At four in the afternoon, he got up, picked up his shattered phone, removed the SIM card, put it into another phone, and logged into WeChat.
Seeing his mother pleading with him to come home on WeChat again, he called her back: "I'll come back tonight to eat with you."
Because of the change of leadership, his father had been very busy for the past few months.
Coupled with his mother's deliberate concealment, the father and son hadn't seen each other for a long time, but they didn't notice anything unusual.
On the evening of the first day of the Lunar New Year, Lu Mingzhe finally sat at the same dinner table with his father.
His father saw that he was thin and had a sallow complexion, and rarely praised him.
"I heard from your mother that you were very driven last year, constantly going on business trips and working hard. Look how thin you are, eat more."
His mother sat silently beside his father, eating slowly and cautiously, not daring to make eye contact with Lu Mingzhe.
Lu Mingzhe felt a pang in his heart.
No matter what, she was still his mother.
No matter how excessive her actions were, at least her intention wasn't to truly harm him.
Now, even having a meal with her at home felt like a favor, forcing him to be cautious in the middle of his father-son relationship. His mother was also to be pitied.
He proactively put a piece of food on his mother's plate.
Seeing the food he offered, his mother's eyes lit up with joy, and then her eyes slowly reddened.
Lu Mingzhe sincerely said to his father, "It wasn't hard work. I was immature before and took too many detours. Now I just want to make amends as soon as possible."
"From now on, I will listen to you and Mom, and never make you worry again."
His father's hand also trembled slightly.
Lu Mingzhe, after thirty years of being a scoundrel, was finally speaking like a decent person.
His son had grown up.
"It's just right that you're 30 this year, the age of establishing oneself. It makes me very happy to hear you say this, and it's not a waste of your mother's dedicated efforts in educating you and your brother for so many years."
"But as I said before, career is important, but so is health. Take care of yourself."
"Understood, Dad."
"I heard from your mother that your brother is dating a girl who is in the United States, and he's gone to pursue her. Although his actions are a bit exaggerated, they are commendable."
"He has always been cautious in relationships. He's never brought a girl home in all these years. He must really like her this time, and we should support him."
"What about you? Do you want to talk to Dad about relationships?"
Lu's mother was startled.
She knew how Lu Mingzhe had gotten through the past few months and how difficult it was for him to behave like this today. She was afraid of stirring up painful memories for him, so she forced a smile and prepared to interrupt her husband to change the subject.
To her surprise, Lu Mingzhe himself agreed.
"Of course we can talk."
"I don't meet many suitable women during my work. I was a scoundrel before and didn't let my mother introduce me to anyone, so I haven't had a relationship recently."
"Mom, while I have time during this holiday break, I'll follow your arrangements."
Lu's mother's pupils trembled again.
This didn't sound like something Lu Mingzhe would say.
Just a few days ago, he had wished he could sever their mother-son relationship. Could he have been so upset that he was about to cause trouble again?
"A Zhe..."
"I'm serious, Mom. I've thought it through."
"If I live to my age and still can't see clearly what relationships and marriage are about, I've truly lived in vain."
"You're right. Living a steady life with a companion is the most important thing. Vows of eternal love and passionate romance are for teenagers; they are no longer suitable for me."
How long are a few months?
Long enough for a person's mindset to shift from 20 to 40.
Hearing him say this, Lu's mother finally relaxed, even secretly wiping her eyes with relief.
She nodded and smiled.
"Good, I couldn't be happier that you've come to this realization."
"In fact, many aunties have introduced potential partners to you. Everyone says you are young and promising. I didn't know how to refuse out of politeness."
"Since you've said this, shall I get back to them?"
"Please do. I'm staying at home these days. Let me know if there's anything you need me to cooperate with."
Lu's mother acted quickly, arranging for him to meet a blind date on the afternoon of the third day of the Lunar New Year.
Lu Mingzhe looked at the woman's photo. It was heavily edited, similar to the uniform internet influencers, but overall, she was a beauty.
Since both parties were well-informed, he went.
Upon entering the restaurant, he was surprised to find an old acquaintance.
It was the girl he had spent hours with on the dance floor on New Year's Eve, and with whom he had shared a drink afterward.
He hadn't expected such a party-goer to be out on a blind date.
Lu Mingzhe was somewhat surprised to see her, but he deliberately concealed his emotions, his face betraying no hint of joy or sorrow.
The girl, however, was different, almost jumping for joy.
"It's you! I was still regretting not getting your contact information that night, thinking I'd never meet you again. I didn't expect to see you today!"
"Didn't you say you're 30? In our circle, being unmarried at 30 makes you undesirable. You're so handsome, how did you end up waiting this long?"
The girl's name was Fang Shuya. She was only 24 years old, grew up abroad, and had just returned to China after graduation.
She had recently started her own small fashion design company.
It was a flattering term for entrepreneurship, but a more accurate description was passing the time.
Her family was wealthy, and they were waiting for her to find a good family and have children, not caring about the meager income she earned.
"So, Miss Fang, are you saying you find me old?"
"No!" Fang Shuya said directly.
"Even though you're thirty, you look about my age. I don't mind you!"
"Hehe. I'm not really a party person, so please don't misunderstand. That night, after dinner, my cousins and older brothers dragged me along. I rarely go out normally, and I didn't expect to run into you the first time I did!"
"Honestly, don't you think we're quite fated?"
Fang Shuya might as well have written 'I fell for you at first sight' on her face.
"So, Miss Fang, are you implying you want to develop our relationship further?"
"Why are you so boring today? You're not as fun as you were that night. Can't you at least tell me your first impression of me?"
Lu Mingzhe said, "You are very beautiful and very lively. According to your own description, you have a good education and good upbringing. You are a perfect marriage candidate."
"...So. Is this how you judge me?"
"Isn't this good enough? Isn't it good enough that I'm dating you with the intention of marriage? What else do you expect me to treat you as?"
Fang Shuya was momentarily speechless by his words.
That's right. Dating her with the intention of marriage should be the most responsible attitude, shouldn't it? What else was she expecting?
Her impression of Lu Mingzhe immediately improved.
With the support of both families and the willingness of the individuals, everything progressed rapidly.
Fang Shuya was enthusiastic, proactive, and had plenty of time. She arranged to meet him twice in two days.
On the third day, she visited Lu's mother at home.
On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, both families sat together to discuss the engagement.
Lu Mingzhe frankly mentioned his previous failed marriage, stating that he would compensate Fang Shuya with a higher bride price for this.