Lu Linqi was utterly dumbfounded. Just the thought of that person’s appearance sent a shiver down his spine.
This guy had been pampered at home, idle all day, and his elder cousin Lu Linwei knew he was a fool. Compared to the strictness shown to other brothers, Lu Linwei had always been three times more lenient with him.
When had he ever suffered such humiliation? He immediately wailed—
“I won’t do it! Brother, you’re my own flesh and blood! You’re joking, right? You’re not really selling me off to that fat old woman, are you?”
Lu Linwei’s tone left no room for argument. “Who’s joking? Tomorrow at five in the evening, I’ll have someone pick you up.”
“If you dare refuse, don’t expect another cent of allowance from now on.”
Lu Linqi nearly dropped to his knees. “No! I’d rather die than go!”
Lu Linwei frowned. “Do you have a girlfriend or something?”
Lu Linqi shook his head. “Not exactly.”
Then he quickly added, “But there’s someone I like.”
“Who?” Lu Linwei asked.
At this, Lu Linqi’s face turned red, and he suddenly grew bashful. “Sister Mingfei.”
He then warned his brother, “Don’t you dare use my own words against me.”
“How can that fat old woman even compare to Sister Mingfei?”
At first, Lu Linwei couldn’t recall who he was talking about, but after a moment, it clicked—
“The useless third daughter of the Qiao family? The one who’s always trailing behind Qiao Mingyue?”
Lu Linqi protested, “Brother, how can you talk about Sister Mingfei like that? Sure, Sister Mingyue might be domineering and flamboyant, with crowds fawning over her everywhere she goes, but Sister Mingfei is just low-key! She’s every bit as good as Mingyue, okay?”
Lu Linwei scoffed. “You’re right. There’s indeed no comparison between Madam Huang and that woman.”
“She’s not even fit to carry Madam Huang’s shoes.”
Hearing his beloved disparaged—and worse, compared to that old, ugly fat woman—Lu Linqi flew into a rage.
“Brother, since when did you become such a snob?”
Lu Linwei smirked. “You think I’m deliberately belittling her?”
“In terms of status, she’s just a fringe figure in the Qiao family. Sure, the current head is her uncle, but her own father squandered most of their shares due to greed and stupidity in his youth. Her branch was kicked out of the power circle long ago. The only reason people still call her ‘Second Miss Qiao’ is because she clings to her cousin Qiao Mingyue.”
“Meanwhile, Madam Huang is one of the most influential women in the business world. Even the head of the Qiao family treats her with respect.”
“In terms of capability, by her age, Madam Huang had already built two companies from scratch—despite coming from a rural background.”
“And Qiao Mingfei? Sure, her father’s a failure, but the Qiao family is at its peak. With all those resources and connections at her disposal, she’s still achieved nothing. Where exactly do you see her ‘excellence’?”
“And let’s talk compatibility. Madam Huang is shrewd and decisive. A lazy fool like you needs someone strong-willed.”
“If you end up with that Qiao woman, two idiots together would burn through your inheritance in no time. You’d be begging on the streets within a decade.”
Lu Linqi was stunned, staring dumbfounded at his brother, who had laid out the argument with ruthless logic.
Then, with a full-body shudder, he blurted, “But she’s fifty! More than twice my age! And she looks like—like that! How could I—”
Shen Ying chose that moment to chime in with a sweet smile. “Older women know how to cherish their men.”
“Don’t worry, little brother. Once you’re married, you’ll understand. Your blessings lie ahead.”
The way Lu Linqi looked at Shen Ying now was nothing like his earlier condescension. It was as if he were staring at the devil himself.
His brother had always been good to him—strict, yes, but whenever he messed up, hadn’t Lu Linwei always cleaned up after him?
And now, after just a few words from this woman, his brother was ready to sell him off!
Lu Linqi’s gaze darted between the two of them before he finally broke down, sobbing as he fled the scene.
Lu Linwei, watching him go, felt an odd sense of satisfaction. So this was what it felt like to put someone in their place with logic instead of force. Much more effective than a beating.
Next time the idiot acted up, he knew exactly how to handle him.
With the fool out of the way, the two of them strolled leisurely into the main hall.
By now, most of the Lu family had gathered. The moment they entered, every eye in the room turned toward them.
It was clear the Lu family was vast—while Lu Linwei’s direct lineage was sparse, the other branches were thriving.
The elders sat in ornate chairs, surrounded by their children and grandchildren.
Most of the older generation dressed casually, exuding an air of ease, while the younger members carried themselves with sharp, composed demeanors. The family’s power had clearly shifted to the new generation.
And among them, Lu Linwei stood at the helm. His cousins—those working under him—immediately set aside their conversations to greet him.
Lu Linwei acknowledged them with a nod, his expression unreadable, as indifferent as if they were mere subordinates.
Compared to them, Lu Linqi—idiot though he was—might as well have been his favorite brother.
Lu Linwei led Shen Ying straight to his father and made the introductions.
“Dad, this is Shen Ying. My girlfriend.”
Lu’s father fixed Shen Ying with a piercing gaze. “Miss Shen, how generous of you to grace us with your presence. I’d assumed our humble family gathering would be beneath your notice. Truly, you honor us.”
Shen Ying didn’t miss a beat, flashing a polished smile. “Of course. No need to be so flattered, Uncle.”
Lu’s father choked back his anger, only to be soothed by a gentle pat on the hand from the woman beside him—Aunt Lu, a sharp-faced, impeccably dressed matriarch.
She studied Shen Ying briefly, unimpressed.
Men weren’t suited for dealing with little girls like this. Too petty, too prone to missteps, only working themselves up for nothing.
When it came to women, a woman’s blade cut deepest.
Aunt Lu smiled benevolently. “Miss Shen, you’re the first girl Linwei has ever brought home. Naturally, we elders support his choice.”
As she spoke, someone placed a kneeling cushion in front of Shen Ying.
Aunt Lu’s smile widened. “In the Lu family, it’s tradition for women to serve tea to their elders upon their first visit.”
Her gaze swept the room, where no shortage of “elders” now sat.
Though this so-called “tradition” was news to everyone present, that didn’t stop them from watching with amusement.
Before today, the Lu family had already heard about Shen Ying through various channels.
Their pride in status and pedigree made it impossible to accept that their head had chosen a nobody—and worse, seemed serious about her.
They wouldn’t dare criticize Lu Linwei directly, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t make their disapproval known.
Smirks curled on many lips as they awaited the girl’s humiliation. A woman like her would probably jump at the chance to be “acknowledged” by the Lu family.
But she wouldn’t realize that kneeling would humiliate Lu Linwei by extension.
And if she refused? Well, then she’d be giving the entire family grounds to reject her outright.
Lu Linwei understood the trap instantly. His expression darkened. While he couldn’t care less about their objections, he hadn’t expected such a direct challenge.
Just as she was about to speak, Shen Ying asked Aunt Lu with visible delight, "Really? Do the elders truly agree to accept my tea?"
As expected, Aunt Lu and the others smiled even more warmly. "Of course, such a clever and graceful young woman—how could we not adore you?"
Shen Ying’s joy grew even more fervent. "So, drinking this tea means you acknowledge me as part of the Lu family, right?"
She then turned to Lu Linwei, feigning annoyance. "When I asked you to marry me the other day, you refused. Turns out, you were just waiting to secure the elders’ approval first."
"I knew something was off today—you were acting so secretive. So this was the surprise you had planned."
Her eyes locked onto his as she declared solemnly, "Alright, fine. It’s a bit old-fashioned and roundabout, but I suppose there’s a traditional charm to it."
"I accept your proposal."
Linking her arm with his, she added, "Why wait for a perfect day? Let’s head to the civil registry right after serving the tea."
She nudged him. "Why are you just standing there? Overjoyed? Tell Assistant Fang to get in line for us."
"Huh? Oh—right!" Lu Linwei knew full well she was spinning lies, yet he found himself mechanically reaching for his phone to call Assistant Fang.
Shen Ying tacked on another demand: "And remember, no prenup."
The room had already frozen in shock moments earlier, but the mention of a "prenup" jolted everyone back to reality—especially with the family’s vast fortune at stake.
When they saw Lu Linwei actually dialing, the composed elders nearly jumped out of their skins.
"Wait—"
"What do you think you’re doing?"
As Lu Linwei paused, the group exhaled in collective panic. Aunt Lu forced a composed smile and addressed Shen Ying.
"Miss Shen, there seems to be a misunderstanding. Who told you that serving tea equates to approving your marriage?"
"Forgive me, but the Lu family has strict traditions. You might not be accustomed to such formality, but becoming a Lu daughter-in-law—let alone the future matriarch—isn’t so simple."
Shen Ying’s smile vanished instantly, replaced by a look of utter disbelief.
"You’re not consenting? Then why let me kneel and serve tea in the first place?"
"Even the elderly folks fighting over free eggs in my neighborhood wouldn’t stoop to such shameless exploitation."
"And yet the prestigious Lu family—"
She left the sentence hanging, but her glare conveyed pure contempt—as if they were a bunch of shameless, greedy seniors.
The elite Lu clan bristled at the insult.
Aunt Lu opened her mouth to retort, but Lu's father raised a hand, silencing her petty tactics.
He cut straight to the point, addressing Lu Linwei. "Let me be blunt: this is impossible."
Lu Linwei matched his tone. "Then I’ll be blunt too: it’s not your decision."
Lu's father smirked coldly. "You think I’m opposing this woman just for the family’s sake?"
"You’d move mountains for her—but would she do the same?"
He produced a recorder and pressed play. Qiao Mingyue’s voice rang out:
"Name your price to leave him."
Then came Shen Ying’s reply—detailing her calculations and counteroffer—leaving everyone, including Lu Linwei, stunned.
When the recording ended, Lu's father fixed his gaze on Shen Ying.
"Miss Shen, care to explain your own words?"
