A week slipped by in the blink of an eye.
Early on Saturday morning, Lu Qingxu was summoned home by his father.
Lu's father was usually very busy with work, and even on weekends, he had various private meetings and social engagements, rarely paying attention to his two sons.
He never initiated phone calls with them. The fact that he called so early in the morning made Lu Qingxu wonder if his father knew about his brother's situation.
If Lu Mingzhe's matter was brought up, he would inevitably be lectured, so Lu Qingxu braced himself and went home.
Unexpectedly, Lu Mingzhe wasn't there.
His mother and father, dressed in loungewear and wearing glasses, sat on the sofa reading newspapers.
After sitting down and exchanging pleasantries, his father asked him about his work and if he had encountered any trouble.
Lu Qingxu was completely bewildered.
"No, it's the same as before. It's been so many years, everything has been running smoothly. Dad, why are you suddenly interested in this?"
Lu's mother picked up the conversation.
"Your dad and his colleagues are about to undergo a transition, and it's a sensitive period. Your brother's work is fine, he wouldn't give anyone a handle to grasp, but you're different."
"Your dad called you back to give you a few words of advice: no matter what industry you're in, you must abide by the law."
"He and your grandfather worked hard their entire lives. Even if you and your brother don't want to follow their path, you can't embarrass him."
"Moreover, even though you two haven't entered this path, you've benefited considerably because of your father's position. For that reason alone, you both need to protect him well."
Lu Qingxu couldn't deny this.
Although his father's position wasn't particularly high, he was still well-known in Nancheng.
As his second son, how could he not have benefited?
"Dad, don't worry, I understand and won't mess around. Besides, Zhan Bei Jue wouldn't allow me to mess around."
Lu's father nodded. "It's good that you know that."
"You are both grown men now, I don't want to waste words. Where is your brother?"
"He's been busy lately, and I haven't had a chance to chat with you two properly. Why didn't you call him today?"
It seemed his mother hadn't told his father about Lu Mingzhe's situation, so Lu Qingxu dared not say anything more and glanced at his mother.
"He's probably at work. I thought my mom had called him."
Perhaps it was due to the upcoming transition or the many land disputes between enterprises, but his father looked very tired recently, his age showing.
His mother glanced at him worriedly and lied.
"Mingzhe had plans for the weekend. I didn't think it was a big deal, just a few words of advice over the phone would suffice, so I didn't call him back."
"In a couple of days, when you're free again and he's also free, we'll have a proper family gathering."
His father nodded, looking at the newspaper.
"And Jiao Jiao. This girl isn't old, but she's quite career-driven. When you have free time, go visit her more often and show your concern."
"Don't rush her about having children; after all, she's still young, and her father has just passed away."
Lu's mother's expression changed slightly, and she sighed silently.
"I understand. Hurry up and drink your tea, it's getting cold."
Lu Qingxu ate lunch at home. He had to leave in the afternoon. His mother saw him to the door and complained to him.
"You don't remind your brother. Is he foolish, and you're foolish too?"
"Your father has been overwhelmed with work lately, and I don't dare tell him about the situation at home."
"If he knew that your brother got divorced just one or two months after getting married, and now he's gotten a popular internet celebrity pregnant, he'd be so angry he'd be hospitalized!"
Lu Qingxu found her words jarring.
"Mom, don't keep calling her an internet celebrity."
"The short video industry is developing rapidly now; it's a legitimate profession, and their income is no less than ours. Don't always look at them with prejudice."
"Am I looking at her with prejudice? That industry is inherently chaotic."
"According to you, every industry is chaotic. Our industry is also chaotic."
Lu's mother's double standards were evident.
"Yours is different. Besides, you're a man..."
Lu Qingxu tried to defend Xiang Wan.
"What's wrong with being a man? Does it mean a man can mess around and flirt with anyone outside? Your thinking..."
"Forget it, I won't say more to you. In any case, I think Xiang Wan is very good. The key is that my brother likes her and is willing to be completely devoted to her."
"Look at my brother; in all these years, have you ever heard him listen to anyone? You have quite a temper, right? Does he listen to you?"
"This Xiang Wan, she doesn't argue with him, doesn't make a fuss, and easily gets him under her control. And now they have our family's child. It's a good thing, why do you have to..."
His mother realized that every word he said was in defense of her, and that her younger son had also been swayed by that woman.
"You know that woman too? Have you been in contact with her privately? You know her so well, you're quite something, Lu Qingxu!"
Lu Qingxu, fearing that the conflict might extend to him, quickly said.
"I don't know her. I just heard it from my brother."
Lu's mother said indignantly.
"Do you know the Qin family in Shangcheng? Their young master, didn't he get involved with an internet celebrity, have a child with that woman, and extort tens of millions from him..."
"Alright, alright, don't use such things as examples. There are exceptions to everything."
Lu Qingxu interrupted her, full of righteous indignation.
"It's all his own fault. If that Qin fellow didn't intend to be with her, why did he sleep with her and get her pregnant?"
"If he had married her after she got pregnant and openly had the child, wouldn't she have no reason to extort tens of millions from him?"
Lu's mother: "You child, how can I not make you understand!"
"People like them, with their family background, their messy social connections, their unshakeable poor relatives, can they be brought into a family like ours?"
"We are not born aristocrats; our current status is the result of hard work. Once you associate with people like that, it's not just this generation, but also the next generation of children, who will be dragged down in status."
"I am considering the long-term future for your brother, do you understand?"
With their clashing values, communication was impossible.
Lu Qingxu said, "I don't understand the thoughts of your generation, I really don't understand the concept of family status or bloodline..."
"Forget it, you should save these words for your brother. I have to go now, goodbye Mom!"
With that, Lu Qingxu hurried away.
Lu's mother stood at the doorway and sighed, "Stubborn child, not one of them gives me peace of mind."
Zhan Bei Jue had numerous projects in hand, each requiring startup capital, and the company's cash flow was limited.
Therefore, if he were to financially assist Lu Mingzhe, he would have to dip into his own pocket.
Lu Mingzhe felt too embarrassed to accept money from him, so living in a borrowed apartment was the least he could do.
After staying at Lu Qingxu's house for a night, the next day, the three of them moved into a newly developed, fully furnished apartment of the Zhan Group.
After several busy days, Xiang Wan needed a prenatal check-up on the weekend. Lu Mingzhe asked Xiang Yang to accompany them to the hospital.
He wanted him to see the baby firsthand and experience the joy of being an uncle in advance.