Unexpected Second Chance at Love

”It’s already late, are you sure you don’t want to spend the night? We can meet the wedding planner together tomorrow.”

Madam Lu’s sad and pitiful voice sounds as she and Old Lu walk Yue Ling and Lu Tian to their car. They had enjoyed a great dinner and chatted about daily matters with laughter. However, now that the young couple was leaving, she didn’t want to part ways with her daughter-in-law.

As for her oldest son…

She glances away from Yue Ling to Lu Tian. It was only for a split second when she looks back at the retired model.

”Tian can go home by himself. You are more than welcome to stay here. We have plenty of spare rooms, I can have the maids prepare one for you.”

Her words fell and a thought came to mind. She grins from ear to ear and leans closer to Yue Ling.

”If you want and don’t mind, you can sleep in Tian’s old room. It hasn’t been used since he moved out of here to live on his own.”

Yue Ling was rendered speechless by the middle-aged woman’s behavior. She hadn’t even thanked Madam Lu for the lovely dinner and was already put in a distraught position.

At the same time, she couldn’t help but feel a little cringe by Madam Lu’s affection. She was sure that if she were to agree and stay the night, Madam Lu will no doubt sleep on the same bed as her like they are having a slumber party.

”Mother, stop.”

From the side, Lu Tian’s deep voice interrupts his mother’s pestering. He gently pulls his wife behind him and looks at his mother with an indifferent expression.

”Yue Ling and I are a package deal. We came here together, so it’s only natural for us to leave together.”

His words fell matter-of-factly, and he reaches to hold Yue Ling’s hand.

”We will see you tomorrow.”

On one side, Yue Ling was turned baffled by Lu Tian’s attitude towards his mother. On the other side, Madam Lu’s eyes widen with her nostrils before she points at Lu Tian with a trembling hand.

”Y-you…”

Before she could say another word, Old Lu, who seems to always be forgotten, stops his wife from making a fool of herself. He smiles sweetly at her and wraps one arm around her waist.

”Dear, it is late. Let Tian and Yue Ling be on their way. You will see them again tomorrow.”

He looks at Lu Tian and the smile on his face remained, but his eyes didn’t forget to indicate for Lu Tian to use this chance to leave home with Yue Ling.

Yue Ling wanted to smile at how Old Lu seems to be the only normal one in the family. However, not wanting to hurt Madam Lu’s feelings, she sighs a smile at the older woman.

”Mother, thank you for the lovely dinner. Next time, I will ask Tian for us to spend the night.”

Her last word had yet to sound when she was suddenly led away by Lu Tian. She wanted to ask why he was in such a rush but stops herself when she saw his grim expression.

Without a doubt, she could guess why he was so angry with his mother. She (Madam Lu) had ignored him and only asked for her (Yue Ling) to stay the night.

She lightly shakes her head and looks back at Madam Lu and Old Lu. She waves goodbye and lets Lu Tian walk her to the car.

Watching the young couple get inside the car and drive away, Madam Lu heaves a long sigh before turning her head to look at her husband.

”Honey, why did you let them leave like this?”

Old Lu knew his wife like the back of his hand. He could tell that she was angry with his decision, but as the calm person that he is, he did not get angry by her tone of voice.

He looks at her in the eyes and anyone can see the love and doting he has for her for many years.

”They need time to spend alone.”

Madam Lu wanted to refute his words as she wants to spend alone time with Yue Lin, but seeing her husband’s calm demeanor, every word she wanted to say seemed to be stuck in her throat. She looks back to the black car driving further and further away from them.

”I guess you are right. I might have stepped out of line by trying to get all of Ah Ling’s attention. However, I just can’t help but worry about her after learning about Old Ji.”

She sighs and hugs her husband around the waist as her head rests on his shoulder.

”She has gone through so much already. I do not want to see her sad.”

Old Lu didn’t know how to respond to his wife. He may not have shown it, but like how his wife is feeling, he is also worried about Yue Ling. She is the daughter of his dearest friend and he swore, to protect her like she was his own.

However, thinking about the conversation he had with Lu Tian, he slightly tilts his head to the side and rests it on top of his wife’s head.

”She isn’t aware of what we know.”

He tightens his arm around his wife and inhales deeply.

”Tian said, Old Ji is planning to tell her once he is discharged from the hospital.”

Hearing that Yue Ling doesn’t know about Grandfather Ji’s illness, Madam Lu’s eyes turned moist. Her lower lip trembles and she closes her eyes to steady herself. However, in her attempt to calm down, she chokes a despairing sob.

”Oh, poor child. What can we do for her?”

Old Lu swallowed with difficulty as his heart ached for Yue Ling. In the short time that he has met her, he can see that she is a good person who values family more than anything.

As he thought to himself, his eyes shifts to the night sky that was covered with stars. A faint, yet painful smile curls on his lip, and hand gently squeeze Madam Lu’s arm.

”The only thing we do for her is to be her family. Let her know that she is not alone, and she can always depend on us.”

Unaware of the conversation between the older couple, the drive home for Yue Ling and Lu Tian did not take long as there was no traffic.

As they entered their home, all was quiet when they switch the lights on.

Yue Ling removes her coat and shoes but did not forget to search the house. It was then that she remembered her little Samoyed was staying with her grandfather and brother.

”He’ll be home soon.”

Lu Tian faintly chuckles when he saw her looking around for his nemesis. He couldn’t blame her for doing so as the little guy had a habit of pouncing at his wife the moment she comes home.

Then again, he can’t blame his wife for doing so because, during the past few days, he was no different. He doesn’t want to admit it, but he was starting to miss the little guy’s presence.

”Should we go pick him up tomorrow?”

Yue Ling was surprised by his sudden question. She wanted to answer yes but shakes her head. Her grandfather looked happy to have Inu at the Ji Mansion, so letting the little guy stay a few more days wouldn’t hurt.

However, despite her think this way, she suddenly thought about the night at the lake.

She felt something was amiss with Inu’s behavior. Why would he suddenly want to go with her grandfather than her? Could it be that something happened that she is not aware of?

Quickly as the thought came to her, she brushes it to the back of her mind. If something really did happen at the Ji Mansion, she would be the first to know, right?

Thinking this way, she looks at the handsome man standing next to her and blurts out without thinking.

”I’m going to take a bath first.”

She walks to the stairs and proceeds to climb up, but behind her, Lu Tian stares at her with an arched brow. He didn’t have to think twice before striding after her and scoops her up in his arms.

”Ah! Tian, what are you doing?”

Yue Ling yelped and wraps her arms around his neck. She stares at him with a complex expression, before gasping.

”You, don’t tell me you…”

Unable to finish her words, Lu Tian continues to proceed up the stairs with her in his arms. The corners of his twitch as he wanted to smile at her surprised face, but he kept his composure.

”Do I want to bathe with you?”

He puts on a pondering expression before he glances down at her from the corner of his eyes with a devilish smirk.

”I mean, I was only trying to help you up the stairs, but since you asked, how I decline the offer.”

”…”