Shattered by Fate, Restored by Truth

Chapter 588 - Lu Ci: I must pursue this girlfriend.

As soon as Su Yao stepped through the Lu family’s front gate, hearing the faint sounds of laughter inside, she had a bad feeling.

Why does it seem... like there are so many people?

She cast a doubtful glance at Lu Ci and asked, "Didn’t you say it would only be your parents at home?"

"Yep."

His house was usually quiet and empty; even his parents weren’t always both there, so what was going on today?

The two walked slowly through the entrance hall and into the living room. On seeing the people there, Su Yao spun around and headed for the door.

Lu Ci, quick as lightning, grabbed hold of her and pulled her into his arms to stop her fleeing, forced a smile, and nodded to the people in the room before whispering to her, "Weren’t you the one who said you’d take care of everything and put on a good performance?"

"Bullshit!" Su Yao hissed back at him, "Weren’t it supposed to be just your parents? Have you brought your entire horde of aunts and uncles here? I can’t handle this kind of scene! I’m out!"

"I’ll pay you more! Isn’t that enough?" Lu Ci hadn’t expected this situation either. "Another three thousand, just get through this and show off your acting skills!"

Su Yao took a deep breath, clenched her teeth, and for the sake of 60 million, she was all in.

Lu Ci looked down at her, thinking that since the money was being spent, he absolutely had to chase after this girlfriend.

Walking unsteadily alongside Lu Ci, Su Yao was truly in uncharted territory.

Her palms were sweaty, and she felt guilty and uncomfortable. On a normal day, she could stand in a courtroom and leave the opposing lawyer with nothing to say. But now, she felt like she was the one with nothing.

Lu Ci held her hand affectionately, only for her to warn him in a low voice not to get too touchy, to which he responded with a bitter smile and whispered in her ear, "Miss, can you just bear with it? If you really can’t, just think of the 60 million in your mind. Weren’t you boasting about your professional standards?!"

Su Yao: ...

Alright then.

For the sake of money.

"Mom," said Lu Ci while leading Su Yao over, and introduced her to Li Shi, "this is Su Yao."

Su Yao greeted, "Hello, Auntie!"

Her voice trembled as she spoke.

Li Shi looked her up and down, then nodded her head. Having seen Su Wanxin many times before, she was somewhat surprised to see her.

"Mom, where’s dad? Didn’t he say he’d call off his drinking plans to wait for me at home?"

"He’s upstairs chatting with your Uncle Hu," Li Shi said with a smile, inviting Su Yao to sit beside her. "Your Aunt Hu and the others were home playing cards this afternoon. When they heard you were bringing your girlfriend, they all wanted to have a look."

Boasting about one’s children is a habit that never fades, no matter the age.

As children, parents compared who got better grades and had more talents; as they grew, it was about who made more money and married sooner.

These elderly women, aside from their love for sipping tea, shopping, and playing cards, enjoyed gathering to chat about who got married, gave birth, or became grandparents.

And now, Li Shi was beaming with pride, so much that even Lu Ci felt a bit embarrassed by the boasting.

If only she knew he’d hired a girlfriend for money, she would definitely give him a good thrashing.

Sitting on the sofa, Su Yao was on edge, smiling with pursed lips, answering questions as they were asked.

What is your job, what do your parents do, do you have any siblings?

They asked everything as though they were taking a census. Once the questioning died down, Lu Ci’s father came down from upstairs, and they began to eat.

Su Yao didn’t elaborate on how torturous the meal was, but a few hours later, when she left the house with Lu Ci, she felt utterly drained.

"Even for 60 million next time, I won’t come back. Absolutely not."