Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Ruyan angrily confronted Luo Chen.

Seeing this, Butler Li signaled to the servants in the dining room, and they all quickly retreated from the dining area.

Employer's melons must not be casually eaten.

At least not in front of them.

Otherwise, if the employer later felt embarrassed, those employed might face termination.

Butler Li and the servants hid behind the large pillar that connected the dining room to the kitchen, maintaining silence but straining their ears.

The servants responsible for cleaning the dining room couldn't help but secretly hope that despite the argument between Master and Madam, they wouldn't recklessly smash or overturn things.

Otherwise, while they could sweep the dining table clean, tidying up the floor would be much more troublesome...

"What kind of talk is this? Are you implying I've done something shameful?" Luo Chen answered He Ruyan with a frown, suppressing his anger as he looked at Luo Qianjian, then added, "Moreover, it's clearly Qianjian who arranged for them to come here... Qianjian, do you even know what you're doing?"

Everyone's gaze turned to Luo Qianjian again.

Under the spotlight, Luo Qianjian appeared innocent and confused. "I just wanted to give Dad a birthday surprise. I didn't expect it to turn out like this; you've all confused me... Dad, didn't you say Aunt Liu was your friend when you were young with Mom? Taking care of a friend's family for so many years, coming to celebrate your birthday, shouldn't that count as a surprise?"

Luo Qianjian's words were infuriating, yet his demeanor and tone were impeccable, even considerate.

Luo Chen became even angrier.

Almost unable to catch his breath, he glared at his son. "You!"

"What do you mean by taking care of them for so many years? When did she, Liu Ruo, become my friend from my youth?" He Ruyan furrowed her brows and glared at Luo Chen. "Luo Chen! Don't try to shift the blame here. Explain yourself clearly!"

Luo Chen gritted his teeth.

Luo Qianjian seemed even more innocent. "Dad, I know I promised to keep it a secret for you, but I really thought taking care of friends was a good deed. I wanted everyone in the family to know what a good person you are, and I wanted your birthday party to be more lively... But Mom is so angry, I'm surprised."

Luo Chen: "…"

Luo Chen was speechless, only able to take deep breaths repeatedly.

The three members of the Liu family stood in the dining room, feeling quite awkward at this moment, unsure whether to advance or retreat, and even feeling they hadn't fully grasped the situation.

A minute ago, they had been looking forward to making an appearance.

Now, it was as if they hadn't officially taken the stage but were already met with a chorus of boos from the audience below.

Coincidentally, at this moment, the sixth young master of the Luo family, Luo Shanting, interjected. He looked around in shock. "What does this mean? Did Dad… have an affair?"

"Nonsense!" Luo Chen slammed the table and stood up. "Brat! How dare you think of your father like that!"

Luo Shanting shrank back. "Then… then what's going on now… Why does Third Brother know these three people, why is Mom so angry, and why are you taking care of their whole family, Dad…"

Luo Chen was stifled by Luo Shanting's "innocent" questions, but the other children were also puzzled and wanted answers, looking at Luo Chen just like Luo Shanting, with no filial sons or daughters stepping forward to smooth things over.

Luo Chen took several deep breaths again, then looked at He Ruyan, whose eyes were already red with anger, trying to make his tone as calm as possible. "Ruyan, listen to my explanation."

He Ruyan, who had just been questioning him, replied agitatedly, "Explanation? What's there to explain! I won't listen! If you can do such a thing, what's left to explain!"

Luo Chen: "Ruyan, it's not what you think. I and Aruo…"

He Ruyan sneered. "Aruo? How familiar you call her! Have you no shame! Not enough entanglement when you were young, now you want to continue your past relationship in old age? At an age where half your body is in the grave, she has grandchildren, and you're still calling her Aruo! Luo Chen! Do you even remember what you promised me! It was you who guaranteed that you wouldn't have any more contact with Liu Ruo! Wouldn't mention this disgusting name in front of me again!"

"Sister Ruyan, you've misunderstood. Brother Chen was just…" Liu Ruo's eyes also welled up, weakly attempting to explain herself.

Luo Qianjian mused that fortunately, the three elders had maintained themselves well; otherwise, three elderly people in their fifties engaging in such love and hate…

It would be quite an eyesore.

Hearing Liu Ruo speak, He Ruyan picked up a dish and threw it toward her.

The dish was beautifully presented, and the plate used was large. He Ruyan used both hands to throw it, which was quite difficult.

Liu Ruo dodged instinctively. "Sister Ruyan…"

He Ruyan: "Scram! Who are you to meddle in my family's affairs!"

Luo Chen frowned. "Ruyan, don't be like this. I know you're upset and can't hear me now, but Aruo and I are innocent. Listen to me explain…"

"I won't listen! I won't listen!" He Ruyan repeated like a broken record. "You can do such shameless things and still have the nerve to explain? Luo Chen, you don't need to say anything. We're getting a divorce. I'll vacate the position of Madam Luo for your Aruo! Let your family continue your past relationship!"

"Luo Chen!" Hearing the word 'divorce', Luo Chen exploded, shouting sternly, "Can't you be reasonable! I said it, Aruo and I are innocent! Must you cause such a scene? Letting the children watch us make a spectacle!"

Then, at this moment, Liu Qingqing interjected in a childlike voice, "My mom doesn't have any grandsons yet, Grandma, are you talking about me?"

When He Ruyan heard Liu Qingqing's words and the term "Grandma," her anger intensified, and she grabbed another dish from the table and smashed it on the ground.

This time, she deliberately chose one that could be easily picked up with one hand.

The porcelain plate shattered into pieces, the crisp sound reaching the ears of the servants hiding behind the pillar nearby.

Thinking of the inevitable mess on the floor, the servants felt heartbroken.

"Fine, I thought it was a grandson, but it turns out to be a son! Luo Chen, Liu Ruo, you two are truly shameless, creating a bastard child at your age! Wait, isn't this older one also your son? Luo Chen! How long have you been lying to me!" He Ruyan cried out, overwhelmed with sorrow.

Luo Chen felt utterly drained. "It's not like that, Ruyan. I said you've misunderstood. Listen to me explain…"

He Ruyan: "I won't…"

"Mom, you should listen. Dad, you should explain quickly." The eldest son, Luo Hefeng, interjected at this point, his expression also rather indescribable.

The Luo family's young masters and misses, except for Luo Qianjian who was thoroughly enjoying the show, were all stunned and headache-ridden by this "parental romance." They only wished that Luo Chen and He Ruyan could quickly clarify their situation without harming the family's harmony.

With Luo Hefeng's interjection, Luo Chen finally managed to explain himself. He Ruyan no longer chanted "I won't listen," but instead looked at Luo Chen with tears in her eyes.

"Ruyan, Aruo and these two children have nothing to do with me. If you don't believe me, we can do a paternity test. My relationship with Aruo is completely innocent; I haven't done anything to betray you."

"Although it's true that I kept things from you, it was out of fear that you would overthink it. You know that Aruo was once married and then completely distanced herself from our circle. Our reunion was unexpected."

"Over a decade ago, Aruo divorced her husband and left with a son and a daughter. Her ex-husband wasn't human; he left her with nothing. She had two children to care for and was truly suffering when she coincidentally met me. How could I possibly watch them freeze or starve to death on the streets? Aruo only accepted my help for the sake of her children. All these years, I've merely taken care of their material needs; there has been no crossing of boundaries!"

Luo Chen finished his explanation.

Initially feeling somewhat guilty, after such an explanation, Luo Chen suddenly felt that he had nothing to be ashamed of. As Luo Qianjian had told him earlier, he was doing good deeds!

He Ruyan, so kind-hearted, would surely understand! In her youth, He Ruyan had even allowed Liu Ruo to live in the Luo household!

However, He Ruyan glared at him. "Is this your explanation? Is this your righteous excuse? Who are you? What does she, Liu Ruo, have to do with you? Even if her whole family dies on the streets, it's none of your business!"

"Luo Chen, you forgot your promise to me, forgot how much I suffered because of Liu Ruo in my youth. Do you still remember that it was you who personally drove her away from the Luo family because she tried to seduce you by slipping aphrodisiacs into the soup while I had just miscarried!"

Despite her tears, He Ruyan spoke with forceful clarity.

She enunciated each word, leaving the room in silence.

Luo Qianjian thought leisurely, indeed, elders were elders; they had rich experiences.

Embarrassment simultaneously appeared on Luo Chen and Liu Ruo's faces.

"So, you cast her out when you realized your first love's image was shattered, and after some time passed, you forgot the pain. The dark moon turned back into a white moon, and you started to have ulterior motives again!"

He Ruyan pointed at Liu Ruo and continued to Luo Chen: "You still treat someone like a treasure and secretly support her entire family for over a decade! For over a decade! You hid it from me for over a decade!... Luo Chen, we're getting a divorce! I must divorce you! I won't live this life anymore! Live with whoever you want! Live with whoever you want!"

"Ruyan, Ruyan, don't be like this. I'm wrong. Don't say such angry words; the children are listening. I swear, I won't see Aruo and her children again. Believe me..."

Luo Chen held onto He Ruyan, reacting strongly to the mention of "divorce."

Liu Ruo also shed tears, choking out her words. "I'm sorry, Sister Ruyan. It's my fault for causing trouble between you and Brother Chen. Coming to the Luo house today was truly inappropriate. Don't blame Brother Chen. He's just too kind-hearted. Don't divorce because of me. I really feel so guilty... Sister Ruyan, rest assured, I won't accept Brother Chen's help anymore. Apart from Qingqing, my children have grown up. I've truly troubled Brother Chen in the past..."

Liu Wei looked embarrassed, his head lowered, not making a sound.

But Liu Qingqing, being a child, spoke his mind, crying as he listened to his mother. "Wah wah wah Mom, Uncle Luo wah wah wah, can't we see Uncle Luo anymore? But, but I really like Uncle Luo. I don't have a dad; Uncle Luo is my dad. I can't bear to part with Uncle Luo wah wah wah..."

A child's wailing filled the air, and He Ruyan threw another dish, staring coldly at Luo Chen. "Truly a deep father-son bond, Luo Chen."

At this point, all the dishes in front of He Ruyan and Luo Chen had been thrown, and the table-clearing operation proceeded smoothly.

Luo Chen was in a frenzy, unable to help but smash the cup beside him, not sparing the cutlery.

Liu Ruo made futile attempts to comfort Liu Qingqing before saying, "Sorry, I, we should leave now, Qingqing. Quickly say goodbye to Uncle Luo, Auntie He, and your brothers and sisters. Don't cry anymore, Qingqing..."

Liu Qingqing continued to cry uncontrollably, hiccupping from his sobs, looking utterly pitiful.

Luo Qianjian clicked his tongue lightly, finding it a bit noisy.

If they were going to argue, they should argue. What was the point of constant crying?

Children were truly annoying, hindering adult arguments.

Luo Qianjian disliked all humans indiscriminately.

"It's also my fault. If I had known about the complicated entanglements between Aunt Liu and Mom and Dad, I wouldn't have invited Aunt Liu's family out of my own cleverness..." Luo Qianjian reflected calmly.

There was no sincerity to be seen, rather, it seemed like he was intentionally stirring up trouble.

Luo Chen was already angry with him for not keeping secrets and directly bringing Liu Ruo's family in front of him. Seeing this, his anger escalated. "Luo Qianjian! You know it's your fault! You ruined a perfectly good birthday!"

"Mistake? Where did I go wrong? Not helping you hide your shameful deeds is a mistake?" He Ruyan interrupted, yelling back, "Luo Chen, do you have any shame? Doing such things and threatening the child to keep it secret for you!"

"Fortunately, Qianjian is naive and really believed you were doing good deeds. He originally wanted to surprise you and let the family know about the 'good deeds' you've done, which is why he exposed this matter. Otherwise, how long did you plan to deceive me? How long did you intend to treat me like a fool?"

He Ruyan sided with Luo Qianjian, deeply moving him.

Deciding to return the favor with another surprise.

Luo Qianjian picked up the photo frame placed on the dining table in front of him.

In fact, the presence of a photo frame on the empty seat had caught the attention of the Luo family when Luo Qianjian initially approached it. However, before they could ask, Liu Ruo's family appeared, and the constant commotion left no time to spare for the photo frame.

"Thank you, Mom, for understanding me. Dad, I really didn't expect the situation to be so complex. I've ruined your birthday and caused Mom to be so angry. I feel truly guilty." Luo Qianjian continued politely, "But fortunately, we are a family. Family members don't hold grudges overnight. Mom and Dad shouldn't be angry with me, right?"

Without waiting for Luo Chen and He Ruyan's response, Luo Qianjian continued, "Stop arguing. It's really difficult for us children. Especially since today is Dad's birthday, let's celebrate as a family, okay? By the way, I prepared a surprise. I believe Mom will no longer be angry after seeing it."

As he spoke, Luo Qianjian flipped over the reversed memorial photo, revealing Mu Qing's face on it.

He smiled at He Ruyan.

He Ruyan's expression had already changed dramatically.

Yet, Luo Qianjian continued in a tone meant to lighten the mood. "Dad takes care of old friends, and Mom mourns old friends. Mom and Dad are both very kind-hearted."

"Although my lack of understanding of your specific stories with Aunt Liu in your youth led to this discomfort, celebrating birthdays is more important, right? The past is in the past. Since Aunt Liu's family is here, I specially brought Uncle Mu's memorial photo from the flower room—"

"Dad, Mom, having more people makes it livelier, doesn't it? Don't you agree?"

Luo Qianjian seemed genuinely oblivious, unaware of what the divorce due to Liu Ruo meant a minute ago. He hadn't given up on inviting the Liu family to stay for dinner, speaking with great enthusiasm.

It seemed that his eyes were solely focused on celebrating his father's birthday.

His filial piety was suffocating enough to give Luo Chen and He Ruyan heart attacks.

Luo Chen, who was just emotionally drained a moment ago, flared up again upon seeing the photo: "Ruyan! What is this! Why do you still have Mu Qing's photo! What did you promise me back then, don't you remember? You actually let the child call Mu Qing uncle, you..."

Although Ruyan felt guilty about it, compared to what had happened between Luo Chen and Liu Ruo, she suddenly felt very justified.

"What's wrong with me? I just kept the memorial photo! So what if I let Qianjian call him uncle? You also made Qianjian call Liu Ruo auntie! At least Mu Qing never harmed us! We were the ones who wronged him! He's already dead! No matter what, I could never do anything to betray you. Your secretly kept Liu Ruo, whom you've been keeping for over a decade, is still standing here. What right do you have to question me!" Ruyan argued with righteous indignation.

The sparks flew once more, and their parents' love story returned to the stage of public spectacle. Luo Qianjian, having achieved his phase of success, retreated to continue watching the drama unfold.

It was clear that the appeal of gossip transcended all age groups. For instance, Liu Qingqing, who had been crying nonstop earlier, now stared blankly at Ruyan and Luo Chen, too absorbed to continue crying.

Luo Chen wanted to smash something, but since the other dishes were out of reach and not handy, he simply kicked the chair he had been sitting on.

Then, Luo Chen declared resolutely to Ruyan: "Fine, if you're going to put it that way, then I have nothing left to say. Let's divorce! After all, you've wanted this for a long time. After all, you only loved him, Mu Qing, in your entire life. I knew it, if it weren't for Mu Qing's death, you would never have been with me. Ruyan, we're done!"

Tears streamed down Ruyan's face like rain: "Luo Chen, you're always like this. Clearly, you've wronged me more, yet you always blame me for not loving you enough. Did you ever love me? If you loved me, you wouldn't have allowed that woman, Liu Ruo, to appear before me! You killed Mu Qing out of jealousy back then, so heartlessly, yet you were especially lenient with Liu Ruo... no wonder, she's your first love, her importance must far outweigh mine, a mere afterthought."

The other five children of the Luo family were once again utterly bewildered.

Where did this "Uncle Mu" come from?

And why, among all the Luo children, did only Luo Qianjian know so much?