The Lu residence was quite lively today.
It was the patriarch's birthday, and relatives had come on their own accord to celebrate with him. Although it wasn't a grand affair, as people aged, they grew weaker year by year, and each birthday was one less. Everyone gathered just for the fun of it.
When Lu Yanbei and Su He arrived, the courtyard was already lit with colorful lights, and laughter filled the house.
"Ah-Yan is back!"
"Cousin!"
"Cousin!"
"Uncle!"
"Cousin-in-law!"
As soon as Lu Yanbei appeared, a crowd of people rushed over to greet him.
Lu Yanbei nodded slightly, his cold eyes sweeping over everyone. "Don't you recognize my wife?"
Su He was indifferent, as they didn't interact much in their daily lives. However, since Lu Yanbei had spoken, those people felt compelled to be polite to Su He, even if they had to force themselves.
"Susu is here!"
"Sister-in-law!"
"Sister-in-law!"
"Little Aunt!"
"Cousin-in-law!"
Su He forced a smile and replied indifferently, "Yes, don't be so formal. Come in and have a seat."
Su He, as the lady of the Lu household, should adopt such a demeanor.
Lu Yanbei held her hand, not letting go for a moment, offering her silent support.
The two entered the house and greeted the elders.
Old Master Lu's eyes crinkled into a smile when he saw them. "Speak of the devil! We were just talking about you two, and here you are!"
"Ah-Bei, you must be very busy lately. We haven't seen you in ages!"
Lu Yanbei replied faintly, "Indeed, I've been quite busy."
"That urban village project, nobody had high hopes for it at first. But once the Lu Corporation took it on, the value of that land has multiplied several times over. People in the industry are all talking about it. It truly shows Ah-Bei's foresight!"
"You're surpassing your elders! Someone approached me about this project before, but I'm old now, and my courage has waned. I didn't dare to invest!"
"I lack the capability, so I didn't get involved."
"I heard they're building a new train station on the outskirts. Have you heard the news?"
"There are rumors, but nothing is finalized yet."
The elders at home were all involved in business, so their conversations revolved around business matters. Su He sat on the side, feeling as though she were listening to a foreign language, her eyelids growing heavy.
Lu Yanbei noticed her lack of interest. He patted her hand and said, "If you're tired, go upstairs and rest. I'll call you when dinner is ready."
With so many guests present, Su He felt embarrassed to go back to her room to lie down. "It's alright, I can manage."
However, Old Master Lu saw her fatigue and said kindly, "Susu, you must be tired after a day of work. It's fine, Ah-Bei is here. Go back to your room and change your clothes before coming down."
Changing clothes was essentially a way to let her rest.
There was no set time for her to come downstairs, so she could stay in her room for as long as she liked.
"Grandpa has spoken, go on!" Lu Yanbei didn't want her to be weary. He squeezed her hand as a signal.
Su He couldn't refuse their kind offer and excused herself apologetically.
After watching Su He leave, the atmosphere in the living room returned to its previous liveliness.
"Brother, you spoil your granddaughter-in-law too much!"
"Yes! All the elders are here, yet you told a junior to rest! Since ancient times, there's never been such a rule!"
"If you ask me, when it comes to marriage, one should consider matching social status!"
Several of the elders present were meeting Su He for the first time. Relying on their seniority, they spoke in a lecturing tone, which was quite annoying.
The younger members of the family, seeing Lu Yanbei's expression change, quickly stepped forward to mediate.
"Grandpa, have you had too much to drink? Why are you talking nonsense? Let me help you to the courtyard to sober up, lest you get too drunk to function!"
"Uncle, times have changed, and such rules are no longer in vogue! Young people work hard outside. After a day's work, what's wrong with resting a bit?"
"That's right, let's talk amongst ourselves. It must be stifling for the young people here."
An old man with a long beard frowned, displeased. "No matter the era, rules are rules! If we're talking about hard work, isn't Ah-Bei working hard too? Why don't you show concern for him?"
"The niece-in-law, however, went upstairs as soon as she was told, showing no upbringing at all!"
Lu Yanbei's face turned terrifyingly grim after hearing this. "I don't care about other people's rules. I only know that I will dote on my own wife! If you have any objections, keep them to yourselves!"
"Ah-Bei, don't be angry. My father just said it casually, he didn't mean anything by it." Seeing that he was genuinely angered, someone nearby quickly pulled the elders away to appease them.
Given the Lu family's influence, they were eager to curry favor and certainly didn't want to offend them!
"Also, my father-in-law's family is in the real estate business. Their properties are spread across various districts, far more capable than some people. My mother-in-law is from the wealthy Tang family in Chuan City, not some nobody!"
Since they had brought up family background, Lu Yanbei decided to reveal the status of Su He's adoptive parents.
"Could it be that Tang family? Why haven't we heard the niece-in-law mention it before?"
"Oh, it's all a misunderstanding!"
"Su He had already severed ties with her biological parents. She was raised by her adoptive parents from a young age, so her upbringing is naturally excellent!"
Upon learning of Su He's background, they quickly changed their tune, showering her with compliments in various ways.
Seeing that they had finally quieted down, Lu Yanbei, too lazy to bother with them, went straight upstairs.
Su He was indeed tired. After a quick shower, she changed into her sleepwear and lay down.
When Lu Yanbei pushed the door open, Su He was already drowsy.
"Why are you up here too?" Su He asked, half-opening her eyes.
Lu Yanbei cupped her face and kissed her, then began to undress. "I've already greeted everyone. It's my duty as the host."
"You sleep. I'll go take a shower." As the future head of the Lu family, Lu Yanbei couldn't act as impulsively as Su He. After his shower, he still had to have a talk with the patriarch.
Those relatives who rarely visited could be cut off; there was no need to be nice to them.
To dare to speak ill of his wife, they really had a lot of nerve!
Su He slept for half an hour and felt much more refreshed. The banquet had already begun, and she arrived just in time for dinner.
In the past, she could only sit in the furthest corner. Now, as Lu Yanbei's wife, her seat was arranged at the head of the ladies' table. This was the convenience that came with the identity of Mrs. Lu Shao.
Su He was not good at socializing. After exchanging a few polite words, she focused on eating.
In her opinion, nothing was more important than enjoying good food. Besides, didn't these people always believe in "don't speak while eating, don't talk while sleeping"? Then she would implement it thoroughly!
"Niece-in-law, you and Ah-Bei have been married for a while now. When are you planning to have children?" Just as Su He reached for the baked lobster shrimp, a woman, who might have been an aunt or an aunt-in-law, suddenly asked.