For a moment, being overly courteous, Lu Qingyuan felt a bit uncomfortable. Noticing her demeanor, he awkwardly smiled and said, "Yingying, please sit! I thought you weren’t coming today, why didn’t you say anything?"
She sat next to Lu Beichen, her gaze frequently drifting to his face. "I’ve been feeling unwell lately, and Dad told me to rest at home. But I heard Brother Beichen got married and brought the bride home today, so I came to see her on purpose. Why haven’t I seen the bride?"
She glanced around, her nerves visibly tense.
"Tongtong went to the backyard with Nian Nian to see Jiu Jiu!" Lu Qingyuan sighed, "Yingying! Beichen has always been your brother, just like Beiyao!"
Tu Yingying’s eyes reddened even more, tears seemed on the verge of falling. She, already delicate and charming, now appeared even more fragile, akin to a willow swaying in the wind, pitiful and lovely.
She wanted to retort, but after casting a glance at Lu Beichen, she held back and asked sadly, "Brother Beichen, will you really treat me like your own sister?"
"You are my elder brother’s cousin, so naturally, you are my dear cousin too!" Lu Beichen replied casually, seemingly unconcerned in the slightest.
Tu Yingying’s tears fell instantly, "As long as you treat me like before, I’m happy! I’m truly glad you found someone you like! I hope you’ll be happy!"
Lu Beichen’s lips curled into a smile that was barely noticeable, as he sweetly said, "I am very happy!"
A pang shot through Tu Yingying’s heart, as she clutched her skirt tightly, as though wishing to tear it apart.
Even Tu Meijiao didn’t expect her usually arrogant and domineering niece to behave this way, and hastily chimed in, "Siri, take Yingying to rest for a bit. Look at her, she’s lost so much weight, it breaks my heart!"
She whispered to Tu Yingying, "Go and rest a bit, I’ll call you when it’s time to eat!"
Tu Yingying nodded, remarkably obedient, tears falling as she said, "Brother Beichen, I’m going to rest now!"
Lu Beichen nodded indifferently.
Li Siru quickly stood up and led Tu Yingying to the room.
Tu Meijiao sighed and said, "Yingying, this child is too sentimental. Brother, look at her , you’ve watched her grow up, my heart aches for her!"
"I feel the same! But, what’s done is done. There are plenty of eligible young men in New City, I’ll find a good family for Yingying!" Lu Qingyuan consoled.
"Brother, I want to discuss some matters regarding the mall!" Lu Beichen said as he stood up, making Lu Beiyao finally come to life and get up to follow him out.
"Discuss business at home?!" Lu Qingyuan inquired, but neither of them turned back.
Lu Xinguo hurriedly accompanied with a smile, "This is a good thing, Brother. After all, YT will rely on the two of them in the future!"
"If Beiyao were truly reliable, Beichen wouldn’t need to have a talk with him!"
That single remark left the couple uneasy.
Lu Beichen really didn’t want to hear those unnecessary sarcastic remarks, so he looked for an excuse to leave.
Leaning on the hallway looking at the one big and one small in the backyard playing with Jiu Jiu, a tender warmth filled his heart.
"What does the second brother want to talk to me about?" Lu Beiyao asked quietly, his face steely.
The smile on Lu Beichen’s lips vanished instantly, his fingers rhythmically tapping on the railing, "I heard several of the malls had issues recently. Do you think it’s a coincidence?"
"There were errors during goods transport, and that newbie has already been dismissed!" Lu Beiyao’s brow furrowed tightly.
Lu Beichen’s gaze never wavered from the pair in the backyard, his expression soft, yet his words were icy, "You’re aware of the North Africa project, aren’t you? I’ve yet to find a suitable candidate. Are you, elder brother, abusing your power to use this as a chance to go?"
A messy private life, sleeping with an employee’s woman, got retaliated by the employee, abusing power to dismiss him — quite the tactician!
Lu Beichen let out a cold snort, gave his brother’s shoulder a pat, laden with significance, "Take care of yourself!"
Lu Beiyao pressed his lips, clenching his fists so tightly that the veins bulged!