Lu Jianhong walked into the Lu family residence, expecting tea and quiet but inside the parlor, chaos reigned. Zeyan was kneeling on the floor in front of his parents. Mrs. Lu—Zeyan's grandmother—was pinching his ears mercilessly as he whined in pain, trying to twist away but getting tugged back each time like a disobedient child.
"Grandma! That hurts—!"
"Good! So you'll remember next time to think with your head, not your steering wheel!"
Jianhong blinked in surprise and turned to the butler, who stood calmly nearby as though this chaos were a regular occurrence.
"What... happened?"
"Master and Madam arranged a marriage for Young Master," the butler explained with an expressionless face. "But the lady is someone he crashed into and embarrassed. She came to complain. And as you are witnessing... they are punishing him. She also said she'd be sending the repair fees to your office."
Jianhong chuckled under his breath as he stepped into the parlor. His father, Mr. Lu Mingyuan, noticed him first.
"Jianhong!" Mingyuan stood up and opened his arms for a warm hug. His mother followed, momentarily leaving Zeyan to kneel alone on the floor. Zeyan's face instantly shifted—from playful defiance to cold resentment. His eyes narrowed, and the small smile he had vanished without a trace.
The Lu couple led Jianhong to sit beside them on the couch. Jianhong glanced at Zeyan, trying to connect, but was only met with a sharp glare.
"YanYan, how are you?" Jianhong asked gently.
"I've told you countless times—don't call me that!" Zeyan snapped, standing abruptly. He bowed stiffly to his grandparents before storming out of the room, fists clenched.
His grandmother stood quickly. "ZaiZai!" she called after him, hurrying behind.
She caught up to him at the base of the stairs and cupped his face in her warm hands.
"ZaiZai, don't be so rude to your father," she said softly. "I know you don't want to talk to him, but he's trying to make amends."
He stiffened in her arms. "There is nothing you can say to me that will make me change my mind. I will never forgive him," he said coldly, turning away and heading up the stairs. The door slammed shut behind him.
Mrs. Lu sighed heavily, the kind of sigh that carried the weight of years. She returned to the parlor, where Mingyuan was now speaking to Jianhong, his tone low and somber.
"I've apologized. I've begged. I've tried everything I can think of to reconcile. But he refuses to even look at me. I really don't know what to do anymore," Jianhong confessed, staring at the floor.
His mother's expression hardened.
"How about not abandoning your son when he was younger?" she said coldly, cutting through the air like a blade.
Her husband turned to her sharply. "Why are you talking to our son like that? I thought we were trying to amend their relationship?"
Mrs. Lu snapped.
"We've been going back and forth on this matter for seven years—seven whole years, Mingyuan. Aren't you tired? Because I am. I'm growing old. My back hurts, my knees hurt, and now my heart is starting to hurt from all this emotional nonsense between the two of you".
Jianhong immediately grew speechless. There was nothing he could say to that.
"Every single time our family gathers, it's like reliving the same argument from years ago. One man full of guilt, and one boy full of resentment. I love you both dearly, but I am so tired of being in the middle of your fight", She stood, gesturing wildly, no longer caring for decorum.
"He's 25 and still acting like a teenager—screaming about how he won't forgive you. And you? You had thirteen years to reach out, thirteen years to fix what you broke. And instead of doing anything, you waited. You waited until he grew cold and angry and bitter. Now you come here every week, sighing like you're the victim. You are not the victim!"
Her voice cracked for the first time, but she didn't stop.
"He's not a boy anymore. He should know better than to shout at his father like a rebellious child. But he still sees you as the man who left. And he won't stop hurting until one of you is brave enough to bleed".
Meifen looked at him and watched his expressions. He looked like he was on the brink of tears but too stubborn to let them fall. Upstairs, Zeyan paced in his room, jaw clenched. He could hear the muffled arguments below, but he refused to come down.
"You left and buried yourself in work. You weren't chasing success — you were drowning in it. You had everything, Jianhong. A son, a home, a name. But you let it all crumble because you didn't know what else to do after she made her choice", she continued.
"You're the CEO of Luchen Tech, Jianhong. You lead thousands of employees, negotiate billion-dollar deals, and manage partnerships with foreign governments—but when it comes to your own family and son, you look like a helpless child. Use that head of yours!"
Jianhong wanted to speak, to defend himself — but every word in his head sounded like an excuse. And maybe she was right. Maybe he hadn't earned forgiveness yet.
"I am done pretending this family is fine. I am tired of cleaning up the emotional messes you all leave behind. If he needs time, then give it to him. If you want him to forgive you, stop acting like you're owed his forgiveness. You don't get to decide when he stops hurting."
She sat down heavily beside Jianhong and muttered under her breath, "My blood pressure can't take this anymore."
"That's enough, Meifen," the grandfather said, trying to divert the crumbling mood.
She turned to him, deadpan. "I didn't say anything again. Sit down and stop squeezing your face like that."
The room fell into silence for a while. The weight of her outburst still lingered in the air like thick smoke. Then she broke the silence.
"Zeyan is getting married."
Jianhong raised an eyebrow. "I heard from the butler. He crashed into her yesterday and the repair fees are on the way to my office. Also, I was informed about your little 'wife scouting' in front of my company."
His mother poured him a cup of tea, slamming it on the table in front of him.
"I want them to get married quickly. If Zeyan stays like this, nothing will ever change. If he won't talk to you, fine. Let the marriage bring something new into his life. And if not... I'll just suggest family therapy."
Her husband groaned.
"Oh, don't start glaring at me," she shot at him. "You glared at me when I suggested therapy for your gout too, and look how that turned out."
Jianhong sipped the tea. "What's her name? How old is she? What's she like? The way you're all talking about her, she must be something special."
"Her name is Shen Ziyu," the grandfather said proudly. "She's 22. Very nice. Matches Zeyan's energy quite well."
"Shen Ziyu?" Jianhong's brow furrowed.
His mother nodded. "Hmm."
"She's also very beautiful," she added with a knowing smile.
"Where did you meet her?" he asked.
"In front of your company yesterday," his mother said, leaning back like it was the most natural thing in the world. "She had a lunchbox in hand, looked elegant. She caught our eye. We told her to marry him in exchange for anything she wanted. Of course, you're the one providing."
Jianhong nearly choked on his tea.
"She's the daughter of Shenlong Group's CEO", Jianhong finally placed her. "I met her yesterday at a shareholder meeting. She has a very distinct aura. Very capable. She told me we'd be meeting again soon. I suppose... she meant this"
"Well, we told her you'd be her father-in-law," Mingyuan said. "So that works out fine."
"And she's from a reputable family, so there's nothing to worry about," Meifen said brightly.
Jianhong leaned forward slightly, his tone serious, "Her father has quite the reputation—he's infamous for being cold and unyielding. But yesterday, I saw firsthand what people mean when they say, 'Your children will change you.' He prioritized her in everything. It was clear she's his world. And beyond that, she's the second-largest shareholder in his company—right after him."
Mingyuan chuckled, visibly pleased, "That only means he loves his daughter deeply. With a father-in-law like that, Zeyan will have no choice but to straighten up. I wouldn't be surprised if the man keeps him in line—no one wants to upset someone that protective of their daughter."
Jianhong raised an eyebrow, unconvinced, "You might be misreading the situation. He had someone hospitalized—just for sitting in her seat during the shareholders' meeting. I'm telling you, he doesn't take anything lightly when it comes to her. Are we sure Zeyan is going to survive this?"
The Lu couple exchanged a look and simply hummed in response, "Mmm. He'll manage."
"Prepare lovely wedding gifts for her — tasteful ones — and send them to her residence," she added. "If she likes them, we can discuss when they should go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get their marriage certificate. And pick a date for the wedding."
"Of course, also from your pocket," Mingyuan chimed in. "The only thing we'll add is their marriage home. We'll ensure it's fully furnished—with your Luchen's smart tech. You don't mind, right?"
Jianhong gave a long sigh.
"No, I don't mind."