10. Eerie

The slap landed unexpectedly on his face. Lu Mingzhao neither blocked it nor bothered to resist. It was just a slap after all. Right now, his father felt even more hurt than he did.

Swallowing the metallic taste of blood, Lu Mingzhao was too weary to argue further. His game plan had already been approved by his elder brother, and the team would soon be assembled. It didn’t matter what that old man could do.

Could he really order him to die? That would be impressive.

Wiping away the few droplets of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, Lu Mingzhao turned without looking back and started to leave.

“Xiao Zhao!” His brother, who had arrived breathless from outside the estate without anyone noticing, stopped short upon seeing the bright red slap mark on his face. Anger and pity flashed in his eyes.

“That’s madness!” Lu Jingshan cursed, his handsome face darkening. Beneath his seemingly calm gaze flickered a sharp edge, exuding an imposing aura.

He looked back at his younger brother, his sharpness softening into tenderness. Raising his hand to Lu Mingzhao’s cheek, he hesitated, wanting to touch but daring not to.

Lu Mingzhao dodged his hand and, under his brother’s hesitant gaze, lifted his leg to leave. “Brother, we’ll talk when you have time. I’m leaving now.”

Lu Jingshan was at a loss and could only ask, “Your birthday is coming soon. Will you be back in a few days?”

Lightly touching his face, Lu Mingzhao’s profile remained unusually calm. He lowered his eyes. “No, I won’t. It’s pointless.”

Lu Jingshan looked at him and finally sighed aloud, “Alright then. I’ll give you a gift when the time comes.”

Lu Mingzhao nodded. Watching him leave, Lu Jingshan’s fleeting softness vanished, his face turning expressionless as he stared at their father. “Dad, you know exactly what kind of person he is. The more you pressure him, the more he will resist.”

Lu Jingshan pulled out the game plan he had brought and sighed, “You expected him to be sensible? I think he’s doing quite well now.”

With that, he handed over the papers.

Although Lu’s father had long since retired from active company management, his business acumen remained intact. Flipping through the documents, his expression finally softened.

“Handle the Ko family’s affairs well,” he said after a long silence. “After all, it was the Ko family’s youngest son who made the first move.”

Lu Jingshan nodded slightly.

Their father’s tone paused. “That little lover of his…”

A faint smile crossed Lu Jingshan’s serious face. “He’s a good one. Being with Mingzhao, there’s nothing wrong for now.”

Their father sighed. “Being with a man—what kind of talk is that? I hope, as you said, he has started to settle down.”

He turned his head to look at Lu Jingshan. “If you’d ever be willing to settle down yourself, my worries would lessen.”

Lu Jingshan pretended not to hear and ignored the old man, instead picking up his phone and making a call.

***

The Ko family and the Lu family had always maintained a good relationship, butI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.