Ch. 81The Ancestors' Teachings Had to Be Trusted
Summary of "The Ancestors' Teachings Had to Be Trusted"
1. Key Plot Points & Events
- Song Shi’an’s Confession Attempt: Song Shi’an, after much deliberation, tries to confess his feelings to Lu Mingyu but is repeatedly interrupted by Lu Mingyu, who claims he’s known for a long time. Lu Mingyu then arrogantly declares he’ll "respond" to Song’s feelings when he’s in a good mood.
- Banquet Scene: The group returns to a nearly finished banquet where only Fu Jun remains. Fu Jun, frustrated with his son Fu Jingyan’s laziness, asks Lu Mingyu to mentor his newly graduated daughter, Fu Yiyao, in business. Lu Mingyu politely declines but is cornered by Fu Jun’s persistence.
- Fu Yiyao’s Rejection: Fu Yiyao, a no-nonsense young woman, bluntly refuses her father’s proposal, stating she won’t follow Lu Mingyu due to potential reputation issues. Fu Jun, embarrassed, leaves.
- Fu Jingyan’s Drunken Interruption: Fu Jingyan, still drunk, teases Lu Mingyu about his "failure" with Fu Yiyao and suggests they share a room. Lu Mingyu avoids the topic, and Song Shi’an insists on separate rooms.
- Song Shi’an’s Dilemma: Song Shi’an realizes Tang Ruan (the female lead) is manipulating him and plans to use him as a stepping stone to Lu Mingyu. He worries about how to subtly steer Lu Mingyu toward dealing with the Ye family in the capital, which could resolve his problems.
2. Character Developments
Lu Mingyu
- Confident & Arrogant: He dismisses Song’s confession with smugness, implying he’s always known about Song’s feelings but will only "respond" when convenient.
- Responsible & Polite: Despite Fu Jun’s pressure, he politely declines mentoring Fu Yiyao, showing restraint.
- Superstitious (forced): When Song mentions visiting a temple for "luck," he surprisingly agrees, citing ancestral teachings, showing a rare moment of openness to tradition.
Song Shi’an
- Frustrated & Strategic: He’s exasperated by Lu Mingyu’s arrogance but realizes he must play along to protect himself from Tang Ruan’s schemes.
- Plotting: He devises a plan to subtly influence Lu Mingyu by suggesting a temple visit, hoping to use superstition as a "backdoor" to discuss the Ye family.
Fu Jingyan
- Reckless & Teasing: His drunken state and lipstick-stained face highlight his carefree, immature personality. He mocks Lu Mingyu’s "failure" with Fu Yiyao but also shows loyalty by defending him.
Fu Yiyao
- Pragmatic & Independent: She bluntly rejects her father’s matchmaking, showing no romantic interest in Lu Mingyu and prioritizing her own career path.
Fu Jun
- Frustrated & Overbearing: He’s desperate to see his children succeed but is met with resistance from both Lu Mingyu and Fu Yiyao, making him feel helpless.
3. Significant Themes
Power Dynamics & Manipulation
- Tang Ruan’s influence over Song Shi’an is hinted at, showing how she’s using him as a pawn.
- Lu Mingyu’s position as the "male lead" makes him a target for matchmaking (Fu Jun’s proposal) and romantic interest (Song’s feelings).
Tradition vs. Modernity
- Lu Mingyu’s sudden agreement to visit a temple for "luck" contrasts with his earlier dismissal of superstition, showing a blend of traditional values and modern pragmatism.
Family Expectations vs. Personal Ambitions
- Fu Jun’s push for Fu Yiyao to learn from Lu Mingyu clashes with her desire to carve her own path.
- Fu Jingyan’s laziness contrasts with Lu Mingyu’s responsibility, highlighting generational differences.
Superstition as a Tool
- Song Shi’an uses superstition as a pretext to manipulate Lu Mingyu, showing how people exploit beliefs for their own ends.
4. Character Interactions
Lu Mingyu & Song Shi’an
- Power Imbalance: Lu Mingyu dominates the conversation, dismissing Song’s feelings with arrogance. Song, though frustrated, plays along to avoid conflict.
- Subtle Tension: Their dynamic suggests a deeper, unspoken connection, with Song trying to navigate Lu Mingyu’s indifference.
- **Lu Ming