Chapter 886 Mysterious Invitation
It took Lu Zihao some time to persuade both Grandpa Lu and Long Jinjing that he was really fine. If it was only Long Jinjing, he would've been able to persuade her right away. Not this time though because the old man's overreaction was magnifying her worry for him. It was only when Grandpa Lu finally stopped insisting on taking Lu Zihao to the hospital that Long Jinjing also settled down a bit. Her worry for him didn't disappear though which made him feel good.
"Oh right! Your dinner!" Then off she went running back to the kitchen.
The two men followed her panicky figure with their eyes.
"She's a good girl, that one," Grandpa Lu said in a not-so-booming voice in order to prevent Long Jinjing from hearing him. "Very different from Xiulan my girl but both of them are excellent young ladies with great heads for business. You did well in making her your girlfriend, my boy!"
Lu Zihao nodded and felt better after the old man's praise. He already accepted that he had developed some affection for the old man even without the remnant's influence. The main reason for this was because Grandpa Lu treated his beloved sister very well and was mentoring her on how to establish herself in the business world. The old man was one of the strongest pillars in her business success.
Despite thinking like this, he still couldn't deny that the remnant's powerful attachment towards Grandpa Lu also had a great effect on him whether he liked it or not, what with its bombardment of intense emotions and all that. And now that it somehow evolved and gained its own sentience and even started talking directly to him, its influence on him had gotten stronger. In spite of this, he believed in himself—Nikolai Vetrov. He wouldn't let a mere remnant affect him too much.
Grandpa Lu "patted" Lu Zihao's back, effectively interrupting his thoughts. Each "pat" would've caused a normal man to drop to the floor in pain, or worse, cough out blood. Maybe even have internal injuries. To Lu Zihao, however, these "pats" were nothing.
Finally, Long Jinjing called him for dinner. She and Grandpa Lu also sat at the table to accompany him. It was the old man who was leading the conversation as always.
"I only dropped by here because I visited an old friend who lives nearby," Grandpa Lu said. "Then I heard from the property manager that Haohao is staying here so I came to say hi, hello, good evening and let's eat dinner together to my grandson! I never imagined that I'll get a very nice surprise! Bahahaha! That lad Shunnosuke said that his Boss Hao hasn't returned yet but his girlfriend is at the penthouse. Both of you have made this old man very happy tonight! Haohao my boy, bring out the brandy!"
Long Jinjing stood up. "I…I'll do it!"
"Good, very good!"
Later, she poured all of them some brandy. She only sipped a little because she still had work tomorrow and couldn't allow herself to get drunk especially since this was an extremely busy period for Orchidia Beauty. [This novel is a contracted work with W e b n o v e l . c o m (remove spaces). If you're not reading this chapter on W e b n o v e l, it has been stolen. It's very discouraging to see thieves profitting from my hard work. Please support the original author, ArriaCross. Thank you! Also follow me on Instagram @arriacross]
Finally, Grandpa Lu started asking them questions about their relationship. The two took turns answering but it was mostly Lu Zihao who spoke because Long Jinjing was feeling shy as usual. Of course, they didn't tell the old man about their 30-day agreement.
Grandpa Lu kept on nodding. His approval was clear to everyone. "Bring Jinjing to my mansion and let's have a nice dinner together!"
Long Jinjing's eyes widened.
"We're both busy with work during the weekdays so I'll bring her this coming weekend instead," Lu Zihao said.
"Very good! Bahahaha! I'll prepare a feast!" Grandpa Lu drained his brandy and Long Jinjing refilled it for him. "By the way, I received a mysterious invitation from Dragon Palace to attend a formal party. They didn't say what kind of party it is. I kept asking Xiulan my girl and Liwei my boy but those two wouldn't tell me anything. Why are they being so secretive? I want to know!"
Long Jinjing and Lu Zihao looked at each other. She avoided Grandpa Lu's eyes and ran off to do something—anything in the kitchen because her expression might betray the secret. Lu Zihao was an expert in hiding his emotions so he was the better choice in dealing with Grandpa Lu's questions about the upcoming mysterious event at Dragon Palace.
Grandpa Lu narrowed his eyes at them while stroking his perfectly groomed white mustache. "Hmmm. This old man can sense that the two of you know what's going on. Why are you kids being so secretive? Tell your grandpa, I want to know!"
Lu Zihao finished devouring his dinner. He was now downing brandy like water. "Just attend the event, Old Man. Don't ask so many questions. You'll see what it really is on the day itself."
"You!" Grandpa Lu raised his hand threateningly as if he was going to smack his grandson again.
"Grandpa," Lu Zihao corrected himself.
"Hmph!" Grandpa Lu pushed his snifter away from him on the table, indicating that he was done drinking brandy. Then he turned to Long Jinjing who was wiping down an already clean kitchen counter. "Jinjing my girl, when are you and Haohao going to give your beloved grandpa some great-grandbabies? I want to know!"
Long Jinjing looked like she was electrocuted. "W-what…."
"Don't pressure her, Grandpa. We only started our relationship. We're still getting to know and enjoying each other. Also, Jinjing is still young and had just started her career. Giving birth is not one of her priorities."
The red-faced Long Jinjing immediately seconded him. "Y-yes! Ni-Zihao is right!"
Lu Zihao swirled the brandy in his snifter. "Besides, if I want a woman to bear my child, I'll marry her first."
"Bahaha! That's right, my boy!" Grandpa Lu thumped the table with his hands. "So you still do remember the good manners your grandpa taught you before!"
Long Jinjing turned even redder. However, she also quickly became subdued. That woman would surely not be her. After all, their relationship would end after their 30-day agreement was over.