Chapter 3: Is it worth the compensation?

Lu Huaiyu.

The Lu family of the capital, a lineage of nobility for generations.

And this Second Young Master Lu was even more renowned.

With a peerless appearance, he was like a flower on a high mountain.

Even with his lazy, arrogant, and utterly unrestrained nature, he still drew countless socialites of the capital to flock to him.

But what was even more widely rumored was his thunderous, ruthless methods in the business world.

However, even until he became the true head of the Lu family, he had never taken a wife, nor had even half a scandal ever been linked to his name.

In her past life, Ning Li had met this man twice.

The first time was indeed in Yunzhou, though not at the Ye residence.

Back then, she had just heard of his identity from others and had been curious as to why he, perfectly fine as he was, had come to Yunzhou from the capital.

Later, she learned that his trip to Yunzhou had been to seek medical treatment.

Few people knew the inside story; Ning Li had only overheard a rough account by chance, and she had sighed that even such a favored son of heaven could not have everything be perfect.

She just hadn't expected to see him at the Ye residence this time.

Although the Ye family had some standing in Yunzhou, compared to the Lu family of the capital, they were not worth mentioning.

She remembered that in her past life, Lu Huaiyu and the Ye family seemed to have no interaction. Otherwise, given the nature of the Ye family, if they could have latched onto such a powerful figure, they would have surely declared it to the whole world long ago.

She didn't know why he had deigned to lower himself to come here with Cheng Xiyue this time.

However...

He had come, yet he hadn't even stepped out of the car, which was truly giving them no face at all.

Such arrogance—ordinary people really couldn't afford to cater to it.

But then again, this person was Lu Huaiyu.

At this moment, Su Yuan had already heard of Lu Huaiyu's identity from Aunt Zhao, and she was immediately taken aback.

"A distinguished guest has arrived; why haven't you invited him in?" she asked, her brows slightly furrowed. "This is too impolite."

Aunt Zhao hurriedly explained

"Madam, this is Young Master Cheng's wish. He said Second Young Master Lu hasn't been resting well lately and only just managed to get a short nap in the car, so he asked us not to disturb him."

These were Cheng Xiyue's words, but clearly, they were even more so Lu Huaiyu's wishes.

Upon hearing this, although Su Yuan felt it was strange, she didn't say anything more.

Given his background, where couldn't he sleep if he wanted to? If they were to rashly wake him and cause offense, that would be bad.

"Then let's go in first."

Su Yuan lowered her voice and turned to urge Ning Li.

Ning Li withdrew her gaze, shouldered her bag, and followed them off the car.

The group walked toward the main entrance.

Inside the car, Lu Huaiyu’s gaze narrowed slightly, and he suddenly chuckled.

Yesterday, Cheng Xiyue had given him all the information on the young girl, saying she had a hard life and repeatedly warning him not to bully her.

But from what he could see, this young girl was not one to be bullied.

Her little temper wasn't hidden well enough.

"Mom! You're back!"

Just as they stepped into the foyer, a joyful, crisp voice came from the front hall.

The sound made the corner of Ning Li's eye twitch.

She calmly raised her eyes and looked ahead.

A young girl wearing a white tulle dress was walking quickly toward them.

The well-tailored dress perfectly outlined her slender waist, her waist-length black hair hung down smoothly, and her face was pretty with bright almond-shaped eyes.

Her entire demeanor was noble and gentle, carrying the intimacy and liveliness that only appears when seeing someone close.

Seeing her, the expression on Su Yuan's face instantly softened, and she reached out to pull her into an embrace, gently patting her shoulder.

"Xiao Ci, didn't you say you were going to see an art exhibition with Xiangxiang today? Why are you at home?"

Ye Ci rubbed against her, acting spoiled

"I was worried about you, Mom!"

She pulled back slightly from Su Yuan's embrace, her brows knitted with a hint of worry

"The news said there was a car accident on the Lianyungang Expressway last night. Although I knew you were staying in Lincheng, I still couldn't stop worrying, so I thought I'd just wait at home."

Su Yuan touched her face and, seeing the faint dark circles under her eyes, said with heartache

"Xiao Ci, you didn't sleep all night? You didn't need to worry about Mom..."

Ye Ci pursed her lips and smiled.

"I wanted to wait for you."

Su Yuan said

"Next time, Mom will definitely not let Xiao Ci worry again. Don't wait like this in the future; if you ruin your health, Mom will be heartbroken, you know?"

Ning Li stood to the side, watching coldly, a faint trace of mockery flashing in her eyes.

What a display of deep mother-daughter affection.

Anyone who saw this scene would think these two were a biological mother and daughter.

Ye Ci waited for her for one night, and she was so heartbroken.

She had waited for eleven years, yet she had never heard a single apology from her.

Ye Ci shifted her gaze, as if she had only just noticed Ning Li.

When she saw Ning Li's appearance, the smile on her lips froze for a moment.

The girl before her was wearing a white shirt, black jeans, and a black backpack slung over one shoulder.

It was clearly the simplest of outfits, yet worn on her, it looked excessively good.

Her black hair, just past her shoulders, hung down, making her neck look even longer and fairer.

What was most striking was that face.

Clean, beautiful.

Those peach-blossom eyes were filled with a shimmering light, and her brows carried a hint of careless, free-spirited audacity.

Just standing there, without a word, she was enough to attract everyone's attention.

Ye Ci curved her eyes and smiled

"Mom, is this Ning Li sister?"

Su Yuan felt a bit awkward.

All these years, she had never mentioned Ning Li's existence in the Ye household.

"Yes. From today on, Ning Li will also be living at home. Where is your father?"

Ye Ci pointed upstairs

"Dad is on the second floor, and Brother Xiyue is there too."

In fact, although both the Ye and Cheng families were wealthy families in Yunzhou, their friendship wasn't particularly deep.

The Ye family was in the hotel business in Yunzhou; they could only be considered second-tier in the past, and it was only after encountering an opportunity in recent years that they leaped forward.

Compared to a family with such deep foundations as the Cheng family, they were still quite lacking.

However, Ye Ci was best friends with the Cheng family's young miss, Cheng Xiangxiang, so she followed suit and called him Brother Xiyue.

Su Yuan nodded and said to Aunt Zhao

"You take Ning Li to see her room first."

Cheng Xiyue had arrived, and there was still that Second Young Master Lu outside; she estimated that Ye Ming wouldn't have time to deal with Ning Li's affairs for a while.

Before Aunt Zhao could respond, Ye Ci said

"Mom, Sister's room is next to mine, let me take her."

Seeing her so sensible, Su Yuan felt much more at ease.

"Alright, go get some rest early after you're done."

Ye Ci led Ning Li toward the stairs.

However, just as Ning Li took a step, a cold gust of wind suddenly flew toward her from the side!

Ning Li's eyes narrowed, and she moved to dodge.

Suddenly, with a "ding" sound, something was knocked away and hit the blue-and-white porcelain on the coffee table.

Bang!

The blue-and-white porcelain vase shattered into pieces instantly!

A boy of about ten years old suddenly screamed, rushed out from behind the sofa, and pointed at Ning Li, cursing

"Ah! You broke Dad's favorite blue-and-white porcelain! You pay for it!"

She was stunned and looked back.

Lu Huaiyu had stepped out of the car at some point and was leaning against the door frame, looking at the little boy with a half-smile.

"What a coincidence, your father's porcelain hit my watch. Are you going to pay for it?"