, we'd just flatter her instead."

This made sense, and Su Qingli couldn't help but nod. They say true friendship is revealed in times of hardship. She was forced into this marriage for Lu family investments, but would any other wealthy family have been willing to invest 3 billion yuan just to marry her?

Did Lu Zhensheng truly see her as his daughter-in-law?

Suddenly, Su Qingli felt a headache coming on. If he ever found out about the prenuptial agreement between her and Lu Han, he would surely fly off the handle...

"Even if honest advice is harsh, today isn't the right day to bring up such matters. It ruins the mood," Su Qingli said guiltily.

Lu Xue persisted in defending her, her cute face showing a hint of annoyance, which only made her more adorable.

Lu Zhensheng smiled indulgently and agreed, "Alright, alright, let's not talk about unpleasant things anymore."

True to his word, he stopped mentioning the Su Group and instead asked after Su Qiuchao and Xie Qingwan's recent well-being, asking Su Qingli to pass along messages about taking care of themselves as the weather turned cooler.

These were trivial matters, rather boring actually.

At noon, Lu Ming still hadn't returned, and Lu Zhensheng didn't ask. With a wave of his hand, he instructed them to start eating.

"Today, we'll have a family dinner."

The table was filled with delicacies. Lu Zhensheng raised his wine glass and said, "Let's welcome Qingli to join our family!"

His voice trembled slightly. Twenty years had passed, and now Lu Han was finally returning home and about to start a family. The pain and suffering involved were indescribable.

He downed his drink in one go.

The fiery liquor flowed down his throat. Lu Zhensheng looked at the empty seat beside him, his eyes reddening slightly.

At this moment, he wasn't the formidable businessman Lu Zhensheng, but an ordinary husband and father.

Caught up in his emotions, Su Qingli, who could only drink juice due to driving later, finished her glass in one go as well.

Lu Xue also emptied her glass of wine, her mood turning somber.

Only Lu Han remained calm, showing no emotion. He merely took a symbolic sip of his white wine.

Seeing this, Su Qingli couldn't resist giving him a light kick under the table.

Lu Han looked up at her, her expression seemingly saying, "There are no grudges between father and son, why are you acting like this?"

To this, Lu Han simply smiled and ignored her.

He didn't want to waste words like "don't judge others until you've walked a mile in their shoes," because some things were inherently personal.

The atmosphere at the table was somewhat heavy, but Lu Xue's cuteness helped lighten the mood, making the gathering more cheerful.

After the meal, while Lu Han was lounging on the sofa picking his teeth without a care, Lu Zhensheng suddenly said, "Qingli, follow me."

Surprised but compliant, Su Qingli followed Lu Zhensheng to the study. "Sit down."

Lu Zhensheng pointed to a chair next to the tea table. After Su Qingli sat down, he started boiling water to prepare tea and then said with a smile, "Are you finding it difficult to get along with Lu Han?"

"No, he's quite decent," Su Qingli replied, thinking that even if Lu Han wasn't great, she couldn't tell Lu Zhensheng directly. Besides, considering how readily he signed the prenuptial agreement, she didn't feel like she was lying.

"Don't be insincere," Lu Zhensheng shook his head and smiled. "I may not be the best father, but I know his temperament well enough."

"Consider it my duty as an elder. If he does anything wrong or makes you upset, please bear with him."

"If it gets too much, come to me, and I'll discipline him."

Su Qingli: ???

You can't even speak up in front of Lu Han, how can you possibly discipline him?

"I might owe him, but I won't spoil him," Lu Zhensheng emphasized, sensing her doubt. "Spoiling a child is akin to killing him; I understand that."

Su Qingli paused for a moment and then softly said, "Uncle Lu, you didn't just call me here to say this, did you?"

"Haha, I knew you were smart," Lu Zhensheng lowered his eyelids again. "Qingli, when you return, tell your parents that regarding your engagement and wedding, our Lu family won't have many attendees."

"Probably just me, Lu Ming, and Lu Xue."

"Please assure them not to take offense."

Su Qingli frowned slightly, immediately catching the underlying message.

She couldn't help but ask, "Is Lu Han really that unwelcome?"

"Every family has its own troubles," Lu Zhensheng sighed. "When dividing the family assets, we siblings fell out completely. Though relations have improved over the years, Lu Han's reluctance to recognize his roots has caused resentment. Even if I send invitations, they probably won't attend."

Su Qingli nodded. The engagement and wedding were just formalities anyway. As long as Lu Zhensheng attended, it didn't matter if others showed up.

Her parents would likely understand once Lu Zhensheng explained.

At this moment, the water began to boil.

Su Qingli quickly stood up, expertly preparing the tea. She placed the seven-tenths full teacup before Lu Zhensheng with both hands.

Her impeccable manners impressed Lu Zhensheng even more.

"Oh, there's one more thing," Lu Zhensheng sipped his tea and smiled. "Lu Han has been studying real estate knowledge recently. It seems he cares about you. How about letting him help at the Su Group after your engagement?"

Ah?

Su Qingli felt her vision darken, nearly fainting.

She could only think of two words now.

It's over!

...