Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Leaving

Fred was about to say it was no trouble, but Ares cut him off. “Alright, Xiao Xiao. I’ll handle things here. You go get some rest. Is there anything you’d like to eat? I can whip it up for you.”

“It’s okay, Ares. I don’t feel like eating right now. Thank you for everything,” Lu Xiao said, turning to give him a hug.

Ares smiled as he left the room with her. He knew perfectly well that Lu Xiao had arranged things this way because she didn’t want to interact too much with Fred.

His little female was trying to avoid any impropriety.

’Of course, he understood!’

Fred pressed his lips together as he watched Ares and Lu Xiao leave, their affection for each other obvious.

Before, Lu Xiao and Ares’s relationship had always been something of an abstraction to him. But now, standing in their love nest—a space filled with their presence and the traces of their life together—the feeling of happiness and warmth was overwhelming. Their bond had become vividly, tangibly real.

’So this is what it’s like to build a life with someone.’

Spending every day together, intimately and without interruption. A peaceful, simple existence with no one else involved. In that moment, happiness seemed to have a clear and simple definition.

It was truly hard not to be envious.

As Lu Xiao followed Ares downstairs, she felt an urge to help him.

Seeing this, Ares washed some fruit, arranged it on a platter, and handed it to her. “Go eat this on the sofa.”

And so, Lu Xiao found herself gently pushed out of the kitchen, a platter of fruit in her arms.

Before she could react, Lu Yu’s voice called down from upstairs. “Sis, I’m done washing up!”

Lu Xiao swallowed the words she had been about to say and glanced up at her. “Oh. In that case, send Mother a message and have her send someone to pick you up.”

“But it’s so late…” Lu Yu was reluctant to go home. She knew Lu Ge Wei would surely punish her when she got back.

Lu Xiao paid her no mind. “If it’s too much trouble for you, I can send the message myself.”

Seeing that Lu Xiao left no room for negotiation, Lu Yu felt a surge of resentment but suppressed it, muttering, “I’ll send it myself!”

Lu Xiao couldn’t care less if she was happy about it. “Good. Then send it.”

’Lu Ge Wei needed to take responsibility for Lu Yu’s mistakes.’

Ignoring Lu Yu, Lu Xiao took her fruit platter to the sofa and started eating.

Lu Yu dawdled down the stairs, plopped onto the sofa, and looked at Lu Xiao. “Do you hate me that much? You got my voice message, but you didn’t even come looking for me. Weren’t you worried at all that something might have happened to me?”

“You weren’t scared for yourself, so why should I have been? You may not be an adult yet, but you’re not a little kid either,” Lu Xiao said, her tone completely detached, as if discussing a matter of no concern to her.

A sour feeling washed over Lu Yu. “But you weren’t like this with Lu Huan!”

Faced with Lu Yu’s accusation, Lu Xiao wondered what on earth she had to be jealous about. “All I can say is that your timing was off. Enough. I’m well aware that our relationship isn’t that deep. You don’t need to put on a show as if we have some profound bond that I’ve betrayed. Save your tears. They’re worthless to me. Just eat your meal and go home.”

Lu Yu’s mouth fell open. She had been on the verge of crying from a sense of injustice, but Lu Xiao’s words completely extinguished the feeling. “You know, the way you talk is really hurtful.”

“But I haven’t gotten anyone hurt because of my actions,” Lu Xiao retorted, knowing exactly where to twist the knife.

As expected, Lu Yu fell silent.

’Finally,’ Lu Xiao thought, ’some peace and quiet.’

Ares worked quickly. By the time he brought out two bowls of steaming hot wontons, Lu Yu, who had spent the entire afternoon in a state of anxiety, caught their fragrant aroma. Her stomach couldn’t help but let out a loud RUMBLE.

Lu Yu was mortified, but Lu Xiao didn’t comment on it, simply saying, “Go on and eat.”

This time, Lu Yu didn’t say anything else out of line. She quickly got up and sat down at the dining table.

At that same moment, Fred also came downstairs.

When Lu Yu saw him, her pupils constricted. She clearly hadn’t expected Fred to still be there.

Fred had been injured because of her, and seeing him now, Lu Yu was filled with complicated emotions.

“Are… are your injuries okay?”

“There’s no need for concern, Lady Lu Yu. I’ve recovered.”

“Oh,” Lu Yu mumbled. She buried her head in her bowl and began to eat. Racked with guilt, she ate too quickly and ended up scalding her tongue.

She knew she should thank Fred and apologize, but her pride as a female wouldn’t let the words out.

Fortunately, Fred didn’t seem to be expecting either.

When Ares saw Fred come down, he gestured toward the kitchen. “If that’s not enough, there’s more in the pot.”

“Thank you, Ares.”

“Don’t mention it. Just let me know if you need anything.” With that, Ares left the dining area to find Lu Xiao.

When Lu Xiao saw him emerge, she beckoned him over.

Ares walked over to her. “Are you tired?”

’She should be resting by now, after such a long and busy day.’

Lu Xiao pulled him down to sit beside her. “I’m not tired. I haven’t done a thing except eat. You’re the one who’s been working hard!”

“I’m not tired either. A little work like this is nothing to me. What are your plans for Lu Yu?”

They only had one guest room, which meant if Lu Yu were to stay the night, she would have to use what was once Lu Xiao’s bedroom.

“Someone’s coming to pick her up soon.”

Ares wasn’t surprised to hear that.

He’d seen from the incident with Lu Huan that while Lu Xiao appeared strict, it was her own way of teaching her two younger sisters a lesson.

The person who came to pick up Lu Yu was the butler from Count Ge Wei’s Mansion.

He arrived fairly quickly; in fact, Lu Yu hadn’t even finished her meal yet.

Lu Xiao invited him in to sit for a moment and offered him a drink.

It was the butler’s first time visiting Lu Xiao’s home. While it couldn’t compare in size to the Earl Mansion, it was exceptionally warm and cozy. The moment he stepped inside, he felt himself relax.

He was careful with his words and asked no questions. Lu Ge Wei had instructed him to inquire about the reward from Her Majesty the Queen, but he didn’t bring it up at all.

He didn’t want to risk annoying Lu Xiao. As for what he would report when he returned, he had his own way of handling things.

Soon enough, Lu Yu finished her food and came out of the dining area. Her expression soured when she saw the butler.

The butler rose to his feet. “Lady Lu Yu, we should be going. Her Ladyship is waiting for you at home.”

It would have been better if he hadn’t mentioned her. At the name Lu Ge Wei, the expression on Lu Yu’s face collapsed completely. She shot one last, hopeful look at Lu Xiao, praying her sister might have a change of heart and let her stay.

But in reality, Lu Xiao didn’t even glance in her direction.

Lu Yu had no choice but to follow the butler out, her heart filled with reluctance. The moment she was through the doorway, Lu Xiao shut the main door behind her, as if afraid she might try to come back.

This infuriated Lu Yu.

The butler, who had already reached the hovercar, noticed her hesitation and prompted, “Miss Lu Yu?”

“I know, I know! What’s the rush?” Lu Yu grumbled, trudging over with a gloomy expression. “Did Mother say anything?”

“Her Ladyship didn’t say anything specific, only that I was to bring you home.”

The answer was as good as no answer at all and did nothing to ease Lu Yu’s anxiety.

His next sentence, however, made her heart pound in her chest.

“The main husband is also at home, waiting for you.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep