As soon as the elevator doors closed, the smiles on the couple's faces vanished instantly.
Fang Rong frowned at his wife."Why didn't you let me finish speaking?"
"Finish what?" He Xiuzhen snapped back."It's been over ten years since we last saw her. Do you really think a box of eggs is enough to convince her to let Xinxin move into her apartment?"
Fang Rong looked both anxious and distressed."Then what should we do? Xinxin said if she can't move out of the dorm soon, she'll quit school. But housing in the city is so expensive—where are we supposed to get that kind of money?"
At the mention of their only daughter, He Xiuzhen sighed, equally troubled."I'll think of something later. Let's leave it for now."
Fang Rong was about to say more, but his gaze shifted toward the other side of the elevator. Seeing the unfamiliar man standing there, he swallowed his words.
Noticing his reaction, He Xiuzhen followed his gaze—and froze.
What a striking man.
In all her years, she had never seen someone this handsome. Even more impressive than the wealthy man Ruan Xingchen's mother had once been involved with.
Judging by his clothes and demeanor, he was clearly someone of status.
But there was also something intimidating about him—an air that made others keep their distance.
Instinctively, He Xiuzhen moved closer to her husband.
The elevator stopped on the first floor.
The couple didn't move. They watched as the man stepped out.
Only after he left did they both let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Fang Rong wiped the sweat from his forehead."Who was that guy? Just standing near him felt unsettling."
"Who knows," He Xiuzhen sighed."He's handsome and clearly wealthy. Even if he's a bit older… if our Xinxin could marry someone like him, I'd have nothing left to worry about."
With that thought, she became even more determined to have Fang Xin move into Ruan Xingchen's apartment.
After leaving the apartment complex, Lu Jingyuan drove straight back to the Lu residence.
It was Sunday—the last day of the Labor Day holiday.
He planned to pick up some things, have dinner, and leave afterward. So after entering the house, he remained mostly silent, blending into the background.
However, Madam Lu had no intention of letting him off easily—especially after hearing that he had rejected every woman she had arranged for him.
After dinner, she set her chopsticks down and shot him a sharp look.
"Are you planning to wait until your father and I are gone before you finally settle down and get married?"
Lu Xiaobai, who had been quietly eating, nearly dropped her chopsticks in shock.
In the Lu household, the most intimidating person was the matriarch—her grandmother.
When she got angry, even Grandpa couldn't calm her down.
Xiaobai couldn't help but shoot Lu Jingyuan a sympathetic glance.
But he continued eating calmly, as if he hadn't heard anything.
Seeing his wife about to lose her temper, the old general cleared his throat.
"Jingyuan, it's not that we want to control you. But look—you're already in your thirties. People your age already have children."
Lu Jingyuan finished his last bite, set down his chopsticks, and replied evenly,
"The only cousin my age is Shaoqing."
"You—!"
Madam Lu was instantly irritated. Yet she couldn't refute him.
The Lu family wasn't large. The old general had only one sister. Between the two families, there were just a few children. One of his cousins was indeed the same age as Lu Jingyuan—and still unmarried as well.
Not only were his parents worried, but his aunt was too.
The old general sighed deeply.
Seeing that the elders had fallen silent, Lu Jingyuan stood up.
"I have work tomorrow. I'll be leaving."
"Wait for me, Uncle!"
Lu Xiaobai quickly finished her meal and said in a rush,
"Grandpa, Grandma, I have school tomorrow, so I'll head back to the city with him. Bye!"
Watching them leave, Madam Lu suddenly felt a sense of emptiness.
Her daughter was stationed at a military base, her husband would soon return to duty, her son had work, and her granddaughter had school.
Such a large house—and only she would remain.
The old general gently patted her hand in silent comfort.
The car drove steadily away from the residence.
Lu Xiaobai glanced back at the house, then suddenly remembered something. She turned to Lu Jingyuan.
"Uncle, I heard from Ruan Luoli that you found her a job?"
He replied calmly,"If you're free, you can come too."
"Why?"
Xiaobai widened her eyes and blurted out,
"Since when did you become so—"
She caught herself just in time and quickly changed her words,
"…so kind-hearted?"