The car slowed down in front of the Lu family gate. It was afternoon, the weather was clear, and the sound of the fountain in the center of the yard could be heard clearly from a distance.
The door opened and the car slowly drove in.
Gu Lian glanced out the window. The front of the residential area was open and there was an entire empty road with artificial pools on both sides. Two teams of security personnel were stationed there.
The car stopped in front of the main house. When the housekeeper saw that it was Lu Zechen's car, he immediately stepped forward to open the door. He leaned over and saw Gu Lian on the near side.
Gu Lian ignored the other party's surprise and calmly adjusted her hat for Nian Nian. Lu Zechen had already gotten off the car from the other side and walked to her car door.
The butler stepped aside knowingly and stood aside.
Gu Lian was about to get out of the car when she looked up and saw a hand standing in front of her.
Lu Zechen put one hand on the roof of the car and half leaned over. Seeing Gu Lian pause, he raised his eyebrows and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Gu Lian's eyes fell on his hand, he hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand on his palm.
Lu Zechen led her out of the car. Seeing this, the housekeeper reminded her in a low voice.
"Master, everyone in the family is here."
All?
Lu Zechen responded, "Yeah."
With that said, he put his arm around Gu Lian's shoulders and led her into the courtyard gate in a protective manner.
Just like last time, the housekeeper led them to the back garden, and they heard laughter from afar.
"Old lady, the young master is back." The housekeeper announced.
In the sun room, there was a rectangular table. Jiang Xiu sat at the head table, surrounded by many people.
As soon as the butler spoke, the talking stopped.
Everyone looked towards the door.
Lu Zechen scanned the people present and frowned without trace.
Beside Jiang Xiu, Lu Chiwen and Lu Hanzhi stood, and in the closest position sat Mi Lan.
Wenyuan was sitting alone, drinking tea from a porcelain cup, with a smile on her face, but it was faint. When she caught a glimpse of her son coming in, she stood up immediately, but when she saw Gu Lian standing next to her, her smile instantly dissipated.
"Grandma asked you to come back for a meal, why did you bring someone back?"
Lu Zechen looked calm and hugged Gu Lian to celebrate the New Year, "Didn't grandma ask me to bring the child back?"
"I asked you to bring a child back, but I didn't ask you to bring a woman back." Jiang Xiu said displeasedly.
Lu Zechen held the child in his arms, led Gu Lian to the table, and said calmly: "The child can't live without mother."
"Is it that the child can't live without her, or that you can't live without her?" Jiang Xiu snorted coldly.
Lu Zechen chuckled lightly, pulled out the chair, and let Gu Lian sit down first, "I can't live without her either."
"Xiao Chen!" Wenyuan reminded.
Lu Zechen ignored it and handed the child to Wenyuan, "Mom, come here, hold your granddaughter."
Wenyuan hurriedly caught it, her expression was not good at first, but then she heard a moderate laugh from Nian Nian, and her expression immediately softened.
"This kid really doesn't recognize life at all. He laughs whenever he sees anyone."
With that said, she carried the child and went to Jiang Xiu.
The old lady is getting older and has been looking forward to her great-grandson for several years. Although she doesn't like Gu Lian, she finally shows some warmth when she sees him every year.
Gu Lian sat quietly, facing Mi Lan's smile not far away.
It was already embarrassing for her to come to this kind of family dinner, but it was even more strange for Mi Lan to appear here.
"Brother and Sister Lan haven't seen each other for so long, why didn't they even say hello?"
While Jiang Xiu and Wenyuan were looking after the children, Lu Chiwen suddenly spoke.
Lu Hanzhi crossed his arms across his chest and mocked, "You don't dare to fight, do you? I'm worried that some people will misunderstand me."
"Misunderstanding? I heard that eldest brother and Sister Lan have known each other for many years, and their friendship should be deeper than anyone else's."