Chapter 102 Public Apology

Chapter 102: Public Apology

"Aiya, uncle, uncle, that hurts, that hurts!" Lu Ting bent over, his ear tightly pinched, forced to follow Grandpa Fu as he dragged him into the house.

Fu Yan turned around and wrapped his arms around the young man, his large palm resting on the back of his head. "Yangyang, don't take his words to heart. He doesn't know you're Lu Yang."

Du Yang buried his face in the crook of Fu Yan's neck, eyes closed, breathing deeply of the faint sandalwood scent on him.

Fu Yan's embrace made him feel incredibly safe, able to catch his wavering heart and hold it securely in his arms.

"Brother, with you here, I'm not afraid, and I don't care about him." Du Yang's arms tightened around the man's waist from behind.

Perhaps his father simply preferred Lu Yu over him.

Having Grandma and Brother's love was enough.

"Yangyang." Lu Jin'an hurried over, his eyes filled with concern as he looked at Du Yang.

Earlier, Grandpa Fu had dragged his father inside by the ear, scolding him for being blind even though he wasn't old yet.

Lu Jin'an had just come out of the kitchen when he heard the commotion and immediately knew what was happening. Without wiping his hands, he went straight to the yard, and sure enough, Du Yang was there.

Du Yang pulled back from Fu Yan's arms, not wanting Lu Jin'an to worry, and tried to force a smile.

"Did he say something?" Lu Jin'an noticed Du Yang's bad expression and couldn't help pressing him further.

Du Yang's first instinct was to shake his head, but Fu Yan had no intention of hiding it. If someone bullied his kid, then let him experience the feeling of being deserted by all.

"Uncle Lu just asked me not to hold Lu Yu responsible, saying that Yangyang wasn't harmed." Fu Yan's voice was steady but had a hint of sarcasm as he added fuel to the fire. "I said making Lu Yu stay in detention for a while wouldn't hurt anyone either."

"And your father said that would cause great psychological harm to Lu Yu." Fu Yan curled his lips in mockery as he looked at his old friend. "Jin'an, do you think Yangyang should endure this?"

After hearing this, Lu Jin'an was so angry he looked like a toad, his chest heaving violently.

"Of course not! Watch me teach him a lesson! He's blind even before he's old!"

Lu Jin'an said this and stormed back inside, leaving Du Yang wanting to stop him but not getting a chance to speak.

"baby, look, your brother is standing up for you." Fu Yan looked down and ruffled his hair. "Lu Ting is soft-tempered and lacks a backbone, that's why he's been deceived by Qin Yue and her son. Otherwise, Grandma Lu wouldn't have had to work so hard until old age before passing the reins to your brother."

"They won't fight, will they? Should we go stop them?" Du Yang looked up worriedly.

He was afraid that if his brother fought with his father, outsiders might criticize him.

"They won't." Fu Yan's tone was very certain. "With Grandma here, everyone here today is on your side."

Fu Yan put his arm around the young man's shoulders and led him inside. "Let me take baby to watch Grandpa scold Lu Ting."

Du Yang: "!!!"

It was really great having Fu Yan around.

Before they even entered, they could hear Lu Jin'an's angry voice.

"Dad, you're almost sixty and you have your own children. How can you say that Yangyang wasn't harmed?"

"Is your illegitimate son's life more precious than Yangyang's? Look at the stupid things that bastard son of yours did! How can you have the nerve to defend him?!"

Grandma Lu and Grandpa Fu sat upright on the sofa, both staring at Lu Ting with stern faces.

Lu Ting, being reprimanded by his own son in front of so many people, felt humiliated and breathed heavily with anger. "I... I'm your father! How dare you talk to me like that!"

Lu Jin'an stiffened his neck and retorted angrily.

"If you were a father who knew right from wrong, I would naturally treat you with respect! Look at what you've done!"

"I'm considering our own people!" Lu Ting glared at his eldest son, who only ever opposed him.

"Lu Yu is your own family, but Xiao Yangyang is my Fu family's person." Grandpa Fu glared at the muddled Lu Ting. "You fool, do you really think Xiao Yangyang has no one to protect him? You'll regret this!"

Lu Ting wanted to talk back but didn't dare. Not to mention the Fu family's influence, but Grandpa Fu himself was like a second father to him. Seeing how protective he was of Du Yang, Lu Ting's arrogance mostly dissipated.

If Du Yang had the Fu family backing him, Xiao Yu would definitely have to go to jail.

Lu Ting's heart sank. If Xiao Yu had a criminal record, he would be tainted for life.

Grandma Lu looked at Lu Ting's reaction and immediately guessed what her son was thinking.

"The food is ready. Let's eat first, talk while we eat." Grandma Lu stood up, gave Lu Jin'an a meaningful glance, then took Du Yang's hand and led him to the table.

Lu Ting saw his mother's move, first felt a bit confused, then quickly realized and silently gave his mother a mental thumbs-up.

Since the Fu family was so protective of Du Yang, the key to the problem was Du Yang. His mother was starting by winning him over.

If Du Yang was coaxed into dropping the case, Xiao Yu would be safe.

This kid, from a poor family, hadn't seen much of the world. A few nice words and coaxing would surely make him agree.

Everyone sat down without a hint of a smile, except Lu Ting, who struggled to suppress a grin as he sat down, nearly bursting out laughing several times.

Grandma Lu couldn't even bear to look at her foolish son. She pulled Du Yang to sit beside her, with Fu Yan on Du Yang's other side.

Grandpa Fu sat next to Grandma Lu. Lu Jin'an couldn't sit next to Du Yang, so he sat next to Fu Yan, still close to his little brother.

Lu Ting sat between Lu Jin'an and Grandpa Fu.

"Yangyang, come, I cooked these dishes myself. Try them."

As soon as they sat down, Lu Jin'an eagerly picked up food with his chopsticks for Du Yang.

To welcome Du Yang, he had deliberately skipped work that morning, asked Fu Yan in advance what Du Yang liked to eat, and spent the whole morning making four dishes.

Mushroom and pork rib soup, steamed ribs with fermented black beans, steamed grouper, and almond double-skin milk.

Du Yang's favorite was a non-spicy version of spicy fish, but Fu Yan didn't mention it.

He had a selfish reason—he wanted to cook it for Du Yang himself.

"Thank you, Brother!" Du Yang took a bite and nodded repeatedly, generous with praise for Lu Jin'an. "Brother, you're an amazing cook!"

That one compliment dispelled all of Lu Jin'an's anger, and his heart swelled with joy. He kept piling more food onto Du Yang's plate.

"Yangyang, Grandma made this. Try it—it's delicious!"

In less than a minute, Du Yang's bowl was piled high like a small mountain.

"Thank you, Brother!"

Faced with his brother's mountain of love, Du Yang obediently ate his food.

Lu Ting laughed at the sight. Mother and son might seem fierce, but in the end, they were still on his side.

Just as he thought—how could his own family ever side with an outsider?

So the earlier argument was all an act for the Fu family's sake.

"Uncle, let me toast you. I was confused just now." Lu Ting picked up a large glass of red wine and downed it in one gulp.

He didn't realize his glass was the biggest one.

As soon as he finished, Lu Jin'an quickly refilled it.

"Dad, I shouldn't have been so harsh with you either. Come on, let's have a drink."

"Father and son don't hold grudges overnight. Cheers!" Lu Ting was in a great mood, clearly relaxed as if everything had been settled smoothly.

After finishing another glass, Lu Jin'an refilled it again. Lu Ting raised his glass and looked at Du Yang, who was focused on clearing the food in his bowl, with a smile.

"Du Yang, let Uncle toast you. From now on, you're part of the Fu family, so that also makes you part of the Lu family." Lu Ting paused and then added, "Since we're all family, just let Xiao Yu off the hook. Be generous and let it slide."

Fu Yan's expression instantly turned cold. He was about to slam his chopsticks down on the table when Du Yang grabbed his hand.

Holding Fu Yan's hand, Du Yang gave a half-smile and spoke, polite yet firm. "Mr. Lu, I suppose I shouldn't be so petty. How about this: next Monday at noon after school, have Lu Yu apologize to me publicly in front of Building 2, and post the video of the public apology on the school forum."

Du Yang continued, "What do you think, Mr. Lu? If that's acceptable, please tell Lu Yu when you get home: next Monday at noon after school, I'll be waiting for him in front of Building 2 with my people."

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