Chapter 29

Chapter 29

An Nuo’s fear of Lu Xu was very palpable.

He spun around and bolted, hiding behind Lu Yunyan, not daring to put any distance between them, clutching onto him in a rare show of initiative.

Although he quickly realized this wasn't right—he shouldn’t treat Lu Xu with such an attitude.

But his gut reaction had already betrayed him, and there was no time to recover.

In truth, An Nuo found it difficult to pretend anyway. He just wanted to keep clinging to Lu Yunyan, unwilling to face the situation he had messed up.

He was simply spooked by Lu Xu’s sudden appearance.

What was he supposed to do?

It wasn't like he could help it…

Lu Xu hadn’t expected An Nuo to react this way either.

To be honest, he wasn't thrilled about An Nuo’s family background. As for An Nuo himself, while he didn’t dislike him, he wasn't exactly fond of him either.

But Lu Yunyan liked An Nuo, and Shi Yu also had a good impression of An Nuo.

By comparison, Lu Xu felt like the one being left out.

This time, when An Nuo suddenly fell ill, Lu Yunyan reached out for help, and Shi Yu came over.

Lu Xu thought, since he already knew about it, he might as well come along with Shi Yu to check on him.

After all, he also hoped An Nuo would come to care for Lu Yunyan.

Moreover, An Nuo was already married to Lu Yunyan, and Lu Yunyan was so crazy about him—plus, An Nuo could help treat Lu Yunyan’s gland issues. With all these factors combined, Lu Xu decided to show he cared for the younger generation.

Did he look like he had nothing better to do?

He was incredibly busy, up to his neck in work, okay?

But what did he get in return for making time like this?

An Nuo was actually afraid of him.

Lu Yunyan and Shi Yu even ganged up on him.

Lu Xu couldn’t help but say: “…What, do I really look that scary?”

Shi Yu immediately jumped in: “An Nuo is only just getting better. Don't go scaring him like that.”

Lu Xu: “…”

Scare him?

Great.

Now it felt like he’d been kicked out of the chat group on the spot.

Then Shi Yu walked over to An Nuo’s side and said gently: “It’s okay, An Nuo. Don’t be afraid. Let’s go to the dining room for breakfast first.”

“…”

Shi Yu carefully took An Nuo’s hand. Seeing that he didn’t resist, he used his body to shield An Nuo from view, completely cutting off any chance of him seeing Lu Xu.

“Let’s go over there to eat, okay? Don’t be nervous.”

Shi Yu didn't blame An Nuo.

Although it seemed a bit impolite, An Nuo was naturally skittish and still under the weather—it was understandable that he’d be scared.

Moreover, Shi Yu knew exactly what Lu Xu thought of An Nuo.

He wouldn’t intentionally target or make things difficult for An Nuo.

But he also wouldn’t go out of his way to be overly kind or friendly.

If someone didn’t like you, unless they were putting on a show with flawless acting, you could usually sense it.

An Nuo was no fool—he could naturally sense Lu Xu’s attitude toward him.

Normally, he could handle it, but being sick left him raw. Coupled with the sudden encounter, his true feelings had surfaced.

But honestly, seeing Lu Xu’s uncomfortable expression gave Shi Yu a bit of satisfaction.

“Come, An Nuo, let’s go over together.”

Avoiding trouble is human nature. An Nuo also wanted to stay away from Lu Xu. One moment he was clinging tightly to Lu Yunyan, the next he all but threw himself into Shi Yu’s embrace.

Smelling the scent of roses and lychee on Shi Yu, his mood gradually relaxed.

Shi Yu led him to the dining room, with two small robots following them, dutifully serving breakfast.

“I’m not very good at cooking delicious meals, but I made you some tonic soup. I know you like sweet things, so I added extra sugar—consider it a sweet treat, okay?”

It was something Shi Yu had made for him personally, and even tailored it to his tastes. An Nuo felt touched, and it made him feel mothered.

“As for his father, don't mind him,” Shi Yu said. “If he scared you, that’s his problem. Just ignore him.”

Before An Nuo could even sort through his own unease, Shi Yu had already jumped in to reassure him.

If this had happened in the An family, An Nuo would've gotten an earful.

Even if he wasn’t chewed out directly, An Nuo’s father would have said plenty of harsh words, leaving him burning with shame.

But here, not only was he not scolded—he even received comfort from Shi Yu.

An Nuo thought for a moment, then said softly, “I got… a bit frightened earlier. Later, I should say sorry to Uncle Lu.”

Shi Yu paused, then smiled. “We can deal with that later. For now, eat your breakfast. Don’t go hungry.”

He felt even more that An Nuo was sensible.

Such a small matter was nothing to get worked up over.

An Nuo’s reaction might have been a bit impolite, but so what? If he was impolite, then he was impolite—after all, he’d been scared by Lu Xu.

Shi Yu had already told him not to worry, yet An Nuo was still thinking about apologizing to Lu Xu.

He really was such a careful soul.

On top of being so sensible, it also made Shi Yu's heart ache for him.

Shi Yu was afraid that if he agreed, An Nuo would dwell on it and only focus on apologizing.

So he replied that they could talk about it later and let him enjoy his meal first.

An Nuo hadn't eaten much yesterday; feeling unwell had killed his appetite.

Today, feeling much better, his appetite returned as well.

And after being startled by Lu Xu, he needed to eat a few more portions to calm his nerves.

An Nuo started with the sweet soup Shi Yu had simmered for him.

To be honest, it didn’t taste particularly great—An Nuo couldn’t even tell what it was made of.

But the motherly affection lens added a touch of special warmth, and An Nuo still ate it contentedly.

Today’s meal remained light; the serving bot prepared a light broth beef noodle soup and two small custard buns for breakfast.

The broth was clear, with vegetable leaves and slices of beef floating on top—it looked rather bland.

But it was actually delicious, with a rich, savory flavor and perfectly seasoned. After eating two big mouthfuls, An Nuo finally felt his mood relax.

A child who eats with gusto and joy also tends to endear himself to elders more easily.

Seeing An Nuo earnestly devouring his noodles, a smile unconsciously turned up on Shi Yu’s lips.

He hadn’t expected An Nuo, who looked so slim and delicate-looking, to have such a hearty appetite.

So adorable.

But his admiration didn’t last long. An Nuo was only halfway through his meal when Lu Yunyan arrived—followed by Lu Xu.

An Nuo’s earlier reaction had genuinely bothered Lu Xu, making him feel somewhat upset.

He admitted he didn’t have the friendliest appearance and had a stern demeanor.

But was he really so intimidating that he could scare a child?

Even young children had never reacted like that before—why was An Nuo so scared that he hid behind Lu Yunyan, afraid to come out?

And before he came, both Lu Yunyan and Shi Yu had tried to talk him out of it, saying An Nuo was a bit afraid of him and that he might scare An Nuo.

At the time, Lu Xu didn’t believe it, thinking it was absurd. He hadn't done anything to An Nuo, and their last meeting had been perfectly cordial, hadn't it? Why would An Nuo be afraid of him?

He didn’t listen and insisted on coming.

Then it turned out Lu Yunyan and Shi Yu were right.

The humiliation was compounded.

He really disliked this sense of being isolated by his family, as if cut out of the family circle.

More importantly, even if An Nuo was a little afraid of him now, what about later?

When Lu Yunyan and An Nuo had children, what if their grandchildren were afraid of him too? What would he do then?

End up as the frightening Grandfather?

Would the little ones even call him Grandpa?

After weighing his words, Lu Xu had a clear idea about what to do.

To prevent this family tragedy from continuing, he felt it necessary to mend fences with An Nuo.

He didn’t need An Nuo to like him, but at least he shouldn’t be afraid of him anymore.

Lu Xu sat down beside Shi Yu, keeping some distance from An Nuo.

After thinking for a moment, he cleared his throat and said, "…I might have scared you earlier. Are you feeling better now?"

"…"

Lu Xu’s tone was gentle, and his approach was measured, but to An Nuo, it was still daunting.

He couldn’t continue eating his half-eaten noodles.

"I, I…"

An Nuo couldn’t bring himself to look up at Lu Xu.

"Earlier, I… I’m sorry…"

Lu Xu’s response was perfectly reasonable.

"It’s alright, no need to apologize. It was my fault for dropping by unannounced and startling you."

"…"

But the atmosphere was still tense. An Nuo tried to manage a smile but was afraid it would look too strained.

Under Lu Xu’s gaze, it was hard to continue eating the bowl of noodles.

Lu Yunyan shot a helpless look at Lu Xu, saying without words: I warned you it wouldn’t work. Why did you have to come and scare him again?

Lu Xu shot back with a look: Isn’t this better than before?

An Nuo didn’t hide this time.

An Nuo even spoke to him.

Lu Yunyan: Are you leaving on your own, or do I have to make you?

Lu Xu: You disrespectful child, what are you trying to do!

Shi Yu sighed quietly and decided to take matters into his own hands to end this farce.

Shi Yu: "Since An Nuo is feeling much better today, we’re relieved… We’ll head back now. We have a fabricated engagement to attend later."

A made-up event.

But the perfect pretext for the moment.

With Shi Yu’s words, their exit was graceful—it didn’t embarrass An Nuo or make Lu Xu lose face.

Though Lu Xu wanted to put up more resistance, he knew this was the best time to leave.

An Nuo was reluctant to see him go, but seeing Lu Xu leave was a great relief.

After the two left, Lu Yunyan asked, "How are you doing now? Feeling better?"

He chuckled lightly, "Is my dad really that intimidating?"

Facing Lu Yunyan, An Nuo felt willing to speak his true feelings.

"Your dad... it's not just his appearance that's intimidating."

His expression and demeanor are just as intimidating as his appearance.

"..."

Lu Yunyan hadn't expected An Nuo to be so honest.

"But it's not mainly about what he looks like," An Nuo said with a light sigh, "that's why I feel so nervous."

A person who doesn't like you, isn't close to you, and has a fierce appearance and demeanor—suddenly showing up in front of you, wouldn't anyone get scared?

Lu Yunyan was quick to say, "He doesn't dislike you. Don't let your imagination run wild."

"...Even if he doesn't dislike me, he's certainly not fond of me either."

An Nuo said, "You don't need to comfort me. I'm not a fool—I can tell that much."

Since childhood, he had always been alert to whether others liked or disliked him, making him particularly sensitive in this regard.

Lu Yunyan said nothing.

An Nuo caught on, "...What do you mean? Are you suggesting I'm dumb?"

Well, he certainly wasn't dumb.

He actually sensed it correctly.

"Of course not."

But how could Lu Yunyan admit it? He coaxed him in a cloyingly sweet tone, "You're the brightest little one."

"..."

If these words came from Shi Yu, An Nuo would probably have been very happy.

After having a higher standard of comparison, Lu Yunyan's "baby" fell a bit flat.

Now it was Lu Yunyan's turn: "...What's that expression? Are you grossed out by how I'm addressing you?"

He was indeed a bit grossed out by such terms of endearment.

But An Nuo actually liked it when Lu Yunyan called him that because it gave him a sense of being valued and cherished.

And he could never resist that feeling.