The Lu Family

Early the next morning, Shen Zeyu returned home to find his adoptive parents talking to a woman. He walked over before coming to a stop.

His father looked at him and said in a mildly reproachful tone, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Lu. We've spoiled this boy. He insisted on going out to have fun yesterday."

Shen Zeyu gave his father a look that was almost a smile, but his father ignored it and continued bad-mouthing him.

As Lu Wan listened, disgust crept into her eyes. Even if he wasn't their biological son, they had raised him for so many years. Yet now that he was about to leave home, his father kept belittling him.

If the Lu Corporation hadn't been in such a mess, and Yuyu hadn't needed someone to look after him, she would never have agreed to the marriage alliance proposed by the Shen Family. After all, someone with the title of spouse would be more attentive when caring for him.

It seemed the rumors that the Shen Family treated their adopted son like their own were just that—rumors.

Shen Zeyu took a small step forward. "Mrs. Lu, I'm very sorry. I've admired Mr. Lu for a long time. When I suddenly heard about the marriage yesterday, I was so excited that I went out to calm myself down," he said, feigning happiness.

Mrs. Lu frowned slightly. "You only found out yesterday?" Shen Zeyu gave a small nod.

Lu Wan turned to his father. "Head of the Shen Family, what's going on? Didn't we settle this several days ago? Why did my son-in-law only hear about it yesterday?"

"W-well, the boy's joking. We told him earlier. He's just graduated and has had a lot on his plate, so perhaps he forgot," his father said nervously, shooting Shen Zeyu a glance afterward.

Lu Wan turned to Shen Zeyu and asked gently, "Is that true?"

Shen Zeyu trembled slightly and said in a quiet voice, "If Father says so, then it must be." Coupled with the look his father had just given him, it made him seem frightened.

Lu Wan looked at Shen Zeyu, then turned toward his father. "It had better be." With that, she led Shen Zeyu away.

On the drive to the Lu Family home, Shen Zeyu quietly studied Lu Wan. She was in her early fifties, yet she looked like a woman in her forties.

Noticing his gaze, Lu Wan looked at him with a faint smile. "Done pretending?" She had realized he was putting on an act earlier, which was why she had played along.

"As expected of you, Mrs. Lu. A little trick like that could never fool you," Shen Zeyu said at once.

Flattery never hurt. It was always safest to butter her up a little more. After all, if Lu Cizhou never woke up, he might be staying with the Lu Family indefinitely.

Sure enough, Lu Wan smiled at his words. "You're nothing like the dull, tongue-tied boy the rumors made you out to be."

"People change."

Hearing that, Lu Wan thought she had brought up something painful for Shen Zeyu and quickly dropped the subject.

Considering his father's attitude toward him just now, it wasn't hard to imagine how the Shen Family really treated the boy.

At that thought, a hint of sympathy entered Lu Wan's eyes as she looked at Shen Zeyu. This boy hadn't had it easy, either.

Seeing the sympathy in Lu Wan's eyes, Shen Zeyu wondered, What happened? Why is she suddenly looking at me like that?

Fortunately, Lu Wan soon composed herself.

"You're a good boy. I know you probably didn't agree to this marriage of your own free will. Both our families have wronged you, but rest assured, now that you're joining the Lu Family, I'll treat you like my own son," Lu Wan said.

"Also, Cizhou's father is busy dealing with the company and can't make time to meet you. Once things settle down, he'll definitely come to see you," Lu Wan continued.

"I understand, Mrs. Lu."

Shen Zeyu offered no response to Lu Wan's apology. The original owner of this body in the novel really had been unwilling. Although he didn't know where that person had gone, he didn't want to use his body to declare on his behalf that he didn't mind at all.

For the rest of the drive, Lu Wan told Shen Zeyu a little about the Lu Family.

The main branch of the Lu Family wasn't complicated. Although the extended family was large, its various households got along fairly well, and there had never been any struggles for power or wealth.

Lu Cizhou was Lu Wan's second child. His older brother and sister-in-law had died in an accident, leaving behind a child, now five years old, whom Lu Cizhou was raising.

At that point, Lu Wan asked Shen Zeyu, "Zeyu, do you dislike children?"

"No," Shen Zeyu replied.

"That's good. Usually, only Cizhou and Xiao Yu live there. I generally don't come over unless there's something I need to do. Once you arrive, make yourself at home. Don't feel you have to hold back. Do whatever you like."

Shen Zeyu's eyes lit up. Do whatever I like? Is the lazy, carefree life I've always dreamed of finally within reach? Is this what marrying into a wealthy family gets you?

By the time they reached the area around the Lu Family home, Shen Zeyu's expression had gone numb. Oh, come on. I've never seen this many mansions in my entire life. They really are filthy rich.

After he got out of the car, he saw a middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties waiting at the entrance in a black tailcoat.

"Madam." The man came forward to greet them.

Lu Wan nodded, then said to Shen Zeyu, "Zeyu, this is Butler Zhang. If you need anything, just ask him. I have another meeting at the company shortly, so I won't be taking you inside."

"I've arranged everything at home. Just treat it as your own. Xiao Yu should be home at this hour, too, so you can get to know each other," Lu Wan said apologetically. There had simply been too much going on at the company over the past few days. Otherwise, she would certainly have gone in with Shen Zeyu.

"I understand, Auntie Lu. Please go take care of your work."

Shen Zeyu hadn't started calling her Mom. There was no telling what would happen in the future, so it was too early for that.

Perhaps Lu Wan felt the same way, because she said nothing about it. She merely gave him a few more reminders before getting into the car and leaving.

Shen Zeyu was still watching the direction in which Lu Wan had left when a gentle voice spoke.

"Mr. Shen, please follow me."

"Sorry for the trouble, Butler Zhang."

As Shen Zeyu walked, he took in his surroundings. Potted plants stood at intervals on either side of a cobblestone path, making the whole walk a pleasure to the eye.

"We're here, Mr. Shen." Only then did Shen Zeyu realize they had arrived.

Steward Zhang continued, "Mr. Shen, your room is the second one at the far end of the second floor. The first belongs to the young master. The room at the far end on the left belongs to young master Lu Yu, and the young master's private doctor has been staying in another room recently. The third floor has the guest rooms, the fourth is the fitness area, and the fifth is the entertainment area."

After giving him a general overview, Butler Zhang added, "Mr. Shen, I'll have someone take your luggage upstairs."

Shen Zeyu snapped out of his daze and quickly said, "No, no, I can carry it up myself."

"Then once you've put it away, Mr. Shen, you can come down for lunch."

"All right." With that, he picked up his luggage and headed upstairs.

Once inside his room, Shen Zeyu could barely contain his excitement at the sight of the two-meter-wide bed. He flung himself straight onto it.

"Ah, this feels amazing." The bed was so soft and springy that Shen Zeyu didn't even want to go downstairs to eat. But since he had just promised to come down for lunch, he quickly unpacked a few things and went out.