Lu Jiyang knew nothing of what everyone was thinking and continued his speech, moved by his own words.
"Second Sister, aren't you going to Laos next month for your next round of concerts? Take this watch with you. First, it can monitor your health, and second, it'll carry my care for you too. Okay?"
Lu Qingru nodded outwardly, holding the watch Lu Jiyang had given her.
A little pink rabbit design, with shoddy materials.
Thinking of Lu Chi's thoughts just now, Lu Qingru felt a little disgruntled.
Did little brother Jiyang really buy this watch on Pinduoduo for 9.9 yuan with free shipping?
I'm an international superstar, and I'm actually wearing a 9.9-yuan watch with free shipping?!
If word got out, wouldn't people laugh their teeth out!
"Second Sister," Lu Jiyang said as he put the watch on Lu Qingru's wrist, "let me put it on for you... Wow! It's so pretty, so cute!"
After a few compliments, Lu Jiyang said with deep affection:
"Second Sister, this watch might not be worth much, but it's a token of your little brother's affection. In my heart, you've always been a cute little girl. That's never changed. Pink suits you best."
Indeed, pink was Lu Qingru's favorite color.
The watch wasn't expensive, but Lu Jiyang's flattery hit all the right spots.
That little bit of displeasure in Lu Qingru's heart dissipated.
Who cares whether he bought it on Pinduoduo or somewhere else? As long as little brother Jiyang bought it, it's a token of his affection.
Affection matters far more than money.
Besides, our family isn't short of money. We can buy as many watches costing hundreds of thousands or a million as we want.
But affection is the most valuable thing.
Lu Qingru hugged Lu Jiyang and thanked him. "Thank you, little brother Jiyang. This trip was rather rushed, so I didn't have time to bring you a present. I'll take you shopping another day. Buy whatever you want, as much as you like!"
Shopping?
Fantastic!
I can really fleece her this time!
Lu Jiyang was wildly delighted inside and shot Lu Chi a provocative glance.
Hah!
Lu Chi, you country bumpkin, take a good look!
That's the difference!
Second Sister will take me shopping for presents. Will she take you?
Though he was brimming with delight inside, Lu Jiyang pretended to refuse. "There's no need, Second Sister. You're worn out from traveling, and you usually have all sorts of events to attend. Get some proper rest when you have the time."
Hearing Lu Jiyang say this moved Lu Qingru even more.
"You're so good, little brother Jiyang, always thinking of your sister's health. It looks like I haven't doted on you for nothing."
Lu Jiyang nodded.
"Isn't it only natural for a little brother to care about his own sister? Oh, right..."
Lu Jiyang turned toward Lu Chi, who was eating.
He said, "Brother Lu Chi, a few days ago, I heard you say you'd give Second Sister a present when she came. Have you decided what to give her?"
Lu Chi had been thoroughly enjoying his meal when Lu Jiyang's sudden remark nearly disgusted him into spitting out the food in his mouth.
He forced a smile.
Inside, however, he started cursing.
[That fucking Lu Jiyang. Can't he stand it unless he's hounding me? Mom only dragged me out of bed at noon today. How would I have known Second Sister was coming back? He's deliberately trying to embarrass me, isn't he?]
"Second Sister, sorry. Mom only called me over at noon, saying she was taking me to meet someone. I didn't know you were coming back today. If I'd known, I would've prepared a present for you."
Lu Chi had explained, but Lu Jiyang refused to let go of this chance to drive a wedge between him and Second Sister, Lu Qingru.
"Second Sister, Brother Lu Chi really did tell me a few days ago that he'd give you a present. He probably forgot by accident today. It's okay. Brother Lu Chi transferred to our school from an ordinary school,
"and he's struggling a little with his studies, so it's normal for him to get distracted. Besides, he doesn't know Second Sister and didn't grow up with you, so it's normal for him not to feel as close to you. Things will slowly get better."
Sure enough, as soon as Lu Jiyang said that, Lu Qingru became displeased.
"Hmph! It's not as though I'll accept presents from every stray cat or dog!"
Lu Chi: [Oh, Lu Jiyang, Lu Jiyang, you're really rotten! Deliberately saying I'm bad at studying, saying I forgot the present because I'm not close to Lu Qingru. Hah! So what if we're not close!]
Lu Chi glanced at Lu Qingru and Lu Jiyang and sneered. "I won't get involved in your deep sibling bond. After all, even if I bought a 9.9-yuan watch with free shipping on Pinduoduo, I believe Second Sister wouldn't be used to wearing it.
"But since little brother Jiyang bought it, it's a token of his affection. Little brother Jiyang, you shouldn't play favorites like this, buying one only for Second Sister. You haven't bought any for your other sisters.
"A watch only costs 9.9 yuan anyway. It's hardly expensive, so if you're buying them, buy one for every sister. If you really can't, send me the link. I can help you buy them.
"After all, you gave someone else the 400,000 Fifth Sister gave you. It's only natural that you're broke."
Lu Jiyang: "..." How does he know I gave the money to someone else?
If Lu Chi hadn't mentioned it, everyone would have been so focused on Lu Jiyang's gift that they would almost have forgotten how he had spent 400,000 to bribe someone into framing Lu Chi.
Lu Yunke stood up abruptly and asked, "Little brother Jiyang, where's the money I gave you?"
Lu Jiyang said, "I..."
Lu Yunke said, "Little brother Jiyang, I'm asking you a question."
Lu Jiyang said, "I... Fifth Sister, I... I spent it."
Lu Yunke grew a little unhappy.
"Little brother Jiyang, I only gave you that money a few days ago, and you've already spent it all? What did you buy?"
Lu Chi: [What did he buy? He paid someone to frame me, of course.]
Everyone had heard Lu Chi's thoughts, so when Lu Yunke questioned Lu Jiyang, no one said a word.
They were all waiting for Lu Jiyang to give a proper explanation.
Lu Yuanqing was grinding his teeth with hatred.
This unfilial son! I'd only just thought he'd become sensible, and I wasn't even planning to return the money to him in a few days.
Looking at things now, he hasn't become sensible at all. He's become even worse.
Pan Feng was also somewhat disappointed in Lu Jiyang.
Why is this child Jiyang becoming harder and harder to figure out?
Lu Sangning looked at Lu Jiyang with an indifferent expression, then looked at Lu Chi.
She felt that all this squabbling between children was truly annoying.
Third Sister Lu Yanxin and Fourth Sister Lu Xiaoyue found it somewhat hard to believe.
Did little brother Jiyang really give someone else the money to frame Lu Chi?
Lu Jiyang swept his gaze around.
The presidential suite was luxurious and high-end.
The large round table with its lazy Susan was laden with delicacies from the mountains and seas.
The good-looking family sat around the table.
At this moment, all of them were staring at him.
The room was silent.
Even a pin dropping to the floor could have been heard.
Lu Jiyang was puzzled and furious. How does that country bumpkin Lu Chi know I gave the money to someone else?
Damn it!
But as someone who had returned through rebirth, he wasn't stupid. In just an instant, he thought of an answer.
Rather than fail to explain where the money went, I might as well just say I spent it. That's better than saying I gave it to someone else.
Only an idiot would give money to someone else.
If I admit I gave the money to someone else, won't my plan to frame Lu Chi go down the drain?
At that thought, Lu Jiyang lowered his head, worked himself up for a moment, and squeezed a couple of tears into his eyes.
He looked utterly pitiful, as though he had suffered the greatest injustice.
"I'm sorry, Fifth Sister. I spent the money. I can't remember exactly what I bought, just little odds and ends, some school supplies and things. I also treated the classmates who helped me to a few meals."
"I'm sorry, Mom, Dad, Sisters. I wasted money. I was wrong. I'll definitely be frugal from now on. Please don't be angry."
Lu Jiyang had often used this trick before.
He deliberately pretended to be wronged and pitiful.
This trick had never failed him.
Sure enough, the next second, Second Sister Lu Qingru criticized Lu Yunke unhappily.
"Fifth Sister, honestly, it's only 400,000 yuan, isn't it? Such a tiny amount. If little brother Jiyang spent it, then he spent it. Our family isn't short of that little bit of money.
"Today's my welcome-back banquet. Let's not spoil the mood over such trivial things."
Lu Yunke nodded.
With Second Sister having said that, what else could she say?