Volume 1, Chapter 27: Wiping Away the Wine Stain

The man’s voice was low and steady, his demeanor humble and polite.

"Shiyue, you’ve arrived at just the right time."

Old Master Lu rose with a kind smile. "Come, let me introduce you all. This is Miaomiao’s boyfriend."

As soon as Old Master Lu finished speaking, the room fell into such a dead silence that one could hear a pin drop.

Lu Miao stared at the man walking in with long, steady strides, her mind momentarily blank.

The others sized up Fu Shiyue with astonishment.

"He certainly looks the part, though he seems quite a bit older than Lu Miao. Hah, Lu Miao has such unique taste—does she like older men?"

The relatives harbored their own private thoughts, whispering among themselves. Some were resentful, some mocking, while others were simply stunned.

"I think Miaomiao’s boyfriend is quite handsome. He’s tall and upright—he walked in just like a model. His presence is incredible. What does he do for a living?"

Someone scoffed, "Could he be a butcher? Look at his eyes; they carry quite a murderous glint."

"Are you crazy? Someone this handsome is a butcher? That would be a complete waste of talent. With his looks and build, if he just sat there, how many wealthy women would be fighting over him?"

The man’s brows and eyes were inherently aggressive, though he deliberately kept his sharp edge concealed. He was dressed in dark tones, appearing deep, understated, and restrained; a sense of mysterious, ascetic allure emanated from him.

"Hmph, I don't think much of him."

The Second Aunt looked on with disdain, letting out a sarcastic remark, "What’s the use of just having a pretty face? I’ve seen plenty of his kind—charming young girls just to get their hands on our Lu family fortune."

Lu Guoxun, holding his teacup, offered a well-meaning warning: "Sister-in-law, if you're ignorant of the world, it's best to keep your mouth shut, lest your family's project gets shut down."

"Oh? And he has that kind of power?"

Lu Guoxun chuckled lightly. "Isn't there a batch of materials stuck at the Second Brother's construction site? As it happens, the director of inspections is his aunt."

The Second Aunt froze for a moment before the realization hit her. She looked at Fu Shiyue in disbelief. "What did you say?! You mean he is..."

"Right, I forgot to introduce him properly."

At this moment, Old Master Lu spoke up, placing a hand on Fu Shiyue’s shoulder to present him to the group. "He is the most highly regarded eldest grandson of Chief Fu from the Fu family in the capital."

The crowd couldn't help but gasp. The Fu family of the capital? Were they not the leaders of both the business and political worlds? Seeing him dressed so modestly, who would have thought he came from such a prestigious lineage?

"You may have heard of the Fu family, but you likely don't know him." The Old Master’s face radiated pride. "He is the commander of the top-tier land, sea, and air special forces, the one who earned the highest military honors—the youngest commander in history."

Everyone held their breath, looking at Fu Shiyue in shock.

The formidable, heroic, and legendary Commander Fu was actually him?

They had encountered many wealthy and powerful figures, but they were usually just middle-class elites. This was the first time they were sitting at the same table as someone of national prominence! This was all thanks to Lu Miao.

The Second Aunt felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.

Lu Guoxun glanced at the Second Branch of the family and sneered, "Truly, a wild boar does not know the value of fine grain."

Blind to true quality.

The Second Branch, insulted as wild boars, looked as though they had just swallowed a fly.

The Old Master invited him warmly, "Shiyue, sit down quickly. I specifically saved a seat for you next to Miaomiao."

"You are too kind, Old Master Lu," Fu Shiyue replied with humility.

He glanced at Lu Miao beside him, the corners of his mouth curling up inadvertently.

Lu Miao’s ears turned pink, and she lowered her head, pretending to sip her red wine. However, when the man sat down next to her, his arm brushed against her elbow, and she shuddered as if struck by an electric current.

As the wine tilted, Fu Shiyue swiftly gripped her wrist, steadying the tipping glass. "Be careful."

His warm, gentle voice sounded by her ear, making Lu Miao’s face flush. The man’s palm held her fingers as he took the glass from her. Even so, a little wine spilled onto her white knitted sweater, the red stain striking.

"Miaomiao, why are you so careless? Go and wipe it off," the Old Master said with concern.

The housekeeper immediately brought a towel, and Fu Shiyue took it naturally. "I’ll do it."

The man bent down, shielding his intense aura, and carefully wiped the stain off her sweater. It was as if he had done this for her many times before—natural and considerate.

Seeing him take care of her with such tenderness, those around them were consumed with envy.

Lu Qingcheng clutched her palms tightly under the table, her eyes red with jealousy!

"Drink less wine; your face is already flushed," Fu Shiyue whispered a reminder.

Lu Miao bit her lip, her cheeks burning like fire. This damn man was doing it on purpose. But because so many people were watching, Lu Miao didn't resist. She narrowed her watery, almond-shaped eyes, quietly observing the side profile of Fu Shiyue’s face as it was bathed in the light.

She had only known this man for a few days. She only knew his surname was Fu, that he had served in the military, hung out with her uncle, and had some family money.

She hadn't thought much else of it, nor did she care about his background. It was only today, through her grandfather’s detailed introduction, that she realized he was that powerful, world-renowned figure from the capital.

Why did he have to keep such a low profile?

She had been acting brazenly, treating him like a bodyguard, a driver, a nanny... ordering him around and shouting at him.

Lu Miao shuddered. "Wh-why are you here?"

A small patch under her chest was wet—an awkward spot.

Fu Shiyue’s expression remained calm. He avoided the sensitive area and said evenly, "After you left home, your grandfather called me."

After ending his call with Lu Guoxun, the Old Master had immediately sought out Fu Shiyue’s contact information to invite him to dinner. Originally, Fu Shiyue had been weighing whether it was wise to come to the Lu residence so abruptly. But when the Old Master mentioned that Lu Miao would be there, he had agreed to the invitation immediately.

Lu Miao frowned, displeased. "Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

Fu Shiyue looked up at her, his expression emotionless. "I called you, but you told me not to bother you."

Lu Miao bit her lip, embarrassed. She remembered she had been shopping with her best friend at the time. Fu Shiyue had called twice, and she hadn't answered. When she finally answered the third, without letting him speak, she had lashed out at him: "Why are you so nagging? You keep calling! A man should know his place, stop meddling in a woman's business, and stop calling!"

After this spoiled outburst, she had hung up on him.

Fu Shiyue tossed the towel aside and pinched her cute, delicate nose. "Three strikes and you're out. If you dare hang up on me again, I’ll come and catch you in person."

Though he didn't hold it against her, he wouldn't allow her to walk all over him.

Lu Miao wasn't afraid of his warning. Besides, he had called her three times, hadn't he?

She slapped his hand away, pouting and raising her chin, acting spoiled, "Can you show some restraint in front of my family!"

Old Master Lu watched from the side, grinning from ear to ear. "Alright, you two have been at it long enough. Let’s all start eating."

The Lu family banquet began. As soon as Fu Shiyue sat down, the atmosphere at the table shifted.