Chapter 75: Chapter 75: At the Table

Lu Xiao figured Lu Ge Wei summoning them couldn’t be for anything good, and having Ares tag along would just be an added worry. ’It’s better to let him stay in the room where he can be comfortable.’ “Alright then, Ares. You stay here and get some good rest. I’ll be back.”

Ares nodded. Since Lu Xiao had said so, he naturally wouldn’t go against her wishes. He was still a little worried, though. As she turned to leave, he couldn’t help but add, “My lady, if you run into any trouble and want to leave, you can contact me anytime.”

Meeting Ares’s dark eyes, which were filled with obvious worry, Lu Xiao’s lips curled into a smile. “Got it!”

’It probably won’t come to that, but his words still made her very happy.’

The old butler standing to the side was filled with astonishment. He had never seen a female act so affectionately with her side husband.

After her exchange with Ares, Lu Xiao walked over to the old butler and said, “Let’s go.”

The old butler finally snapped out of it, forcing down his inner shock. “Miss Lu Xiao, you and your side husband have such a good relationship.”

“Shouldn’t it be?” Lu Xiao’s counter-question left the old butler unsure how to respond.

’Of course it should be,’ the butler thought, ’but I’ve never seen anyone else like this.’

“If you act this way, and you take a main husband in the future, I imagine Lord Ares will be very hurt.” The old butler considered this a well-intentioned reminder.

Lu Xiao glanced at him briefly before replying matter-of-factly, “Then couldn’t Ares just become my main husband? Or, I could just not have a main husband at all, right?”

Either of those statements was enough to completely shock the old butler.

It was so shocking that the old butler, who was usually an expert at controlling his expression, actually lost his composure for a moment. Not that Lu Xiao paid him any mind.

After a good while, the butler, seemingly having just recovered from his shock, said softly, “You are truly nothing like your mother.”

Lu Xiao chuckled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

The old butler didn’t say another word on the way to the study. From that point on, however, he treated Lu Xiao with noticeably more care and respect.

When they arrived at the study, Lu Huan and Lu Yu were already present. Upon seeing her, Lu Huan smiled and waved. “Sister, sit here.”

Seeing her address Lu Xiao so affectionately as “Sister,” both Lu Yu and Lu Ge Wei frowned slightly.

“I had no idea you two sisters were so close now,” Lu Ge Wei said. “Did something happen that I’m not aware of?”

Lu Xiao sat down beside Lu Huan and smiled at the question. “Mother, were you aware that yesterday was Lu Huan’s parent-teacher conference?”

Caught off guard by the question, Lu Ge Wei faltered. She glanced at the visibly tense Lu Huan next to her. “She didn’t tell me.”

“She has told you before, Mother. Have you ever gone?” A smile remained on Lu Xiao’s face as she spoke. Without waiting for Lu Ge Wei to answer, she pressed on. “Well, I went yesterday. Lu Huan ranked first in her entire year. Don’t you plan on giving her a reward? After all, not every female can place first in her grade.”

The moment she finished speaking, Lu Huan, the very subject of the conversation, was stunned. She’d never imagined Lu Xiao would ask Lu Ge Wei for a reward on her behalf. Such a thing had never even crossed her mind.

But now that Lu Xiao had said it, a sliver of hope bloomed in Lu Huan’s heart. She tilted her head to look at Lu Ge Wei, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Lu Yu, standing to the side, had already been hit by two shocks in short succession. ’Just what in the world has been happening when I wasn’t around?’

Lu Ge Wei felt like she’d been backed into a corner. Lu Xiao’s claim was specific and verifiable, and she herself was a little surprised. “Lu Huan, is this true?”

Lu Huan nodded, looking a little shy. “It’s true.”

“Well, in that case, tell me what you want later. I’ll get it for you.”

Hearing this, Lu Huan immediately brightened. “Thank you, Mother!”

When Lu Yu saw that Lu Ge Wei had actually agreed, her own heart stirred. ’There is something I’ve wanted to buy recently…’

After thanking Lu Ge Wei, Lu Huan turned to Lu Xiao. Unlike the perfunctory thanks she gave her mother, her gratitude toward Lu Xiao was genuine. She knew that if Lu Xiao hadn’t spoken up for her, Lu Ge Wei would never have made such an offer.

Lu Ge Wei noticed this exchange, and a bitter feeling washed over her. Her expression hardened as she turned to Lu Xiao. “I heard you’ve started working. Where?”

Lu Xiao understood as soon as she heard the question. ’Lu Ge Wei must have heard something, otherwise she wouldn’t be asking like this.’

“Since you already know I’m working, Mother, you haven’t heard where? The Fifth Research Institute. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. I’m a full-time therapist there now.”

“Absurd!” Lu Ge Wei slammed her hand on the desk. “Do you have any idea what kind of place that is? Is that somewhere you should be? You’ve utterly disgraced me!”

“Why would you say that, Mother? Is it because the therapists at the Fifth Research Institute have to treat S-Class males, and you find that disgraceful? I thought I was contributing to the nation. I thought you’d be proud of me. I never imagined you would think of me like this…” Lu Xiao’s voice trailed off, her expression one of utter disappointment.

Lu Ge Wei had a whole lecture prepared for Lu Xiao, but now Lu Xiao had brought up national service. What could she possibly say? If she admitted that was her line of thinking, she would look petty and small-minded. If word got out, her career as a Count would likely be over. But if she denied it, what did that make of the words she had just spoken?

’Was she supposed to just contradict herself?’

At first, Lu Huan had been worried Lu Ge Wei would use this to put Lu Xiao down. She never expected her sister to be so eloquent, shutting down their mother’s arguments before she could even make them.

’That was so satisfying!’

She didn’t dare laugh out loud, though, and it was almost painful to hold it in.

Lu Yu’s mouth hung slightly open, her face a mask of utter shock.

’What!’

’My sister is a therapist at the Fifth Research Institute!’

’And Mother found out!’

’Mother tried to tear her down, but she just threw national service right back in her face!’

’When did Lu Xiao get so fierce?!’

’That was actually kind of cool!’

Lu Yu was still at that age where she hadn’t quite grown out of her dramatic teenage phase. Seeing Lu Xiao so boldly defy Lu Ge Wei, her eyes filled with admiration.

Lu Xiao didn’t even glance at her, however. After speaking, she simply sat there, a look of sorrow and disappointment on her face, as if Lu Ge Wei’s failure to understand had utterly broken her heart.

Seeing her daughter act this way made Lu Ge Wei feel utterly disgusted. ’How did Lu Xiao turn out like this after getting married? It must be that side husband of hers. He must be a bad influence.’

’Letting his wife go out to work! What kind of side husband is he?!’

“If that side husband of yours can’t support you, then you should find a few more who can, and quickly. You are the eldest daughter of the House of Count Ge Wei. It doesn’t matter what kind of work it is; you shouldn’t be doing it. You’re supposed to stay home and enjoy a life of comfort!”

Lu Xiao knew at once that Lu Ge Wei was just trying to stir up trouble. Since she couldn’t attack Lu Xiao’s job, she’d started finding fault with Ares instead.

Meanwhile, Ares, who was resting back in his room, had just caught a stray bullet out of nowhere.

Lu Xiao felt a pang of sympathy for Ares. “Doing nothing but lazing around at home? I could never live that kind of freeloader lifestyle. I can’t sit still like you can, Mother. I’m just too active. Ares did try to stop me, but it’s not like I have to listen to him. You’re an experienced woman, Mother. Surely you understand? How can the males of the house have any say in the decisions of its matriarch? They’re not even allowed to eat at the dinner table.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep