Chapter 158: The Knife Is in Lu Jiachen’s Hands

The knife was in Lu Jiachen’s hand.

He held the blade, usually reserved for chopping meat, and stared silently at the grapes on the cutting board. He remained lost in thought for a long time, unable to bring the blade down.

Lu Yi asked, "...Dad, are you chopping grapes?"

Lu Jiachen ignored his sarcasm. He didn't even lift his head, instead letting out a deep, heavy sigh. His voice was low, as if he were speaking to no one in particular.

"Dian-dian really seems to love him."

Lu Yi fell silent for a moment. "...What did you think they were doing by dating?"

Under normal circumstances, such a retort from his son would have earned Lu Yi a swat to the back of the head. But right now, Lu Jiachen was consumed by the crushing realization that his precious daughter was about to be whisked away. He set the knife down, his face a portrait of melancholy and bewilderment.

"How old is she even? Why is she already dating?"

It felt like only yesterday he was holding her on his lap, teaching her to babble, and holding her tiny hand as she learned to walk. How did this "leaky little cotton-padded jacket"—his daughter—turn into someone else's so quickly?

Feeling a heavy, suffocating ache in his chest, Lu Jiachen stared at the cutting board for a few seconds before suddenly picking up the knife again.

Lu Yi was startled, fearing his father might actually be planning a murder. He quickly intercepted him. "Dad, it’s not that serious! My buddy might look like a rascal, but is your daughter exactly an innocent soul herself?"

Lu Jiachen: "???"

*Could you not offer comfort if you’re so bad at it?!*

*Who are you calling not innocent?!*

He frowned in displeasure, deeply offended by the way his daughter was being described. "How are you talking about your sister?! If she’s not innocent, are you? You’re twenty-four years old, you’ve been dating for years, and I’ve never seen you bring anyone home. Maybe you should go to our hospital and register for a consultation; I’d love to see what’s wrong with you!"

Lu Yi: "...Why the sudden personal attack?! Weren't we just talking about that jerk Cheng Xingye?"

Lu Jiachen didn't care for that tone. Snatching his daughter away was one thing, but her loving him was another. He immediately raised his hand and swatted his son. "What jerk? That is your future brother-in-law!"

Lu Yi, who hadn't expected to be treated as an outsider whose status was lower than a prospective brother-in-law who hadn't even officially joined the family, widened his eyes in disbelief. "You’ve already accepted him as your son-in-law?"

The question made Lu Jiachen pause.

He was still holding the knife, his fingertips tracing the handle. After a long while, he looked up, looking lost. "If I don't accept him, what else can I do? Kill him to silence him?"

Lu Yi: "..."

...

While the father and son were busy sharpening their knives in the kitchen, Lu Qingyue had already obtained Xi Yu's permission and quietly pulled her boyfriend into her bedroom.

Lu Qingyue’s room was on the second floor, filled with the soft, pink atmosphere of a young woman. The sheets and curtains were pink, the windowsill was crowded with various dolls, and the walls were plastered with photos, including old-fashioned sticker photos taken during her elementary school years.

It was Cheng Xingye’s first time in her room, and he found it novel and surprising. He surveyed the room calmly until his gaze landed on a photo on the wall. It was a family portrait taken at an amusement park when she was about six or seven. Lu Jiachen was holding her in one arm while holding Xi Yu’s hand with the other. The other family member had acted as the photographer, standing across from the trio to capture the moment.

Back then, Lu Qingyue was like a little rice ball—white, soft, and petite, sitting in her father’s arms with her eyes crinkled into slits from laughing. Warm sunlight bathed the family, casting a gentle, brilliant glow around them.

Cheng Xingye suddenly felt that this girl was truly a little sun; wherever she went, she illuminated everything around her.

Seeing him staring at her childhood photo, Lu Qingyue pulled him away with a pout. She sat on the edge of the bed but kept a firm grip on his waistband to keep him from leaving. She tilted her face up, her eyes curved in a smile just like the girl in the photo, though the current version of her was far more cunning than her younger self.

"Cheng Xingye! Did you see the look on my dad’s face earlier?"

Cheng Xingye had certainly seen it. From the moment he entered, he had been under the constant, alternating scrutiny of the two Lu men, which had sent chills down his spine. Now that the two "Kings of Hell" were gone, he finally felt alive again.

He moved her small hand away from his waistband, pulled up a chair to sit beside her, and stretched his long legs out slightly, responding with a helpless expression. "I saw it. I suspect he’s in the kitchen right now, sharpening his knife and discussing with your brother where to bury me."

Lu Qingyue burst into laughter and naturally climbed into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Do you want to do something thrilling before you die?"

Cheng Xingye: "...Are you trying to trick me out of my underwear again?"

Lu Qingyue laughed.

Tricking him out of his underwear wasn't exactly the plan. Since they were at home, no matter how bold she was, she wouldn't dare be reckless in front of her parents. She just saw that he was acting so serious—a far cry from his usual flirtatious self—and couldn't resist teasing him. She followed his lead, saying, "Hey! Why put it so bluntly? Don't you like it? Someone was panting even harder than I was last night."

Cheng Xingye: "..."

*Panting, my foot!*

That was because he hadn't dared to use any force last night! It was the girl’s first time, and at her age, he was terrified that if he lost control, he might hurt her. He had restrained himself so much that he finished in less than half an hour. But this little rascal—he didn't have the heart to bully her, yet she was taking advantage of his restraint.

Amused and frustrated, Cheng Xingye reached out and pinched the soft skin of her cheek. "Fine. I hope you remember this bravado the next time you're begging for mercy."

Lu Qingyue felt a sharp pinch and was about to retort when a knock sounded at the door.

"Dian-dian, come out. I need to talk to you."

Hearing Lu Jiachen’s voice, the amorous mood vanished instantly. She stood up, smoothed her clothes, and hurried to open the door.

As soon as the door opened, Lu Jiachen stood there with a calm expression, glancing into the room with feigned indifference before asking, "What are you two doing?"

Lu Qingyue blinked. "Just chatting."

Lu Jiachen replied, "You don't need to close the door to chat."

Lu Qingyue: "...Oh."

She rubbed the tip of her nose silently, feeling that her father was being a bit difficult today.