The Patriarch of the Zhu family paused, then leaned in and instructed Zhu Ling'er, "Ling'er, go and wake up Doctor Zhou for dinner."
Zhu Ling'er, recalling Zhou Yu's words from earlier that day, felt a pang of awkwardness. Biting her lip, she asked, "Dad, can someone else go?"
The Patriarch shot Zhu Ling'er a glare. This girl was truly oblivious! There was a significant difference between having someone else call Zhou Yu and calling him herself. Why else had he gone to such lengths to keep Zhou Yu here? It wasn't so he could chat with Zhou Yu, was it? It was all to give Zhu Ling'er an opportunity to cultivate feelings with Zhou Yu! How else could she get alone time with him? How could their relationship ever progress?
Goaded by her father's glare, Zhu Ling'er felt guilty. She quickly raised her hands and said, "Alright, alright, Dad, stop glaring at me."
"I'll go call Zhou Yu now." With that, Zhu Ling'er stood up discreetly and quietly left the living room.
One of the elders noticed Zhu Ling'er's departure and asked curiously, "Dinner is almost served, where is Ling'er going?"
The Patriarch smiled and took a sip of soup to wet his throat. He then explained to the elder, "Doctor Zhou is still resting in the guest room and hasn't woken up yet."
"Ling'er is going to call him over."
The elders immediately looked at each other with understanding. They began to tease the Patriarch, "Alright, it seems the Patriarch's good fortune is near!"
"A son-in-law is half a son. Ling'er will surely find a live-in son-in-law in the future. With Doctor Zhou being so capable, the Patriarch will enjoy his retirement!"
"Hahaha, we'll all be waiting to drink at the wedding!"
The Patriarch handled their teasing with ease. However, a hint of bitterness welled up inside him. Good fortune near? He wished! But Zhou Yu wasn't cooperating. If only Zhou Yu would accept Zhu Ling'er. He would be willing to let Zhu Ling'er give up her inheritance and marry Zhou Yu, let alone have him become a live-in son-in-law.
"Alright, let's not talk about Ling'er anymore. She's shy, and she'll surely blush if she hears this when she returns."
"Let's eat first, eat first." The Patriarch interrupted the elders and was the first to raise his wine cup and propose a toast.
Just as the Patriarch had said, Zhu Ling'er's cheeks were indeed burning. She stood at the door of the guest room where Zhou Yu was staying, hesitating to raise her hand and knock. After lingering by the door for a while, Zhu Ling'er took a deep breath and finally mustered the courage to knock.
*Knock, knock, knock—*
Hearing the sound, Zhou Yu immediately opened his eyes and emerged from his meditative state. He frowned slightly and asked, "Who is it?"
"It's me, the kitchen has the food ready."
"Hurry and come eat." Zhu Ling'er's dark eyes suddenly flashed with panic, and her heart began to race. She raised her voice as she spoke.
Inside the room, Zhou Yu pondered for a moment, then replied, "I know. You go back and eat first, I'll be there shortly." After that, there was silence from within.
Zhu Ling'er waited at the guest room door for a while, unwilling to give up. But Zhou Yu didn't come out, nor could she even hear any movement from inside the room. Helplessly, Zhu Ling'er stamped her foot and finally turned back towards the living room.
Zhou Yu, who was getting dressed inside, shook his head upon hearing her footsteps. "This Zhu family, truly..." It wasn't that Zhou Yu was heartless. It was simply that he didn't want to give the Zhu family father and daughter false hope, only to dash it later! Therefore, he had to inconvenience Zhu Ling'er. After putting on his clothes, Zhou Yu leisurely headed towards the dining hall.
As he entered, all eyes were immediately fixed on Zhou Yu. A few elders teased, "Patriarch Zhu, your son-in-law has arrived."
The Patriarch ignored their taunts and stood up, ushering Zhou Yu to his seat. He said warmly, "Doctor Zhou, how was your rest?"
"I figured you must be hungry, so I sent Zhu Ling'er to call you."
"Who knew she'd run back after calling you? Forgive her lack of courtesy, please don't take it to heart."
Zhou Yu listened, pursed his lips, and nodded, not intending to say anything. He couldn't possibly tell everyone present that he had sent Zhu Ling'er back to the dining hall, could he? It would make him feel better, but it would embarrass Zhu Ling'er publicly! Zhou Yu could see clearly that these elders of the Zhu family, along with the Patriarch and his daughter, were not united. Everyone present had their own hidden agenda. It was likely that they would be even happier to see Zhu Ling'er embarrassed, perhaps even becoming fodder for gossip. Zhou Yu couldn't bear to see Zhu Ling'er become a laughingstock.
"Patriarch, let's eat first," Zhou Yu said faintly, then picked up the soup in front of him and began to drink. The Patriarch repeatedly agreed.
This scene astonished the elders sitting nearby. They had never seen the Patriarch humble himself so much before! After all, the Zhu family was the number one family in Jiangnan City. Outside, merely mentioning the Zhu family's name would earn them some respect. What's more, he was the Patriarch! Even setting aside the Zhu family's influence, the Patriarch was a capable man. Even those within the Zhu family who had their own little schemes wouldn't dare to reveal them in front of the Patriarch. Yet now, the Patriarch was so respectful towards Zhou Yu? Yes, Zhou Yu had some skills, but was it worth this? Could it be that the Patriarch's son-in-law had an extraordinary background?
After much thought, the elders concluded that this was the most likely explanation! If it were simple, how could he have been betrothed to Zhu Ling'er while still in swaddling clothes? The Patriarch doted on Zhu Ling'er like a treasure. Even the deceased Old Master Zhu had doted on Zhu Ling'er immensely! It was said that this marriage was personally arranged by Old Master Zhu. Zhou Yu's status must not be as simple as it appeared. As they pondered, a hint of unspoken respect entered the elders' gaze as they looked at the Patriarch.
The Patriarch, unaware of the storm brewing in the elders' minds due to his unintentional actions, was busy serving Zhou Yu food. While serving, he kept nudging Zhu Ling'er with his eyes, urging her to refill Zhou Yu's wine.
"Patriarch, I really can't drink anymore," Zhou Yu said with a slightly tipsy look, feeling helpless as he saw his wine cup refilled.
The Patriarch smiled and put an arm around Zhou Yu's shoulder, "Doctor Zhou, you're being too formal. Today, you are our family's great hero, shouldn't I toast you a couple of times?"
Zhou Yu coughed awkwardly upon hearing this, cupping his hand around his mouth to conceal it. Even if one wanted to toast, it wasn't done like this! The Patriarch had taken a large bowl and downed it with Zhou Yu. Wasn't he deliberately trying to get him drunk? Zhou Yu understood the Patriarch's intentions perfectly.