Chapter 105: Young Master, What Are You Doing Here?

Upon hearing what Lu Chengcai said, everyone in the Xu family—from the venerable Xu matriarch down to Xu Linlin—had their eyes shining brightly. If what Lu Chengcai claimed was true, then the future of the Lu family was boundless. Especially for Lu Chengcai himself, his prospects were nothing short of soaring!

With this in mind, the crowd couldn’t help but start advising Mu Yiren again.

“Yiren, your grandmother didn’t want to say much at first, but... she still hopes you can see some things clearly about the future. After all, love can’t be eaten like bread. Your grandmother truly believes Young Master Lu is more suitable for you.”

Her aunt quickly chimed in, “That’s right, Yiren. You must think carefully. In this life, don’t stake your entire future on love alone.”

Xu Linlin was even more direct, snapping at Ling Xiao, “You’re truly despicable! Have you looked at your own status? And yet you cling to my cousin! Compared to Young Master Lu, you aren’t even worth a single hair on his leg!”

This time, Mu Yiren didn’t get angry; rather, she bit back a blush, struggling to hold in her laughter. She glanced at Ling Xiao, took a deep breath, and said solemnly, “Grandmother, please don’t say any more. I will not change my mind. Ling Xiao is the best choice for me.”

“You...” her grandmother opened her mouth to say more, but Lu Chengcai cut her off sharply.

“Enough, Old Madam Xu, please stop. Though I’m no prince or lord, at least in this small Jianglin territory, I still have some standing. If I wanted to marry a girl from some family, no one would refuse me! A lady like Miss Mu from Jiangzhou? I couldn’t even reach her stature!”

Everyone could tell it was sarcasm. Clearly, Lu Chengcai was already quite vexed with Mu Yiren.

The Xu family sighed deeply. Mu Yiren had missed out on Lu Chengcai, and they had lost a valuable relative as well.

Only Mu Yiren was nearly gasping for air, trying desperately not to laugh. To keep herself from breaking, she clenched her chopsticks tightly.

Though she hated to admit it... Lu Chengcai was ridiculously full of himself! And the Xu family was utterly foolish!

“By the way, Young Master Lu, if you ever get a chance to meet the Young Master of Ghost Valley, could you introduce us? We’d love to meet him as well.”

Lu Chengcai waved his hand and replied seriously, “How could that be? Even for me, meeting the Young Master of Ghost Valley is almost impossible—a rare opportunity. How could I possibly have the chance or ability to bring you along? But if the chance ever arises, the Xu family can send someone to serve as my attendant. Maybe then you could catch a glimpse of the Young Master of Ghost Valley’s esteemed presence behind me.”

“That would be wonderful! Thank you, Young Master Lu!”

The Xu family immediately resumed their flattery toward Lu Chengcai. From the youngest, Xu Linlin, to the eldest, Old Madam Xu, all wore expressions filled with ingratiation. Though the degrees varied, they all boiled down to sycophantic praise.

“Young Master Lu will surely become the pillar of Jianglin’s generation!”

“Looks like in the future, all the young tycoons of Jianglin will be led by you, Young Master Lu!”

Lu Chengcai, basking in their adulation, waved his hand generously.

“Don’t worry. From now on, the Xu family is under my protection. No need to fear any trouble!”

The two groups had effectively merged into one.

Just then, a voice came from the adjoining room. Hearing it, Lu Chengcai froze momentarily before standing up immediately.

“Uncle Xu, you all continue eating. I’ll just step over next door.”

“What’s the matter?”

“The person speaking next door seems to be Elder Tang of the Tang family, Tang Luocheng. I want to go greet him.”

“Elder Tang? Isn’t he an associate of the Young Master of Ghost Valley? Young Master Lu, why don’t you take me along? I’d like to meet Elder Tang too.”

Lu Chengcai looked a little hesitant.

“Well... alright, but Uncle Xu, you mustn’t say much to avoid offending Elder Tang.”

“No problem. Don’t worry, I know my limits.”

Lu Chengcai nodded.

“Good, let’s go.”

After they left, Old Madam Xu couldn’t help but praise, “That’s the difference with sons of wealthy families. They can even be acquainted with someone like Elder Tang.”

Her sister-in-law looked regretful, “Exactly! Yiren, it’s such a pity. You’ve lost such a golden opportunity!”

Mu Yiren smiled coldly.

“If you liked him so much, why didn’t you let Linlin marry him?”

Her aunt rolled her eyes.

“Do you think I wanted to? If he hadn’t looked down on Linlin, I wouldn’t have saved such a good man for you!”

Since Mu Yiren had already chosen Ling Xiao and there was no turning back, the aunt had no reason to show her any kindness.

At this moment, Ling Xiao had finished eating. He pulled out two napkins to wipe his mouth, tossed the used ones on the table, and lit a cigarette.

“Are we done talking? If so, let’s head back to Jiangzhou!”

The three generations of women in the Xu family were extremely annoyed by Ling Xiao’s actions. Though smoking looked cool, so what? Did it fill their stomachs?

No matter how handsome Ling Xiao was, he couldn’t compete with Lu Chengcai’s mere presence.

“Do as you please. Go wherever you want. Yiren, wait for your uncle to come back and eat before leaving.”

“No need.”

Ling Xiao refused outright.

The three women frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Ling Xiao chuckled sardonically.

“Simple. He doesn’t deserve for Yiren to wait.”

“What did you say? He’s Yiren’s uncle!”

“Exactly. Who do you think you are? You say no waiting, so no waiting?”

Ling Xiao flicked the ash from his cigarette.

“I’m too lazy to explain to you fools. You sycophants who claim to be Yiren’s family are nothing but her shame. Let’s go, Yiren.”

“Mm.”

Yiren nodded obediently, stood up, and followed Ling Xiao out of the private room.

Old Madam Xu and the others were furious and hurried after them.

“Stop! You bastard! Stop right there!”

Just as they stepped outside, the people from the neighboring room also came out.

Lu Chengcai was busy flattering Tang Luocheng.

Tang Luocheng was impeccably dressed in a sharp suit, exuding an imposing aura, barely bothering to acknowledge Lu Chengcai.

Meanwhile, Yiren’s uncle was nearby, bowing low in an even more humiliating manner than Lu Chengcai.

At that moment, Tang Luocheng’s gaze suddenly flicked toward Ling Xiao.

In an instant, his entire body trembled.

After confirming he wasn’t mistaken, he hurried forward.