CHAPTER 126: CHAPTER 126: PARTY INVITATION

During dinner, Chen Fang reminded Lu Yuan.

"If you don’t have any school matters in the next few days, take Qinghuan around Sea City for some fun."

"I have things at school." Almost instantly, Lu Yuan said.

"What could you have going on?" Lu Yao slapped the back of Lu Yuan’s head.

Lu Yuan retorted stubbornly, "Why can’t I have things going on?"

Liu Qinghuan quickly chimed in, "It’s fine, Auntie, Brother Lu. I can go by myself, and if need be, I have other friends. It’s no problem."

Lu Yao: "No worries, Qinghuan. Don’t listen to this brat’s nonsense; he doesn’t have any real things. He just thinks about playing all day."

He looked at Lu Yuan, "Anyway, you don’t have anything serious going on day-to-day. You’re either playing with this friend or that one. Why not take Qinghuan along?"

Lu Yuan mumbled, "All my friends are guys, men. Qinghuan is a girl; how can she hang out with us?"

"Why not? You can just call fewer male friends and invite a few female ones instead."

Suddenly, Lu Yuan thought of something, and a glimmer of interest passed through his eyes, but he said nothing.

"Anyway, take Qinghuan to familiarize her with Sea City these days. Although Qinghuan grew up in Sea City too, she hasn’t been back for several days. As her brother, you should take good care of your sister. Do you hear me?" Lu Yao said.

Lu Yuan reluctantly replied, "I got it, I got it."

Liu Qinghuan wanted to say something more but was interrupted by Chen Fang: "Qinghuan, come, try this. I made it especially for you; it’s what you liked eating the most. See if it still tastes the same as before."

Liu Qinghuan’s attention was successfully diverted by Chen Fang.

"Mmm, delicious. It still tastes like before."

Chen Fang: "Eat more if you like it, okay?"

"Mm, okay."

Chen Fang felt gratified seeing Liu Qinghuan’s attention was diverted.

Her selected daughter-in-law can’t be allowed to run away.

...

"Hello?" Xu Ru’an answered the phone.

There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a slow response, "It’s me."

Xu Ru’an paused, found the voice somewhat familiar, and tentatively asked, "Lu Yuan?"

Lu Yuan responded briefly, "Mm."

"How do you have my home phone number?" Xu Ru’an asked curiously.

Lu Yuan: "I got it from Wencheng."

Xu Ru’an understood, slightly furrowed his brows, "Is there something you need from me?"

Lu Yuan pursed his lips, momentarily unsure how to start.

"Hello?" After a long while, Xu Ru’an thought Lu Yuan had hung up since there was no sound.

Lu Yuan: "I’m hosting a party tomorrow, would you like to come?"

Seemingly worried Xu Ru’an would refuse, he added, "Wencheng and the others are coming too."

Xu Ru’an felt conflicted; the situation between him and Lu Yuan lately felt odd, so attending this party might be awkward.

But then he said Meng Wencheng and the others would be there.

As if sensing Xu Ru’an’s hesitation, Lu Yuan didn’t rush her for an answer.

After a long while, Xu Ru’an said, "Alright, time and place."

Upon hearing Xu Ru’an’s reply, a hint of delight flashed across Lu Yuan’s face.

Lu Yuan quickly gave Xu Ru’an the time and place.

Xu Ru’an noted them down.

"You have to come." Lu Yuan said before hanging up.

Xu Ru’an: "Got it, got it."

After speaking, Xu Ru’an hung up the phone.

Staring at the recorded time and place, Xu Ru’an felt some regret about being too impulsive.

Their previous situation was still unresolved, yet now he’s attending a party hosted by Lu Yuan?

Forget it, since everyone there will be acquaintances, worst-case scenario, I just won’t speak to him.

...

"Knock knock knock."

"Ru’an? What’s wrong?" Sang Yu opened the door to see Xu Ru’an standing uneasily at the entrance.

"Sang Yu, are you free right now?" Xu Ru’an asked.

"Yes, what’s up?" Sang Yu inquired curiously.

"I need your help with something." Xu Ru’an held Sang Yu’s hand and pleaded pathetically.

Sang Yu was even more puzzled, clueless about the situation.

Half an hour later, Sang Yu finally understood.

"Since you’ve agreed, then just go. Besides, what’s the big deal? It’s not like everyone there won’t be acquaintances." Sang Yu remarked.

Xu Ru’an: "But just a few days ago, he and I had an argument."

"An argument?" Sang Yu found it even stranger, though given their interaction style, it’s not unusual for them to argue.

Xu Ru’an: "I don’t know how to explain, but after Wei Lai and I left your place that day, we went to eat and ended up bumping into Lu Yuan. At the time, Lu Yuan rushed in and said some weird things, which made me angry, so we argued."

Sang Yu looked at Xu Ru’an amused.

Xu Ru’an awkwardly touched her face: "What? Is there something on my face?"

Sang Yu shook her head: "No, nothing."

"Actually, going wouldn’t be a big deal. You’ve already agreed anyway, and his invitation likely means he wants to apologize for last time’s incident." Sang Yu analyzed for Xu Ru’an.

Xu Ru’an remained silent.

"You don’t actually like him, do you?" Sang Yu suddenly asked.

Xu Ru’an abruptly reacted as if shocked: "How could I? There’s no way I’d like someone like him. Stop messing around."

Seeing her intense reaction, Sang Yu felt even more certain.

"If you don’t like him, then what are you afraid of? You weren’t like this when you met him before."

Xu Ru’an stubbornly said, "I’m not afraid; I just don’t know how for the moment... Anyway, I’m not afraid or interested in him."

"Alright, alright. You don’t like him, nor are you afraid. So just go."

Xu Ru’an bit her lip, and after a while, said, "Sang Yu, why don’t you come with me?"

Sang Yu: "Me go with you? I wasn’t invited; why should I go?"

Xu Ru’an: "It’s fine. I’ll mention it to him, and if he refuses, I won’t go either."

Sang Yu thought Lu Yuan might be planning something at the party.

If Xu Ru’an didn’t go, Lu Yuan’s preparations might be wasted.

What if he was planning to confess?

After thinking it over, Sang Yu decided to be proactive in supporting happily.

"Alright, if he agrees, I’ll go with you."

Xu Ru’an hugged Sang Yu, only to be swiftly pulled away by Jiang Jingming watching from the side.

"Brother Jiang, when did you get here?" Xu Ru’an stared at the suddenly appearing Jiang Jingming, shocked.

Could he have heard everything just now?

That would be too embarrassing.

"I’ve been here the whole time."

Jiang Jingming’s words struck Xu Ru’an like a thunderbolt.

Xu Ru’an froze, face flushed with embarrassment, swiftly saying, "Um, Sang Yu, wait for my message. I’ll head back first."

With that, she quickly vanished.