Chapter 57: Do You Like It?

Lu Miao felt a sudden sting in her nose, and her eye sockets instantly grew warm.

For a child who had lost her parents from an early age, all her rebelliousness, stubbornness, and unreasonable tantrums were simply bids to draw the attention of those around her.

Beneath the surface, her heart was gripped by an extreme lack of security, desperately yearning to be loved.

Lu Yan had spent all these years with her without ever understanding this, assuming her rebellious phase was simply longer than that of other children and required strict discipline.

Yet the truth was she never needed to be lectured. Right and wrong were things she understood entirely; what she needed was merely a little companionship and care.

Her eyelashes fluttered tremulously, and the erratic rhythm of her heartbeat made her flush uncontrollably. "Why are you being so cheesy?"

Fu Shiyue let out a soft sigh, looking at her with helpless resignation.

"Are you implying that I am starved for affection? Because I am certainly not." She bit her lip, stubbornly refusing to concede, though the tips of her ears burned a brilliant crimson.

"Fine, you aren't. Let us drop the subject."

Fu Shiyue raised a hand to pinch her chin. "Instant noodles are to be eaten only this once. Next time you want to throw a tantrum at me, choose something else."

"Why?"

"No matter how fancy you make instant noodles, they lack nutrition."

This old-fashioned man, more rigid than her own grandfather, always followed his indulgences with a lecture.

Yet she happily looped her arms around his neck. "Well, that depends on what you can do to conquer my stomach, then."

"Very well," Fu Shiyue chuckled softly.

"What are you laughing at?"

He was amused by how easily this young girl could be coaxed.

Fu Shiyue shook his head as he leaned in closer. The young girl hung against his chest, pouting unhappily.

With a smile, he stroked her head, his gaze fixing on her rosy, delicate lips. His adam's apple bobbed with a dry, itchy swallow. "Are you scared?"

Lu Miao was scorched by the intense heat in his dark eyes, and her cheeks blazed in response. "I'm not. Go ahead and kiss me."

Fu Shiyue pinched her chin and lowered his head.

Their lips brushed—a fleeting touch, parting instantly.

Lu Yan emerged from the bedroom.

He had changed into a meticulously tailored British-style formal suit. His hair had just been styled, a few strands dangling over his forehead, rendering his fair, chiseled face strikingly handsome. With a suit jacket draped over his arm and his tie neatly knotted, he walked out in a rush.

"We are running out of time, I have to head out... Huh? Miao Miao, what are you doing sitting up there?"

He halted in the living room, looking in bewilderment at the two figures inside the open-concept kitchen.

Lu Miao remained completely unblushing and unfazed, swinging her legs casually. "I'm supervising him wash the dishes."

The sink was right beside her right hand. Fu Shiyue stood before her, the dishes having been cast aside.

Lu Yan frowned slightly, sensing something amiss, but due to his haste, he didn't dwell on it. "Get down quickly, don't fall."

Had she been disobedient, Lu Yan would surely have scolded her.

Not wishing to endure his nagging, Lu Miao pouted and hopped down effortlessly.

"Shiyue, I really have to trouble you tonight."

Fu Shiyue gave a slight nod.

As Lu Yan was about to speak again, his phone rang. He hurried his stride to answer the call, issuing instructions as he walked. "Be a good girl at home, stay with Uncle Fu, and don't run around."

The moment Lu Yan departed, the two of them locked into an inseparable kiss.

Lu Miao was pressed against the refrigerator, breathless from the embrace. Fu Shiyue cupped her face, his own breathing slightly ragged. "Go change your clothes. Once I finish cleaning up, I'll take you out."

"Oh... wait, why do I need to change?"

Fu Shiyue swept a glance over her chest and frowned faintly. "Too revealing."

Lu Miao glanced down at her outfit.

She was wearing a ginger-yellow halter top—tight-fitting, accentuating the plump, proud curves of her breasts.

Fu Shiyue lowered his gaze to stare at it, his brow furrowing so deeply it could have crushed a fly.

"I'll change, I'll change." Fearing he might resort to force, Lu Miao surrendered before his expression darkened further. "Just wait."

With that, she bolted toward her bedroom, shutting the door behind her with a flurry of activity.

Fu Shiyue turned to lean against the counter, taking a deep breath to steady his emotions before walking over to the sink to wash the dishes.

Three or four plates were quickly scrubbed by Fu Shiyue's hands, dried, and placed into the sterilizing cabinet. The dining table was wiped until it gleamed and reflected the light.

Originally, everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.

The door to Lu Miao's room suddenly swung open. Fu Shiyue instinctively looked up, his movements freezing.

She wore a champagne-colored silk slip dress—a cool, simple design that left her porcelain-white arms and collarbones entirely exposed.

Coupled with her exquisite, alluring face, she looked precisely like a soul-stealing temptress.

Lu Miao watched as a flame seemed to ignite within his pitch-black eyes.

"How is it?" She intentionally stepped closer to him.

Looking at the young woman approaching him, Fu Shiyue spoke in a raspy voice, "Are you trying to make me tear every piece of clothing in your closet to shreds before you behave?"

He caught her by the arm, his eyes dark and turbulent.

"Tch, why are you always like this?" Lu Miao glared at him petulantly.

Cants to waste any more words, Fu Shiyue gripped the back of her neck with his large hand and hauled her toward the bedroom door. "Go inside and change."

"Please, can you not be so backward? Everyone dresses like this when they go to banquets."

No matter how she reasoned, the man remained as unyielding as a slab of steel.

"Go change properly, and don't make me stand guard while you do it."

"..."

Lu Miao paused for a fraction of a second before suddenly blurting out, "Don't you think it's very sexy?"

Instantly imitating a vintage disco dance, she struck a few provocative poses, radiating absolute confidence.

Fu Shiyue took a long, indescribable breath and pinched the bridge of his nose tightly. "Change!"

Deeply wounded, Lu Miao raised her chin defiantly. "Isn't this what you men like?"

He furrowed his brow, pressed his thin lips into a tight line, and remained silent.

Stomping her foot in frustration, Lu Miao demanded, "Do you like it or not?!"

Seeing that she was on the verge of tears, his throat tightened and his ears gradually stained with a suspicious blush. Squeezing the words from between his teeth, he muttered, "...I like it."

Yet couldn't she just wear it locked up at home instead of parading it outside for other men to see?

Lu Miao let out a dainty huff. "There, you hypocritical stinky man."

With that, she shoved past him, swiftly drying up her tears.

Tossing her hair back with a carefree air, she decided her performance just now had been rather successful.

Seeing her switch emotions with such effortless ease, Fu Shiyue massaged his aching temples, picked up his own jacket, and strode over to wrap it around her.

Lu Miao was in the midst of putting on her shoes in the entryway when she felt a sudden heaviness on her shoulders, immediately followed by the warmth of a large jacket enveloping her.

Her eyelashes fluttered softly as she turned her head to see the man fastening the buttons for her with utmost concentration.

Lu Miao lowered her head and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. Fu Shiyue stiffened slightly as her eyes lit up like stars. "I was just waiting for you to put your jacket on me."

"Smart aleck." He bent down to adjust the hem of her dress, concealing the upward curve of his lips that he could no longer suppress.

Lu Miao glanced into the reflection of the wine cabinet.

The man possessed a tall and imposing frame, and the suit jacket had been tailored to his measurements. Worn by her, it appeared overwhelmingly spacious. Her narrow, delicate shoulders were entirely inadequate to support it, and both the sleeves and hem hung down by a significant margin, making her look like a tiny doll.

Yet she only smiled, waving her arms and declaring, "Look, it matches so well."

"..."

Fu Shiyue’s fingers paused. A wave of heat surged through his heart, completely scattering his previous displeasure.

Straightening up, he pulled her firmly into his embrace, wrapping an arm around her waist as they headed out.

Inside the 1999 VIP Luxury Suite.

The elite scions of Beijing's financial and political upper crust were drinking. Some had brought female companions while others embraced women on either side. Premium liquor littered the tables, and hostesses accompanied them, the entire atmosphere reeking of decadence.

Lu Miao walked in with her hand linked through Fu Shiyue's arm.

"Well, well, who do we have here?" someone deliberately catcalled.

"First time I've ever seen our Captain Fu bring a girl to a gathering."

Shen Lü was in the middle of drinking with someone when he caught sight of the newcomers, choking predictably on his liquor. "The little brat?!"

"Who?" the others asked curiously.

"Lu Yan's niece!"

"You mean that mysterious little matriarch of Lu Yan's who's always calling to urge him to come home?"

This was the moniker the group had privately bestowed upon Lu Miao while teasing Lu Yan.

After all, whenever Lu Yan joined them for drinks, the moment the clock struck 10 PM, he was guaranteed to receive a check-in call asking if he was drunk, when he would be coming home, and threatening to lock him out if he didn't return immediately.

None of them had ever met her in person; they had only ever overheard her voice over the phone—a pampered, honeyed tone carrying the arrogant petulance of a spoiled young heiress.

They had assumed she was Lu Yan's secretly kept sweetheart, to which Lu Yan had rubbed his temples and groaned, "Sweetheart my foot, she's a little tyrant who dares to trample all over my head."

Another man rubbed his chin, wearing a cynical grin. "Damn, she's gorgeous. No wonder he kept her hidden so tightly."

"Keep your eyes to yourself."

Receiving a warning glare from Fu Shiyue, the man sheepishly picked up his wine glass and pretended to drink.

Fu Shiyue guided Lu Miao to a seat. "Pay them no mind."

Lu Miao smiled obediently. "It's fine."

Shen Lü sidled over. "Fifth Brother, how did she end up coming with you? Where's Lu Yan?"

"Lu Yan is busy, so he had me bring her along first."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the door to the private suite swung open once more.

"Shiyue Brother!"