Chapter 52: Fine, Let Her Call You Back After Her Shower

Father and daughter locked eyes.

“Auntie Li from 888.”

Bai Lu was in charge of knocking on the door, playing cute to beg for food.

Lu Yiting was only responsible for eating.

Auntie Li had missed her so much—she hugged her tightly for a full five minutes, during which Bai Lu kept acting spoiled, crying about how hungry she was, but Auntie Li ignored her.

Bai Lu tried again, “The Movie King next door, Lu Yiting, seems hungry too.”

Auntie Li immediately let go, even pushing her away with a hint of disdain, and hurried into the kitchen to cook.

Bai Lu could only sigh to herself—women.

As soon as Bai Lu got her fragrant lunch, she was ready to take it back to feed her father, but Auntie Li called her back.

With both hands in her apron pockets, Auntie Li looked awkward, her expression full of complex emotions.

Bai Lu understood at a glance. “Auntie Li, don’t worry! I’ll definitely get you an autographed photo of the Movie King! I’m already close with him, he’ll certainly give it to me!”

Auntie Li gripped her phone, almost overwhelmed by the dilemma in her heart.

Mr. Tang likes Little Deer, so why doesn’t he confess? Instead, he has her probing whether Little Deer likes the Movie King, and insists she stay on the line!

How could someone as capable as Mr. Tang be so childish when it comes to feelings?

Tang Xing: Heh, only the childish one knows who’s childish—don’t blame me for this.

When the boss pays your salary, you have to do as he says.

Auntie Li braced herself, “Little Deer, Auntie just wants to ask… you and the Movie King…?”

Bai Lu didn’t even hesitate, “A fan and her idol. Like a father and daughter!”

Auntie Li’s smile stiffened a little. “The Movie King… is like your father?”

“Exactly! He has my father’s aura,” Bai Lu replied, unable to suppress her blissful smile. “Auntie Li, didn’t you say the Movie King has a weak stomach? I’m going to bring him food. If he gets too hungry, he’ll lose his temper, and I don’t want to end up as his little maid, massaging his stomach all afternoon! I’m off!”

The girl skipped away.

Auntie Li pulled out her phone. “Mr. Tang, I…”

The call had already been disconnected, though she didn’t know when.

Tang Xing’s head pounded.

He dreaded dealing with Mr. Huo.

And the more you fear something, the more likely it happens.

Huo Yanfan said, “Tang Xing, you once said orphans like Bai Lu usually have an Electra complex.”

Tang Xing: …Damn it, can I just slap myself for saying that?

Huo Yanfan continued, “She said Lu Yiting has her father’s aura.”

Tang Xing: …

Let me just die.

Huo Yanfan called out, “Bai Lu—”

“Boss Huo! Master Huo!” Tang Xing, mustering his courage, dared to overstep: he slapped the desk and said, “Don’t forget, Bai Lu lights up with that silly smile every time she sees your face! How about this—she’s about to join a travel reality show, why don’t you go with her? Let her see you more, maybe she’ll forget all about Lu Yiting!”

Huo Yanfan narrowed his eyes dangerously, leaning back in his chair and sizing up Tang Xing.

Tang Xing nearly dropped to his knees. “Boss Huo, I was wrong! I’ll volunteer for Africa—”

“Approved.”

“Boss Huo, I… I was only joking! I want to stay by your side, run errands for you, I don’t want to go to Africa…”

“I’ll join the variety show. Approved. You make the arrangements.”

Tang Xing: …

Well, looks like this master is truly smitten.

—

Bai Lu and her father shared a somewhat awkward first meal together. Afterward, she dutifully did the dishes.

When she returned to the dining room, she found a plate of fruit in front of her father.

Unpeeled, unsliced—whole fruit.

Her father was truly pampered.

Bai Lu peeled and cut the fruit into small pieces, sticking toothpicks in every piece for him.

Her father sprawled with his long legs over the coffee table, watching footage from her childhood acting days.

He’d already reached her performances at age ten.

Bai Lu wanted to crawl into a hole—this was a social disaster.

Whenever he opened his mouth, she fed him fruit like a little servant girl.

Now and then, he’d even critique her acting.

If I have committed any crime, let the law punish me, not the embarrassment of having all my black history exposed before my father!

He finally commented, “Your acting’s not great, but you’re cute—cute makes up for everything. No wonder you’re my daughter.”

It had taken the whole afternoon, but he’d finally said something human.

Bai Lu was nearly moved to tears.

When dinnertime came, Bai Lu knocked on Auntie Li’s door at 888. Auntie Li opened but wouldn’t let her in.

So Bai Lu swiftly pulled out her father’s autographed photo—Auntie Li’s smile bloomed instantly as she handed over three portions of dinner, even adding, “The Movie King is too thin, he needs to eat more.”

Bai Lu could only sigh—women.

As they ate, her father said, “We need to think of a way to bring Auntie Li over to our place.”

“She works for the richest man in town,” Bai Lu replied.

Her father smirked, “So what, I’ll just steal someone from the richest man.”

Bai Lu had already learned how to comfort him. “Dad, Auntie Li is already your fan. Look, we don’t pay a cent, yet she cooks for us, and we don’t even have to cover the cost of groceries. It’s basically the richest man paying someone to cook for us! Isn’t that better than taking Auntie Li by force?”

He nodded. “Much better.”

Bai Lu was speechless—her father was so childish!

After dinner, Bai Lu again did the dishes, peeled some more fruit, and fetched the sugar-free pudding dessert that Uncle Gu Pianran had made for the two of them.

“Bai Lu, she’s in the shower,” her father said.

Bai Lu was baffled.

Her father sat there, legs crossed, idly holding her phone. “Alright, she’ll call you back after her shower, but it’ll be late—if you want to wait, suit yourself.”

“Dad!” Bai Lu protested.

Lu Yiting gave a sinister chuckle. “Gu Pianran said you have a good head on your shoulders, told me to leave you be. Fine, I won’t meddle if you sign with Yuxing Entertainment, but keep your distance from Yu Fuqing! Who does he think he is, worthy of my daughter?”

Bai Lu sighed in relief, popped a cherry into his mouth, and picked up her own phone. “Dad, smile!”

Facing the camera, her father reflexively gave a gentle, elegant smile.

The photo came out perfectly, much to Bai Lu’s satisfaction.

Her father was handsome, she inherited that from him.

No matter how the picture was taken, they both looked good.

And tonight they were even wearing matching father-daughter pajamas—the very ones Uncle Gu Pianran had sent over!

Bai Lu handed her phone to her father. “Send it.”

He looked puzzled. “?”

“Hurry, send it to Yu Fuqing. My phone password is your birthday.”

He nodded in admiration. “You really are my daughter.”

Bai Lu reminded him, “I’m crazy about money, only interested in the rich. Dad, can you buy 888 for me?”

“Ask your Uncle Gu Pianran, I’ll just foot the bill,” he answered smoothly. Not only did he send the photo to Yu Fuqing, but he also recorded a low, mellow voice message: “Bai Lu says she doesn’t want to live in 444, she wants 888. I’m planning to buy it for her.”

Bai Lu gave him a thumbs-up. “I love you, Dad!”

Lu Yiting raised his brows. “Lu Xiaolu, whatever you’re plotting, just remember—one year, that’s all you get. When the time’s up—”

“Half a year is enough,” Bai Lu replied, trying to sound casual. “Dad, after the way you provoked Yu Fuqing just now, I doubt I’ll even need that long.”

Inside, though, she was wracked with anxiety, terrified he’d press her about what she was really planning.