"How can she compare to you? She doesn't stand a chance at all. She's just cute, but you—you're not only cute, you're also my love."
Only then did Luo Yao retract her icy demeanor.
"President Luo, Lu Youqi has personally driven to the estate to invite you to the Lu Family residence. Will you see him?"
Lin Ran and Luo Yao exchanged glances, both wearing expressions that said, "Just as expected."
"Ah Ran, it seems he’s truly desperate."
Last time, Luo Yao had made it clear that if he wanted a meeting, he’d have to come in person. Later, Chen Buhui arrived, and today, Wang Xiaolin showed up.
Finally, though belatedly, Lu Youqi made his appearance.
"Then let’s go meet the so-called 'first family of Shanghai.'"
"Fine. Tell him to wait in the villa’s living room."
By the time they returned to the villa, Lu Youqi had already been waiting for quite some time.He was chatting idly with Chen Qingtian.
"Qingtian is a rising star in the entertainment industry, her acting skills are nothing short of mesmerizing—even an old man like me gets lost in admiration."
Chen Qingtian rolled her eyes. She had no interest in entertaining this old man’s small talk.
The moment Lu Youqi walked in and saw her playing games on the sofa, he had started rambling incessantly.
"My acting is as laughable as a pig’s, yet you call it mesmerizing? Patriarch Lu, you really are something—a true master of verbal flattery, you sly old fox."
Chen Qingtian didn’t even glance up from her gaming device as she replied.
Lu Youqi maintained a refined smile, but his irritation was simmering beneath the surface.
Chen Qingtian was just a junior from the Chen Family. Sure, the Chen Family had political influence, but the Lu Family wasn’t to be trifled with either.
Why was everyone connected to Lin Ran so blunt? None of them knew how to respect their elders.
Even if Chen Qingtian’s grandfather, Chen Xiao, were here, he wouldn’t dare speak to him like this.
"Qingtian is quite spirited. I like that. I won’t hold it against you—"
Finally, Chen Qingtian set down her device, took a deep breath, and prepared to unleash her verbal barrage.
"Who said you could ‘not hold it against me’? Go ahead, hold it against me! I’d love to know what exactly you plan to hold against me. That you disturbed my gaming? Or that you tried to butter me up? ‘Qingtian this, Qingtian that’—since when are we so close?"
"If you want to flatter someone, go find my sister-in-law. Don’t waste your efforts on the wrong person. I don’t have any money to tip you."
Lu Youqi’s smile stiffened, his anger teetering on the edge of eruption.
Why were young people nowadays so disrespectful and reckless?
He was eighty years old—old enough to be her grandfather—yet she dared speak to him with such insolence?
Just as Lu Youqi was about to teach Chen Qingtian a lesson, Lin Ran’s voice cut in.
Lu Youqi choked back his frustration. These youngsters had no sense of respect, and their words cut deep.
"President Luo, you misunderstand. After all, we are business partners. Today, I’ve prepared a grand banquet at the Lu Family residence, and I sincerely hope you’ll honor us with your presence."
Luo Yao and Lin Ran exchanged another glance before Lin Ran spoke.
"You invite us… and we’re just supposed to go? What about our dignity?"
Lu Youqi smiled confidently. "Young Master Lin, President Luo, I’ve prepared a generous gift for you at the Lu Family residence—one that will surely satisfy you. And my unfilial son is waiting there to offer you both a sincere apology."
Lu Youqi had always assumed his relationship with Luo Yao was purely competitive, with only minor clashes during their last two encounters.
Besides, at the Li Family banquet, Luo Yao had been the one to strike first.
Even after learning his granddaughter Lu Xiangting had her tongue cut out, he hadn’t made a fuss.
If anything, Luo Yao should owe him a favor for that.
So why was he here? Two reasons: First, he was afraid and wanted to end the feud.
Second, his youngest granddaughter, Lu Xiangshi—an avid shipper of Lin Ran and Luo Yao—had analyzed Luo Yao’s hostility and personality for him.
Only then did Lu Youqi realize: Luo Yao was a full-blown yandere.
Lu Xiangshi, well-versed in fandom culture, had explained the concept in detail.
After understanding, Lu Youqi was stunned—he’d truly lived long enough to see everything.
No wonder Luo Yao had reacted so violently to Lu Xiangting’s provocations. It all boiled down to Lu Xiangting saying the wrong things.
Thus, Lu Youqi immediately ordered Lu Lutong to prepare at the Lu Family residence while he personally came to invite Luo Yao—both to apologize and negotiate a truce.
"An apology?"
"Indeed. I’ve instructed my worthless son to await your arrival so he can offer his sincerest regrets."
Originally, Lu Youqi had considered dragging his son over by force, but he worried about gossip if outsiders saw. So, he decided to host the apology at the Lu Family residence.
More importantly, it was the only way to get Luo Yao to come.
Once, he had looked down on her. Now, he wouldn’t dare.
Luo Yao saw right through his little scheme. She turned to Lin Ran.
"Ah Ran, do you want to go?"
Lin Ran smirked. "Last time, your two grandsons offended me too."
Lu Youqi didn’t hesitate. "Lu Lutong, Lu Xiangdai, Lu Xiangji, Lu Xiangting—even Lu Ludu—are all there. Once you arrive, handle them as you see fit. I won’t utter a single word of protest."
Lu Ludu hadn’t provoked Luo Yao during this trip to Shanghai, but he had in the past.
Though Luo Yao had already broken his bones as punishment back then, Lu Youqi had no qualms about sacrificing him again to appease her.
After all, Lu Ludu was the family’s designated scapegoat. Might as well make himself useful before taking the fall.
"Really? We can do whatever we want?"
Lu Youqi nodded solemnly. "Even if you cut out all their tongues, I won’t say ‘no.’ I, Lu Youqi, swear on this. If I break my word, may my entire family die horribly."
Huh?
Lin Ran thought, "Isn’t that my line?"
Suddenly, Lin Ran was intrigued. But he still deferred to Luo Yao, who responded with her usual domineering flair.
"Since Patriarch Lu has extended such a sincere invitation, I’ll grant you this face. Let’s see what kind of scheme the Lu Family is brewing."
Lu Youqi’s eye twitched, but he swallowed his anger and kept his composure.
Chen Qingtian suddenly raised her hand. "Me! Me! Take me with you! I want to see the Lu Family residence too. May I, Patriarch Lu?"
Lu Youqi, ever the diplomat, acted as if their earlier clash never happened.
"Of course. You’re Young Master Lin’s cousin—you’re more than welcome to join."