Chapter 49

Chapter 49: This is the kept pretty-boy I just started sponsoring

Hearing that, Su Qian suddenly remembered.

Yesterday at the mall, Su Yi Chen had told her to go home for dinner with him.

Su Qian glanced at her phone and her mouth twitched. “It’s only four in the afternoon.”

She did not want to stay at the Su Family home for long in the first place.

Back then, she had answered vaguely.

She did not expect Su Yi Chen to actually come pick her up.

Su Yi Chen smiled. “Go back a little early and get used to it. After all, it’s your home too.”

As he spoke, his gaze landed on Lu Yao in the distance, carrying bags of stuff.

“And who is that?” Su Yi Chen asked.

“He’s the kept pretty-boy I just started sponsoring,” Su Qian said, lips curving. “Well? Handsome, right?”

Lu Yao’s identity was hard for Su Qian to explain, so she used a joking tone.

A complicated look flashed through Su Yi Chen’s eyes.

He glanced at Su Qian, then looked at Lu Yao again. Lu Yao’s looks were outstanding, his posture tall as a pine, his aura extraordinary.

Then Su Yi Chen looked at the bags Lu Yao carried and saw they were mostly daily necessities.

Thinking of what Su Qian had bought at the mall yesterday, Su Yi Chen already believed it seventy to eighty percent.

“You’re an adult. It’s normal to have needs,” Su Yi Chen said.

He fell silent for a moment, withdrew his complicated gaze, and spoke with a hint of helplessness. “Just take care of your health.”

Su Yi Chen’s reaction left Su Qian stunned.

Wait, you actually believed it?

You’re not going to ask more?

Su Qian opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but she had no idea where to start.

Forget it. It really was hard to explain.

Lu Yao was a bit far away, but his hearing was sharp. He heard every word.

His calm expression flickered slightly when he heard Su Qian say, “the kept pretty-boy I just started sponsoring.”

Kept pretty-boy?

What was that?

A trace of doubt rose in his heart, and his gaze drifted to Su Qian.

Su Qian felt that gaze, her heart tightening with guilt.

“Brother, wait for me here. I’ll tidy up and then I’ll go to the Su Family with you,” Su Qian said.

Then she grabbed Lu Yao and pulled him into the villa.

Feeling the warmth at his wrist, Lu Yao froze slightly. A strange feeling rose in his chest.

He had never been this intimate with a woman.

It made him uncomfortable, yet he did not dislike it.

Su Qian did not notice his reaction at all.

She only wanted to hurry and get Lu Yao settled, then go deal with the Su Family.

Once inside, she let go of his hand. “I’m going out for dinner tonight. Stay at home and don’t run around.”

“Okay.” Lu Yao thought for a moment, then nodded.

He stood to the side watching her quietly, then asked, puzzled, “What is kept pretty-boy?”

“Ahem-”

Su Qian nearly choked.

Big brother, your ears work that well?

You could hear that from several meters away?

She coughed a few times, trying to hide her awkwardness. “Well… kept pretty-boy means… I’m saying you look pale and clean.”

Her eyes drifted. She did not dare meet his gaze.

Lu Yao narrowed his eyes slightly, as if weighing her words. “That’s all?”

Su Qian forced herself to nod. “Yeah. That’s what it means.”

Lu Yao fell silent for a moment, then said slowly, “I understand.”

So she was praising him.

Then it was fine.

Lu Yao’s expression returned to its usual calm, as if the doubt had never appeared.

Su Qian finally relaxed.

She gave him a few more reminders, making sure he behaved and waited for her.

“You have to listen. Don’t run around. I’ll be back soon,” Su Qian warned again, still uneasy.

Lu Yao nodded. “Don’t worry. Go.”

Only then did Su Qian turn and leave, heading to the Su Family with Su Yi Chen.

“What do you usually like to eat? I’ll tell Auntie Wang to cook it,” Su Yi Chen asked as he drove.

Su Qian paused, then said casually, “Anything. I’m not picky.”

Su Yi Chen smiled. “That won’t do. You rarely come home for dinner. We have to make something you like.”

A complicated feeling rose in Su Qian’s heart.

She knew Su Yi Chen cared about her, but she always felt distant from the Su Family.

With no choice, Su Qian named a few dishes at random.

Su Yi Chen nodded and took out his phone to message Auntie Wang.

The rest of the drive passed without more conversation, and the atmosphere felt heavy.

At the Su Family villa, Su Mo Er heard Su Qian was coming back for dinner and felt stifled and unhappy.

She went to the kitchen and told Auntie Wang, “Auntie Wang, the braised soft-shelled turtle and the stewed lamb…”

Su Mo Er listed several dishes in one breath. “Fill all of them with cilantro.”

She knew Su Qian hated the smell of cilantro most.

She wanted to give Su Qian a warning.

Auntie Wang looked troubled. “Second Miss, that’s not a good idea. Those dishes are all the ones Eldest Miss asked for. Young Master said Eldest Miss doesn’t like cilantro.”

Su Mo Er glared at Auntie Wang. “Nonsense. Sister loves cilantro. Stop talking and do it.”

Auntie Wang had no choice but to follow Su Mo Er’s instructions.

When Su Qian and Su Yi Chen arrived at the Su Family home, the dishes were almost ready.

The moment Su Qian walked in, she smelled a strong cilantro scent.

“Qian Qian is back. Come, sit by Grandfather,” Old Master Su said from the sofa, smiling as he waved her over.

It was obvious Old Master Su was truly happy.

“Grandfather,” Su Qian greeted obediently.

After taking the rejuvenation pill, Old Master Su looked much healthier.

Even if Su Yi Chen had not won the pill at the auction back then, Su Qian would have planned to give Old Master Su one anyway.

Father Su and Mother Su stood up as well, forcing faint smiles onto their faces.

Father Su said, “Qian Qian, it’s good that you’re back. Come sit. Dinner will be ready soon.”

Mother Su held Su Qian’s hand and asked with concern, “Qian Qian, how have you been lately?”

Su Qian hated this kind of fake small talk the most.

She could only keep an awkward but polite smile, responding one by one.

After a few polite lines of concern, everyone went off to do their own thing.

“Mo Er, Qian Qian is back, and you didn’t even greet her,” Old Master Su said with a slight frown.

Su Mo Er sat on the sofa, then stood up reluctantly and forced a fake smile. “Sister.”

“Good girl,” Su Qian said, looking at her with interest.

She was even smiling.

She really loved that look—hating her but unable to do anything about it.

“Hmph,” Su Mo Er snorted softly.

They chatted in the living room for a while.

Before long, the family went to the dining room to eat.

Auntie Wang carried the dishes over, and the strong smell of cilantro instantly filled the whole room.

Su Yi Chen noticed something was off too.

He looked at Auntie Wang, his eyes questioning.

Auntie Wang lowered her head and did not dare say a word.