Chapter 111

Lu Zhe kissed Su Ci, completely solidifying their romantic relationship.

The young ladies who had previously harbored thoughts of pursuing Lu Zhe or Su Ci, as well as some wealthy young men, quickly extinguished their hopes. Who would dare to compete with the Lu or Su families for their affections?

The crowd's respect for the couple grew even more. If the Lu and Su families were to join forces, everyone else would only be left to fawn over them.

The sight of Lu Zhe kissing Su Ci was the most thrilling moment, and after that, the bottle never landed on them again.

After a while, the Lu family's butler arrived, asking Lu Zhe to cut the cake, which brought the game to a halt.

When they reached their parents, Su Ci dared not be bold. She obediently watched Lu Zhe, who was standing in the middle cutting the cake, without teasing him.

The guests also gathered around, offering endless blessings to Lu Zhe.

From a distance, Zhao Youyou watched as Lu Zhe, suddenly elevated to the position of the Lu family's heir, was surrounded by adoring guests. She looked dazed, still finding it hard to believe.

At that moment, someone grabbed her hand.

Zhao Youyou finally snapped out of her trance.

"Youyou, why are you standing here in a daze? I've been looking for you all this time," Feng Xiaoyu said, holding a tray. She had been at the party but hadn't run into Zhao Youyou until now, when the crowd had moved to watch the cake-cutting.

"What were you staring at? Did you see the Lu family's young master? Is he handsome?" Feng Xiaoyu's view was obstructed by the crowd in front of her.

She looked around and said, "There's a spot over there. Let's go."

Feng Xiaoyu pulled Zhao Youyou to a less crowded area, where they could see the person in the middle cutting the cake.

Feng Xiaoyu's reaction was even more intense than Zhao Youyou's. She covered her mouth in shock, glancing at Zhao Youyou and then back at the cake-cutter. It was Lu Zhe!

"This...," Feng Xiaoyu swallowed hard, "Isn't the person in the middle supposed to be the Lu family's young master? Youyou, how did it become your brother?"

"He is the Lu family's young master," Zhao Youyou said, watching the elite crowd surrounding Lu Zhe, showering him with compliments and trying to curry favor. She still found it hard to believe.

"Oh my God," Feng Xiaoyu covered her mouth tightly to avoid screaming. Youyou's brother is the Lu family's young master!

"You're going to live a great life now!" After a while, Feng Xiaoyu calmed down a bit. "Since your brother is the Lu family's heir, and you were adopted by his family, you're practically a young lady of the Lu family!"

"Don't say that. I'm not," Zhao Youyou denied softly, biting her lip.

"How can you not be? Since Lu Zhe is your brother, you're his sister. You're practically half a young lady of the Lu family," Feng Xiaoyu said excitedly. "You need to be more confident, Youyou. Compared to the young ladies here, you're only lacking a title. In other aspects, you're no less than them."

After being reborn, Zhao Youyou was no longer the naive and reckless girl she had been in her previous life.

Now, with a mature mindset, she wouldn't belittle herself because of her humble background. Zhao Youyou indeed didn't feel inferior to the young ladies present.

"Our family did some wrong things to my brother before, and he might still be angry with me," Zhao Youyou said, looking at Lu Zhe in his sharp black suit. She had to admit that he looked outstanding and dazzling.

In her previous life, by this time, Lu Zhe had already fallen ill, and even walking had become a problem. Moreover, there had been no mention of him becoming the Lu family's young master.

Why was this life different from the last?

Zhao Youyou focused her gaze on Lu Zhe, wondering if it was because of her.

Had her rebirth changed everything for Lu Zhe?

After the cake-cutting ceremony, many guests seized the opportunity to engage in conversation with Su's Father and Lu Chen, while Wen Ya and Tong Xin, Su's Mother, also started chatting.

"Sister, where are you going?" Little Su Ning tugged at his sister's skirt, looking up at her with his head tilted.

Su Ci had planned to sneak away with Lu Zhe but was caught by her brother.

She rubbed the little guy's head and whispered, "Sister is going to give her boyfriend a birthday present. Ningning, can you keep it a secret for me?"

Little Su Ning extended a small finger to his lips and "shushed" softly, saying in a childish voice, "Ningning will keep the secret for Sister and won't tell anyone."

"Thank you, Ningning," Su Ci couldn't help but pinch her brother's chubby cheek, then slipped away unnoticed.

Lu Zhe followed her out.

Stepping outside the grand hall, the cold wind was biting, a stark contrast to the warm interior.

Su Ci, wearing only a backless gown, was instantly chilled to the bone. She hugged herself, shivering.

In the next moment, a coat was draped over her shoulders, warming her entire body.

Su Ci turned her head to see Lu Zhe had taken off his black suit, leaving him in just a white shirt. In contrast to her shivering, he stood tall and unbothered by the cold.

"I've already asked the driver to bring the car around," Lu Zhe said, his hand resting on the girl's waist. "Where are we going?"

"To a hotel," Su Ci said with a smile, "Not this one."

She wasn't bold enough to do anything under her parents' watchful eyes.

At that moment, a slender figure emerged from somewhere.

"Brother," Zhao Youyou called out. She had been paying attention to Lu Zhe in the hall and saw him quietly leave, so she quickly followed.

Su Ci frowned, not expecting to see Zhao Youyou here, dressed in a hotel staff uniform.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Lu Zhe didn't respond.

Zhao Youyou knew that after her family had driven Lu Zhe away, he had been holding a grudge against them. She was used to his cold demeanor, so when he ignored her, she didn't get upset.

"Brother, congratulations on finding your family," Zhao Youyou said sincerely.

Seeing Su Ci wrapped in Lu Zhe's black suit, looking even more charming, Zhao Youyou felt a pang of discomfort.

Dressed only in a thin work uniform, Zhao Youyou suddenly sneezed, shivering and biting her cold lips. She looked at Lu Zhe with a pitiful expression.

In her previous life, he had given his life to save her, indicating that she had been important to him.

Now, shivering in the cold, she wanted to know who was more important to him: her or Su Ci. Would Lu Zhe take the suit back from Su Ci and drape it over her?

Zhao Youyou stood in the cold wind, trembling, her pale face looking like that of a fragile white flower.

She sneezed several times, then looked at Lu Zhe pitifully.

However, Lu Zhe remained unmoved.

"You're sick. Please stay away from me," Su Ci said bluntly, annoyed by Zhao Youyou's hesitant manner and her tea-like gaze on Lu Zhe. What was she trying to imply?

Zhao Youyou didn't expect Su Ci to be the first to speak, and in such a disdainful tone, asking her to leave.

"Miss Su, although you're a young lady from a wealthy family and my background is humble, you can't bully me like this," Zhao Youyou retorted with dignity, refusing to back down. "We are all born equal."

Su Ci was speechless. "You keep sneezing at me, and the viruses are flying onto me. Asking you to stay away is bullying you?"

She raised her chin, looking down at Zhao Youyou. "If I really wanted to bully you, I'd call the security and have you thrown out of the hotel."

Zhao Youyou was stunned, unable to believe what she had just heard.

Su Ci coldly looked at her. "Stop with your little schemes, or I'll let you experience what it's really like to be bullied by me."

Zhao Youyou knew that Su Ci came from a prominent family and was beautiful, but she hadn't expected her to be so willful.

She bit her cold, pale lips miserably, looking pitifully at Lu Zhe. Did he know that the person beside him had such an unreasonable personality?

At that moment, the driver arrived with the car.

"Let's get in the car," Lu Zhe said, taking the girl's hand.

Su Ci's mood immediately brightened.

"Brother," Zhao Youyou quickly called out as Lu Zhe was about to leave. "Brother, I'm in a bit of trouble. Can you... can you help me?"

She was afraid that Wang Xiaoqin would come back to take revenge on her.

Lu Zhe did not turn back to look at her. In the cold wind, his clear and cold voice was very distinct. "Since the day I left the Zhao family, I am no longer your brother. I hope you won't call me that again in the future."

Zhao Youyou could hardly believe her eyes as she watched Lu Zhe lead Su Ci to the car, carefully shielding her head from hitting the roof.

Zhao Youyou's eyes turned red instantly.

She remembered when Lu Zhe first came to her house. Back then, he wasn't as cold and aloof as he is now. He had been eager to fit in and be a good brother.

However, she felt that Lu Zhe was there to compete for her parents' affection. She would deliberately tear up his homework and pour out his food. It wasn't until her parents told her that Lu Zhe was just a servant in their house, someone she could order around at will, that she stopped treating him so harshly.

Gradually, in her mind, Lu Zhe's image was always in the kitchen cooking, in the bathroom washing clothes, or sleeping in the storage room. Once she was sure that Lu Zhe wouldn't steal her parents' affection, she stopped targeting him so aggressively.

But she still looked at him with disdain and never called him "brother" throughout her childhood. It wasn't until she was reborn that she realized how cruel her attitude toward Lu Zhe had been.

Now, she was willing to call him "brother," but he didn't allow it.

Zhao Youyou bit her lip, a wave of bitterness swelling in her chest.

Inside the car, Su Ci didn't bring up Zhao Youyou again. She didn't want anyone to ruin her good mood.

She was wrapped in Lu Zhe's coat, and her body had warmed up. Lu Zhe's hands, however, were always cold, even more so in the winter.

Su Ci used both of her hands to envelop Lu Zhe's large ones.

Lu Zhe looked at her.

The girl smiled. "Your hands are so cold. Let me warm them up for you."

Lu Zhe chuckled softly. "Thank you."

Soon, the car stopped in front of the hotel Su Ci had specified.

Su Ci had already gotten the room key, so there was no need to check in at the front desk. After getting out of the car, she directly pulled Lu Zhe into the elevator and headed to the upper floors.

"Tuan Tuan," Lu Zhe said as they stood in front of the hotel room door. He didn't step inside. "Go in and get your birthday gift. I'll wait for you outside."

Su Ci pushed open the room door and, hearing Lu Zhe's words, she laughed in exasperation. "Am I a beast? Even if you come in, could I possibly eat you?"

At most, she was just a pure and adorable little bunny!

The girl glared at him, and Lu Zhe gently touched her puffy snow-white cheeks with the back of his hand, smiling. "Alright, go in."

Su Ci's chest deflated like a punctured balloon. She took Lu Zhe's hand and pulled him into the room.

As soon as they stepped in, a sweet, overwhelming floral scent hit their noses.

Not only was the floor covered in rose petals, but even the white bed was sprinkled with them. On the long dining table in the room, a large bouquet of fiery red roses was arranged.

Su Ci had booked the presidential suite, which was not only incredibly spacious but also offered a panoramic view of the entire city of B from the glass wall.

Most importantly, in front of the glass wall, there was a large white bathtub.

As Su Ci's gaze fell on the bathtub, she couldn't help but take a few extra glances.

She took the bouquet of roses and handed it to Lu Zhe. "This is for you."

The flowers in his arms were fragrant and vibrant, blooming beautifully.

Lu Zhe was both amused and speechless. He hadn't expected Su Ci to give him flowers.

Then, Su Ci sent a message and pulled Lu Zhe to the glass wall. A minute later, beautiful fireworks exploded in the sky in front of them.

They were dazzling and magnificent, with streams of light and color.

"Did you arrange for these?" Lu Zhe asked the girl beside him.

The dazzling light fell on Su Ci's face, and her dark eyes reflected the light, even more beautiful than the fireworks.

Her small hand slipped into Lu Zhe's palm, and her fingertips playfully teased him. "Do you like it?"

At the highest point of the city, she was with him, watching a stunning display of fireworks.

Lu Zhe tightened his grip on the soft little hand, his eyes dark and glistening. "Yes, I like it."

The hot fireworks seemed to fall right onto his heart, leaving it scorching.

As the fireworks faded, Su Ci let go of Lu Zhe's hand. She reached out and untied the red ribbon from the bouquet in his other hand.

Then, she walked into the bathroom.

When she came out, the girl had tied the ribbon around her wrist.

She held her hand out to Lu Zhe. "Lu Zhe, now open your birthday gift."

Su Ci's wrist was slender and delicate, and the red ribbon was tied into a beautiful bow around it. Just a gentle tug would loosen it.

"Tuan Tuan," Lu Zhe subconsciously pursed his lips and didn't reach out to untie the bow.

"Hurry up, don't you like this birthday gift?" Su Ci squinted at him. "Or do you not like me?"

The rose petals and candlelight in the room created an atmosphere of intimacy, all hinting at what the girl had in mind.

Lu Zhe's gaze fell on the girl's jade-like wrist, and he said seriously, "I only like you."

Su Ci's eyes curved into a smile. "Then untie it."

"Tuan Tuan..."

"Hurry up." Su Ci bluntly told him, "Don't worry, I brought protection."

Lu Zhe: "...Where did you get that?"

"I bought it online. I didn't know your size, so I got all kinds of sizes. There must be one that fits you." After Lu Zhe had told her last time that their child might inherit the progressive muscle atrophy, she had made up her mind.

Lu Zhe reached out and gently rubbed her soft hair. "Even if we use it, it's not 100% safe. Besides, that's something the man should prepare."

Su Ci didn't care whether it was the man or the woman who should prepare it. She urged him, "Hurry up and open your gift."

Lu Zhe looked at her deeply. His long fingers touched the beautiful bow on her wrist, and with a gentle tug, the ribbon came loose.

Su Ci stepped forward and hugged Lu Zhe tightly. "Do you like your gift?"

Lu Zhe lowered his head and kissed the top of her hair. "Yes, I like it."

The suit jacket that had been draped over Su Ci was already off, and she was only wearing a red dress. The room was warm with the heater on, so she didn't feel cold.

Even though Su Ci had a thick skin, she was still nervous for the first time.

She pulled Lu Zhe to the long table and opened the wine bottle, pouring two glasses. "Do you want to have a drink?"

Lu Zhe shook his head.

Su Ci picked up the wine herself and took several sips. However, her heart was still pounding uncontrollably, and her throat felt dry.

She pushed Lu Zhe into the chair and straddled him, facing him.

Lu Zhe supported her waist. "Tuan Tuan."

"Here," Su Ci replied, her voice trembling with nervousness. She poured another glass of wine for herself to boost her courage. "Lu Zhe, are you nervous?"

Lu Zhe gently stroked her back, his fingers touching her smooth skin. "If you're scared, we can do this another time..."

"No way!" Su Ci glared at him. Her lips were stained with red wine, even more alluring than the rose petals on the floor. "I've been thinking about this for a long time. It has to be on your birthday."

"Alright."

He was a normal man, and he wasn't uninterested—he just couldn't allow himself to think about it.

The girl had already gone this far, and Lu Zhe felt that refusing any further would be ungrateful. Moreover, he didn't want to upset her or disappoint her.

That was Lu Zhe's thought before any desire took over.

Su Ci smiled contentedly, picked up the wine glass, took a mouthful of red wine, and then lowered her head, pressing her lips against Lu Zhe's.

The red wine flowed from the corners of their mouths and dripped down.

Su Ci licked the corner of her mouth and took another sip, feeding it to Lu Zhe again.

The wine that couldn't be swallowed in time dripped down Lu Zhe's perfect jawline, staining his white shirt.

Their mouths were filled with the aroma of red wine. Su Ci's gaze was moist and bright as she looked at Lu Zhe. "Do you want more?"

The always cold and aloof deity seemed to be bewitched by a temptress, pulled down from the altar of purity.

His handsome features were tinged with desire, and Lu Zhe's long fingers gently held the girl's chin. He kissed the red wine that had fallen on it. "Yes."

Su Ci continued to feed Lu Zhe small sips of wine.

After a while, the bunny ears on top of her head popped out.

Lu Zhe's dark, glistening eyes focused on the girl's bunny ears. He hooked his lips and pinched the tip of her ear with his fingers. His voice, clear and magnetic, as if intoxicated, called out, "Tuan Tuan."

Su Ci immediately felt weak all over and could only lean softly against his chest.

She angrily bit down on Lu Zhe's shoulder, but instead of stopping him, it only made him more audacious as he continued to play with her rabbit ears.

"Don't touch my ears!" Su Ci weakly protested.

Lu Zhe had already drunk quite a bit at the banquet, and now, after being fed most of a bottle of wine by the girl, his dark eyes were languid, and his handsome face wore an impish expression that Su Ci had never seen before.

His low, husky voice carried a light chuckle that made her ears tingle. "Little rabbit, white and fair, with two ears standing up."

Hearing his teasing near her ear, Su Ci felt like biting him again.

Her soft, pink-and-white rabbit ears were being toyed with by Lu Zhe's long fingers, drooping weakly. Su Ci's snow-white face was flushed, and her slender fingers clutched at Lu Zhe's clothes. "Stop it."

The rabbit ears were already very sensitive, and being played with repeatedly by the young man made Su Ci's body go limp, leaving her with no strength at all.

After a while, Lu Zhe finally stopped. He lovingly kissed both of her rabbit ears on either side, then, holding her in his arms, he stood up.

Plopping down on the soft bed, a wave of floral fragrance enveloped them.

Su Ci, dressed in a red gown, lay among the roses, more captivating than the petals themselves.

Looking up at Lu Zhe above her, it felt like a little rabbit was pounding against her heart.

"Do you want me to kiss you, Tuan Tuan?" Lu Zhe's clear, handsome features were slightly intoxicated.

"Yes!" Su Ci looped her arms around his neck, allowing him to kiss her deeply.

The room's lights dimmed, leaving only the warm yellow glow from the bedside lamp.

The young man's broad shadow flickered on the wall.

The room was filled with the scent of flowers, and the petals scattered on the bed were crushed into juice, staining the white sheets.

After a long, long time, the entire city had fallen silent, and the moon had retreated behind the clouds.

Su Ci lay there weakly, her snow-white face completely flushed, her eyes red at the corners, and the small teardrop mole beneath her eye was incredibly alluring.

"Tuan Tuan," Lu Zhe's dark eyes had regained clarity. He kissed her eyes, her nose, her chin, and continued his actions, gently coaxing her, "Bear with it a little longer, it's almost over."

Su Ci had no strength to push him away. She glared at him, realizing that Lu Zhe could also lie.

After Lu Zhe left, Zhao Youyou, worried about being retaliated against by Wang Xiaoqin, didn't even change her clothes before sneaking out of the hotel and heading home.

As soon as she arrived home, she received a call from Feng Xiaoyu. "Youyou, where are you? The supervisor needs to see you."

Zhao Youyou told her, "I'm home."

"What? Why did you suddenly go home?" Feng Xiaoyu was surprised.

"I suddenly felt unwell and wanted to come home to rest."

"Why didn't you tell me? Or at least inform the supervisor." Feng Xiaoyu frowned.

She felt that Zhao Youyou's silent departure was very irresponsible and hadn't considered her. After all, Zhao Youyou was introduced by her, and leaving without a word left her unsure of how to explain to her relatives.

"I'm sorry, I really wasn't feeling well." Zhao Youyou's voice was weak and feeble over the phone.

Feng Xiaoyu really liked Zhao Youyou as a friend. She thought Zhao Youyou was kind and considerate, so maybe she was really unwell and had no choice but to leave urgently.

Realizing this, Feng Xiaoyu no longer felt upset. "Then rest well. I'll explain to my relatives for you."

"Xiaoyu, you're so kind. Thank you."

After hanging up, Zhao Youyou turned around and saw Fu Baili standing in the corridor. "Haven't you rested yet?"

"Where did you go? I called you a few times, why didn't you answer?" Fu Baili walked over, noticing Zhao Youyou's outfit, and his handsome brows furrowed. "What are you wearing?"

Zhao Youyou had been threatened by Wang Xiaoqin, discovered Lu Zhe's identity, and been coldly rejected by Lu Zhe when she sought his help. She was already mentally and physically exhausted.

Now, facing Fu Baili's questioning, Zhao Youyou no longer had her usual gentle demeanor. "I was doing a part-time job with a friend tonight. I sent you a text, and this is my work uniform, which I need to return."

Fu Baili's expression was grim. "It's so late, where did you do a part-time job?"

"At a hotel." Zhao Youyou, who had been standing in high heels all evening, felt her legs aching. She wanted to go back to her room to rest, but Fu Baili grabbed her wrist. "What's wrong?"

"Why did you do a part-time job?" Fu Baili was very disapproving of Zhao Youyou working so late at a hotel.

"I need to make money. You don't have a single penny, and you've spent all my allowance. My dad lost all the money he invested in stocks, and the house is short on money. What's wrong with me earning some money?" Zhao Youyou's tone carried a hint of resentment.

Ever since Fu Baili left the Fu family and ran out of money, he had been relying on her.

Fu Baili, born into a wealthy family, had no sense of restraint when spending. Her already limited funds had been completely exhausted, leaving her with less than a thousand dollars. She naturally needed to make money.

A few days ago, the Fu family announced a new heir, which meant Fu Baili had truly been abandoned by the Fu family.

Fu Baili's expression was cold. He caught the hidden meaning in Zhao Youyou's words. "So, now that I don't have money, you're starting to look down on me?"

Zhao Youyou bit her lip. "No, it's not that..."

She advised, "Why don't you go back to the Fu family and apologize to your grandmother? If you go back, she won't leave you hanging."

Fu Baili coldly stared at her. "You want me to go back and marry some other young lady? Who did I leave the Fu family for? Who did I give up my heir status for?"

Zhao Youyou's face turned pale. "No, that's not what I meant. I just think you're suffering now, with no money at all. If you go back to the Fu family, you won't have to endure this hardship. I don't want you to marry someone else."

Fu Baili didn't respond. He turned and walked into the room, slamming the door shut.

Zhao Youyou felt utterly drained.

In the hotel room, Su Ci felt like she couldn't even lift a finger.

Lu Zhe picked her up and placed her on the sofa in the room, then he took out a spare bedsheet and blanket from the wardrobe.

After making the bed, he picked her up again and placed her back on the bed.

Both their clothes were stained with flower juice and couldn't be worn, so they would have to ask someone to bring new clothes tomorrow.

Lu Zhe lay down beside her, his hand touching her smooth skin.

"Tuan Tuan," Lu Zhe's low, husky voice carried a lazy tone. "Open your eyes and look at me."

Su Ci tightly closed her eyes. She knew the wet bedsheet had been thrown on the floor, and thinking about their earlier loss of control, even she, who was usually shameless, felt too embarrassed.

When Lu Zhe didn't get a response, he playfully reached out and pinched her soft rabbit ears. "Tuan Tuan, look at me."

Su Ci angrily opened her eyes, not only looking at him but also glaring at him. "Stop touching my ears!"

Lu Zhe chuckled softly.

Su Ci huffed. She had figured out Lu Zhe's little quirk—he just loved playing with her rabbit ears.

Even during their intimate moments, he wouldn't let go of her rabbit ears!

Just as Lu Zhe was about to say something, Su Ci's phone rang.

Lu Zhe picked up the phone and handed it to her. It was a call from Su's Mother.

"Answer it," Lu Zhe gently stroked her hair.

Su Ci pursed her lips and picked up the call.

On the other end, Su's Mother said, "Ci Ci, it's about time to come home."