Later, Long Jinjing and Lu Zihao sat together on the couch while Sun Jingfei sat on the single armchair to the side in the living room.
Sun Jingfei had already calmed down when the couple came out of the bedroom thankfully wearing proper clothes. She observed her squirming, red-faced daughter with her relaxed yet intimidating boyfriend.
They didn't look proportional sitting together like that because Lu Zihao was so huge while her daughter was so petite. It was like seeing a huge, battle-scarred tiger with a tiny, innocent puppy. Worry filled her. Would her daughter be alright with a scary-looking man like him?
She cleared her throat and made a show of glancing at the wall clock. "It's getting late and Jing'er still has get ready for work today. How about we eat breakfast and maybe…t-talk during the meal?"
"Good idea, Madam," Lu Zihao replied while flashing a charmingly roguish smile. Then he stood up and pulled Long Jinjing to stand up as well before sweeping an arm at Sun Jingfei. "After you, Madam."
Sun Jingfei's expression lightened. She even giggled. There was also a suspicious pink tinge on her cheeks. "What a gentleman you are, Lu Zihao. Fine, this old woman will go first."
"Madam is still young. And please call me…Zihao. There's no need to be so formal since I'm your daughter Jinjing's boyfriend."
"Oh, alright. And you can call me Auntie Jingfei as well. Like you said, there's no need to be so formal. Come on, you two. I brought a lot of food today."
Long Jinjing stared at the two of them with a dazed expression. Who was this charming man? What did he do to her domineering boyfriend? How deceptive!
And what was wrong with her mother? She had been too shocked to even speak just a few minutes ago and yet now she was giggling like a teenage girl in front of her daughter's boyfriend. Ah, was her mother always this weak against masculine charm? Was this how her father hooked her mother? Oh no! Too embarrassing!
Wait, did she inherit her mother's weakness? Was this the reason why she gave in too easily to Lu Zihao as well? Oh gosh! Invisible tears flowed down Long Jinjing's eyes as she cried for both her mother and herself.
"Jing'er, help me set the table," Sun Jingfei called.
Long Jinjing didn't respond.
Lu Zihao stepped forward. "Let me do it, Auntie."
"Oh, what a good child!" Sun Jingfei looked very pleased at his good manners. Then she sighed at her dazed daughter and shook her head. "I hope you don't mind my daughter when she acts like this. She can be a little…delicate, you see. She tends to be overwhelmed if she encounters something too embarrassing. Please be understanding of her. She's a good child."
His roguish smile became wider and the charm level he was oozing intensified. "I know that Jinjing is a special woman and will treat her as such. I'll take care of her so please don't worry, Auntie. Your daughter is safe with me."
Sun Jingfei's pleased smile also became wider. Then she instructed Lu Zihao how to properly set the table while she opened all the dishes that she brought with her. The delicious aroma of food wafted throughout the kitchen and awakened Long Jinjing from her daze.
Lu Zihao pulled out a chair. "Please sit, Auntie."
Sun Jingfei giggled before sitting down. "Your parents taught you excellent manners."
"It was actually my grandfather who beat good manners into me while I was a little boy. My parents were both free-spirited people and they were often gone travelling in other countries and pursuing their own passions while I was growing up. My grandfather was basically the one who raised me, so he was more of my parent than my own parents."
"Oh! Then you must be very close to your grandfather."
Lu Zihao's roguish smile turned gentle. There was even a touch of sadness in his expression. "I was—I am."
"Sir Lu Jianhong is indeed a great man," Sun Jingfei said.
A deep furrow formed between Long Jinjing's brows as she stared at Lu Zihao in disbelief. Something wasn't right. He was acting too out of character. It was as if…he turned into a completely different person. Even his aura felt different. What was happening? It didn't feel like he was acting, unlike his deliberate "surprise" at seeing her mother earlier when he came out of the bedroom half-naked.
He turned to her next and pulled out another chair. "Why are you still standing there? Come here, babe. Let's eat breakfast or you'll be late for work."
B-babe? She shuddered. Something was definitely wrong with him!
"Jing'er, stop dazing around," her mother reprimanded. "Zihao is right. Hurry up and let's eat. It's rude to keep others waiting at the table. The food will get cold."
"Y-yes, Mom." She sat down on the chair while looking warily at Lu Zihao.
They began eating.
"The food is delicious, Auntie," he said, making Sun Jingfei giggle again. Then he put more food on Long Jinjing's plate. "Babe, you need to eat a lot so you'll have energy to work today. You mentioned that Orchidia Beauty will be busy until the end of the year."
Long Jinjing continued to stare at him in disbelief. Goosebumps popped up all over her skin. Wasn't he the one who said that he disliked saying sweet, mushy things? He even added it to his terms in their agreement. Why was he calling her "babe"? Was he possessed? This wasn't the Lu Zihao—no, the Nikolai that she knew!
"Are y-you okay?" she asked him in a hesitant voice.
He raised his eyebrows in confusion which still looked charming. "What do you mean? Of course, I'm okay."
"Jing'er, what's wrong with you?" Sun Jingfei asked, interrupting the two. "You've only eaten two bites. Time is ticking. Eat more before you get ready for work."
"Y-yes, Mom." Long Jinjing began eating but continued to steal glances at Lu Zihao.
He caught her and flashed her with a bright smile. The smile was so brilliant that it almost blinded her but it made her feel cold all over.