Chapter 72: Trust in Chao Chao and Achieve Eternal Life
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
The atmosphere at the New Year’s feast was tense.
Madam Xu’s expression was cold, and the Old Madam’s face was dark and gloomy. Only Lu Yuan Ze and Gu Ling seemed to enjoy themselves, toasting each other with unrestrained enthusiasm.
[Drink, drink, drink yourself to death already.]
[Why are they still seated? How are they not finished yet?!]
[I want to see the lantern festival, the lantern festival, the lantern festival!]
[This old windbag! Too much wine, too many words!] Lu Chao Chao grumbled internally.
Lu Yan Shu, Lu Zheng Yue, and Lu Yuan Xiao, the three brothers, silently touched their ears. When Lu Zheng Yue caught the phrase “old windbag,” he nearly choked on his drink.
“Cough, cough, cough…” Old windbag?!
He didn’t understand the meaning, but it sounded filthy!
Madam Xu’s lips twitched as she noticed the little one grinding her teeth, clearly at the end of her patience.
[I’m going mad. I’m about to throw a tantrum!!]
[If this little auntie doesn’t, do you think I’m a toothless kitten?!] [I may be toothless, but I’m fierce!]
Madam Xu’s eyelid twitched as she waved her hand.
“Let the children leave and rest early. Don’t disturb the Marquis and Gu Ye’s enjoyment.” She smiled faintly, and Deng Zhi quickly scooped up the restless Lu Chao Chao.
Lu Yan Shu let out a subtle sigh of relief. Hearing Chao Chao’s intent to throw a fit had him on edge. He knew what that meant.
He had seen it firsthand.
She would stuff her mouth with food, mumble complaints, and spray a mixture of saliva and rice everywhere—completely covering his face.
Lu Chao Chao beamed happily.
[Hehe, my mother and I are truly in sync. I love you, Mommy…] She slowly swallowed the rice in her mouth.
“Father, Uncle, Yan Shu will take the younger siblings out.” Sitting in his wheelchair, Lu Yan Shu spoke with a calm gaze.
Lu Yuan Ze glanced at him briefly, and for a fleeting moment, his joy dimmed.
“I will also check on Wan Yi,” the Old Madam said, excusing herself.
Once everyone had left, Gu Ling gazed at Lu Yan Shu’s retreating figure and sighed.
“Elder Brother, if only Yan Shu hadn’t been crippled, wouldn’t it be perfect to pass the Marquis’ household to him?”
“What a pity,” he added, taking another sip of wine. “Passing the Marquis’ household to a cripple…”
“Don’t blame me for speaking out of turn, Elder Brother. I’ve had too much to drink and let my tongue slip.”
Lu Yuan Ze waved him off, but the coldness in his eyes made Gu Ling sober up a little.
“You’re right. The vast Marquis household can’t be left to a cripple.”
Jing Huai, his Jing Huai, had already grown strong enough to bear the family’s weight. His Jing Huai was worth ten of Lu Yan Shu.
Meanwhile, Lu Yan Shu, standing tall and steady, leaned against the window, reading diligently.
Out of the Marquis’ household, Lu Zheng Yue and Lu Yuan Xiao carried Lu Chao Chao into the streets.
It was the first day of the New Year, and the capital city was aglow with lanterns.
Bright red lanterns hung everywhere, paper cutouts decorated windows, and vendors filled the streets, loudly advertising their wares. Boys and girls alike laughed and wandered freely.
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes were wide with amazement.
“Candy… Candy!” She pointed to skewered candied fruits.
There were candied oranges and hawthorn berries, coated in glistening syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Lu Yuan Xiao bought the entire stick, carrying it on his shoulder like a staff. Lu Chao Chao was so delighted that she kissed his cheek loudly.
As a fair sibling, Lu Chao Chao promptly kissed her second brother as well.
“Ahhh, buy!” She pointed eagerly at a shop filled with shiny nail lacquers, her eyes sparkling.
Lu Zheng Yue hesitated. “You’re too young for lacquer. That’s for grown women to paint their nails.”
Pouting her lips, Lu Chao Chao gazed at him pitifully.
Unable to resist, Lu Zheng Yue bought her a small bottle of bright red lacquer. She immediately stuffed it into her pocket, drawn instinctively to bright and colorful things even at the age of one.
Turning her head, she noticed a graceful young woman selecting jewelry nearby.
Suddenly, Lu Zheng Yue ducked, shielding himself behind Lu Chao Chao.
Startled, she turned and saw his fiancée, Wen Ning.
Earlier that morning, the Wen family had delivered their New Year’s greetings, and now seeing them made Lu Zheng Yue anxious. He avoided their gaze and slipped into a nearby shop.
Lu Chao Chao, red with frustration, exclaimed, “Annoying! You’re annoying!”
[Why avoid my sister-in-law?! Why avoid her?]
Lu Zheng Yue sighed gloomily.
“Chao Chao, I once liked Su Zhi Qing. I betrayed Wen Ning.”
He had been enamored with Su Zhi Qing, and although they had remained proper, his feelings had shaken his engagement with Wen Ning.
He didn’t understand why. His relationship with Wen Ning had been wonderful, yet when Su Zhi Qing appeared, his thoughts and heart were consumed by her.
Her every expression, every smile—it filled his mind completely, leaving no space for anyone else.
It wasn’t until Chao Chao came into his life that he woke up, as if freed from a nightmare. Now, seeing Wen Ning only brought him shame and guilt.
Lu Chao Chao tilted her head thoughtfully.
[But Second Brother… it wasn’t your fault.]
[You were drawn to Su Zhi Qing because of Heavenly Dao itself.]
[Back then, you couldn’t escape fate at all.]
With a determined look, Lu Chao Chao thought: [Now that I’m here, I’ve severed the threads of fate controlling you. You can live the life you want now.]
Lu Zheng Yue, startled, murmured, “But I…”
“Lad bu shoo, Two-Broda, da truw generus!” Lu Chao Chao declared.
[If you miss this chance with Sister-in-Law, Wen Ning will endure misery for two lifetimes.]
[Are you sure you won’t protect her?]
Taking a deep breath, Lu Zheng Yue whispered, “I’m afraid.”
He didn’t understand how he’d had the courage to defy his mother for Su Zhi Qing but now couldn’t even face Wen Ning.
“Chao Chao will hep!” Lu Chao Chao declared confidently.
[Time to dress up Second Brother, so Wen Ning falls head over heels!]
Even Lu Yuan Xiao stared in astonishment. Could their baby sister really manage this?
Skeptical but trusting, Lu Zheng Yue handed over his money. Moments later, his siblings returned with numerous purchases.
[To show off Second Brother’s talents, he’ll need a scholar’s fan.]
Lu Zheng Yue awkwardly held the fan, looking scholarly but ridiculous in the snowy weather.
[Next, we need to dazzle her with his wealth.]
With solemnity, Lu Chao Chao adorned her brother with golden chains and rings, piling all the household’s treasures onto him.
[Now, Second Brother will be so brilliant, she’ll cry tears of joy!]
I don’t think this will have the estimated effect… it sounds hella stupid. Like when you let your baby sister do your hair and make-up and wind up looking like a clown.
I was surprised she didn’t use the rouge lol
Did she just make her brother look like a pimp????
Laughing to death, my first thought was she turned her brother into a gold ingot ?
sudden image of Flavor Flav in my head with this description…